The Princess Without Allies
764 Words
The cathedral doors slammed shut behind Veyra.
The sound echoed through the chamber.
She stood frozen between the guards, staring at her father as though she could somehow force him to take back his words.
“You are no longer my daughter.”
Those words kept repeating inside her head.
“Father…”
King Aldric looked away.
“Take her to the royal prison.”
Veyra's eyes widened.
“No.”
She pulled her arms away from the guards.
“No, please. You can't do this.”
The guards tightened their grip.
“I haven't done anything!”
Her voice cracked.
She looked toward the nobles.
“Someone tell him!”
No one moved.
Veyra searched the crowd for a familiar face.
Her closest friends stood together near the pillars.
She had laughed with them only that morning.
She had trusted them.
Now they wouldn't even look at her.
“Please…”
One of them finally lowered her head.
Veyra's heart sank.
Then she heard a familiar voice.
“Princess Veyra is dangerous.”
She turned.
A nobleman stepped forward.
“She carries the Black Moon. According to the ancient records, anyone bearing that mark is capable of forbidden magic.”
“I've never used forbidden magic!”
Veyra's voice echoed through the cathedral.
“You know me!”
The nobleman shook his head.
“We thought we did.”
More voices joined him.
“She must be contained!”
“Before she curses the kingdom!”
“Execute her before it's too late!”
Veyra's breathing became uneven.
She turned toward Cassian.
He was still standing there.
The man she was supposed to marry.
The man who had held her hand moments ago.
“Cassian…”
He finally looked at her.
Veyra swallowed hard.
“Please tell them.”
He remained silent.
“Tell them you know I'm not a monster.”
Cassian's expression was cold.
“I can't.”
Veyra's lips parted.
“Why?”
“Because I don't know what you've become.”
Her eyes burned with tears.
“What I've become?”
She touched the black mark.
“I don't even know what this is!”
Cassian stepped farther away.
“That's exactly why I'm afraid.”
Veyra stared at him.
For years, she had believed his hand would be the one she could reach for when everything else fell apart.
Now he was the one stepping away.
A soft sob came from behind her.
Celestia.
Veyra turned.
Her sister's face was covered in tears.
For one second, hope returned.
“Celestia…”
Her sister walked toward her.
“I don't want to lose you.”
Veyra's heart broke.
“I don't want to lose you either.”
Celestia reached for her hand.
But just before their fingers touched, Celestia stopped.
Her eyes flickered toward the black mark.
Fear appeared on her face.
“I can't.”
Veyra lowered her hand.
“Why?”
Celestia shook her head.
“I don't know if you're still my sister.”
Veyra felt something inside her crack.
The guards pulled her toward the doors.
“Wait!”
She struggled against them.
“Father!”
King Aldric didn't turn around.
“Cassian!”
He remained silent.
“Celestia!”
Her sister covered her face.
Veyra was dragged out of the cathedral.
The doors closed behind her.
For the first time in her life, no one came after her.
No one called her name.
No one tried to stop the guards.
And no one tried to save her.
As Veyra was dragged down the palace corridor, she noticed something strange.
The servants who once bowed to her quickly stepped aside.
Some whispered.
Others stared.
One servant who had served Veyra since childhood crossed herself when the princess passed.
Veyra stopped.
“Maria…”
The older woman looked at her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, Veyra thought she would say something.
Anything.
Instead, Maria whispered,
“Forgive me, Princess.”
Then she walked away.
Veyra stood silently.
Her tears finally fell.
She had spent her entire life believing she belonged to this palace.
Now every corridor felt like a place she had never known.
The guards opened the prison door.
Veyra stepped inside.
The iron door slammed shut.
She turned around.
Her fingers curled around the bars.
“I'm not a monster…”
Her voice trembled.
But there was no one left to hear her.
Then, from somewhere beyond the darkness, a low whisper reached her ears.
“Not yet.”
Veyra's eyes widened.
She slowly turned toward the shadows.
“Who said that?”
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