The throne hall doors were shut and the guards weren't allowing anyone in. Not even the prince in front of whom they have silently but firmly crossed their poleaxes. His eyes, usually of soft brown colour, turned almost black, he pursed his lips and a few of his black curls have fallen on his forehead, as he took a sharp deep breath, nodding. Prince gave each of the guards a long glance before turning on the heels and leaving.

The young man in deep-blue attire with golden embroidery took a turn into one of the corridors, passing by half a dozen of doors before pushing one of them and entering the room. His footsteps here were silenced by the light-purple carpet. Nothing has changed here from the last time he visited it. Same purple velvet curtains on the tall windows, same light-purple wallpapers with her emblem of four-petal flower in thin silver lines – they were noticeable most of all at the sunrise and sunset, as she preferred to keep the curtains open. Same round table and two round chairs of dark wood next to it. The same bed where nobody slept from the time she was gone. Same fireplace and two armchairs in purple velvet next to a little table with a vase where fresh flowers were put every morning, no matter the season. Her favourite purple...