Chapter One: Ella's Secret

♣ With a scream Ella awoke in a cold sweat, only a week after her parent’s murder and she still couldn’t shake the nightmares. It was still early in the morning, too early for anyone in their right mind to be awake. However, since the tragedy, Ella wasn’t necessarily in her right mind. She grabbed her robe and set off down the stairs. She resided in the farthest room from anyone else in the palace, she especially enjoyed it since the death of her parents’, the Prime Minister Kajah couldn’t seem to get enough of the girls since then. Ella strode past Jaden’s room, wanting eagerly to look in, however she did not risk waking her. She glided down the rest of the stairs, through the foyer, and kitchens into her fathers huge library. The room was warm and cozy, many a nights Ella would stroll to this room to find her father reading aloud to her mother. She thought of it as one of the sweetest things her father had done. After he would be done reading, they would head off to bed, and nearly step on Ella as she dozed in the doorway. She climbed into her fathers oversized chair and reached for her favorite book. Curled up in the chair she began to read. She must’ve been reading for hours, as the room became fuller of light, though she did not notice, she was engulfed in her book. Through the crackling of the smoldering fire in the fire place, she heard a faint calling of her name. She hurried to the door to see Jaden anxiously looking around for her. Ella called to her sister and waved her in the room. Jaden soaked in the room, Ella was not sure if Jaden had been in here since their murder or not. None the matter she was now. “It’s so sad to think” said Jaden as she had already made her way over to her father’s desk and Ella had already sunk back into the book, “that just a week ago, they were in this room.” Ella could hear the tears welling up in Jaden eyes, she tried to ignore Jaden’s reminiscing but it was futile. She sighed as she watched her sister sift through her fathers belongings. That was what Jaden did though, she organized when there was something wrong, and if at any time something was wrong, this was it. Ella set her book down with a reminder of where her place in it was and comforted her sister with a hug. Jaden sniffled, but Ella’s tears were silent, she didn’t like to let people know when she was hurting. There came a knock from the door and one of the guards attended to it. The guard then called for the girls, saying the Prime Minister Kajah was waiting for them at the entrance. Ella set her book upon a shelf and helped Jaden out into the foyer, and into the grand entrance hall. “Ah, my darlings, my beautiful princesses!” Kajah never came for a visit without inviting flattery. “Enough of that Kajah, why do you com here?” Ella demanded as she saw him eye her sister eagerly. Kajah bowed in respect (or lack of thereof) and replied “Your grace, we have found who we believe to be the murderer of your parents!” The girls froze and Ella could feel her whole body go cold and numb. Jaden grabbed Ella’s hand shaking. “Well… who?” Jaden questioned, Ella could still feel her shaking. “Words are mere play, we have him in the town square, ready to have the punishment fit the crime.” The girls looked at each other, “Let’s go.”
After a short ride in one of the few royal carriages, the girls (along with Kajah on his own horse) rode into the town square and up to the gallows. Ella jumped out of the carriages dragging her sister by the hand behind her. When they reached the gallows, there was a younger, peasant man eighteen years at the most standing with his hand bound behind his back. Ella stopped in shock and Jaden ran into her, “What are you doing Ella?” Ella didn’t say a word to her sister, but ran up to the executioner and tried to push him away. “Let this boy go!” Ella stubbornly said. Kajah followed Ella quickly, “Princess Ella, what are you doing?” She turned to him in disgust, “Giving and innocent boy his freedom.” She turned and unbound his hands with her miniature knife she took with her everywhere. “This boy was seen leaving the palace at the time your parents were believed to be murdered!” Kajah sounded almost as Ella were insulting his intelligence for getting the wrong person. “I’m quite aware of this Kajah, now give me leave!” Ella took the boy and pushed her way through the crowd and began walking to the palace. Jaden stood in front of the gallows more confused that she ever felt in her whole life. What in the world is going on?? Jaden thought to herself. She walked over to the waiting carriage and rode home.
Ella reached the palace before Jaden did surprisingly, and was already in her room. “I’m so sorry Antony, I truly am. I had no idea that they would ever accuse you…” Ella trailed off in embarrassment. “Do not worry Ella” the boy named Antony embraced her in a hug and continued “Now, if you had’t have showed up, then I might blame you a bit!” They both laughed at this, and took a seat on Ella’s bed. Ella laid down, the day already seemed too much for her to bare. “Are you okay? Well, actually that is a stupid question…” Antony felt ashamed. Ella returned with a sigh, “I’m okay, a lot better now that you are here” she smiled and sat up to directly look at Antony. “Ella, there is something I’ve been meaning to tell you-” However his confession was interrupted when Ella’s door flew open and Jaden stood in the doorway bewildered. “What on earth is going on here?!” Ella eyed Antony, then Jaden. “Jaden, this is Antony. Trust, he did not murder our parents. He was seen leaving the palace that morning because he was here with me. I’m sorry you did not know, but no one did… just me and him.” Jaden looked at Antony suspiciously, “He’s a peasant!” she curted. “He is my friend.” Ella retorted, grabbing Antony’s hand and clenching it tightly. Jaden looked weary then exited the room. Ella told Antony to wait and chased after her sister. “Where are you going?”, but no response, Jaden walked right out the front door and Ella decided she was not going to chase her anymore. She returned to her room, more exhausted then ever. Jaden stormed out to a guard demanding a carriage. The man asked where to, and Jaden did not reply. Instead she gave him a nasty look, and he whistled for a carriage. He helped Jaden in and said a solemn “Good day M’Lady” and shut the door. The ride started off slow and bouncy, but soon became a graceful stride, as Jaden made her way to her uncle’s mansion.1