Chapter 1: Goodbye My Love

"Your Highness, please! We have to get you out before the enemy's army comes into your chamber. We don't have much time left. They are already attacking the crown prince's palace!"

A young maiden dressed in a maid's uniform frantically told the woman standing in front of the window.

Despite the chaos happening outside, her face speaks the complete opposite. Sounds of swords clashing and blood spilling on the ground surrounding the whole place. However, the woman's pearly white face and her lips as red as an apple don't have a reaction of fear at all.

A gentle smile formed on her pink lips, and a feeling of tranquility was clearly shown on her beautiful face. "Where are father and mother?"She asked as she walked towards her walk-in closet.

"They have already left the palace, your highness, together with the crown prince. I heard from a servant that they are heading north." She sadly said as she followed the princess.

"Your highness, they must have heard that you're already safe. That's why they have already left. The King and Queen won't abandon you, so please don't be mad at them, your highness."

"It's okay, Myrtle. I'm used to it. You don't need to defend them in front of me. I understand it. There's something I need to get. Keep guard outside and tell me immediately if they are already near the study room."

Everly opened the white wooden drawer. After browsing through it, she finally saw the thing that she was looking for. A green jade box appeared on the site. She carefully opened it and took the necklace inside.

Myrtle rushed forward when the clashing of swords and shouts of the palace maids were slowly nearing them. "Your highness, please let's go. The enemy's army is drawing near. We have to get you out of this place once and for all."

Princess Everly is the only daughter of King Simon and Queen Elizabeth, the current ruler of Amsterdam Kingdom.

She had a younger brother, who is the current crown prince, Prince Edward. Today marks the day when their kingdom was finally conquered by the enemy's troops.

Amsterdam and Heathern have been in a silent war for several decades already. Both kingdoms have long been engaged in battle but nobody ever beat the other. When it came to military power and landmarks, both kingdoms stood equal.

For several years, different strategies and military equipment were built just to conquer the other. That was until the young king of Heatherns took the throne right after his father's death.

King Dominique, despite his young age, had brilliant military techniques and battle strategies. His skill at sword fighting compares to no one.

From a young age, he joined his kingdom's military and successfully won various battles with him leading the troops. He became the youngest general in history. However, no one knew his real face. No one has ever seen it.

During battles, he always wears a black mask that covers his whole face. Until now, it was still a mystery what the young king of Heathern looked like. Up until now, when King Dominique finally managed to invade the land of Amsterdam, his image continues to be a mystery.

"Your highness! Let's go!" Both of them rushed towards the secret door inside Everly's room. This leads to a forest located at the back of the palace. This secret passage was built by her grandfather. When her grandfather was still alive, King Ronald made this passageway.

Everly was very close to her grandfather. Every day she would often visit her grandfather's room to play with him.

One day when Everly got a terrible cold, her grandfather stayed with her throughout the time. And at that time, King Ronald told the young Everly about the secret passage.

'I made this secret escape route for you. One day this will come in handy. No one, aside from me and you knows about it. Keep it a secret, my dear little sweetheart. If one day Amsterdam fails to protect this land, this secret door will serve as your final protection Everly. Keep that in mind always.'

For Everly, her grandfather was her only family. He was the only one who sincerely treated her well and loved her. The attention and care that she wanted to get from her parents were given by her grandfather instead. So, when the day he died, Everly became alone in this huge palace.

"What is this place, Your Highness?" Myrtle was shocked when she saw what was inside the closed door. A small tunnel came into view. Its size can only fit two to three people. Specks of dirt and dust covered the place. This portrays how long this place was built.

On each side of the tunnel hang lampshades, enough to emit light in the dark tunnel. "Let's go, Myrtle."

Every step they took echoed the whole place. Despite the soiled and filthy place, Everly's calm expression didn't change. She walked with careful strides in the dark tunnel while her little maid assisted her at her side.

Her perfectly groomed blonde hair was disheveled and her shoes and clothes were stained with mud and dirt. But that doesn't stop her appearance from being slighted.

With her straightened back, slender waist, pearl-white face, and the way she walked showed her regal and elegance. With just one look, one can really tell that she's a princess groomed in a palace.

Even without those expensive and sparkling things, one could distinguish her nobility just by her face and mannerism alone. No one in the entire Amsterdam Kingdom can compare to Everly's beautiful face.

Many other nobility tried to surpass her but no one succeeded. If the young king of Heathern is called the unparalleled military genius, Princess Everly is considered the unparalleled beauty of both kingdoms.

As Everly walked further inside the tunnel, sounds of rumbling and fighting could be heard. Myrtle jerked slightly when she noticed the rumbling sound above the tunnel. "What was that Your Highness?"

Everly stopped her tracks and carefully looked at her before speaking. "It's the sound of fighting. We must be below the Crown Prince's Palace right now. According to my grandfather, this tunnel is built below the whole palace."

Sounds of cries, swords crashing and shouts mimicked inside. Everly stood inside the dark tunnel calmly. No grief, sadness, and fear reflected in her eyes. All that is seen is pure tranquility, like what's happening outside is a normal thing.

Silence came after a long moment of fighting. Everly moved her gaze away. "Let's go. We have to get to the forest before it gets dark."

Everly continued to walk further towards the end of the tunnel. Time went by and the sunset was outside. The orange sky reflected the whole kingdom.

Bodies of dead citizens and military soldiers splattered on the whole ground in the kingdom. Blood spilled all throughout the marble ground and the flag of Amsterdam blazed on fire, indicating the collapse of the kingdom.

It was already dark when Everly and her maid walked out of the end of the tunnel. They took a step further and looked for a place for them to take a rest for the night. "Let's stay here for now. We can continue our journey when the day rises tomorrow."

Myrtle nodded and set the lamp she was holding on the ground. "Your Highness, I will just go look for some food for us to eat and maybe some firewood as well."

"Be careful on your way Myrtle." Everly took the necklace she took from her closet earlier. A heart-red gem pendant enlaced with sparkling silver string came into view. Placed the pendant near her heart, and whispered slowly,

"I hope you are fine, my love. I'm not sure where you are right now. Whether you are still alive or not. I'm sorry, but I think this is the end of our chapter. I promise I will continue to love you wherever I may go. Let's meet in our next life Reyl. Goodbye, My Love."