"Is everything ready?"
Kerv sighed.
"Yeah. Yeah, Henry tried throwing a hissy fit but I gave him a good whack."
Bellavarn eyed him suspiciously.
"Are you sure it wasn't you who threw a 'hissy fit'?"
"Of course. I'm much more dignified and respectable than that old dog."
Henry's younger than you.
Bellavarn pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Kerv. Listen. This isn't a game. I need you to be focused. Can I count on you?"
He looked hurt by the insinuation that he was otherwise.
"Yeah, Bell. I've got your back. I know you wouldn't do something stupid. If you were, I'd tattle to your mom."
"I wouldn't blame you."
"The Duchess is so much scarier."
"Right, let's get started then."
Bellavarn tugged at his collar. It was still stifling.
The tall stained-glass windows exuded colorful light while casting the rest of the castle in darkness. Bellavarn moved quickly through the palace while following Kerv, taking several turns and passing through unoccupied or unused rooms. The few Royal Guards posted on the inside of the palace were all conveniently distracted by Duke Braster's conveniently timed curse and the Duchess' incessant 'worrying'.
Even with a distraction that is sure to be recorded in history books, Bellavarn sweated nervously. The idea of being caught terrified him, but something instinctual propelled his steps forward. Miraculously, no one blocked their path.
Still, it felt too quiet. It shouldn't be going so well. There should be more Royal Guards running down the corridors, or evidence of the Palace's Curse Protocols.
"We're almost there."
Kerv whispered for Bellavarn's benefit. He hated this.
It was all for a reason. A girl. A princess and a horrible suspicion.
If they were caught, he would likely be killed.
If he were wrong, he would be grateful.
If Bellavarn was right, things would only become more troublesome.
A quiet girl sitting at a dinner table. Ignored by all. A simple movement caught his eye.
Even during dinner, when one should roll up their sleeves or be sleeveless, Princess Lecil covered her skin entirely.
Everything.
She even wore dark gloves while eating.
The signs were practically alarm bells. Bellavarn, more than anyone, should recognize them.
"It is up ahead."
Bellavarn collected himself. Down the hall were a pair of double doors leading to a bedroom.
The Princess' bedroom.
"Alright. Follow me, Kerv. Watch out for others."
Kerv nodded, more serious than he's ever been. Bellavarn tugged at his collar another time. Itchy. Finally, he just undid it entirely. Taking a deep breath, Bellavarn continued forward towards the doors.
There was a soft ticking as the clocks in the palace echoed down empty corridors. The darkness closed in. Shadows wrapped and writhed. The colored light faded as clouds drifted across the sky overhead.
Standing in front of doors, Bellavarn's heart jumped. One of the doors was already slightly ajar. Nervously, he called out softly.
"Princess?"
More annoying ticking was his only answer. Resolving himself, he pushed the ajar door inward.
Looking inside, the room suddenly became illuminated by white moonlight.
Bellavarn's heart dropped.
Every clock in the palace chimed midnight. They sang their mournful melodies and spoke their prayers, becoming the only sound in audible.
Bedsheets. Chandelier. Princess.
"Princess!"
The shout was covered by a song of time—a second chime.
Bellavarn rushed in, running to the princess. He grabbed her suspended legs and lifted.
"Kerv! Get in here."
Kerv was a step behind and just rounded the corner. He momentarily froze at the sight.
"Hurry and cut the rope."
Kerv sprinted to the bedpost. The anchor. Taking a sword out of his sheath, he cut—a third chime.
The princess fell on top of Bellavarn. They crashed to the ground. Lecil's long black hair fell limply over them both.
Rolling over, he placed the princess on her back. Colorless skin. Unmoving.
As he rolled up one of her sleeves, he placed the bruises and faint scars in the back of his mind as he checked her wrist.
No pulse.
No breathing.
A fourth chime.
"Bell, she's gone. It's time to go."
Kerv was uncharacteristically closed off. He appeared much less carefree and more like someone calculating escape routes.
"Not yet. There is still a chance. Guard the door."
"Bell, we need to leave. Right now."
"No. I can still save her."
"Master Bellavarn-"
"Two minutes. Give me two minutes."
Bellavarn didn't have time to look at him; he was trying to remember training from back in school. Kerv looked like he wanted to curse, but obediently went over to the door. A fifth chime.
