A Hidden Queen

Prologue

It was a beautiful day in the Caribbean. The sun shone brightly, beating down on the sparkling waters and The Cyclone. The sleek man of war bobbed in the unceasing waves just behind a growing sandbar. If it wasn't for the bustling of men, the ship would appear to be abandoned with her sails tucked away and the yardarms dismantled. Her crew panted under the heat, some shedding their shirts for relief as they repaired the damaged pieces.

Clinton Carter squints his eyes against the harsh sunlight. The tall, lanky captain strode the deck of his ship, checking on the progress of the work with an uncaring purpose. As part of the Pirate Nation Clinton despised sitting for long periods of time. But the needed repairs could wait no further and the visitation of his father and brother-in-law was long overdue. Today was a joyous day as the two men would finally meet the newest addition to their family. Carter just prayed to Neptune that they were as joyous to meet her as he had been several weeks before.

"Are you ready?"

Clinton raises his eyes to his wife, Martha. Martha was a stunning woman, with an alethic build that curved her body in all the right places. Her brown pants and deep blue vest hugged her hips and slender waist, further accentuating her beauty. The deep blue eyes stood out against the tanned face, sparkling with genuine kindness and youthful vigor of her twenties. She smiles brightly; her red hair gleaming as it flows in the ocean breeze. She gently bounces, rocking back and forth with a tightly bundled lump in her arms.

"Aye, I am."

Mary's smile brightens as Clinton approaches the pair resting his hand on the small of her back. He gazes down at the baby, her big doe like expression tightening his chest. It has been several weeks since the birth of the newest child and the ship's physician continually insisted on a routine check-up of the young one. She was Clinton's first and the very heir to the Pirate nation. Clinton had been made aware of his own responsibility to the nation after him and Mary were joined. It pained his heart to think of the possibilities that his daughter would encounter. Even more terrifying was trying to figure out how to eventually tell her that she was royal to a nation that was not even supposed to exist. His head hurt with the conundrum as he only had mere years to figure it all out.

Clinton shakes his head, quickly abandoning the thoughts as the pair approach the doctor's sick birth. He opens the creaking door for the two girls before stepping in line behind them. Nathaniel Griffin stood in the far corner of the small room, pouring over a medical book. The middle-aged man was rather average for his height and build. Despite being in his late thirties, the man's chocolate brown hair was beginning to grey and thin out in certain areas. The premature hair-loss forced him to keep the straight hair cut above his ears. Griffin gazes at the family over the brim of his glasses. The forest green eyes sparkling as he graces them.

"My King! And Mary, my queen!" He greets happily, laying the glasses on-top of the book. "Have you brought the child?"

"Only if you promise to give her back." Clinton sasses.

Mary rolls her eyes, elbowing him in the ribs, "Where do you want her Nate?"

"Just lay her on the table, Mary."

Mary nods her head, gently laying the bundle on the table's surface. Josephine stretches each limb with the freedom of being unwrapped. A contented sigh passing her soft lips as Mary runs her hand down her stomach before stepping away for Griffin to begin his thorough examination of the child.

"What bothers you, my love?" Mary questions, leaning into Clinton's side.

"Nothing of importance, Mary."

"Do not tell me such lies, Clinton Carter. What has you so fixated that you do not even wish to banter?"

Clinton sighs heavily, "I worry for her future Mary. She is the next heir, a queen to a nation of thieves. What if she endures hardships that I cannot assist her with? I have not been King long, but I have had it easy. So much so, that some have begun to teasingly call me The Absent King. What if she endures things that have never been seen before, or worse yet, this nation becomes nothing under her reign?"