The Other Princess(First of the Pawn Series)

12 The Foreign King

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I stayed on the deck for the rest of the trip, has the Captain said, an hour went and we started to see the land on the horizon. The Ladies stood around me and we all held are breath, not wanting to speak about the life we were about to walk into.

Later on I could start to see the colors of the land, a dark green of trees and festive colors, but unsure where they came from, flashing in the green. There were ships by the port, most likely traders ship just as this one.

We got closer and closer over the hour, till we were only a few yards away and I could see the people loading and unloading at the dock. To one side I there was a group of people, all wearing bright clothes and bright smiles, waving banners and ribbons. They seemed happy to see us, for a moment I didn't realize that this might be our welcoming group.

Beth thought there would one or two, at most, people waiting for us to arrive and take us to the palace of the King, but not this group of festive people. Which brought a question to my mind; was there a festival of a party, or did they always dress this way?

"Bethany." I turned around to see the captain. "T'is be the last of ye I see." I smile softly as he took my hand and planted a peck on it, tickling my hand with his bushy beard.

My Ladies appeared next to me after the captain left and looked down at the group of colorful people.

"They look happy. . ." Mea said, brushing dust from her pale skirts.

"They think that they are receiving a queen and an alliance." I said in a cold tone that I could hardly recognize, but what I said was true. I wish I didn't have to lie to these happy people.

"You are a queen, Beth" Lisa said, putting a hand on my shoulder as we drew closer to the people. "A true one."

I touched the intwined crown as if drawing courage from it, pulling me together. The working men down at the deck tied down the ship, then brought out planks to make a ladder for us at the opening of the ships side.

"This way ladies, ye first." A sailor ushered us to opening, he held out a hand for me to take and lead me down. "It be a little unsettlin' to walk on t'is, so walk slow." I stepped off ship with one last look to the ship I spent two weeks on, then slowly walked down the thick planks holding my shirts up so not to step on.

"It's the princess!" I heard someone cry out and every one of the colorful people clapped and rushed to the bottom of the planks. I was suddenly overcome with nervousness and I wanted to run up the planks and tell them to quickly bring back home. What was I thinking I could over come this? I was about to lie to every hopeful being here. . .

"Ma'am?" The man asked behind me, I noticed I had stopped and started walking again. My skirts weighing me down as I dragged my feet one after the other. Oh goodness, how was I going to do this? Would they find out that I wasn't royalty and go to war with the king?

"Welcome, your majesty!" Beth cringed at the title, "Welcome!!" There was anxiety in each persons face, Many hands reached out to help me step off the planks to the deck. I gave them a huge smile, like I wasn't crying in the inside. Waving to everyone when I reached the bottom, they bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for you warm welcome everyone!" I said, hoping the cheerfulness in my voice didn't sound to forced to them as it did for me. Everyone looked so thrilled for my pretense that I wanted to tell them the truth right there and then.

But I couldn't the king would kill me with his own hands if he did, hurt the ones I loved. The people smiled and threw welcomes to me, their vibrant colors lured my eyes.