From Prisoner To Princess [amazon edition]

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Walking in the garden, I notice how unusually warm it has become. It has been three days since meeting with my generals and the early March air is starting to hold hints of spring coming early. In two more days I will be facing off with my Cabinet and Nobles deciding how we will implement abolishing laws that Juden made in favour of the rich. Taylor and Kolten have been extremely helpful, the three of us with Sky and Arian have come up with a method to implement changes in both the Military and the Palace Guards within the next year that will slowly move towards the police force hopefully in two years time.

I have yet to have any memories pop up, but I am okay with that. Yesterday after having a Baron barge in to my Study demanding I do a DNA test to prove that I am really Princess Allisara Nimair with a crowd of citizens and lesser Nobles was the excuse I needed to have a well loved news crew come in and document the whole process live. After two hours, it was deemed that I am the rightful heir and those that came to cause a scene quickly apologized and pledged their loyalty to the Crown.

"Penny for your thoughts." Jumping in surprise, I find Thorin BlackHawk standing beside me, his greying hair the only indication for his age as he gives me a warm smile. The same smile Sky gives me.

"Sorry, I was just..." I trail off, not knowing what I was doing in the gardens. Today was a hectic day with finalizing the Cabinet meeting that will take place in the Parliament tower north of the Palace and I am not ready to face more scrutiny from these old fools. I need to find ways to being more women to power to have a wider range of support.

"Looking for a break. I notice you come here when you are overwhelmed. You did that as a child too." Thorin finishes turning to stare out at the garden.

"I watched you grow up when I was a new gardener here. Your parents although fair, were blind to the things you put up with because of your cousin. The gardens were your hide away and every time you came here, your brought a smile to everyone's face." He continues, motioning me to follow him as we walk around the large garden some more.

"I have a cousin?" I ask, confused by this news. Thorin nods, giving me a sympathetic smile as we stop in front of a pond. The water held ice around the edges, but the middle had thawed out with the warm weather coming in. It's mesmerizing how the weather can change at the drop of a hat when you least expect it.

"You had a cousin. Your father was an only child, but he had a cousin on his aunt's side. They were close, like brothers, and he cherished his cousin, Prince Philip's, daughter until you came along. His whole family was killed the night of the rebellion fourteen years ago." Shocked by this, I try my hardest to remember them, to remember my cousin and Uncle, but nothing comes. My mind is blank and I sigh, feeling defeated.

"Sky told me about your memory being locked away. When the time is right, you will remember everything." He reassure me, placing his hand on my shoulder gently. I feel a sense of fatherly love from this man and find myself agreeing with his sentiment.

"Is there anyway I can learn more about them?" I ask, feeling like Thorin would be able to give me help in looking for more answers of my past.

"I know there are archives of the Royal Family in the library, try there when you get a chance." He smiles, removing his hand from my shoulder before turning to look down the path we came from.

"Spring is coming and there is a lot of work to do. If you ever need a break, come to the garden and I will teach you how to take care of the roses you love so much." With that, he walks away leaving me in front of the pond and to my own thoughts. I know if I head to the bath on the right it will take me to the Royal Cemetery. I haven't been there since my first day back to the Palace and so much has happened since then, but I am not ready to face my parents graves once more. Deciding on strolling around the gardens until someone comes looking for me, I take in the fresh air and look around, spying signs of life from the little green grass that fights to thrive in the snow, to the buds on trees. Soon this place will be full of life and the bleak Palace I returned to will be the vibrant place I remember living in before my life was destroyed by Juden.