Two Princesses, One Throne

Chapter 4

“I came here to enjoy the festival, father.” Amara frowned as she stared at the woman standing before her.

“Father?” Amara asked confusion is written on her face until realization hit her.

“You’re Arianna? Raquel’s daughter?” asked Amara though the answer is already obvious.

“Oh hi sister, I’m sorry for not introducing myself. I’m Arianna, so good to finally meet you.” Arianna had a smile on her face as she introduced herself but Amara is having a bad feeling about her.

“What do you think you’re doing Arianna?” asked King Edward as he stood up to face his daughter.

“I came to visit you since you never allowed me to come to your kingdom.” Slightly turning her head to the side Arianna ordered, “Let’s get the party started boys.”

Arianne’s army started attacking the soldiers as well as those who try to fight back. Sorcerers tried to use their power but Arianna’s soldiers use powerful dark magic. Seeing their soldiers fall from one to the other, Amara stood in front of her father and used her magic to subdue the dark sorcerers. Blue butterflies started to surround Amara as she froze the enemies before her.

But as she used her power, Arianna ordered her human warriors to attack Amara all at the same time. Amara used her power to stop the warriors but her power is starting to weaken. Amara felt the tattoos on her back fading as she squeezed all the powers she had left.

“Stop it, sister. If you run out of power you’ll die eventually not unless you fully gain it.” Arianna commented with an evil smirk on her lips. Amara gritted her teeth in anger. She stopped using her magic and took a sword from one of the fallen soldiers.

She’s not only good with bows and arrows but she also mastered the sword. Amara fought the human warriors using the art of war she learned from all her pieces of training. Amara was now surrounded by the enemy and one warrior stood behind her about to stab her when she saw an arrow flying from a distance. Moving her head slightly to the side, the arrow hit the person behind her. She tried to look for the person who helped her but she’s too focused on the enemy at hand.

Arianna walked closer to her father who was busy using his gravity-based magic to the rebels.

“Papa.” Arianna called using the same voice as Amara. Hearing her beloved daughter’s voice, King Edward turned around only to be greeted by a stab. His eyes grew wide as he stared into Arianna’s victorious smile.

“Ouch.” Arianne pulled the shadow knife roughly from King Edward’s body stabbing him once again on his chest. As the shadow knife pierced the king’s heart, it disappeared as it entered his body; poisoning his organs.

Amara witnessed this from afar. She tried to approach her father but the warriors keep on attacking her. Tears are falling from her eyes as she witnessed how Arianna killed her father.

When Amara finally killed all her enemies, she ran to her father’s side and held him in her arms.

“No. Papa please, don’t leave me.” Amara cried.

“L-leave A-amara. E-escape.” Those were the last words King Edward said before he made his last breath. Amara cried whilst Arianna laughed as she watched the scene. Arianna’s laugh was ringing in Amara’s ears fuelling her anger towards her treacherous sister.

“You’ll gonna pay for this.” Amara was about to use the last of her power against Arianna when her mother’s amulet shined bright red.

