The Lost Princess

Chapter 12

What was happening. Okay breathe, thought Charlotte, What do we know for sure? 

 1. Kendall is a prince.

 2. He and his father are responsibly for the death of my family. 

 3. He lied about who he was and what he wanted. 

 That was it. That was all Charlotte knew for sure. On the other hand, what she didn't know was: 

 1. Why did Kendall join this gang? 

 2. How was she suppose to handle him now that she knew who he really was?

 3. What was she going to do now? 

 That's not the entire list, but for now Charlotte was lucky she could still form thoughts. She stood in the grass while every man who had helped Rider was tied up and gagged. She watched as Kendall and his family embraced each other and spoke of how long it had been since they had seen one another and how perfect it would be if their father were here. At this point Charlotte wouldn't be surprised if he jumped out from behind a bush or something.

Kendall had ushered her with him to his families side, but no one had stopped long enough to notice her yet. Hopefully they would never stop to notice her. Maybe she could just sneak away from these people. 

 "And who might you be," said a voice. Charlotte had looked away from the happy family and was now starring at the ground. "Excuse me," said the voice, and Charlotte looked up to meet the Queens eyes. "Charlie,.... your majesty," said Charlotte. The sound of those words had never tasted so sour in her mouth before. "And why, Charlie, have you been spared by my son," asked the queen. Charlotte didn't know what to say.

 "Charlie wasn't part of any of this, though she did come very close to ruining everything. She was kidnapped by Rider's men just like Eric was. I was assigned to watch over her. Rider thought she had valuable information, but really she was just a girl," said Kendall. He starred her down while he said this and the look in his eyes told a very different story. The story of the girl that got his brother kidnapped. The story of a girl who believed without doubt that his father should die. 

 "Well, it's very nice to meet you, Charlie." said the queen and held out her hand. The message was clear. Kiss the hand of your ruler. Charlotte bent her head and pressing her lips to the hand. She had seen others do it to her mother, but when she had asked about it her mother told her it was a sign of love and respect for the Queen. Charlie had no respect for this woman. "Very nice to meet you, as well," Charlotte said in a shy voice. She had never felt so small in her life. Standing here face to face with the family that replaced her own. The mother looked older than her own and more tired as if she could hardly stand. Although it was the middle of the night, the lines around her eyes and the sagging skin on her neck said that she had been this way for years.

 The eldest daughter looked to be around twenty. She held her head high and even gave a few commands to the soldiers as they tied up the prisoners.

 But it was the youngest girl that reminded Charlie the most of her own family. Of herself, really. She had tears rolling down her face, but she stayed silent as if she hoped no one would notice. The hidden princess who only wished to read her books and be lost in her fantasies. The one who would rather explore in the safety of her home than in the real world. Charlie knew the feeling all to well. 

 The family had resumed talking to one another and discussing everything that had happened that day. 

 "After Erik had been capture, I thought my cover would have been completely blown," said Kendall, "I never thought that I would be able to keep my peace as they torture my brother in the tent beside me, but that very day I was sent out to hunt and saw Commander Childs where I had given Erik instructions to meet me so that we may discuss strategies. We made plans to meet every other day and I left markers so that the party was able to follow us at a safe distance. Once I figured out Riders plan, I gave word to Commander Childs and he rode through the night from a different path so that they might be prepared for the battle that just took place." He looked over to the commander who, so long ago had been kind to Charlie and even told her that she reminded him of his daughter, and gave him a pat on the back. "You will be rewarded by the King once we return to the castle, my friend, you've served your King well and your family would be proud."