"My lady, you should get ready for your coronation," the serving boy from the other day muttered.

"Only if you tell me your name. I do want to feel like I can trust you," I smile, and he has a relieved look in his eyes.

"My name is-" he gulped, looking around, "Robert," he whispered. I nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Robert. Now, I have to change and brush out my hair, so maybe you could wait outside?" He nodded and went to exit the room.

I opened my closet to look for a nice dress, and found that someone had picked out a dress for me. I had never seen it before. It was black, a color I have never worn, with a blue hem. It was tight on my body, and the skirt went all the way down to my ankles. I had to admit, whoever picked it had good taste. I also had a feeling his name started with a C, and ended with a b.

I braided my hair and put it in a bun to at least try looking professional. I went to leave, and out of the corner of my eye I saw something on the dresser. I went over to look at it.

On the dresser was a necklace and a pair of earrings. The necklace had an aquamarine stone surrounded by a circle of onyx. The earrings held the same design. I quickly put them on, and hurried to the door. Robert was outside waiting to escort me to where I needed to be.

I was struck by a thought. "Would you Sit in the closest row you can for my coronation, Robert?" He was shocked.

"That would be the third row, Lady Thorn," Robert stuttered.

"Well I expect to see you in the third row then." I smiled, and he finally smiled back.

We arrived at a door, and that's where Robert left me. About a minute later Caleb came to stand beside me. His tie was the same blue as the hem of my dress, and his suit was black as well.

"I'm glad you found my suggestions," Caleb stated. I subconsciously fingered my necklace. "I'm sorry for being... Rude, when we first met. Can we start over?" His coal eyes were pleading.

"Sure. Hi, I'm Kiora Thorn," I said, sticking out my hand for him to shake.

He took my hand. "Caleb Blackburn. Nice to meet you."

As soon as our introductions were finished (again) the doors in front of us opened. Caleb held out his arm. I took it.

We walked to the front of the room, and turned around to face the crowd.

I looked at the third row for Robert. My breath caught when I didn't see him. He's probably busy, I rationalize. The palace crew seem strict. He'll come later.

But he didn't. Not when I vowed to protect the Shadow Dancers, not when Caleb did the same, and not when the crowns  were placed on our heads.

After the ceremony, I tried to escape the onslaught of congratulations. I failed.

"Lady Thorn!" A woman ran up to me. "You will make a great queen!" Other people came and said phrases along those lines.

When I finally got out, I had no idea where to go. Robert was the one who brought me to this room, and he's the one I'm looking for. I took a left turn, and ran into someone in a serving uniform. She seemed worried.

"Excuse me, but do you know where I could find Robert? He's also castle staff, and I didn't see him at the coronation," I explained, and her worry went to full grown panic, I could see her eyes expand.

"How do you know him?" She whispered, speed walking down the hall while gesturing for me to follow.

"He's been helping me these past few days. I would have be lost without him." We arrived at a room with a few more uniformed servants outside. The woman gestured to let us in, and the guards nodded.

"I'm warning you about what's in the room right now. You're not going to like it. At all," the woman muttered. She pushed open the door.

Inside was a body. It was gruesome, and bloody. There were claw marks down the torso, staining the originally white uniform a deep ruby.

And the body had Robert's face.