I awoke to the sound of bells ringing in the courtyard. Almost simultaneously, a dozen maids rushed into my bedroom quarters to help me get ready for the day. Usually, I would shoo the maids away, but today I didn't care. I let them dress and bathe me, do my hair, and parade me out the door. Today was supposed to be coronation day, the day my twin brother Jayson was supposed to ascend to the throne, as the firstborn son in her family. But no, my evil sister Malaia was already sitting on the throne, for she got her wish: to exile her brother so she could take the throne.

Malaia is known for her beauty and her grace. Yes, she has a natural charm and is very successful, but no one sees the other side of her, the one that wants to take over every kingdom until there wasn't one soul left in the world that isn't under her rule. People foolishly fall into her trance. They see her as some kind of queen who could bring them a bright future. But she can't, and she won't. She will just use them to her advantage, as pawns in her game.

As soon as I got outside, I could felt myself start to shiver. It wasn't even cold outside, perfectly warm and sunny with no breeze. It's the fact that today is the day Jayson died. I told no one of our encounter, no one at all, not even Cyrie, my most trusted friend. Today Malaia had planned a "council meeting". She thinks council meetings are where she gathers a group of people together and convinces them that whatever crazy plan she may have, is the right one.

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I gathered with a bunch of other people in lavish gowns and suits. I'm in a royal purple gown, with dozens of diamonds, and jewels. The corset of the dress is way too tight and the skirt too loose, but I mean what can I do when I hate all dresses. I look around at everyone's taught faces, just waiting for "her majesty" to arrive. I feel as though I'm invisible. I feel like no one remembers that I am a princess and my brother is actually supposed to be king. But he isn't and they pay no attention to me. 

Suddenly trumpets blare symbolizing Malaia's entrance. She strides in with her chin up, looking as regal and graceful as she could. She is wearing a dazzling dark green gown with emeralds covering almost every inch of fabric. The bodice fits her form tightly, and the skirt flowed freely. The sleeves reached to her wrists, cuffed in a white lace.  She sits down on her throne and scans everyone's face before she starts to speak.

"Thank you for joining me here today. As you may know, my goal is to make sure every one of my subjects lives are protected and respected. I came here today to present this situation to you," She said calmly. "Avari, would you please join me up here next to my throne?" 

Me?! What does that pile of fish sticks want now? 

I look at her with a surprised look on my face, then my expression hardens. "Why should I? I say defiantly. 

Malaia clicks her tongue a couple of times before answering. "My darling sister, you don't want to make this situation worse, do you? If you don't come up here I'm afraid I will have to make you come by force." I still sat in my seat unmoving. "Guards! Please bring her up here."

The guards rip me from my seat and try to drag me to the throne. I grit my teeth and struggle in their grip. 

"Be a good girl and listen to the queen's orders," a guard with cold, hard blue eyes said to me. He tightens his grip on me and keeps hauling me forward. Despite this, I continue to try to wrench free from their firm grips until that blue-eyed guard brought something cold and sharp to my neck. I freeze immediately. 

A knife.  I thought, my heart dropping.

"I told you to behave," he says in a sing-songy voice.

"Go to hell," I say, but after that, I decide to stop struggling. When we reached the dais I met my sister's cold, grey eyes with mine.