As my hand reached for the knob on the doors which stood tall. I heard an inhuman noise somewhere behind me. I quickly turned around my hair smacking me in my face, blurring my vision for only a second, but that second was long enough for whatever it is to hurry off.

“Whoever is here, make yourself known.” I demanded the empty space. This resulted in another noise, it sounded like it was behind the plant.

“I will not ask again.” I muttered out, slight nervousness creeping into my voice.

I began walking to the noises, terrified of what I would find. With each step I grew more anxious, my body told me to turn and run, but my brain didn’t want to. Once I was in front of the plant, I looked around it quickly and saw a raven. I sigh to myself a sense of relief washing over me. I sat down next to it.

The raven hops up to me and in return I pet its head with one finger.

“You represent death in many cultures, including mine. I find it funny how calm you are. It’s like you're misunderstood.” I whisper as if the bird could understand me. Soon after I finished speaking, It fluttered up and seemed to fly right behind my left shoulder. When I stood up, it seemed to flutter higher. I started feeling weird, like this bird was trying to tell me something, no, like it was trying to warn me of something.

I took slow strides towards the door, the bird following me as I did so.

I exited the castle and the nightly cold air hit my face instantly, causing me to slightly inhale, it seemed even the bird was surprised by it. I began walking down the stone pathway, towards the village. Most people were in their houses eating dinners with their families, though some stores were still open. As I look at each of the houses and stores, the lanterns that lined the streets seem to brighten themselves.

“How intriguing.” I smiled at the lanterns, they weren’t lightbulbs, rather fireflies.

“I know right, it took me ages to line the entire town, but I was able to do it!” A voice behind me spoke. The raven flew off to the forest and I looked up at it flying away.

I turned around and saw a girl, shorter than me. She was rather plump and wore a dress that nearly touched the ground. Her hair was blonde, which was tucked neatly into a bun. Her eyes were a deep blue, like the depths of the ocean. Her necklace moved slightly as she approached me.

“The names Penelope!-” She held her hand out, “-and yours?”

“Iris.” I said plainly, taking the hand. She did a slight gasp.

“Like Iris Kestria?” She was practically yelling right in front of me. I nodded as a reply, and in response she did a slight twirl after letting go of my hand. “How wonderful, I barely see your family outside of the castle besides at the festivals!”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I was already annoyed by this reaction to being a Kestria. “I apologize, your royalty, you probably get that a lot.”

“Just call me Iris.” It’s not that I hated being called royalty or any fancy names, it’s just that sometimes I wish I had a friend who didn’t see me as just the princess. She nodded at my response, “Of course, Iris!”

“Where are you headed off too?” She asked, I thought for a minute. I didn’t even have a plan, I just wanted to leave the castle for a bit.

“The blacksmith, I would like to acquire a weapon.” Penelope's eyes gleamed with excitedness. I did a slight sigh, “would you like to accompany me, Penelope?” She vigorously nodded, and in turn I nodded.

I turned around and began walking in the direction of the blacksmith. She quickly ran up next to me smiling, “The blacksmith is quite hard to get through, just so you know. Sometimes he likes to go rogue when creating whatever you ask for.” I kept walking, not responding. I was deep in my thoughts. Mainly about the Maps and books.

Soon after that we approached the store, the guy inside was cleaning up his store when we entered. He looks at us and gives us a grunt.

“Hello Penelope and you are?” He nods his head towards me.

“Iris Kestria, sir.” I bow after stating my name and he gives another grunt.

“Wow I’m getting even royalty as customers now? Surprising.” I rolled my eyes at the guy. His tone was sarcastic and I already didn’t like him.

“I would like a pair of daggers. Ragged on one side.” Penelope, still beaming, did a slight clap.

“What are you even going to use them for, you have a whole army,” I stared at him, my head slightly tilted. My anger issues worsened each word he spoke.

“Fine, fine. That will be 100 Miyak coins.” He said dusting his hands on his pants. I pull the bag out and plop it on the table, which results in it landing with a thud. He grabbed the bag and put it in a back room, by now Penelope was looking at the beautiful arrangement of weapons on the walls. She reached for a small knife on a table, and he quickly spoke up.

“Don’t touch unless you buy, which I doubt you will since it is too expensive for you.” Penelope began frowning, she retracted her hand.

“Sorry-” she begins before I cut her off.

“How much?” There was a lot of attitude in my voice, but I could care less right now. Sure I didn’t like the girl that much, but there is no reason to treat someone like that.

“50 Miya” he said as he started to get ready to make the blades. I threw another 50 coins on the table, grabbed the blade, and left. Penelope behind me.

“You didn’t need to buy that for me.” She just barely whispered. I stopped in the middle of the pathway and gave her the knife.

“yep.” I began looking around at other stores. Penelope yawned and smiled.

“I’ll be heading off now, Iris, I had a great time hanging out with you.-” I nodded

“Me as well, penelope.” She had a small smile on her face as she walked away. She did one last turn at me and said “Goodnight Iris.” Then she disappeared into a house. I sighed and decided I should get back to the castle. Stores began turning their lanterns off and the street lanterns dimmed slightly.

As I made my way up the pathway to the castle, the castle lights also dimmed so I quickened my pace before the doors locked. Right as I made it to the door, someone was locking it. They bowed and I made my way inside. I quickly fled up the stairs and once I reached the last step I was confronted by Venus and Mira. Venus looked worried sick, her cheeks puffy and her eyes red. Then there was Mira who was fuming. Arms crossed and her grip tightening on her elbows at the mere sight of me.

"Get on with it" I muttered.

"Where have you been! Venus was worried sick and so was everyone else" she exclaimed.

"I apologize. I needed some fresh air."

"So what? Since dad is dead you think you can just do whatever you want? Well you’re wrong."

Venus sighed, "Mira. Shut up." Venus was shaking her head, when Mira looked at her with her face looking shocked.

"Yelling will do you both no good. If we keep bickering like this then we will wake the family."

"Well you guys aren't exactly good at being secretive anyway." I rolled my eyes, thinking of all the times everyone has caught them trying to leave in the middle of the night.

"Now you have no right to talk, young lady. You shouldn't be sneaking off like that. You are royalty, do you know how many people would try to kidnap you?-" Venus whisper yelled

"A lot?" I interjected before she could even answer her rhetorical question.

She grunted while nodding.

“Get to bed.” she spoke softly as I walked off to my room