The feeling of great danger hits me like a truck. I look around to see its origin, to see my mother holding up a box with a small smile.

I look closely for me to see gunpowder between her fingers. I scream towards her as I push Adelaide, sprinting in mother's direction.

I run, with every step heavier than the last. I was about to reach her. She notices me and radiantly smiles. Her hand is waving in delight.

Only if time stopped there.

An explosion resounds as dread lodged itself in my throat. I see Mother flying back to the door as the screams follow.

I run as fast as I could, my legs burning from the effort. My visions blurry as each step is harder than the last.

I reach her and what I see freezes me to my core. Her once unblemished porcelain skin, now charred black, her face disfigured.

The vibrant purple hair, burning into ashes. Purple eyes once filled with warmth, bloodshot and burnt.

I take a step closer as tears flow freely from my eyes. As I reach her, I shouted. "Mama!" She looks at me in recognition. She forces herself a small smile and mutters.

"I love you."

She closes her eyes, filling me with dread. "NO! NO! NO!" I hold her hands as I sob in desperation, "Mother, Please don't leave me." I whisper to her.

I sat there crying, frozen in fear of losing the first person I ever loved. Powerless to do anything, as I hear her weakening breath.

'WEAK'

I hold her to what felt like eons, hoping for a miracle. One which comes pushing me to the side, "Move."

I look in shock as I saw Adelaide pulling up her sleeves as a vibrant green light emanates from her hands. She pushes her hands to mother's chest.

I look back to mother in hope, to see her face stitch itself back. I continue to look in hope. My sobs and tears stopped in trepidation.

A few moments pass, her breath now normal.

I lie down in relief and exhaustion, the tension leaving my body.

I laugh in joy, only to wince as I feel my legs aching from exhaustion. Adelaide wipes the sweat off her brows to look at me with a delighted smile.

"She's healed." I look up at the ceiling with a smile. "That's great," I mutter, As I lay there, tired and beaten. To hear the chatter and panic from the attendees.

I look around once more to see Father, his expression filled with relief. He looks at me and nods, returning to put back order at the ceremony.

I see my brothers along with their mothers, their faces worried. I give them a small smile, filling their faces with relief.

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

I stand up once more as guards started pouring into the hall. I hear Father shout, "Gather every piece of evidence, quarantine the area." He slams his hand on the table, "Make sure no one gets out of this CASTLE!"

The men saluted and shouted in response, "YES, YOUR MAJESTY." The guards disperse and started corraling the attendees back to their respective rooms.

I clench my hand in anger. The idiot that did this is going to pay. I shake my head. This isn't the time for anger. I look towards mother, remaining unconscious. I hold her hand, reminding myself of her warmth, fending off the fear of her death.

I hear running from behind me to see Faye, wearing a dirtied apron. She runs up to me, breathless. "Milord, Are you alright?"

She notices the blood in my hands and mother's dress. Before I could reply, she immediately knelt to mothers side.

Looking at me in worry, she spoke once again, "Is Her Highness alright? Are there any problems? Injuries?"

I shake my head at her, eliciting a sigh of relief. She bows waist-deep, "I apologize, Your Highness." tears fall from her eyes. "I should have been by your side."

I hold her hand at her side, "Faye, It's fine. Instead of that, why don't you take Mother to a more comfortable place."

She widens her eyes in realization as she gestures to one of the guards here to call for a doctor to take mother away and start a diagnosis.

She proceeds to move, taking care of the aftermath. Adelaide stands beside me, watching the incident go by.

I turn to Adelaide, hugging her with all my might. "Thank you," I hug her harder. "I don't know what could've happened if she died."

A few moments pass, I look out once more to the attendees. I spoke, "Who do you think did it?" She looks back at me.

"I don't know, but with the recent decision. There's a huge chance Francia is planning something." Adelaide spoke in hushed whispers.

I nod in affirmation, knowing that the plan for marriage has forced the hand of the Franks. I continue to look at mother sitting at her side as she laid there unconscious.

Guarding her of any threats. I scoot closer to her to remind myself of her continued breathing. The act, though, was stopped as guards and doctors head in her direction.

They bow to me as they take my mother, laying her body on the stretcher. Or at least what would pass one.

Faye takes the lead, bowing towards me as she hurriedly fixed everything for my mother's condition.

I sigh as the ball is emptied out. Well, at least it was a memorable tenth birthday. I try to chuckle to myself, only to wince at the image of my mother's broken body.

I guess there's only so much you can forget. A tug broke my thought. I look at it to see Adelaide pulling only my hand.

"Cmon, let's go." I nod at her as we exit out the door. We walk in silence. A few moments pass. I look down and speak once more.

"Thank you, really, Thank you." My voice filled with gratitude. She replies with a shaky smile. "It's fine, and I couldn't just stand there as she suffered.

I look at her to show my sincerity, only for her to fall into my arms. The smell of blood, everpresent. I push her up to carry as a voice spoke behind us.

"I can take of her from this point, Your Majesty." I look at the voice to see Lord Frederick. I bowed and questioned him. "What happened to her?"

Frederick looks down at Adelaide with a small smile, "This is the backlash of her power, something she wishes to hide from the public eye."

"I see, then please thank her once more for me." Frederick nods, "As you wish," He fixes Adelaide in his arms, "Then I shall be going." I let him go with a nod.

I continue walking, the night sky making me lonely despite the guards and the servant following behind me.

Perhaps due to the fact that a few moments ago, I walked this path with a cheerful smile and happy memories.

I shake my head, and there's no rest for the weary. I stop and look forward.

I know you're there, I thought to myself. I want to learn, a chuckle follows my thought.

The familiar eerie voice spoke, "Start what?"

My training, Viktor laughs. "It's always like this, isn't it?"

He waves his hand as a collar appears in my neck, "Never mind, I'll take what I can get."

I continue walking before a shock goes through me, making me stumble. A shock collar, huh.

Viktor spoke with delight, "Try to remain stoic, and a neutral face is one that cannot be read."

He claps

"This is going to be FUN."