“Are you sure you are ok?” My dad worried frantically hopping around me like a scared rabbit as Fredrick pushed my wheel chair to the limo that day. 

“Dad she will be fine. The doctors already said that she will make a full recovery. She and Conner just need to take it easy for the next week.” Frederick sighed stopping in front of the limo, (which might I add had been thoroughly checked for bombs), and helping me inside. Conner had been released a few days before me as his injuries had mostly healed by than. I also would have been released around that time too if my dad hadn’t been moaning like an injured cat about my injuries. Which might I add had not been that severe since the guards had shielded me from most of the blast.

“Where’s Conner anyway?” I interrupted before dad could respond to the crown prince. They immediately fell silent as they closed the door behind me and got in. Finally after a moment my dad answered.

“He’s getting things ready for the funeral.” I lowered my head gazing at my feet as thoughts of the dead guards filled my head.

“We did try to get him to rest and let someone else take over, but he insisted. Especially since his younger brother was one of the guards killed.” A silent tear slipped down my face at this. I hadn’t realized Conners brother had been there that day. There was so many guards surrounding me that I couldn’t tell who was who. Plus Kyle had only just finished his training as a guard, and after Conner had been shot I never expected him to be on duty. Though knowing him he probably insisted. The rest of the ride home was in silence as none of us wanted to break the solemn silence that had immediately filled the limo after dads comment. Finally after what felt like an eternity the limo pulled up to the big golden gate leading into the grounds. I could hear the driver speaking to the guard on duty but his words only came out as gibberish as my thoughts were plagued by guilt. I couldn’t believe Conner didn’t mention anything to me about his brother, but than again he probably didn’t want me worrying about it since I was already blaming myself. He must have been in so much pain that day in the hospital. If only I had... I was pulled from my thoughts as the limo door on my side opened to reveal Conner standing there dressed in black royal uniforms. Normally the uniforms are blue but in cases where a palace guard or a member of the royal family dies they are given black ones instead. Seeing him standing there my eyes immediately filled with tears as I flung myself into his arms. He seemed slightly surprised but after a moment he wrapped his arms around me hugging me back.

“I’m so sorry Conner. I had no idea your brother...” he cut me off as he pulled away slightly so he could look into my tear filled eyes.

“Its not your fault Sasha. You couldn’t have known. Kyle originally wasn’t going to work that day but than he changed his mind last minute and showed up to the group right when you reached the limo. It was him who pulled you out of the way as the limo exploded and sent debris flying everywhere. It was him who held you in his arms shielding you from the flames that raged around you. They told me later that when the nurses and doctors came running out to see what had happened that they found you in his arms as even in death he tried to protect you. They say it’s only because of him taking most of the blast that you survived. My brother died a hero Sasha. I couldn’t be prouder.”

“I know I just wished there was more I could have done to prevent this.” I sighed another tear falling gently down my face. Conner giving me a soft smile reached out and gently wiped away the remaining tears.

“Sasha, you can keep living in the past all you want. Tearing yourself apart over what is, or you can focus on the here and now. You may not be able to change the past but you can make sure his Sacrifice wasn’t in vain. You can live the remainder of your life as the strong beautiful princess I know you to be. My brother died so you could live. So prove to everyone that you deserved it.” His last words came out as a little harsher than usual but I knew he was right. I couldn’t change the past, but I can learn from it. So pulling the rest of the way away I nodded and gave him a small smile. Someone nearby coughed making me realize that all while this was happening my dad had been quietly watching in silence. Fredrick at least had the sense to disappear the moment Conner appeared, but of course my dad had to chaperone us. My face turned bright red as I awkwardly looked at my feet nervously playing with my hair.

“I... I will see you later Conner.” I stammered slightly embarrassed that my dad heard everything I just said. Before ether could respond I quickly scurried into the castle as my dads eyes bore into my soul.

                                                                                 ***

Tying a black lace ribbon at the bottom of my braid I gazed sadly at the tired looking woman in the mirror. I wore a simple rounded necked, ankle length black dress, black silk elbow length gloves, with my hair neatly pulled back into a bun. Sighing I got up from the chair by the window and wandered over to my closet. Opening the wooden door I quickly slipped the black high heeled shoes on my feet and headed for my bedroom door. Opening it I headed down the hallway toward the front entrance my heels clicking against the white marbled floors. I could see my driver standing by the limo doors waiting for me as I exited the castle.

“Good morning princess. ” the driver greeted cheerfully as I reached the limo. I couldn’t help but glare at his cheery personality. Today was anything but good. 16 people were being buried today. How is that a good day. I was tempted to snap at him, but I knew it wasn’t his fault. He had actually been away on vacation for a week and therefore did not know about the tragedy. He only just returned today.

“Hello.” I replied taking a deep breath to calm my anger as I got in the limousine.

“Where to today princess?” He just as cheerfully asked looking back at me through the drivers side mirror.

“The funeral home please.” He paused at the mention of a funeral. Confusion creating his forehead.

“Did someone die while I was gone?” He curiously asked her cheerfulness starting to vanish.

“Yes 15 of the guards were killed a few days ago when someone set a bomb under the limo I was going to be riding in. It also killed your temporary replacement as well. Before that someone shot an arrow at Conner. ” His face turned pale as he realized he had just barely avoided being killed as well. The rest of the ride to the funeral home was in silence as the driver thought about everything that had happened. Pulling into the parking lot he quickly ran around to open the door for me. I had just stepped out when he stopped me placing a hand on my shoulder. The guards accompanying me immediately glared at him as they placed their hands on their weapons. I waved them off waiting for my driver to speak.

“Um princess. You know I love being your driver but my wife just gave birth, and since someone tried to kill both you and Conner, and after all the crazy things that happened between you and Aaron last year. I well...” he trailed away not sure how to say it.

“Your quitting aren’t you.” I stated more as a fact than a question. He seemed relieved that I understood and nodded.

“Yes I am afraid so. Though I will still drive you back to the castle today but after that I am afraid I have to go.”

“Very well. Can’t say I blame you. You can pick up your final check tomorrow.” He nodded as he got back in the limo to wait. First Conner was shot, than I was nearly blown up, and now my driver that’s been with me since Aaron and I got engaged has quit. What else is going to go wrong. I thought entering the funeral home where the body’s of all the guards and the driver were displayed in separate rooms. I could seeing Conner and his family enter the room where Kyle was laid. Cries and howls of pain and grief could be heard from all corners of the funeral home as families and friends said their final farewells in this life. It was too much I could feel my heart breaking as the cries became louder. Walking outside I was just about to go for a walk when I noticed a bouquet of Rose’s sitting at the entrance of the home. Bending down I picked it up and saw a note attached to the stems by a black lace ribbon. Pulling the note off I opened it and felt my heart stop as I read what was written there.

“I told you before. If I can’t have you no one can.”