The Forgotten Princess Sneak Peak

Preview

  It's been 12 years. For 12 years I've been trapped in this timeless realm. I still aged, making me 27 years old. To me, it feels like 12 minutes. I'm still connected to social media, so I know what year it is and how everyone is doing. My father, the king, acts as if I never went missing. He went into the village and replaced me with a look alike. It was the night of my coronation to become queen that I disappeared. It pains me to watch someone other than me become the queen of Glades. The only positive thing about this is that I didn't have to marry the prince I was betrothed to. He was a selfish brat that only cared about himself. All he wanted was to overthrow the throne, so it pained me to watch my kingdom slowly fall apart in his hands. I need to find a way out of here. I'm tired of watching my people suffer. They've gone too long without their rightful queen.

   My head whipped around when I heard a voice. The first voice I've heard in years. "Hello?" I called out to the voice in the distance. The only response I got were a few moans. It sounded male. I slowly made my way towards the noise, the moaning getting louder the closer I got. Ten feet away I could make out a shape in the distance. It was a man laying on the ground in pain. I ran over to him to check to see if he was conscious.

   He gasped and reached up and grabbed my arm, "W-where am I?".

   I sighed, " I've been asking myself that same question for 12 years. My name is Artemis," I reached my hand out for him to shake it.

   "Where are you from? You have a strong European accent," he asked, shaking my hand.

   To which I responded, "I'm from Glades. And I'm the rightful ruler of the throne." I held my head up high during the last part.

   "Hahaha! You? The queen? Now that's hilarious!" He laughed at me.

   I was shocked, "Yes me! Why would you think that- you look familiar......"

   "Perhaps you know my brother. He was betrothed to you after all. If you even are the rightful queen," My mind stopped. This isn't a coincidence. There's no way! "I was just about to be crowned King of Asterial when I somehow ended up here. I now have to watch my brother take over the throne that was going to be mine."

   "Your brother is King Kyle....." I stated slowly. "I disappeared the night of my coronation. That's no coincidence."

   He slowly sat up on his elbows, "Do you think he has something to do with this?"

   "Wait let me get this straight... you're Prince Hayden?" I asked, still unsure of this.

   He winced trying to stand up, "Yes, do you have a problem with that?"

   I bent down and sat him back down. "Let's not try to do that yet. At least not until I see what you injured. And no, I don't have a problem with that. Where's the pain at?" I watched as he pointed to his shin area. I felt around until I felt the bone rise up under my hand. When I gently pressed down it hurt me to hear him in such pain. I don't know why, but every inch of my body wanted to hug him and..... be with him. There was something about him that just drew me to him. But I can't let that happen. I need to focus on his leg. I glanced up at him to see him staring at my eyes, "Do you need something?"

   He looked away and started blushing, "N-no. It's just.... your eyes are really pretty. It's a perfect mix of blue and green. I love them."

   Now that caused me to look down and blush. No Artemis! You can't be doing this right now. Maybe he can help you find a way out of here. I ripped a piece of my dress off and rolled it up. "Here, bite on this," He looked at me with total confusion. I rolled my eyes. "It will help with the pain. A little." I took my dress off, leaving me in my shorts and tank top. I scoffed when I caught him staring at legs. I turned around and started to tear the dress into strips. I tied the end of every strip to the one before, making a long rope of cloth. I walked over to the pond nearby and scooped up the slime from the bottom to make a glue for the cast. I walked over to him and carefully wrapped his leg with the makeshift cast. He winced every time I would wrap it around the wounded area. I finally wrapped the last of the cloth around him.

   "It would probably be better if you didn't put any pressure on it. So basically you'll have to lean on me until I can find some materials to make you some crutches," I informed him.

   He scoffed, "You? Hold me up? You know princess you can be really funny sometimes."

   At that remark I pinned him down to the ground and pulled the dagger I was hiding out of my boot. "One, don't call me princess, my name is Artemis. Two, I believe that I am very capable of holding you up. I trained with the guards, without my father knowing, for 15 years. I've been trapped in here since I was 15 and continued to train myself for the 12 years I've been trapped here. Now do I make myself clear about everything I just said?" I pushed my knife against his throat, making sure not to break the skin. He croaked out a yes. "Good. Now stand up and lean on me until I find something to make crutches. And if I hear one smart remark come out of your mouth I will slit your throat and end your life. Got it?" I removed my knife from his throat. He nodded in agreement. I picked him up and draped his arm around my shoulder and continued with the journey.