Blue

*Adelia**

''Lia! Lia!, Watch me dance!''.

My little sister danced around in her favorite blue dress. She was looking pretty as always as she flashed her bright smile. I loved her so much as she was my only sibling. She ran up to me and stared deep into my eyes. 

Hers were filled with tears and I was about asking her what was wrong, when she spoke up saying, 

''Why didn't you save me? You could have saved me''. 

I woke up with a jolt and sat upright on my bed. Another nightmare. Sweat covered my forehead as a headache made itself known by banging angrily in my head. It had been happening since the attack. It was still dark out. 

I got out of bed and peered through the window, lost in thought. I decided to do the one thing that had been my therapy since the attack. Going to the training ground. I put on my robe, took my sword, and walked out of the room, all the while, my mind occupied with my sister's voice. 

I took my sword out of it's sheath. Balancing myself, I closed my eyes to make sure I was focused. I motioned for a guard, who was positioned at the entrance to the training ground. He came and knelt. 

''Train with me''. He was hesitant to, but he later agreed. We sparred for a few minutes, using the new techniques and moves I learnt from the soldiers training, to defeat him. Although it wasn't easy, because surprisingly, he was good.

Breathing heavily, I asked him, 

''What's your name''?

''Adrian, Your Majesty. I'm a part of the recruits'' He said, answering my next question. 

I shook my head. He was good. I sent him back to his post and went for a walk in the garden. I loves the sunflowers. They reminded me of Anita. 

 When the sun began to rise, I knew it was time to go back to my room and get ready for the day. 

When I got to my door, that's when I realized that my personal guard wasn't there. I knew he was incompetent. Just didn't know he was asking for death. After the attack, my father has instructed that I must be with a guard, wherever I go. Unfortunately, that buffon that was assigned to me was just as worthless as I thought he was. I could run faster than him, and his fighting skills were just below par.

 The maids were in my room already waiting to bathe and dress me up. ''Leave''. No matter how many times I told them I didn't need people to bathe and dress me early in the morning, they just kept coming back. I was about to take off my robe and get into the shower, when I heard a knock on the door. 

''Come in''. It was probably that lousy guard. Surprisingly, my dad entered the room and behind him, a guard followed. 

''Good Morning, Father''. I bowed my head as my father's aura filled the room. He was like that. Whenever my dad was around, you would know. There was just something about him and his presence that spoke for him whenever he was around. You always felt his presence. 

''Morning, My Princess. How'd you sleep?'', He asked. He was answered with silence. My dad knew I didn't like small talk. He just shook his head. 

''Anyways, I believe you've noticed the absence of your personal guard. He's missing. Been missing since last night. He didn't show up for dinner last night or training, as the general said. Well, in the mean time, this is his replacement. The general specifically recommended him. He's the best of the recruits. So go easy on him''. He said, with warning eyes. 

My eyes drifted from him to the guard who had been intently watching me since he came in. I recognized him as the guard I trained with earlier on..... Adrian. I had a better look at him now. He looked fit and looked like he was competent. If he's the best, I wonder how I never noticed him at the training ground. My dad's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. 

''Well, I'll leave you to get acquainted with him''. My Dad said as he stared between the both of us, then left. I stood in silence for some seconds trying to gather all my dad had said, as the guard bent his head, waiting for my next order. 

''Well don't just stand there. Leave or would you like to watch me undress and have a bath. Maybe you'll dress me up later, while you're at it!'' I said to him, pissed. 

He just looked at me for a second, sized me up, bowed his head and left. I let out a sigh when he left. I quickly undressed and did my morning routine. I stepped out of the room. I had to see the General concerning my former guard. I noticed a presence, following me. I turned around and sure enough, it was my new guard. 

Shaking my head, I continued walking. I needed to know what happened to that guard. I got to the training guard, and the General was busy with a few of the guard. 

'Get me the General''. I said to my guard. That guard...I didn't feel his disappearance was normal. I was no where close to finding my sister's murderers... and now this. I had to get to the bottom of this. 

''Good morning, Your Majesty''. The General knelt and greeted. 

''My guard, where is he''? . He looked very confused. Blinking a couple of times, he said 

''Right behind you, Your Majesty''. 

The guard behind me let out a snort. I sighed, and said

''Not that guard. Lousy''. 

He smiled, remembering the nickname I gave the guard. 

''Oh , him. He's been missing for a day. The last time he was seen was two days ago. He was part of the troops who went into the woods for routine check. That was the last time he was seen. When everyone re-grouped, he wasn't there. He didn't show up for dinner or training this morning''. 

I let all that he said sink in, then something clicked. I asked,

''Why was he part of the troops that went scouting? He's my personal guard, meaning that he's exempted from every other assignment, so that he can be at my side at every time. so i ask again, why was he a part of the troops sent to the forest''?

''Well, Your Majesty.....''. He trailed off. 

It's fine. You can continue with your work''. I quickly dismissed him.

  He hesitated, and then asked,

''I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I have to ask. Why are you interested in the guard? You've got a better guard''. 

''Its none of your business. Go back to your duty''.

He went back to his duty, and I was left, lost in my thoughts. This doesn't sound right. Everyone knew the rules. My chain of thoughts were interrupted by a guard walking up to me and saying, 

''Your Majesty, Your Father, The King, requests your presence in the throne room''. 

I wondered what my dad wanted. I gathered myself and, proceeded to the throne room.