Were it not a matter of national security, I would have cried and clung to Father to be where the action was. Nine advisors swarmed him the instant he stepped within the palace doors clamoring of more reported deaths, a damaged road preventing military movement, and the captured town being used as hostages.

“Please take the children to the nursery where Felicity should be around to watch them. Princess Heather and Prince Lucian will be brought along shortly.” Father hardly had time to dump us in a random guard’s arms.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The guard with hazel eyes took us in one direction while Father disappeared behind his duckling trail of advisors in the other. I could only hope the news would be better by the end of the day. The little I’d heard of the insurrectionists didn’t paint them as a group willing to slaughter countless innocents to achieve their goals, whatever they were, so the townspeople were probably safe. Probably.

Theo and I were placed in our cribs. The guard took numerous glances out the window while he absentmindedly fiddled with the sides of his pants, betraying his nerves. I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful for the quiet or not. Quiet could mean nothing bad approached, or it could be the deep breath before chaos unleashed. The guard and I both twitched at rapid footsteps approaching. Felicity’s rush across the building was clear as she hurried into the room with the loose strands of her crown braid being patted back into place.

“I was to still have an hour of rest before the children were to be brought for a nap,” she said.

“Sorry, Lici. There’s...trouble, so the little princes and princesses are being brought here for safety. The other two are being retrieved.”

“The palace is indeed flustered. I’ve never seen everyone running all over before. What’s going on?”

“The insurrection. That’s all I can say.”

“Oh my. It can’t be helped then. I’ll get the children settled down and await the others,” Felicity smiled.

“I’ll be standing watch outside the main door. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Archy.”

Archy the guard left. Felicity tended to Theo first, which was wise as his sudden stink already crinkled my nose. My brother, the perpetual sloth, conked out right in the middle of his bottom being wiped. He lay spread as the dead upon being returned to his crib. Felicity wiped my sticky hands and cheeks fresh with a cool cloth dipped in lavender-scented water that slowed my blinks and breaths despite sleep not having been on my mind. A comfy nightdress replaced my fancy outfit where I yawned and stretched out like a starfish. Better to sleep through the tension than fret uselessly, I suppose.

“Oh, this is miserable.” Felicity chewing her nails as she paced halted my departure to peace. “What awful timing on today of all days.”

Had that extra hour been incredibly important to her? Perhaps she meant to meet someone or go out to enjoy the festival. She would be able to leave once the others arrived though.

“If I don’t act soon, he’s going to be mad. But...”

Felicity’s annoyed stare trailed to Heather’s empty crib. A strange behavior. Felicity had become my favorite maid due to her being a sensible and kind woman unlike some of the others who thought wiping our butts and cleaning our messes put them on a higher pedestal above the rest.

“I’ll have to take my chance while it’s here,” she eventually huffed.

I sat to watch her stride to the dresser containing many of our clothes. Both Theo and I had been changed. What else did she need? Well, I got the answer when she sped to my side, wrenched my arm up, and jabbed the needle of a syringe in deep.

“Shh, shh, Princess,” Felicity cooed at my screaming wail— the smile on her face a sick difference from the sudden apathy in her stare. “Aww, did you accidentally hit your head on the bar? Here, I’ll get you a cool cloth to soothe the pain.”

I cried harder. Archy certainly had to come check to see what the matter was. He had to. Yet...Felicity scurried gathering other items hidden about the room to stuff into a bag continuing to offer fake comforts. A trick I understood was sealing my doom. All guards stationed to watch my parents’ room were accustomed to children crying. On the chance Archy did come to investigate, Felicity’s loud excuses for the noise would drive him away before he reached the nursery door.

And so, indeed, my desperate shrieks were useless. They faded too. A thick fuzz numbed my thoughts as my sight faded. Felicity tossing the bag over her shoulder was the last thing I saw as my back hit the mattress.