HellScape

“My, my princess.” Alex tsks me. As he  brushes out my hair and gently lays a crown on my head. I turn to him and smile as I wrap my arms around his waist. He wraps his arms around me and laughs quietly.
“Your my only princess.” he whispers quietly. I pull away and straighten my dress in the mirror.
“Your my only trusted servant.” I say as I turn back to him lifting up part of my dress so I can walk easier. Alex bows as I walk past and follows after me.
“Alex?” I ask as I stop and stare at my garden of roses through the window.
“Yes princess?” he asks confused.
“You’d do anything for me right?” I ask giving him a sideways look.
“Anything.” he says as he gives me a sweet smile. I turn to look at him and give him a true smile.
“Are you ready to go into town my lady?” he asks before bowing again. I look at my garden one last time before answering.
“I am.” I tell him. He straightens up and offers me his arm. I take it and walk with him towards the front doors of my castle. Alex opens the door for me and helps me down the stairs. I light settle into the carriage before Alex takes his seat at the reins. He makes a clicking sound and the carriage starts to move. I watch the villagers as they walk past. Woman pulling children along, men laughing at the street corner. I sigh quietly with longing. A king. Now wouldn’t that be nice. Ruling a kingdom alone is not the job of a lady. I look sadly at Alex’s back before turning my gaze back to the people. If Alex wasn’t here, what would I do? He has done anything I asked. He’s protected me. He’s my closest friend. Someone I could never bare to lose. My hands tighten in my lap and I lightly bite my lip. The carriage pulls to a stop and Alex jumps down before helping me out of the carriage.
“We’ll only be stopping here shortly, princess. I have to take care of the horses. If you decide to walk around, please. Stay where I can find you.” he pleads quietly with me. I laugh at the look he gives me.
“I am Princess Serenity. I will do what I want.” I say as I wink at him with a finger pressed to my lips and I give him the quiet sign with a smile before turning to walk down the streets. My eyes brighten when I find a fruit stand. I rush over and smile at the vendor before picking up an apple and smelling it. Mm…fresh apples. Someone bumps into me and I turn ready to yell at whoever did it but my gaze is pulled to a man with black hair and a gentle face. I melt just looking at him. He was handsome. Girls whisper and point at him and mumble the name Vince. I set the apple down and step off the side street. Trying to make my way towards Vince. The person next to him points at me, Vince looks at me giving me a glare before turning back to his friend and shrugging. I freeze where I am. He doesn’t like me. Everything about him just screamed it. I clench my teeth and step back onto the side street. Tears burn my eyes as I turn on my heal and race back to Alex.
Alex looks up as I burst through the crowd, a smile on his face. I run for him, tripping on the edge of my skirt. Alex catches me easily and I bury my face into his shirt.
“What’s wrong, princess?” he asks, his smile falling. A tear rolls down my cheek.
“Princess?” he asks quieter. I close my eyes and pull back pulling on a perfect mask.
“I am ready to leave. We are going back to the castle now.” I order him. He blinks at me and helps me up. I step into the carriage and wait. Staring blankly into space. He hates me? Why? I didn’t do anything to him. I was the ideal queen. My temper grows. Is there another girl? Why would he chose her over me? Doesn’t he know the honor of becoming a king? I clench my teeth. Why? Why? Why! I sigh in frustration. Pulling myself out of my daze. I look at Alex as he brings us back to my castle.
“Princess, are you okay?” Alex asks quietly.
“Yes.” I answer blandly. No. I am destroyed. I hiss mentally.
Alex pulls the carriage to a stop before getting down and helping me out. I nod a thanks at him before walking through the already opened doors. I walk up the stairs to my room. I look in the mirror at my elegant dress. I slip out of it before sliding into a less elegant one, but still beautiful. I shake my head at the maid walking towards me and tie the bow behind me before walking out and heading towards my throne. I sit and gaze around the room. Stained glass of roses throwing colors onto the white floor. Alex walks in and bows before me before walking up the stairs.
“Princess. How long are you going to keep that mask on?” he asks quietly. I don’t even blink at his comment.
“Who gave you permission to come near me now?” I ask acidly.
“I am worried about my princess, you can’t lie to me.” he says as he kneels next to my throne. A tear slides down my cheek as I let my mask fall. More tears follow. Alex looks at me quietly. Waiting. I lean my head on his shoulder.
“I love him.” I sob. “It was like love at first sight. But-he hates me.” I cry. Alex wraps his arms around me lightly, careful to not really touch me.
“Who?” he asks quietly.
“Vince.” I murmur softly wiping away at the tears. I tell him all my fears and all my unanswered questions. The tears have dried on my cheeks.
“I will go investigate him for you, my lady.” he says with a blank look. I pull away and his arms fall away. I look at him and lightly touch his cheek.
“I can only trust you.” I tell him truthfully.
“I know.” he says giving my a smile before turning to walk out the doors.

