King of Hearts ⚜ Ch. 1

Crown Princess Zaina Sedell of The Kingdom of Aldovia

Royal/Knights Academy - 22 -

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It was all because of Vicinda.

Princess Zaina had always thought she would marry a royal and move away from her tiny kingdom - an equally exciting and terrifying prospect. But in her third year at the Royal Academy, she found herself moving steadily up the line of succession until she was suddenly heir to the throne.

A baroness about ten years her senior was to blame. She lusted for power, and targeted small kingdoms to try to win herself a crown. She had always failed until she found the vulnerable kingdom of Aldovia.

Zaina had first encountered her late in her second year. A woman had come to the dorm common, waiting for her, it seemed. She had been holding playing cards, and as she subtly threatened the princess, she dropped them onto the table, one by one. Her haunting grey-blue eyes were cold, and Zaina knew she was a dangerous woman. Although, she'd had no idea just how dangerous.

That summer, her uncle was murdered. At the scene of the crime, a playing card was discovered next to him - the King of Diamonds. Months later, her cousin was found dead. Again, a playing card was placed beside him; this time it was the King of Clubs. But the most painful and shocking crime was against her father. He had the King of Spades in his hand when he died.

Come graduation, she was not only heartsick about her family's deaths, but she was worried that her girlfriend was planning on breaking up with her. In the middle of such uncertain times, she longed for someone to lean on and give her strength.

At the year end ball, she noticed her lover was behaving a bit strangely. She assumed she was going to break up with her then and there, until she pulled a King of Hearts from her pocket.

She was terrified and panicked when she handed it to her, running as fast as she could. Who knew what way they planned on scratching her off.

As she ran, one of her shoes slipped off, but she didn't dare go back to get it. She ran for her life, going all the way to Vanera to try to hide, desperately hoping they wouldn't find her.

And they didn't. Not for five years. She hid in the Knights Academy, working as a maid until one night a man from her kingdom came in the night. She didn't know if he intended to kidnap or kill her. But she was saved by a clever princess from Nepal and three siblings, all of whom were knighted that very evening.

Now, she had to run again. This time, the three knights were going to take her to their countryside estate, further from the murderous queen's view. She only hoped it was far enough.

And all of it, all the pain, the fear, the loss - it was all because of Vicinda.

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Five years later, she sat in a dimly lit closet within the Knights castle, looking through a rather small box that contained what was left of her former life. Inside the velvet-lined box was a fan, some jewelry, a portrait, a gold shoe, a glittering gold crown with three large diamonds, and a playing card - the King of Hearts.

She sighed as she looked at her old things, hidden away in a dusty closet. She once had shelves of tiaras in her palace. Now, Vicinda probably wore some of her crowns.

Touching the gold shoe, she smiled sadly. People had taken to calling her the Lost Cinderella, having no idea that she was working as a servant in the very same place. She had chosen the Knights Academy because she'd hoped it might offer her some greater protection. She'd even learned a little swordplay.

Not that it would do much for her against trained thieves and assassins. She was lucky that a fifteen year old princess had been able to save her.

Outside, she heard someone coming, and quickly put the lid back down. Hearing the footsteps about to enter the hall, she had no choice but to close the door. At least it could be opened from the inside (which she had learned once after fearing she'd been locked in).

"Why didn't I meet you sooner?" a man was saying. She recognized the voice, vaguely, as a man who had come to the castle asking about some countess.

She instantly recognized Lady Aveline's voice. "I've been thinking the same thing, Drake."

"You are so flawlessly lovely. How is it that a woman of your exquisite taste is unmarried?"

"Simply because I've yet to find a man who appreciates me properly."

"They're cowards, intimidated by perfection. But I'm not."

They fell mostly quiet, the muffled sounds of kissing carrying through the door. Zaina made a face. She was about ready to drown herself in the mop bucket rather than listen to them carry on.

It seemed like a while before she finally heard them move on. She huffed and got up off the bucket she'd been sitting on. Grabbing her precious possessions, she quickly slipped out of the closet and back to her room. Her three good knights had offered to take her away, and she had to pack.