In Darkness

The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the gardens surrounding the palace. The fountain in the middle shimmered like it was full of starlight as Willow sat at the very edge, running her slender fingers through the cool water. She came out here almost every night to sit with the memory of her father, the late King Edward of Lyra. He passed when she was only eight, leaving her with her mother, Queen Isadora, who was anything but kind. The Queen loathed her daughter. In fact, she never wanted any children and only agreed to have one out of obligation to make an heir. She also hated how her husband doted on their daughter instead of her, and would have preferred to ship her off to be raised by some distant relative or a hired hand. Anywhere that would have allowed her to pretend that she wasn't a mother. Not that she was much of one anyways. Willow sat and stared at the water. The sounds of crickets chirping and frogs croaking surrounded her. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps on the gravel behind her. "Princess Willow? What are you doing out here?" A night guard, Michael, asked; his voice startling her as he interrupted the crickets' symphony. She whipped around to face him and almost slipped into the fountain, her eyes wide with shock and her pulse quickening. "Nothing, I.." she stammered. "I couldn't sleep." it didn't really matter what she said as she knew a lashing would come all the same. "It isn't safe out here alone. How did you even get out of your room without being noticed?" Michael's voice was soft, as he glanced around the garden as if some secret tunnel would appear that would explain how the princess had managed to slip past at least three guards on her little stroll. What he didn't know was that she had perfected sneaking out years ago and had learned the guards' routine so well that she could make it through the halls and outside without fear of being seen. Willow shrugged, not wanting to admit how easy it was to get passed the guards. Even though she was sure the routine would change and the number of guards would now be increased once this was reported back to her mother. "It is freezing out here. Lets get you back inside." was his only response as he placed his arm around her to guide her back into the palace. The tall stone wall looked more like a prison in the darkness than a home. "Will this get you in trouble?" Willow asked, her voice was barely more than a whisper. She had realized that her actions would affect more than just her and she hoped harm wouldn't come to any of the guards she had slipped past. The Queen would no doubt reprimand them for their failure at keeping her contained. "Only if anyone else finds out," he stated, his voice held a certain warmth as he tried to reassure the princess. After noticing the sheer terror in her eyes upon being caught, and knowing how the Queen reacts to everything with rage, he had decided that this could be kept a secret, since no one had gotten hurt and the princess would be returned safely to her rooms. "You aren't telling my mother?" Willow stopped in her tracks and turned to face the guard. He was one of the newer ones, she noticed. Younger than the ones that she usually came into contact with, the ones that always smirked when they reported something that would result in her punishment. "I don't see any reason for that as long as this doesn't become a regular thing." He stated, his deep blue eyes were focused on hers. Relief flooded her body and she could feel the tears begin to fill her eyes. She wanted to say more, to thank him profusely, but knew that trying to speak would only cause the tears to fully spill over. Michael offered her a slight smile and they resumed their walk back to her room, keeping an eye out for the guards that were stationed throughout the palace halls. After the careful walk down the halls, they had finally returned to the Princess's door. Michael remained quiet for a moment as he listened for other footsteps on the stone floors before deeming it safe to speak. "I hope the fresh air allows you to sleep better, Princess. Please try to refrain from any more unguarded midnight strolls. The Queen would have my head if anything happened to you." He was only half joking. "Thank you." was all Willow could manage, and Michael turned and walked back down the hall, one turn around the corner and he was out of her sight. She sighed as she opened her door. Her lids heavy as sleep beckoned. Once inside, she turned and shut the door, placing her forehead against the cool wood of it. Her heart rate had finally slowed back to its normal rhythm. "Tell me, how often have you gotten away with that?" The stern voice made Willow jump and a lump formed in her throat as she turned to find the Queen sitting on the edge of the bed. Willow opened her mouth but the lump that lodged itself in her throat wouldn't allow for any sounds to come out. Not that she knew what to say anyway. Nothing would be able to save her from the wrath she would face for this. "No matter." The Queen mused as a wicked grin creeped across her face, "It wont be happening again."