I lightly brush my fingertips against the petals of the rose. I hear Alex come beside me.
“Princess.” he says. I turn away from my rose to look at him.
“Let’s get you inside. It’s getting cold outside.” he says as he pulls the black hood away from his head and letting his hair fall out. I nod and walk with him to my room. I sit in my chair in front of the fireplace.
“Well?” I ask looking at him. He looks away.
“Alex.” I say sternly. He turn his gaze back to me before bowing before me and letting his hair cover his eyes.
“Vince L. November, he has just proposed to a girl that neighbors him. He says that he is in love with her and no one will ever change that.” Alex tells me.
“And what does he say about me?” I ask quietly.
“He-” he pauses. “he says that you are not fit to be queen and that you are not helping this country at all.” he says. A tear silently rolls down to my chin. Alex looks at me sadly.
“Take care of her.” I order him. Clenching the arm of the chair tightly.
“If I can’t have him then no one can.” I whisper.
“Yes princess.” he says as his sadness melts away into a gentle smile. He lightly unclenches my hand and kisses it. I look up at him quietly. He gives me a sad smile before pulling his dark hood up to cover his face and turning on his heal and walking away from me. I move silently to my bed and clench a pillow to my chest. I close my eyes and drift into a dreamless sleep.

“Princess, it’s time to get up.” Alex says happily as he opens my window and let’s the sun in. I pull myself up and stand in front of my mirror. I untie my dress and let it fall to the ground. I look at the simple slip I am wearing before stepping out and stepping into the dress Alex holds ready for me. His eyes averted. I hold my hair up and let him tie me up.
“Ready for tea princess?” he asks. I smile and nod.
“I will be right back with your tea then.” he says before stepping out. I relax into my chair and pick up my book from the side table and start to read. Alex comes in and sets the tea tray down.
“I have news princess.” Alex tells me.
I set my book in my lap and pick up my tea cup lightly stirring it. Waiting for him to continue.
“The villagers are outraged with the death of a girl. And they are not happy with where there moneys going.” he says emotionlessly. I stars at my tea before taking a sip.
“They must be punished.” I say as I stare at my tea. Alex kneels before me with a small sad smile.
“You are my princess, and I am forever your servant.” Alex tells me. Looking at me through his bangs.
“Thank you.” I say softly. He pulls his black hood before giving me a quick bow and rushing out.
I get up after the door shuts and walk over the the window looking over my kingdom. I place a hand on the cold glass. Watching silently as the town slowly takes a flame and dies to glowing embers.

“You can’t do that, Alex!” I yell at him as I pull on his sleeve, tears in my eyes.
“I wasn’t asking. I was telling.” he says sternly. As he looks out the window, his back to me.
“Alex no!” I cry.
“Don’t worry. It’s a secret.” he says as he smiles and holds his finger up to his lips giving me the secret sign. I pull away eyes wide. I fall to my knees and let my tears fall freely. He kneels next to me and kisses my forehead before holding me close.
“Here, you can borrow my clothes.” he whispers setting a set of his clothes in my lap. Tears cloud my vision. He pulls away and walks to my bathroom. I take my clothes off and pull his on in a daze. Alex walks out wearing the same dress as me. He took his hair out of his pony tail and letting his hair fall to his shoulders. An exact replica of me. He lightly takes the crown off my head and places it on his. I let him pull my short hair into a ponytail with out putting ups fight.
He kisses my forehead before handing me his most prized possession, his watch. He pulls the black hood up to cover my face.
“You are my princess and I will be your servant till the end.” he whispers before pushing me out of the glass doors into the garden. He shuts and locks the door behind me, I look at him and he mouths the word ‘run’. I turn and run down the path. Following his orders. He’s the princess and I’m the fugitive. I think grimly. I run for the village, opening the door of what looks like an abandon house. Closing the door behind me and sliding down the door. The tears flow freely as I stare into the nothingness. Completely alone.

“Ten minutes till the punishment of Princess Serenity!” the town crier yells. My eyes fly open as I pull the door open and run for town square. No no no!! I round the corner and glance at the clock. 5 minutes left?! I wasted 5 minutes running already. When I get there they already have his head under the guillotine.
“No wait!” I yell but I’m drowned out by the noise. Alex’s eyes skim the crowd and land on me. He closes his eyes and opens them a tear rolls down his cheek as he watches me. I reach my hand out for him, tears running down my cheeks. He gives me a heartbreaking smile before the clock tolls and they let the blade drop.
“NO!” I scream as my vision turns black.