The brush glided through my hair as it undid all of the knots I acquired through the night whilst sleeping. I stared at myself through the grand mirror on top of the desk in front of me. I watched as the servant brushing my hair finally stopped and started braiding it. It looked a frizzy mess undoing all of my curls. No matter, braiding it will hide the brushing we did. Strands of my long brown hair intertwined delicately in between her older fingers.

“I can’t believe he’s tried it again,” the sweet lady braiding my hair muttered in a way that was quite unappealing.

“They’ve tried it again?” Another servant asked while making my bed.

“Yes! You’d think the king would put better guards around it, but… oh I simply can’t tell how he gets past them every time…” She was about halfway done. I found their conversation amusing, but other than that it really had nothing to do with me. After all, the dagger was none of my business according to my father.

“Well, with the way his majesty guards it himself, I would see how he wouldn’t find a need for ‘better guards.’” The servant braiding my hair shook her head.

“If the whole kingdom rests upon its influence, it should be better protected!” I stayed silent, trying not to smile. They have no idea how protected the knife is. No matter how close the thief gets, they’re always foiled one way or another. I suppose I’ve often thought about how that is, but I’ve decided just to listen to my father.

Once they had finished, they bid their goodbyes and I thanked them. That was when I decided it was best to head out to the dining room for my father and, well, just my father and I. My mother, the queen, was killed during a successful assassination attempt.

I walked through the halls, the echoes of my steps bouncing off the towering walls above me. My red dress flowed around my ankles. It was my morning dress that complimented the red and gold of the castle… and my father’s cape and robes. As I neared the door, a kind butler opened the door to the dining hall for me. I gave him a little courtesy, earning a smile from him.

I entered the room and have yet to stop marveling at the room surrounding me. The walls were red and curved with swirling gold accents. Large windows were adorned on the side of the wall. The door shut behind me with a thump and I looked ahead to my father, sitting at the end of a very long table. My place was set on the other end. I walked over to my chair and bowed at my father, a tradition of respect, and a butler pushed my chair in as I sat down.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“How did you sleep?” My father’s voice pushed it way into my head. He was always a rather loud and jovial man, with a deep voice to match. He took a sip of his usual morning tea, lifting the cup with his heavily scarred hands. White lines covered his skin everywhere, it seemed, except for his face aside from one scar under his left eye.

“I slept rather well, father,” I nodded my head to him and set my plate properly before grabbing a loaf of bread to break. I saw a spark in his eye.

“Sweet dreams?” He continued to prod, taking a large bite from the eggs on his plate.

“I don’t remember them very well, I would say so.” I smiled and took a bite of my food.

We continued to eat in silence. It wasn’t necessarily awkward, but it was certainly… interesting. Usually he had more to say. I decided to break the silence.

“Are you feeling okay?” I asked him, trying to sound as innocent as possible. He eyed me a bit, as if I was being suspicious.

“I suppose… I am shaken up from last night,” he admitted. I nodded, understanding.

“May I probe your brain and ask why?”

“Sophia… you know how important the dagger is to our family, you understand that, right?” I nodded.

“Of course, father.”

“Then you understand that if the knife were to be… stolen, our life as we know it would be… destroyed.”

“I understand, father. I hope your day brings more happiness than your previous night.” We continued eating in silence.

Once the time had come for me to continue my studies about the kingdom, my father dismissed me from the table and I left the room.

“Of course it didn’t work!” I heard a familiar voice exclaim in a not-so-hushed manner. Whoever it was, they were around the corner. I immediately stopped. I know I shouldn’t snoop, but I had to. “He came into the room. I couldn’t fulfill the plan! Yes, he does this every time, I know.” Is he talking about my father and the dagger? “Either way we’ll fulfill the plan and the king will be gone! You have to go now. I’m afraid someone can hear us…”

I felt my eyes widen. I debated whether to run or not, but curiosity got the better of me and I stayed put. I could be killed, but I wasn’t far from my father. I crossed my arms as… the Duke of Herrington came round the corner, looking rather curious and stern at the same time. His green eyes pierced my own as he swiped a hand through his slick, black hair.

“Princess Sophia! What a pleasure to see you this morning. Are you ready for your studies?” His suave and tenor voice filled my ears. He clapped his hands together and peered around us. His eyes moved back to me, suddenly staring me down and hushing himself. “You mustn't say anything that you’ve heard, alright?”

“And if I do?” I raised my eyebrow, whispering. He smirked.

“Then I cannot ensure your safety.”