A Princess Named Harry: Book 2

Chapter 4

The Taram Kingdom was different from the Cardiaire Kingdom. It was smaller, but because of this, fewer people were living on the streets. The majority lived in the kingdom's church which provided shelter to anyone and everyone. While the streets were empty, the church was full.

Both the church and the palace sat in the middle of the kingdom. Both were very large white buildings. They looked like pointy icicles. They were also within walking distance of each other.

When Harry got out of the carriage, she was stunned. The palace looked like such a holy and pure place. She watched the second carriage come around, and three vexed royals got out. Kahil spared no glances to his father as he hurried over to Harry.

"I barely survived that," he said annoyed. "Next time, I'll take the horses."

Harry laughed in response. She turned her sights back onto the intricate palace. If it looked like this on the outside, she could only imagine what it looked like on the inside. She was about to ask Kahil about it when the palace doors shot open. A tall and muscular man came running out shouting, "Well, look who's here!" He looked just like the king; except he had a friendlier air around him.

The man ran as fast as he could; his sight was on one person.

"What took you so long?!"

He grabbed ahold of the king, practically tackling him. Harry gasped and turned towards Kahil. "Is-is-is th-this allowed?!"

Kahil's expression was blank; he shrugged his shoulders. "It's normal for them." He paused. "Well . . . it's normal for uncle."

"What took you so long?" the man asked again.

"We came as fast as we could," replied a testy king. "If it's such a big deal, you should've come to us."

His brother sighed and shook his head. "Still the same indifferent man as always, huh, Ed?"

The king scoffed and retorted, "And you're still the same fool as always, huh, Hen?"

The man who was laughing until he had tears in his eyes was Henry Cardiaire, the former second prince of the Cardiaire Kingdom, now the King of Taram. It was a status he acquired thanks to his arranged marriage to the Queen of Taram.

"It's good to see you, even if you're still the same!" He shifted the topic of the conversation. "It's been what nine . . . ten years? I bet those kids of yours have grown up." He looked around to try and find them. Kaitlyn had walked away, so he only saw Kahil and Harry.

"I've heard you've gotten a stepdaughter." He pointed at Harry. "Is that her over there?"

"You know the answer to that."

Henry chuckled, "Right? After all, Kaitlyn is the spitting image of you." He stared at Harry looking her up and down. "I can't be exactly sure because she's so far away, but she looks exactly like Isabelle."

"Henry."

"I know. I know you don't like talking about this kind of stuff." He laughed again and headed towards the stepdaughter in question.

Harry whispered to Kahil, "He was staring over here, wasn't he?"

"Yeah," Kahil answered.

"And now he's headed this way!"

Kahil groaned, "Brace yourself."

Harry shot him a look. "Huh? Why?"

She immediately got her answer when Henry came over. After looking between her and Kahil, he grabbed them both in a tight hug.

"Oohhh, my lovely nephew and niece! It's been too long!" He released Harry, but not Kahil. "Ah, look how big you've grown! The last time I saw you, you were like what? Seven? Eight?"

"I dunno," Kahil answered. "It's been a long time."

"Exactly my point!"

He let go of Kahil and went back to Harry.

"You must be Ed's stepdaughter!"

Harry nodded, "I am."

Henry nodded in response, "You're pretty too!"

"Th-thank you."

"Has anyone ever told you that you have a striking resemblance to the former queen?"

Harry was confused by his question. "Huh? I don't know what you mean by that." She had never heard that she looked like any past queen. She didn't even know what Kahil and Kaitlyn's mother looked like. Did she look like her? Harry began to ponder that very question.

"Yes," spoke Henry. "Especially looking at you up close. Are you sure you're not the illegitimate daughter of my bro- "

"Uncle!"

Kahil stared at him with a murderous look on his face. This amused Henry. "Like father like son." He gave a low laugh. "Besides, I have no proof that she is." He menacingly added, "Or that she isn't."

Before Kahil could refute his words, Henry obnoxiously yawned; an obvious fake yawn, and said, "Okay, let's head in now; I'm sure the twins are dying to see you. They're as active as always."

Kahil grumbled as Henry continued, "Even more so since their birthdays are coming up."

"Are we going in now?" Harry asked uncomfortably.

Henry cheekily answered, "Yes-ah hello there!"

Harry and Kahil hurriedly turned around. Caroline was now standing behind them. She smiled and held out her hand to Henry and said, "Hello, Your Majesty."

Henry smiled and took her hand. "Hello. Caroline, I presume?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Well, it's good to finally get to meet you! My brother is so mean! He's ignored alllll my letters until now!"

"Is that so?" Caroline asked taken aback.

"Yes!" he whined. "Now, let's go inside and leave him out here! He can be alllll aloneeee out here for all I care!"

He hurried them towards the doors. He excitedly pushed them open.

"Honey! Kids! Your uncle and cousins are here! Hellooooo?" He looked around the room that was currently only occupied by the servants. They all continued with their work without sparing Henry a single glance. They seemed to be used to his behavior.

"Where is everyone?" he asked. He scanned the room before looking up the stairs. "Ohh, there's one!"

Harry followed his gaze to see a girl staring down at everyone. She had on the darkest dress; it matched perfectly with her long black hair.

Harry almost doubted that she was a princess until she met the girl's emerald green eyes. They were the same green eyes she'd seen in the royal family. The girl stared down at her with a cold look on her face. The iciness made Harry come to realize that this girl was the monstrous crown princess of the rumors.