A Lonely Kingdom

As she ventured further into the room, her heels produced a rhythm against the marble floor.  A room whose darkness paled in comparison to the secrets and agony it bore. A room that had once been bustling; full of joy, kisses, pleasantries, and the aroma of many fragrances blending in the air to produce a single scent that Everleigh could only identify as the smell of home.

But it was so dark now.

She shook her head in disbelief, perplexed as to how such a modest chamber that had previously been so cosy could have become the coldest in the entire palace. She dreaded the one room she had always loved because it reminded her of her solitude.

“It does feel somewhat more lonely today,” she murmured, embracing herself to relieve the shivers that threatened to rock her body. Gently whirling around, she shut her eyes. For a brief moment, she could envision Peter and Alice skipping around, causing havoc and pranking everybody who stepped in their way, for the twins were usually young troublemakers. Alec would be in the corner of the room, fussing about the racket while hiding the broadest grin behind a tumbler of the most expensive whiskey. Benjamin would be murmuring too, but rather about their parents swaying in the centre of the room, staring at each other with warmth and affection. And she’d be soaking it all in, enjoying the noises, fragrances, and the wonderful Christmas meal while wearing one of her marvellous gowns, which would almost certainly be ruined by the twins — She gasped, opening her eyes immediately as she’d felt the twins brush around her while envisioning. She believed she was hallucinating for a split second as a light glided around the room, illuminating the six sculptures.

A wail escaped from between her lips, her eyes welling up as her gaze drifted steadily from one sculpture to another, meeting the lifeless eyes of individuals who had brought this room to life.

Because her family had been cursed.