The Leap Of Faith

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.