"Chest compressions. 15? Or was it 30? Screw it."
Forgetting the number, he started on her heart. Placing his hands together near her navel, his arms aligned straight with his shoulders, he pressed down.
Settling for 15 initial chest compressions, Bellavarn adjusted her head and pinched her nose to perform rescue breaths.
An echoing sixth chime.
"Bell. What do you think you're doing?"
Bellavarn felt something was wrong. Her chest wasn't rising.
"Does she have a corset?"
Cursing old-timey fashion, he called over Kerv.
"Cut her corset. Quickly! She can't breathe."
Kerv strode over and complied. With an accurate swipe, the center of her dress was cut and the corset fell apart with a sharp snap. A seventh chime followed.
A small clock on the dresser nearby played a happy tune while the rest of the palace's clocks continued singing.
Continuing chest compressions, he felt less resistance. Chest compressions. Rescue breaths. Chest compressions. Did the breaths even matter if her heart wasn't working!
The eighth chime.
A ninth.
Bellavarn continued, ignoring the laughing clocks. He wouldn't give up.
A raucous, scathing tenth chime.
It wasn't working. Was it too late? How long had she been hanging there?
Thoughts of police being called to answer a complaint. A rotting smell from an apartment next door. A note with only a few words. His body swaying from a piece of rope.
No. He wouldn't let it end here. Bellavarn had no one at that time.
Eleven.
Did she have anyone? Would she want to be saved? Would Bellavarn have wanted to be saved?
Yes!
Of course, he did. To be stopped at the last moment. To have someone care enough. To be noticed. To live. Give him nothing but a stick, and he would go out into the cruel world and fight alone.
Chest compressions.
Bellavarn had to believe.
Rescue breath.
His life wasn't a tragedy.
He could save her.
Even if no one saved him.
Chest compressions.
"LIVE!"
…
Twelve
…
Chiming.
…
..
Fading sound.
…
..
.
Sweat falling onto cold skin.
…
..
.
Silence
.
.
.
..
..
…
A shuddering breath.
…life.
"Kerv, get rid of the rope."
Bellavarn picked up a breathing form. Pulse beating.
Kerv was stunned a moment before he complied, untying the torn rope from the bedpost and bundling up all the loose cloth.
Lecil was unconscious, and her dress was ruined. Still, she lived. That was what mattered.
"Is there any other evidence we were here?"
Kerv shook his head but realized Bellavarn wasn't looking.
"No."
"Good. We need to leave."
Bellavarn gently placed Lecil on the bed and tucked her in. If she woke up, she could hide the damaged clothes herself. If she was being abused… it was unlikely others would care enough to ask. Or they would get upset and hit her again.
Kerv noted Bellavarn's indignant emotions but was presently concerned with the miracle he witnessed. Without magic, young master Bellavarn breathed life into something already dead. He resolved to take that fact to his grave.
"It seems she's breathing. Will she be alright if we leave?"
Bellavarn was unaware of Kerv's determination and true concerns and answered perfunctorily.
"She has to be. We can't stay. A sore chest is unavoidable, and she will probably be confused, but she will live. If word spread that she tried to kill herself, or that we were in her personal chambers…"
Kerv didn't need it explained. He simply nodded.
"Make sure the coast is clear."
Bellavarn cast a last glance at the sleeping form of Lecil. She was breathing softly now. Her skin was pale even under all the makeup. Even so, the demure rising of her chest made him smile.
She was breathing. She was alive!
"Bell."
"Right. Lets go."
Bellavarn hurried out, closing the door behind him.
The silence deafening.
The next day was normal. Bellavarn and company left without so much as a goodbye.
An incident report was made about Duke Sallow getting trapped underneath a chandelier while a nearby fish tank spontaneously exploded. A sudden and bizarre lightning strike broke through the palace roof and struck the spreading liquid. Luckily, the Duke was pulled to safety before being electrocuted. The small fire afterward was only an endnote.
No one stopped them or thought it was strange how Mother seemingly fainted twice in quick succession. No one noticed Henry turning everyone in the opposite direction of the princess's quarters or Kerv's mysterious absence.
Bellavarn climbed into the carriage after his parents. The vehicle rolled away without any difficulty.
Bellavarn shivered.
A single maid watched from a palace window.