She woke to the screaming.

This happened every night, always at the same time.

The screaming filled her dimly lit room until she closed her mouth and opened her eyes. Theode stared at the rafters, so high above her. Their faces stared back down at her. Queen Margerate's blue eyes filled with fear, her mouth overflowing with blood.

King Ferdinand's blond waves stained crimson from his own blood.

Theode shook her head. "James will be here soon," she muttered.

Soon after her voice had covered up the screams, the white haired servant knocked.

"Come in," she muttered, knowing he wouldn't wait.

He bowed his aging head and looked at her with tired eyes. His red undershirt was wrinkled, and his pants matched. His blue eyes seemed distant in the dark shadows cast by the candle held in his right hand.

"Your highness," he said, giving a weak smile. He did his best to stand straight, but his elderly back wouldn't allow it. "Was it another night terror?"

Theode nodded. "Yes, James," she replied. Her voice was cool and collected, despite her pounding heart. "May I have a glass of water?"

He nodded his head with great pain and left her in the darkness.

It had been ten years since then. She'd seen them ten years ago. She'd been crowned queen of Esporel ten years ago. She'd hanged the man who'd killed them ten years ago.

Theode remembered the night her parents died very clearly. The dining hall was empty except for herself, Queen Elizabeth, and King Alfred. They were laughing and eating and everything was perfect as the sun set.

And then the sun set. The candles blew out and the screams began for the first time. A five year old princess heard her parents dying in the terrifying darkness. She saw the black hair and sunken in eyes as he disappeared.

After the funeral, Theode was crowned Queen of Esporel. She identified the killer and ruled him guilty of witchcraft and treason. He was hanged by the morning sun, and the few thousand people of Esporel cheered as his body stopped struggling.

"Your water, madam," James's kind voice broke Theode's train of thought. He stepped forward, his old hand shaking, the water nearly spilling onto her silk sheets. She took it from him and let the water fill her body. She felt it run through her organs, smoothly.

"Was it, again, your parents, madam?" James asked. His voice shook like the rest of him.

James was growing old. His body, his voice, was failing him. He had been the most loyal servant to her parents, and was always kindly to Theode as well. He'd raised her since she was five.

Theode nodded. "Yes, James. I saw them, I'm afraid. This time, on the ceiling."

James sighed and began to walk out. "Ring if you need my assistance again, your highness."

Theode nodded briefly. "Thank you, James. You have always been kind to me."

James sent her a kind old smile and shut her heavy wooden doors.

The sunlight filled Theode's room. It was the last day she could enjoy before the ball, and she knew it. She rose, running a delicate hand through her golden hair, sunlight making her clear blue eyes squint.

She finally stood, straightening her white nightgown. She rang the bell, and a young woman hurried in. Her black hair was in a messy pile atop her head, but her eyes glowed with a kind blue-grey light.

She bowed, her stained white apron brushing the ground. "Good morning, Queen Theode," she said, smiling brightly. She hurried to the gaping closet. "What will you be wearing this morning?"

"I think the blue gown will be perfect for until the ball," Theode replied.

The servant nodded and grasped the only blue gown the Queen possessed at the time. Theode was known for generally wearing red or yellow dresses. Blue was her mother's color.

But the kind little servant knew better than to question the Queen. She brought the dress to Theode and began to help her dress. "Your highness?" she asked.

"Yes, Barbara?" Theode replied, slipping putting her arms out for the corset.

"How shall we do your hair on this fine morning?"

Theode smiled. "I think a high updo is in order, don't you?"

Barbara smiled back. "Of course, madam."

"I'm glad you agree."

Theode's morning routine was finished in silence after that. Her blond hair was tied in a neat bun atop her head, a few stubborn strands falling around her beautiful face.

After a heavy breakfast, Theode walked to the stables. Her favorite mare, a black arabian, tossed her head in her stall. Theode stroked her muzzle and ordered a stable boy to saddle her. The boy nodded and did as he was asked, helping the Queen onto her steed.

Theode quietly thanked the boy, before urging the mare into a trot. As the horse's hooves clopped across the stones, Theode came across a magnificent carriage without any horses.

"Excuse me!" A voice called. "Excuse me!"

Theode brought her mare to a halt. "Are you alright?" She tried to peer into the dark windows of the carriage.  Suddenly, the door swung opened. A man with hair like sunshine stepped out. His eyes were as green as fresh fields, Theode thought. His face was sharp and handsome. A crown sat lopsided on his head.

"Hello!" He said in a perky tone. "My carriage seems to have broken down, and my butler has gone off in search of help."

Theode smiled politely. "The palace is just down the road some. Would you like me to bring you?"

The man smiled a charming grin. "That would be absolutely perfect."

She looked him up and down. "May I ask who I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

"Prince Arthur Rex of Wolvesborough," he replied.

She gave a pleasant smile. "Prince Arthur," she said. "I am Queen Theode Regin of Esporel. I assume you're coming to our ball?"

Arthur's ever-present grin only widened. "I had no idea I was speaking to the Queen herself."

Theode felt herself blush. "Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you."