Arianna was surprised to see Astra’s amulet around Amara’s neck. She was about to come closer but the power of the amulet is holding her back. Amara’s body started to fade and right then she knew that the amulet is protecting her; that the amulet is making her escape. Thus as her body faded, she stared at her father’s dead body with tears in her eyes.

~~~~

When Amara opened her eyes she saw nothing but rocks around her until she realized she’s in a cave. Amara folded her knees hugging them as she thought about her father’s death once again but this time she didn’t cry.

Crying won’t bring her father back. Right now, Amara just wanted to live for her father’s sake and to save her father’s kingdom from her sister.

Amara decided to get out of the cave to find something to eat. She was taught how to survive in the woods. Amara might be a princess but she decided to live her life like a normal person.

She felt rather disappointed that she didn’t have her bows and arrows with her and she doesn’t want to use her powers to hunt. She doesn’t want to take life force from any living thing unless they give it to her.

Amara walked through the forest; she carefully took a step forward not wanting to make a noise. Amara heard a snapping sound making her look back. Blowing air to her fingers, blue butterflies came out. Closing her eyes she used her butterflies to scan the area wanting to make sure that Arianna wasn’t able to track her.

Amara saw a two-story building not so far from where she’s standing. Opening her eyes she decided to go to the place and rest there for the meantime. She was about to take a step towards its direction when she remembered she had no money with her. Looking down she smiled when she saw her gold bracelet around her wrist.

Arriving at the place she realizes as an inn at a closer look, there are no customers around which brought relief to Amara.

“What can I do for you?” asked the owner of the inn making Amara turn her head to the person’s direction.

“Do you have an available room?” asked Amara almost hesitantly.

“We have one available room left.” The owner answered.

“I’ll take it but-----“

The owner had her brows high up as she waited for Amara to continue.

“I don’t have money with me although I have this.” showing her the bracelet Amara mentally smiled when she saw the owner’s eyes brighten but she’s doing her best to hide it.

Clearing her throat the owner said, “Well, it’s not so bad.”

“Is this p*****t enough for me to stay here for a month?” asked Amara hesitating.

“This p*****t can last you even three months but that excludes your food and clothing.” The owner answered softly touching and feeling the gold with her fingers.

“I’m okay with that. I can work to pay three dresses and my meal as well.” eyeing her from head to toe the owner shrugged her shoulders before saying, “Alright.”

Amara took off the bracelet giving it to the owner who had a wide smile on her face as she accepted the gold bracelet. “Follow me princess.” Amara froze when she heard what the owner just called her. The owner turned around when felt no one following her.

“What did you just call me?” asked Amara with her dangerous look. Extending her arms, a blue whip came out causing the owner to back away.

“Are you one of her followers?” asked Amara, her voice laced with anger as she remembers Arianna’s treacherous face.

“W-what? No-I just----“

Amara heard one of the inn’s employees coming in so she made her weapon disappear. “Please take me to my room.” said Amara with a smile on her face but the owner was too terrified to even move.

“Y-yes. This way please.” The owner stuttered, hesitantly leading Amara to her room. When they finally reached the room Amara’s whip appeared again circling it around the owner’s waist pulling her inside the room before slamming the door shut.

On her other hand, another whip came out. Amara used it to pull the chair at the corner of the room. “Sit.”

The owner followed; the whip still around her waist. She tried removing it but its cold temperature made it impossible for her to even touch it.

“Don’t waste your time. No one can touch it but me.” Amara said coldly when she saw her trying to touch the whip which Amara no longer holds.

With one hand gesture from Amara, the whip moved to wrap itself around the woman’s body including her arms.

“Do you know me madam…”

“Wanda.”

“Wanda, do you know who I am?” asked Amara her eyes cold.

“I—“

“Wait.” Amara held her hand up to stop Wanda from speaking. Amara pointed her finger up and a blue butterfly came out. It flies through the air and landed on Wanda’s bare shoulder. Wanda shivered when she felt the cold crawling through her veins as the butterfly landed on her shoulder.

“Whatever I’m about to ask you, please answer them honestly.” Said Amara getting Wanda’s attention.

“The butterfly on your shoulder is now connected to your veins; even the smallest ones. It can tell if you’re lying or not and if you do, it will freeze you from inside out; slowly and painfully.” Amara continued making Wanda blinked her eyes many times.

“You are terrifying.” Wanda commented and when she realized what she just said she bit her lower lip.

“S-sorry.”

“Now, I’ll ask you again. Do you know who I am Wanda?” Amara asked.

“Honestly, I didn’t at first but when I got a closer look, I found you familiar until I remembered the princess who went missing three days ago after the rebellion of Queen Arianna.” Amara frowned in confusion.

“What do you mean three days ago?” asked Amara.

“It’s been three days since the rebellion of Queen Arianna. I mean, the day after the King died she declared herself Queen and she’s been trying to find you.” Wanda answered which brought clarity to Amara’s confusion. She’s been in that cave for three days; she thought it was only yesterday.

“Are you one of her followers?” Amara asked again staring into Wanda’s eyes intently.

“No.” Wanda answered almost too quickly.

“I mean I know the little skank since she once terrorized my hometown a year ago but NO, I’d rather die than be her follower.” Wanda added. Amara snapped her fingers and the butterfly disappeared as well as the whip that’s tying her up. Wanda mentally sighed when she felt the warmth crawled in her body.

“I’m sorry if I scared you, Wanda. I just wanted to make sure Arianna can’t find me.” Amara apologized.

“It’s alright. You gave me gold so…….. I’ll just let you get settled in. If there’s anything you need just call me.” standing from the chair, Wanda walked to the door but before going out, she added, “You can stay here for as long as you want but you need to work for it. Goodnight-------Is it okay if I call you Mara?”

Amara smiled as she answered, “Yes.”

“Good night Mara.” Wanda closed the door leaving Amara alone in the room. She walked to the window and stared at the distance. “Enjoy your reign, Arianna. Enjoy it while it lasts.”

~~~~

The news about Arianna’s rebellion has reached all kingdoms including the High Kingdom. High King Lucian had a grim look on his face as he read the report given by Taylor.

“You already expected this, Lucian, although it was sooner than we expected.” The acting Queen Diana commented. Looking at the attendant the Diana said, “Thank you, Taylor.”

Taylor bowed his head and dismissed himself leaving the High King and his cousins Diana and Dmitri.

“This is clearly an internal conflict between two heirs. Arianna is King Edward’s daughter from Raquel and Amara is his daughter from his soulmate Astra who happens to be Raquel’s twin.” Diana said as she looks at the report.

“We have more than one problem, at hand. The rebel lycans are slowly recruited by the Rogue King, the location of the Racial Research Development Laboratory is still unknown; the number of missing people is increasing day by day, and the upcoming annual ball of the werewolf kingdom.” Dmitri, Diana’s brother added.

“I don’t see the ball as a problem. I heard the kingdom was getting a little exciting. Am I right Lucian?” turning her head to her cousin, Lucian massaged his temple closing his eyes.

“Let’s leave the Kingdom of Magic for now. But if they ally with the Rogue King then we’ll have no choice but to eliminate Arianna.” The High King concluded. 

“We’ll see if Amara can fight for her right but what if she seeks help from us?” Diana asked.

“Then we’ll aid her but until then, we focus on the rebels and the Rogue King.”