The Assassin Princess (Book One)

Chapter Nine-Alexandria

When morning came, the maids took my luggage and put it in the carriage. I was not looking forward to this. Four hours in a carriage just to see a man that I've never met, but already hated. I got dressed and pulled my hair back in a high ponytail. Just to anger my father more, I put on my black leather tunic with my black tights and combat boots instead of a fancy dress to show a good impression on Laithen.

Laithen. Even the name sounded horrible. He was two years older than me, and I had no idea what he would look like, act like, or be like. But yet we were engaged. I walked downstairs and was ready to get in my own private carriage, until the general of the army called my name. "Your highness!" He said, walking towards me. I looked over and smiled.

"Your royal guard is very sick, so I will be sending a knight in training to be your guard instead" he said. "Oh, is he alright?" I asked. "I'm afraid not, he has a very rare illness. But let's hope he gets better in time. Now, I would like to introduce your new guard" said the general. Then, a boy in armor walked over and stood next to the general.

"Your highness, meet Aaron, your personal guard, well, until Broaden is better" said the guard. Oh. My. God. It was Aaron. The boy from the day before. He still looked absolutely gorgeous, with his sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. "It is an honor to take the roll of being your personal guard, your highness" Aaron said, bowing.

"Yes, and I am very glad to have you here" I said as properly and sophisticated as I could. "You too are close in age, so I thought you could bond together. Aaron here is seventeen, just a year older than you!" said the general. I smiled and said, "yes, I do hope we can bond". Aaron said nothing.

"Alright, you best be on your way now. Have a safe journey, your highness" said the general. "Thank you" I said. I saw some of the black mist coming from my hand. I shook it away. "Oh, your highness! You left this in your room, and I thought you would need it" said the general. He handed me my bow, quiver and arrows. "Oh, thank you!" I said.

The general left, leaving Aaron and I standing there. "Alright, I need to get to my carriage, so....follow me" I said. I walked out the palace doors with Aaron at my side. I found my carriage, ready to go. I got in, and Aaron stood outside the carriage door. "Well, are you going to come in?" I asked. "Am I supposed to, your highness?" He asked.

"Yes, your supposed to be near me at all times, so if a terrorist hops in the carriage or whatever, you can save me. It's pretty stupid, but it's the rules" I said. "I see, your highness" he said. He sat on the opposite side of me. The butler closed the door. We sat in the carriage for about ten minuets until we started moving.

Aaron twiddled with his thumbs a lot. I put my feet on the seat across from me. "Your highness, may I ask what you meant about it being stupid that you have a personal guard?" Aaron asked. I thought for a moment, but than said, "I just think I can take care of myself. I'm not the type of girl who needs a knight in shining armor to save me, because I can save myself".

We said nothing for a while. "May I ask...what happened to your face?" Aaron asked. I had almost forgotten about the bruise on my cheek. It was starting to fade, but it was still very visible. "My father slapped me" I said. "Oh" he said quietly. I looked out the window. It was beautiful outside, I would rather be walking or running than in this carriage.

"And may I ask one more thing. Why are you not in a dress? Don't you want to make a good impression on Prince Laithen?" Aaron asked. I laughed and said, "but that's the thing. I don't want to make a good impression. My father slapped me because I argued with him about marrying him. So I thought if I looked and acted in ladylike, he would refuse to marry me" I said.

Aaron gave me an impish smile and said, "it's worth a try". I smiled back. After what seemed like a million years, we finally arrived at Dorellia. Talahan was much more beautiful, but Doriella seemed richer. We got out of the carriage, and Aaron and I walked into the castle. Rowen, mother, father and their personal guards found us and walked in the castle with us. "What are you wearing?!" Father said in anger. "Clothing" I said rudely.

The king of Doriella walked over to us and said, "welcome to Dorellia! I am King Henry. You must be Alexandria" he said, looking at me with a big grin. "Yes, I am" I said politely. "Well, Prince Laithen is so anxious to meet you, so we best not keep him waiting. Come now, follow me!" Said King Henry. I followed him, along with Aaron, but the rest of my family stayed in their place, meeting the queen of Dorellia.

We walked into another room. In it stood a boy with auburn hair and tan skin. He wore a fancy outfit that was navy blue. "Laithen, this is Alexandria. Alright, make yourself at home!" Said King Henry, walking out of the room. "Hmm" said Laithen. He looked like he was.....inspecting me. "Well, you are very beautiful, and if your not a total bitch, I guess you'll meet my expectations. But...why are you dressed like that? You should be trying to impress me" said Laithen.

I hate him. I hate him more than anything, and I just met him. I clenched my teeth in frustration. "I would appreciate if you would not talk to my princess like that" said Aaron. I lightly gasped in shock. Did Aaron stick up for me? He could receive punishments for speaking without permission.

"I can say whatever I want! And you don't even have a say in this conversation, your just a servant boy" said Laithen. I laughed. "Your clearly stupider than I thought you'd be. Why would a servant boy be in full armor with a sword? He's my personal guard! Are you blind?" I said.

Laithen growled. "How dare you speak-" "yeah yeah, just show me to my room" I said, interrupting whatever Laithen was going to say. He walked down the corridor angrily, and I followed. "It's here" he said. I walked in my room. Apparently, I had to share a room with Aaron, in case someone would try to kill me in the middle of the night. Just great. Who's room is next door?" I asked. "The two freaks who will be protecting you" said Laithen.

"Protecting me? I don't need anymore protection, I can take care of myself" I said. "Yeah, tell it to them" he said, walking out of the room. I gripped my bow. As I did, the black mist came from in between my fingers. I dropped my bow and shook it away. Then, I picked up my bow and walked out of my room. At the same time, two people, a boy and a girl walked out of the room next to mine.

They wore all black, and I couldn't see their faces, for they were covered up. But the strange thing was, they wouldn't stop staring at me. "Look, I can protect myself" I said. I held out my bow and said, "see this? I'll kill any bastard who tries to come near me. Go home. I don't need your help". The boy broke down laughing in hysterics. He walked towards his room and said, "well I'll be damned! Ryia has an evil clone!"

I groaned and began walking down the hallway. "Wait!" Said the girl. I turned around and said, "look, I said I don't need your help. I already have Aaron, I don't need anyone else. You and your boyfriend can go home". "Boyfriend? Please! I would rather jump off a cliff than go on a single date with Terrin" she said.

"Why do you need to protect me anyway?!" I said angrily. The girl sighed and said, "I really can't say why. Sorry, I'd tell you if I could". I groaned. The girl still stared at me. "So your name is...Alexandria?" The girl asked. I nodded and said, "yeah". She held out her hand and said, "my name is Ryia". I didn't shake her hand but said, "nice to meet you". And I couldn't help but thinking that Ryia reminded me very much of myself.