Elena heard Lady Jacquelyn shout something and turned, confused. “Wha-” she started to say, but the word was cut off as the princess was suddenly grabbed from behind. Elena yelped, but the sound was muffled by someone’s hand clamped over her mouth. Panicking, she tried to scream, to call for help. It was useless. No one would be able to hear her out here. She struggled and felt her elbow connect with something solid. There was a muffled grunt and then suddenly her arms were restrained as well.

Blue eyes wide, her gaze fell on the woman in front of her. It was not difficult to figure out what had happened. Elena could feel an expression of hurt seeping into her eyes and immediately tried to push it back, but controlling her feelings was almost impossible at the moment. There was no reason for her to feel betrayed. She had met this woman only an hour ago. 

These feelings were soon forgotten in the presence of the terror she felt. Elena was not strong. Any attempt she made to break free of the hands that held her did nothing, though she did not stop trying. Elena whimpered as her eyes were covered. She was utterly helpless, and she hated herself for it. The fear was a cold, icy feeling that started in her chest and slowly took over her entire body. Her panic, along with the tight corset she was wearing, made it difficult to breathe, which in turn only furthered her panic. Her struggles weakened. She could feel herself growing lightheaded, dizzy. One last small sound escaped her before she fainted.