"How dare you, Pandora?" my father's voice boomed across the room. "You dare try to run away from me." He kept yelling at me.

"Oh, please, Father!" I fired back sarcastically. "I'm twenty-two, Father, twenty-two! I'm not a kid anymore who can't make decisions. I'm old enough to do things on my own, yet you never let me do anything." My long, shiny gold hair that had been packed neatly fell down to my shoulders, my blue sparkling eyes showing a spark of rage as I yelled back at him.

He stood up from his throne and walked toward me, and the next thing I felt was a resounding slap across my face. I held my left cheek with my left hand and stared at him, my hair already falling across my face as I breathed heavily. My father just slapped me.

"My King!" my mother came down from her seat on the throne and rushed toward him, holding his hands. The guards didn't flinch; they all remained in their positions.

"You will not speak to me in that manner," my father warned me.

"I hate you. I really do hate you," I shouted, the words burning through my chest, and I quickly turned and ran to my room.

My mother called after me. "Pandora, Pandora, come back here!"

But I didn't listen. I kept running, maids and guards swiftly following, but I had already locked the door to my room before they could enter.

I didn't cry like last time. It was as if every ounce of tears had left me. I just lay on the ground near the window, staring into space.

"Why did I think I could escape anyway?" I laughed, a maniacal sort of laugh. It was as if I wanted to go mad.

I heard a voice from the door. "His Majesty has ordered me to inform you that the king you intend to marry, King Roland, will be in the palace tomorrow to see you," said a guard. "I shall take my leave." I could hear his footsteps slowly fading away.

I didn't say anything. I just continued staring into space and slowly drifted to sleep, trying not to think about what had just happened.

The morning sun hit me through the window. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my palm and slowly got up. I turned to my left and saw another maid standing there. They must have used the spare key that was with my mother to open the door.

"Good morning, Your Highness," the maid said, giving a light bow and smiling.

"Where's Maria?" I asked, ignoring her greeting. Maria was usually the one who came to my room every morning to dress me. Even though she had ratted me out, I was still worried for her-she was still my friend.

"Uhmm..." the maid hesitated at first.

I slowly stood up from the ground where I had slept and sat on my bed. "Speak," I commanded.

"Your Highness, from what I heard, the queen came into your room last night and was shocked to see Maria on your bed, wearing your clothes," she paused, gulping. "The queen demanded an explanation, and that's when Maria told her you wanted to escape and had worn her clothes. She was asked to take the guards to you, as the queen had already signaled them..." she continued, but I cut her off.

"Where is she now? What did they do to her? Answer me!" My palms were already sweaty, and I clutched the hem of my garment tightly.

"Uhmm... Your Highness," the maid continued. "Maria was sentenced to severe whipping and death by the king." She finally stopped, keeping her head low.

"Death?" The word echoed in my head. I didn't even think before I ran to the throne room, knowing I would see my father.

"Princess," the maid shouted, rushing to grab me, but I dodged, and she ran behind me.

I swiftly opened the doors to the throne room, barging in on my father as he spoke with his chief advisor. I immediately fell to my knees, hands pressed together as I started begging.

"Father, Your Highness, please spare her. I forced her into doing what she did. Please, Father."

King Valcom looked away from his chief advisor and stared right at me, a grin on his face. "And why should I spare her? She wanted to help you escape."

"It's not her fault, Father. Please let her go. Punish me instead," I kept pleading, this time lying flat on my belly.

"I'll let her go on one condition."

"Anything you ask, Father. I will obey."

"You must marry King Roland without any complaints."

My heart froze. I looked up at my father; he still had that grin on his face. To save my best friend, I had to marry that monster.

"But Father..." I tried to protest, but he didn't let me finish.

"No buts, Pandora. You marry him, or she dies," he thundered with finality.

My heart crumbled, yet I couldn't cry. Why was my father so insistent on marrying me to that devil, even if it was to have him as an ally? There, I hardened my heart-not to feel anymore. It felt like everyone hated me.

"I agree, Father. I will marry him," I said finally, my voice calm and firm, much to my own surprise.

"Very well. Your maid shall be released, but she will no longer serve in the castle. She will be sent to be sold as a wife to one of the soldiers."

I knew something like that would happen, but it was better than her dying.

"I'll take my leave," I said, standing up and walking toward my room to get ready to meet that monster. My maid followed behind.

......

I sat down on my throne after being dressed in a gold ball gown with shimmering golden designs. My hair was neatly packed in a gold hairpin my father had given me specifically for the occasion. Everyone in the throne room, the advisors, my parents, the guards, and a few maids, could see that I was unhappy, but the ceremony had to go on.

My mother sat beside my father. They wore matching outfits: her green ball gown, his green suit with fluffy feathers in his pocket, a long red cape with feathers along the edges. He held his staff, sitting majestically on the throne.

The trumpet sounded, and almost immediately, the doors opened. King Roland walked in, flanked by guards and maids. The whole room stood, including my parents. I also stood, looking at them in disgust.

"Welcome, Roland, welcome," my father chuckled happily, walking toward Roland and holding out his hands. They hugged, patting each other's backs gently.

"Oh, mighty king, you haven't changed at all," Roland said lightly.

"I wish I could say the same to you. You've grown into such a fine young man," my father replied, observing him.

