___________________________Angela__________________________

"He's trying to kill me, help, SEE THE KILLER BEHIND ME," a voice screeched. I jerked upward, suddenly no longer drowsy and now curious from simply resting my head on the pillow.

"I am not trying to kill you. Just stand still for a second, gosh." another voice hollered.

"YOU STUPID PEOPLE WAKE UP,..Can......you..........hear.......me......I...am...I'am TRYING.. TO SAVE..your..life...," a feminine voice called puffing the words out. Heavy stomps were coming toward my hallway.

My mom taught me to never, I repeat never to open the door when a serious event is occurring. Let the door open by itself and if that ever happens, run out of the castle somehow by surprising the visitor which sounds nearly impossible. Just remain calm and wait for the noise to pass and if it didn't pass in 30 minutes or an hour come out and scamper for us (parents). Then continue running out of the castle.

"I got you now!" the same masculine voice shouted exactly right behind my door.
I wanted to move to hide but I was paralyzed. It felt like the perfect murder to commit at that minute for my bravery had dwindled to a size of a pea.

CRASH!

Suddenly, I regained movement at the crash. I crept toward the door.

Were they robbers? But one was a girl and both did not sound agile or quiet.

It sounded like someone slipped straight toward the diminutive decoration table. I knew this because my hallway was one way and the direction they crashed was the end and then turned right. Someone was sobbing loudly and it definitely sounded like the girl.

"YOU.....hurt...me..you imbecible.........." the girl's voice whimpered. Her voice was now distant from few minutes ago.

"But I am hurt too, and starving. I was saying can we go to the kitchens, I wanted to go with you," the boy's voice whispered.

Now they were murmuring incoherent words and walking toward the right turn. Their footsteps retreated toward that direction.

I sighed in relief.

Then I yelped an "Oh my," at the light tapping at the door.

"Your highness. It's me, your maid Mary." the maid said serenely.

It was strange considering the ruckus outside just about two minutes ago.

"Mary? I am busy at the moment. You may be dismissed until your afternoon checks." I said as my small plan grew. The plan was she was the evil mastermind who helped the girl I saw on the screen who talked to Brandon. The masked girl which was her new nickname.

"Oh, are you- oh nevermind. I have a rose to deliver. I have sniffed to check for poison and it does not contain any. If you want I could stay if you would like and get you ready.." she said thickly like she was trying to hold laughter. 

I decided this was not the best time to ask for help. Let her enjoy her giggles while I stay behind a door and think.

"Uhh... No I do not, you can leave the rose below the door." I said nervously. I wondered who sent this.

"Okay your highness." she said and placed the rose below the door.

"Good day your highness," she said as she left toward the same way the stranger girl and boy went.

As soon I heard no sign of her shoes clattering on the floor, I reached out to the rose. But the rose nicked me and I felt a sharp twinge. 

The rose rolled under the door and it was the most pecuilar rose I ever seen in my whole life.

It was because the rose was bold solid color which was black.

There was no note attatched, so there was no clue. 

Mary could not do this, right?  I gently lifted the rose without pricking myself and set it on the dresser. I also noticed how my cut was bleeding hard and the rose too had blood. At first there was a sharp twinge in my hand, but now the blood was gushing abnormally. Roses are supposed to be honest intentions, but this rose meant only one thing I would not dare to think about. 

Death. Just plain old death. Especially if one was sent on Valentine's day. I had sent a white rose to my whole family and the only rose I recieved back was this strange black one. 

Does my family think I am cheater? So are they trying to scare me? I looked at the dresser's dark wood making the rose almost blend in. Then I looked up to see my reflection which was after a long amount of time. I believed in Mary so I did not look at the mirror. Normally, she did on me like my birthday and ordinary days. 

There was me who had silky brown hair with a slightly tanned face. My eyes were a whole another thing. My eyes was a fading golden brown to a merciless black. I saw my light pink lips pursed like she was angry and rebelling. The whole me looked like she was in conflict. There was no laughter and happiness. Just bitterness. I glared at myself for looking like a bitter soldier in a fight. I am a woman! But again I relaxed my features, but something did not look right. I still looked like an angry person.

Who knew my life could change in a year? I met a girl who could be the real princess of this kingdom. My people would be merciless when they find out if I am not the princess. If I am... all this repent would not building so quickly in my brain. I was in fear if the day comes and I am not the one. The mirror showed not only my future but also my upcoming execution. 

I shivered. All this delights of living in palace would be gone. Sara, would be a delighted girl if she ever found out. Jealousy raged in my brain for a brief moment. No, I must not be envious. If I am, I will get a more gruesome death. 

Brandon was my childhood friend. The day he was boldly angry was the day I realized that my whole life was a fantasy. I could not take this life so seriously. But I am.

But who I am I to worry? There is no proof yet and Brandon might be a criminal. I glanced eyefully at the rose. Who could be so eager to terminate me?

A hard knock brought me to my senses. 

"Yes, who is it?" I asked while locking the door. 

"Its.....Travis...." an uncertain voice said gently. It was masculine, but I heard a hint of sorrowness in it.

But how I could know for sure that this was Travis? There are guards in front of my room but sometimes they have other important duties.

I unlocked the door. I also saw the blood on the doorknob and my furiously bleeding hand.

"...Okay, you may come in.." I said as a reached I held the rose part and the thorns as my sword. 

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-L