ONE

Icho’s footsteps echoed throughout the castle. Her blue dress blended in with the angelic mural running along the corridor. The angels hid behind clouds fashioning golden, blue, and white fabrics. Her dress was nearly an exact color match to the sky in the mural. Maids rushed from room to room getting things ready for the ball later that month. Icho’s pace slowed as she neared the throne room. 

In the throne room, three thrones sat above a large and empty room. 

“Icho, we’ve talked about this,” The man’s voice echoed throughout the room. His finger traced the scar along his cheek. It stretched from the edge of his nose to the top of his ear. “The Vera Empire’s rulers are arriving later this afternoon and you're wearing peasants’ clothing. I told the maids to set out one of the dresses I specifically had sewn and shipped across kingdoms.” The king began to raise his voice, her dress truly wasn't one of peasants, its layers of blue and the layer of sparkling stars on transparent tulle.

“Father, I never received new gowns. This is the outfit that the maiden had upon my cushion,” Icho’s voice didn't roar like her fathers did more as squeaked out of her like a scared mouse. The man sighed, 

“Lucia, gather the servants I left with the dresses” 

A small girl seemed to be summoned from the shadows, she wore a more posh dress than the other maidens as King Yuuma preferred her over the others, many of the servants spread rumors of Lucia taking advantage of the king with affairs. Icho’s father gestured for her to sit upon the small throne in between the two bigger. Icho walked her way up, staying directly in the middle of the green carpet. The two watched Lucia leave the room and quickly come back with around 7 servants. Yuuma immediately pointed to a short blonde girl, eyes had distinct eyebags and her resting face seemed angered. “Everyone but her may leave,” The boys and girls hurried out of the room. Lucia stood in the shadows until she would be called again. The girl walked closer to the thrones and bowed,

“My name is Atora. I was in charge of putting the dresses in the Princess’s closet and putting the dress on her cushion and I did but when I came to put the dress out this morning her blue dress was already out. I assumed another maiden had put it out already and I apologize” The girl stood from her bow. She refused eye contact with Yuuma. 

“Are you lying?” Icho calmly asked, her eyes latched on the disheveled girl

“No.” The girl’s eyes were still on the ground. Icho smiled at her father,

“I’m sure I can find them, I trust her!” Icho hopped down from her seat and walked down to the girl to escort her outside. Yuuma rolled his eyes, thinking that his little princess spent too much time around peasants.

“Lucia dearest, would you close those doors” The king sneered as the small ordinary girl struggled to pull the gigantic doors shut.