Red. Like blood. Like anger. The canvass in front of Braelynne blazed back at her. With a firm grasp of her hand, she slapped the brush against her current project. Black paint splashed back at her face. She didn't bother wiping it away. She had no idea what she intended to paint, but it helped soothe her frustrations. The image stared back at her, a complete mess, like her life.

That burning smell returned to her nostrils. A reminder of all the work, time, and effort wasted away. Sylbia burned everything. All her paintings, gone. All but one. Braelynne managed to stash one. The last family portrait she made. A commemoration of when happiness filled her, made her warm.

She dropped the brush. Red and black dripped from her fingertips to the floor with a light splat. Her knees met the floor, and she felt the carpet under her bed. She felt a small crack. Her hands grasped onto the carpet and pulled, revealing a trap door. Braelynne pulled out a painting. She painted it two weeks before her mother died. A week after that, Rylan went missing. Next in line for The Capital, if the king died. Braelynne knew he never felt honorable enough, but she also never thought he would stray.

They were standing in front of a large tree. If you looked closely enough, you would have noticed the trees leaves as tiny wings on tiny dragons. King Percy and Queen Arialla stood proud. One arm wrapped around the other, both smiles as vibrant as an early sun. In front stood Braelynne and her older brother Rylan. They held a loving embrace, as he kissed her on the forehead. She looked like mom, he looked like dad.

Violet hair versus honey blonde. In the photo Braelynnes eyes were a golden colour, with a green tinge. Rylan's were a dark lavender. One trait he had from mom. Only thing though Rylans were eyes either violet, or a warm milky brown. Sometimes a mixture between the two. Always changing between the three. Unlike Brealynnes eyes, which seemed to have a life of their own, always changing.

The only difference between Percy and Rylan would be the eyes, as Percy's were always the milky brown; nothing more, nothing less.

Braelynne gave her painting one last look before she stashed it once more. She opened her bedroom door. She hesitated any movement as she stood in the doorway. With a trembling arm she grabbed onto the doorframe

Like a mass of stone weighing her down in a violent river, she could feel this drowning sensation. You couldn't really blame her. Forced on a date with a man she was coerced to marry. A man so unjustly betrothed to her. A man she couldn't stand. Rude, arrogant. He really didn't seem to leery about what Braelynne wanted. He could care less about her as long as she bed him, and wed him. As long as she gave him a country in the future, as long as she gave him a throne. The wedding was yet a sennight away, and the young princess questioned, at just how much agony she could truly uphold for the rest of her living days.

She needed comfort, motherly advice. Braelynne headed towards the kitchen.

Warm honey eyes met hers, matched with fine lines at the ends. A matching smile, just as warm with crinkles just as enlightening followed. The gaze changed, it twisted. A smile became a frown.

"My dear, what is it?"

"Vionna, I can't do this," said Braelynne, as her eyes glassed over, the iris' completely white. "I never asked for any of this."

Vionna grabbed Braelynne, and hugged her in a tight motherly embrace. She kissed her on the forehead, and her warm eyes met Braelynnes chaotic ones. They looked cold, like the color of bones. Of death.

"I am guessing it didn't go well with loverboy last night," said Vionna with one eyebrow lifted higher than the other.

"You could say that..." said Braelynne. The deathly white in her iris' flashed to an onyx. "He really knows how to win a woman's heart, I must say. He told me that is was my duty, as is wife to fuck him when he comes home. To repay him for his duties for The Capital, and all of Tranche. To wed him, bed him, and give him a throne. I told him It would be an honor to fight by his side, but he just laughed before giving me a light tap on the behind. He then said I was silly. A woman, let alone a future Queen should save such battles for the men."

Vionna looked aghast, and cupped her cheeks with her hands.

"I tell yah Vi, he said that." Said Braelynne telling her friend of the meet and greet she had with Traaven. Oh then he says make sure the maid knows to serve smoked pheasant, I have a hunger for it, and won't be happy until this hunger is gone."

