CHAPTER 2
"Tell him I'll be out in a moment. Just need to change."
Alice said and Lara was surprised that Alice agreed so quickly to go to the palace she dreaded the most.
But only she knew that deep in her heart she yearned for that day, she was going to destroy all their lives. Not in a rush but she will make them so miserable that they will beg for dead but won't find any.
That was her plan
Within a short while, Alice and Lara were already in the carriage riding back to the royal town for the first time in eight years.
"A ball will take place at the palace today, both you and your stepsister were born on the same day."
Lara said to Alice hoping to lighten up the mood at least once.
"What is her name?"
Alice asked out of the blue.
"Her name is Cynthia Alexandria II and she is going to be the crown princess of the whole of Mariposa land.. she will be officially crowned today and both you and she will be present in the presence of the crowd and guest for the first time since you two were born."
Lara said to Alice who didn't nod but just kept quiet as thoughts raced through her mind.
It was a tradition for the royal family to never reveal the face of its princesses until they are eighteen, only close friends to them or guards and maids could have a glimpse of their faces.
"And the queen?"
Alice asked again.
"Her name is queen Helene Purch Alexandria II."
Lara answered her again.
She knew her best friend was not always in a good mood and would respect that.
Suddenly they heard commotions from outside their carriage.
It was as if the horses were in a frenzy and they were now running helter-skelter thus making the carriage shake.
"What's going on?"
Lara peeped out of the window as she saw that they were surrounded by a group of bandits wearing black all through.
They were being attacked and two of the guards were already killed.
"What do you want?"
One of the guards asked the bandits.
Alice was aware of all that was going on out there but chose to keep quiet and calm.
"Are you aware this is the rotal carriage?"
The guard asked with an angry voice.
One of the men in black showed him a royal seal.
"So you are from the Aceland, Royal province? I'm so sorry to offend you... Did the emperor send you?"
The guard was now shaking in fear.
Alice was sure she heard them say Aceland province.
One thing was clear, Mariposa was a very vast land but was controlled by her father the king.
There were many other provinces on the large Glitz planet but just like mariposa, there were many other countries ( known as provinces in the book ) all of them were ruled by their kings, but there is an overall ruler over the whole planet.
The province name every other province fears and respects, the Aceland.
Four major provinces rule over numerous countries and villages of glitz.
The western province which is also known as Mariposa is named mariposa because the legendary fairy was born there hundreds of years ago, she was the only fairy in the land and had died a long time ago.
The eastern province is also called Galaxy Wing which is also as powerful as Mariposa.
The north which is the Crestland is also on the same level as the first two.
And then there is the southern province which is Aceland.
Its level of power is combined with all other three provinces and its king is known as the emperor.
The emperor who was also the king of Aceland was a very powerful man.
He owns the most lands and has more army and power than the other kings, overall he is their ruler, but what did he want from them?
"What do you want from us?"
It was as if the guard had read her mind.
"We request an audience with the princess!"
The other man said with a firm voice.
"You must be mistaken, but she is not the crown princess. The crown princess is back in the castle."
The guard stuttered but was stabbed at the moment.
"I said the crown prince demands an audience with the first princess of Mariposa, and when I speak you obey!"
The man who had just stabbed one of the guards who accompanied Alice growled in anger.
"We only want to talk to the princess, and then we'll leave!"
A cold and demanding voice said icily from amongst the men in black, the others have way revealing a man who was wrapped up in black from head to toe, his cape covered most of his face and he had a mask on, overall he was the most dressed man amongst the others and one could totally see the difference.
Alice who had heard all the commotions outside was getting tensed up.
"It's okay, I'll see them as requested!"
She yelled from inside her carriage.
"But Alice, your not allowed to show your face to anyone just yet! The king will be furious!"
Lara tried to stop Alice who only gave her a shutting look.
"And who says the king has to know of this meeting? I shall only talk to him and hear him out or he may be hostile and order his guards to kill us, do you want that? You don't have to worry I shall cover my face with a veil!"
Alice replied and took a black veil from the little basket she had beside her, gently tying it around her face and then flinging her cape over her head, hiding her lush lilac hair behind it.
She gently stepped out of the carriage and immediately a man in black clothing grabbed her by the arm and held her by the neck like a hostage.