Aviv, The Lost Princess

“We’ve got only one hour,

To fill this sour tower,

With my love, I will shower

You, till my last breath and power.

With one hour, we’ll live,

With our hearts, believe,

I’ll carry you down this very eve,

Because you’re my soul, Aviv.

Down this golden cage,

Away from this life they've arranged,

Write a new chapter in a new page,

I’ll hold your hand as we age.

As I promised on our wedding night in depth,

I’ll love you through health and death,

Give you riches and fill you with wealth,

And we’ll share the burdens and strength.

But until then, one hour,

I will not cower,

I would scour the earth to give you, my flower,

My superpower.

Give you your God given right,

To fight this night,

Let you fill it with your bright light,

Let you be your own knight.

You carry a powerful weapon beside,

We’ll fight side by side,

Down each step inside,

And finally leave this tower behind.”

I grip the paper tightly in my hands. After twenty years inside this place, I am more than ready to leave. Brushing my tears aside, I put the paper safely inside my corset and went to my bed to take out a piece of wood. I had found it discarded when I had been moved to this room. After spending a good amount of time sharpening it, the mediocre branch became a deadly dagger in my hands. I look beyond my barred window as I push the dagger beside the poem. The sun is going down soon.

I brush my hair and give myself a last inspection in the dirty mirror above my vanity table. My dark green dress was long enough to hide the fact that I’m wearing boots underneath. We’ve been planning this escape for weeks now. Malik had only been able to smuggle me these very boots. Everything else would have been too suspicious and confiscated by the guards outside my room. Tonight is my only chance to flee. Tonight is the ball in which the King will parade me around and announce our marriage.

And I’ll be waiting.

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The grand ballroom was lightened by candles adorning the golden walls and crystal chandeliers swung from the ceiling. The marble white floor was so clean that I could see my reflection perfectly. But even more luxurious were the clothes of the noble people dancing and talking along with the music played by the orchestra in the back. I noticed the stark contrast of my green dress with their silk dresses and suits. They were made of all the colours of the rising sun. Another evidence of how I did not belong here was their light skin and blond hair.

As I stepped inside, my guards stayed behind and assumed places beside the door. Gasps arose as the people inside took notice of me. Some looked on with wonder, others disgust, and my heart twisted. I quickly searched for a familiar face before continuing on. My eyes stopped briefly upon the throne before I found her beside the food table. Shoulders back and tension knotting in my belly I walk towards her and discreetly pick up a piece of sweet off a plate.

The waitress I knew as Magda stepped towards me and offered champagne.

“Everything’s in place, Aviv. When the King will be making his announcement and everybody's distracted, someone will come get you. Remember the plan.”

Without even waiting for my nod, Magda courtesies and slips away to offer a drink to another guest. A second later, the orchestra changed up their tune, declaring the arrival of the King and his gentlemen-in-waiting.

The King's pale complexion wasn't hard to find. Tall and young, he walked towards the dais with the confidence that came with his title. Upon his white hair was a white ivory crown and below, a strong jaw clenched and bright blue eyes cautiously darted around the room. Chin dipping slightly in recognition as the people bowed before him. He’s nothing like I’ve ever imagined. It’s not common for the royal family to be seen in public since they spend most of their time in an unknown location. Rumors say that they live in a magical castle made of ice. Not that I’ll ever believe without seeing it with my own two eyes.

When he reached the throne, his voice boomed out-

“Thank you all for being here on this special night. Tonight, I have an announcement to make. Please welcome Princess Aviv Howl of The Old Kingdom.”

With that, the guests opened a path from me to the imposing man. With no other choice, I walked forward and soon found myself putting my hand into his.

“I, King Cyprus Balfor of The New Kingdom and Princess Aviv are to marry-” Screams cut him off and as we look towards the sound of glass breaking, we see the shattered windows and people in black jumping inside branding silver weapons. In the middle of the chaos, I rush towards them, but I'm held in place by King Cyprus. “If I have to cut my own hand to be free, I will”. I hiss at him. Surprised, he let me go and I ran towards one of the largest windows and threw myself out of it.

One moment I was flying beneath the moonlight, the next, someone caught me in my middle and dropped me to the ground. Their green eyes met mine in the dark and together we ran towards my new destiny.