They stood together in the kitchen, as Braelynne gave her a helping hand. Braelynne's red dress, was dusted with flour, as she rolled a ball of dough on a wooden block. Her eyes, lately were naught but a light icy blue. It was also as if an unnerving storm found its way into her eyes. Violent grey clouds would move about in the chilled, blue pools.

"Want me to burn his then," said Vionna her laugh so harmonious.

"Yeah do that and ol' Syb will have you fired or sent to the cellars. She seems to be quite fond of this prig, maybe they should be the ones getting married. Then me and my father, and you can be free from her. No longer will we have to suffer under her knavery."

"Hey I was once a great sage you know. I could poof myself free, or concoct a potion. Actually I know a great poison one. Perhaps I give Mr.Ego and Mrs.Your highness some extra 'seasoning', " she said with a wink.

"If only it was really that easy. I don't know Vionna, I think I might just run away soon."

"What...and miss all this," Vionna joked.

"I would rather be saving the dragons then stuck here miserable for the rest of my life."

"Yeah, well remember what I told you," Vionna began to whisper ."Come to me, and I can help you get out, I just need one more ingredient."

"Yes... then..."

The kitchen door swung open. In came Sylbia, followed by Traaven. Walking behind her like a little obedient puppy dog.

"Enough socializing here, poor Traaven is famished." The Queen spoke harshly.

"Yeah," said Traaven. "I want food now, not tomorrow."

Braelynne and Vionna exchanged annoyed glances.

"Oh yes, just wanted to make sure it's up to your standards sire." said Vionna while keeping a friendly smile, and then taking a bow at his feet.

"Please sit, let me bring it to you."

Everyone sat down. Sylbia at the end, Braelynne at the far side, and Traaven placing himself beside her. King Percy sat by the Queen, his skin looked even paler than this morning. Vionna served everyone their meals. Sylbia then gave the front of her hand a swift flick. The flick was her predictable wave off towards Vionna, motioning for her to take her leave. Vionna unwillingly, but respectably followed orders and made her way back into the kitchen.

Traaven then started to put his hand on Braelynne's leg, slowly moving it up to her thigh. He tried to graze a hand under her dress, then Braelynne slapped it.

"I love it when your feisty, go ahead put up a fight. " he whispered in her ear. His breath warm, and smelling of whiskey.

"So we should discuss some wedding plans." Demanded Sylbia, after wiping the grease from the pheasant off her chin with a napkin, as if it were some sort of disease.

"I was thinking, in the courtyard." suggested Traaven.

"Yes that is where me and Percy were wed. "Sylbia agreed nonchalantly, while taking a sip of red wine.

Braelynne shot daggers at the Queen.

You stay out of this woman.

" Would that not be a fine idea Percy," she asked the king.

He nodded, as he hacked into a napkin. Spots of blood splattered against the fine material.

"Father, may I make a proposal. Considering this is my wedding and all. I believe I have some say," said Braelynne.

The king looked back at her, and his eyes grew wide, as if he was seeing her for the first time. He coughed into the napkin once more, the red stain becoming darker. He placed it on the table, and for a slight moment it was if he was getting some color back in his face. He grabbed her hand.

"I am sorry my Braebear, I haven't been myself lately. My illness has made me weak, dazed. I can see it on your face though, a father knows. I am sorry. I am ill, and we will need someone to take my place. Sylbia promises that Traaven will be a great king. Giving you the wedding you want is the least we could all do."

"What do you think my love,? asked Traaven while attempting to give Braelynne a kiss on the cheek.

"Well..." said Braelynne, as she dodged the venomous lips, moving her face away. "I always would have imagined getting married at the big oak tree, down by Crystal creek, that's where my mom and...."

"I like it Braebear," croaked King Percy, as he hacked out more bloody phlegm. This time it came in a larger wallop, as it left a big half circle stain on the white lacy table cloth.