"Welcome to our kingdom," my mother greeted, bowing slightly.

"My lady, I didn't see you there. Nice to meet you," Roland said, bowing slightly.

My father gestured for me to come forward. I gave a slight bow, not saying a word, not smiling.

King Roland studied me for a moment, then made a stupid remark. "You must be Pandora. I have to say, your... chest is quite small," he laughed.

Without thinking, my hands moved, and I slapped him across the cheek, shocking everyone.

"Pandora!" my father roared and slapped me back.

The room and the guests were silent. It was as if everyone was afraid to make a sound. I looked at my father; this was the second time he had hit me. His hands were still in the air like he wanted to hit me again. King Roland's guards moved, but King Roland stopped them.

"Pandora, why would you do such a thing?" my mother said to me while holding me slightly.

My father turned to look at King Roland. "I apologise on behalf of my daughter, she's still young and...."

"NO, NO! It's okay. You didn't tell me she was a spicy girl. You know I like them hot-blooded; nobody would like a boring queen," he replied to my father. He looked at me, my palm still on my face as hatred surged through me.

"I heard you have a rather cherished friend, my lady," Roland said with a grin on his face. "What was her name again? Yes! Maria."

"Leave her out of this, she did nothing to you!" I said, looking intently at King Roland.

"King Valcon, can I request for the girl to be brought into the throne room?" Roland asked my father.

"Is that necessary? But sure, she can be brought," said my father, avoiding my eyes.

"Father, you said you'd let her go, that she won't be involved in all these," I said to my father and reached out to him, but he averted my hands.

"Very well then," Roland said and signalled one of the guards to go get her.

She was brought by two hefty soldiers. A sack was on her head, making me unable to see her face. She was brought down on her knees and I could hear a faint whimper coming from her. Bruises were all over her body; she was actually bleeding in some parts.

I wanted to rush over to her, but my mother held me tightly and signalled a guard to help her hold me.

"Let me go! Maria! Ahh! Let me go!" I screamed at the guard as I struggled to break free.

"Shhh now, there's no need to shout," Roland shushed me and drew out a sword from one of his soldiers. Before I could process anything, he used the blade to slash the neck of Maria. A loud wail was heard as she fell down, her blood splashing on the expensive red rug of the throne room.

The whole room erupted in whispers and murmurs. Everyone was shocked. Me? It felt as if the world had shattered right in front of my eyes. I was devoid of emotions, unable to cry. I looked at my father, but he showed no reaction; instead, he looked calm, like nothing ever happened.

"NOOOOOOOO.....!" I heard myself scream so loud as I dropped to the ground. Tears flooded my eyes as I freely cried. "Maria... NOOO, what have you done?" I cried non-stop, my voice breaking with every word I said.

The same hefty guards picked up the lifeless body and went away. I just looked on, tears blurring my vision. I turned to look at my mother; her face was filled with terror, but she was unable to do or say anything.

"Finally, we're done with that. Why don't we shift the wedding to this night by 12?" Roland said with a smile as he handed the sword back.

"But, King Roland, isn't that too sudden? I mean the guests...."

"No need to worry about the guests. We could just have a simple wedding," Roland said. "I shall leave for my chambers and I'd expect my bride to be ready. Don't be late." He continued as he stared at my disheveled face. "So, mighty king, I'll see you later then?"

"Of course. Maybe I could show you round the castle while we sip some wine," my father said to him delightedly.

I was escorted back to my room, my face a mess of tears and dirt. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at nothing. The door opened, and I expected my mother or a guard, but it was a new maid. She looked around nervously before locking the door.

"Princess? Please, don't cry," she whispered, kneeling in front of me. "I'm a close friend of Maria's. I'm here to help."

"She's dead," I choked out. "He killed her right there."

The maid grabbed my hands. "Listen to me. That girl... she wasn't Maria. It was a girl caught stealing from the kitchens. The guards were confused, or they just didn't care. They needed a body to break you."

I froze. "What?"

She pulled a crumpled note from her apron. It was Maria's handwriting. Pandy, I'm fine but I'm hurt. I'm waiting in the secret passage. If you want to escape, come now.

I didn't need to hear anything else. "How do we get out? The halls are full of guards."

"The window," she said.

We climbed out, the cold night air hitting my face. We dropped into the bushes and crawled through the shadows until we reached the stone archway. Maria was there, leaning against the wall, pale and bandaged.

"Maria!" I ran to her and hugged her tight, but she let out a sharp cry of pain.

"Careful... my side," she whispered, hugging me back with one arm. "We have to move."

Before we could take ten steps, a loud alarm rang out from the towers. "THE PRINCESS IS GONE! SEARCH THE GROUNDS!"

Torches lit up everywhere. An army of soldiers flooded toward us. We ran for the bridge, but a figure stepped out, blocking our path. King Roland. He had that same sick smile on his face.

"Going somewhere, my bride?"

We were trapped. The maid looked at me and then at Maria. Without a word, she screamed and lunged at Roland, tackling him and pinning his arms for just a second.

"RUN!" she yelled.

Maria grabbed my hand. We looked at the roaring river below the bridge. It was our only chance.

"Together?" I asked.

"Together," Maria said.

We jumped. The cold water swallowed us, and the current took us away from the castle and into the dark.