ELISE
The palace seems deathly quiet, not even the birds daring to make a sound as Queen Heitriquin stands at the top of the palace stairs in her extravagant gown, her eyes as hard as ice. The princess takes her time gliding forward, her contented glow ever-present. As much as I cringe and want the ground to open up and swallow me so that I will not be a part of the opposition against the deadly queen, Princess Sheila is calm and in control. I dart a side-glance at her impressive figure and just her sight of her gives me strength. My back straightens and a step behind her, I match her stride for stride as I and the rest of her procession make our way up the palace stairs. The guards immediately spread out to blend among the scenery and I take several steps back and to the side as the prin
