Song of Crowns

Episode 1: Kingdom

I woke up feeling dizzy and achy. I don't remember yet what transpired but as soon as I was able to gather my surroundings, I realized my situation. 

I've been kidnapped. 

The whole place looked run-down. The walls are perfectly destroyed. The chilly air seeped through the open walls, making me shudder. I am alone in this small room where my feet can only adjust by centimeters because of the tightness. My wrists are shackled behind me and I can only imagine my head still bleeding because of the warm trickle of liquid I felt go down from my left ear. 

There are lights now in the open street from where I was earlier. The dome still feels hollow and dark but the light gives me hope that this place can be livable. However, with my situation, I am certain that I do not have that luxury of freedom. At least the people who came here could. 

The door of the run-down room opened and I acted like I was asleep. I don't know what these people are after but if they saw me awake they might ask me questions. 

Even in an apocalypse, people still do horrific things. I thought to myself. 

A hand adjusted me to sit up and I acted like I was struggling to sleep. The person who moved me shook me awake and I can feel the person's breath creep into my neck. 

"Wake up," The person talking is a man. He didn't move away. He will probably whisper more things to me. "Don't worry, Princess, I'll keep you safe. Just wake up." 

As if I'll fall for another trap.

"If you don't wake up, these men will do horrible things to you. They're already planning to take you one by one." those words jolted me awake. "Good. Now follow my instructions carefully, will you?" 

I cannot see the man clearly in the dim light but I can hear his breathing as he pulls away from me but not too far. It seems like he's acting for my sake. 

"What do all of you want from me?" I mutter softly. I didn't want to cause an unnecessary ruckus that could alarm the allies of the deceitful Senator. 

"It's not you that they are after. It's your crown." He told me. He unlatched the shackles on my wrist. "I'm not here to help you escape. I think you realize by now the predicament you got yourself into. You can no longer escape them since you trapped yourself with the others in this big jail." He tilted his head towards the light, gesturing to the dome. 

"You say they're after my crown. So you're not part of them?" I ask, hoping to gain myself an ally. 

"No. I work for the Senator. I'm his errand boy back when we lived aboveground." He answers as if that time was already too long ago. He probably accepts the situation he is in. 

"I see." I could not answer anymore. I feel like the more I know, the more I'm endangering this person trying to ease me. "What should I do, then?" 

"First," He says leaning closer. My breath hitched as he did that. "You have to do whatever they say. Your power down here is as helpful as a tin can. You're just a princess because of the title. This is no longer your kingdom, therefore, you have no jurisdiction here." He says all these without stopping. "Second, you know how to negotiate. If they ask for your crown, give it to them but make sure you can still live." So basically, I have to use my head. That could be easy. "Lastly, whatever happens, never trust anyone." He pulled away and walked towards the door. 

"...especially me." He muttered before leaving the door. 

--- 

I didn't have it in me to close my eyes and drift into dreamland. Other men have gathered around me and I didn't bother squeak a word even if they bombarded me with questions. 

Where are your parents? Will you be ruling the people here? What are your plans? Are you a virgin? 

I yelped when one tried to make his way through me. Behind him, the Senator seemed mad. He huffed through the men and slapped the man who touched me. 

"Why are you all here?" Alfonzo says with evident anger. I don't know why he ought to be angry when in the first place he's the one that put me here. 

"Boss...I..." The man who tried to harass me stuttered. "I wanted to scare the girl. She's not budging."

Alfonzo circled my chair. "First, don't call the princess the girl. She's a princess. Honor that title." 

I shot him a look and quickly turned away. I cannot with these people. 

"Second, I told you to watch over her. Not harass her. She's our ticket to ruling the fools outside." He says while crossing his arms. 

"Excuse me," I start. "I have to ask. Why am I your ticket? The last time I checked, we are in a catastrophe. There are no royals nor senators here. It's pandemonium out there and here you are playing Kings." 

Alfonzo chuckled which sent an uproar of laughs from his lackeys. "Dear, I wish you knew better. Of course, it's chaos out there. But didn't you know? Kingdoms start with marriages. You are going to be part of one." 

- End -