"Percy, my dear. You need rest. I told you I could handle this without you,''said Sylbia.

"Yes but," the king raised his arms. "This is my daughter's life, the last of my blood. I haven't been around lately, I need to get back to my duties sometime, while I still can."

"Please, you're only making it harder on your health being here," Sylbia gave him a concerned look, but Braelynne saw behind the veil. She probably only married him for a crown of her own. "Take a bath, and some buckthistle tea. Sleep, we can handle this."

"Maid," the Queen barked. "Yes, Viola dear. Please take Percy back to his quarters and run him a hot bath.

Vionna did not dare correct her, even though she got her name wrong. The Queen could care less about a servant such as herself. She nodded in silence as she took the Kings arm.

"That's not a good idea," Sylbia now exclaimed after Vionna and the King left the room. Her eyes scrutinized as the found Braelynnes. "Why taint your marriage. Your mother died, you want the bad ...what do you call it moojoo joojoo."

"Moojoo joojoo?" asked Braelynne, a single brow raised in disarray.

"You know what I mean, it leaves bad air. You might as well just take this supper knife, and stab yourself right now," Sylbia cooley said, while stabbing at the air with a sharp steaknife. " Your mother and father's marriage is now dead, she is dead. Do you want to end up dead, and let your poor husband live alone?"

"Then we all get what we want right?" snapped back Braelynne. "I'm gone, you're happy. Traaven's got his crown, he's happy, and I no longer have to deal with you, so I'm really happy. "

Sylbia got up and gave Braelynne a hard slap on both sides of her face.

"You never use that language with me young lady. I am your queen, and whether you like it or not, I am now your mother!!!!"

"Hey" Braelynne turned to Traaven "As my husband to be, I feel you should be sticking up for me. Your just going to let her do that!"

"I believe as a husband I should have your back, " said Traaven as he his hand grazed Braelynne's face his Hazel eyes coursing into her own. "However , when you deserve the punishment. I have to stand back. As your husband, I will never have you talk back to me, like that." He then pushed her off the chair and onto the floor. "If you're going to act like a bitch, you're going to be treated like one. Traaven threw her plate in front of her, "now be a good girl, and eat your supper...QUIETLY! !!!" Traaven barked back at her.

"Now if you want a wedding by the oak, that can be arranged my dear, I am not superstitious like Sylbia here."

"I just feel..." Sylbia tried to speak up

"Shh, My lady wants a wedding where her parents were wed, she will get that wedding, end of story."

He made her shut up. Maybe he's not quite so bad.Braelynnes thoughts werw sarcastic.

Everyone finished their meals and Vionna returned from her duties

Sylbia's voice was loud and haughty, as she bellowed out "Maid". Vionna being a hospitable, hard worker rushed back to follow orders. She gathered the plates, and Braelynne offered to help. That was when then Traaven forcibly took her hand.

"What are you doing? Leave the poor man's work to the poor."

"But I insist, Please my...love." Braelynne almost choked on the last word.

"Well if you insist I guess, but please, don't let her get used to your help. She's paid to clean up after you and I. Don't be giving her ideas, she might think she can slack. She doesn't get paid to slack off."

Braelynne and Vionna both grabbed some dishes and walked into the kitchen.

"Whatever you do, please find the ingredient, I need out, and find enough for yourself. I wouldn't want you here, to suffer as well."

VionNa just smiled and grabbed Braelynne's hand and looked at her. Her once Auburn hair, now streaked with grey was tight in a bun. Wrinkles cracked around her lips, as she gave Braelynne a warm smile. Her warm honey eyes stared back. She didn't say anything and just nodded. She then hugged Braelynne. The hug was affectionate, warm and unconditional.

Vionna then cautiously whispered in Braelynne's left ear "You will soon be free, and that is a promise. Do not worry about me, just worry about you, and your soon to come exemption."