The Painting

(Prologue (Picture of the King)

Dedicated to sabb24 for making the amazing cover!!!

So... This is The Painting, I thought of this story a while back and I really hope you'll like it... Enjoy!

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"...And, as she lay there dying in the arms of the one she loves. She whispered up to him her last dying words, 'I... I'm sorry, so so sorry.' Her body grew cold and her lover knew that she finally had peace after a lifetime of chaos..." His voice trailed off and the story ended. He looked at his beautiful young daughter and smiled. Just like every other ofvthe thousands of times he read the story to her, his daughter had tears flowing down her face. It was an odd site seeing that two of her three older brothers were wrestling in the open space of the library behind her. The third and youngest of the three brothers sat nearby adding in cheers here and there. "You've always loved that story haven't you Li?"

"Yes papa, very much so. My favorite even." She said quietly, sniffling a little bit. Her dad put down the book and beckoned for her to hop on his lap. She jumped up with him in his big chair and snuggled up to his chest. "Can you read it again?" she whispered pleadingly.

"Not now Li, maybe tomorrow before I leave I will read it to you once more." He replied gently. She nodded her head slowly, he could tell she was tired from a long day of play. Gathering her in his arms he stood from his chair and shooed his boys off to their own rooms, "Off to bed with you boys, Clarice, Sienna, Delilah take the boys." He ordered as the three serving girls appeared.

The father took his daughter to her room himself, where he placed her under the covers and tucked her in. "Goodnight Annalise, my little princess." He whispered and returned to his quarters alone.

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"Goodbye Li, be safe. Dont go running off and listen to your brothers!" King Erik told his daughter. Turning to his three sons he added, "Now I'm Putting Matthew in charge. Matt," the king pulled his eldest son away from the others, ignoring the other two boys. He lowered his voice and continued, "Matt, if anything were to happen-"

"Nothings going to happen father! You'll come home, you always do." Matt interrupted stubbornly.

"Hush now, I'm just taking precautions. If something were to happen and I don't return, you will become king." He raised his hand to pause his sons objections, "I'm not saying anything will, I expect to come home, but I need you to be ready son. Be ready to lead this country. You will, of course, have help from my advisers and friends, but you will be the overall king and the one to make final decisions."

"Father why must you tell me this now? Why not all the other times you had to leave, why now?" Matt asked.

"Because you weren't ready before, you're of age. The youngest age you can be king. Son you're 15 winters, it is time you start learning to be a king. Look after your siblings while I'm gone, especially Li. Make sure she is well and don't let her wander off. Also, read her that story for me will you." He smiled at his son and patted his shoulder as he turned to his other children. "Alright come here you lot! Come say goodbye to your old man." Annalise ran past her brothers, making it to their father first. He squatted down to her level and she wrapped her small arms around his neck.

"Why do you have to leave papa?" She mumbled into the folds of his traveling cloak.

"You will understand one day. Li, I'll be back though. I'll come home as soon as I can, okay?" She nodded her head and crawled out of his embrace. She looked up at him with her big blue eyes, her father softened and grabbed her shoulders, "I'm sorry I never got around to reading the story again, I'll be back, I promise. Now your brothers will look after you, and I want you to listen to them. No matter what happens always listen to your brothers. And Li, please try to stay out of trouble." He tapped her nose and stood. Her two brothers came running towards their father in excitement, badgering him with questions about where he was going. He hushed them and talked to them privately just as he had with his other children.

"Alright kids, I will see you soon. I'm sure I'll be back before you know it." He smiled. "Goodbye! I love you." and then he was gone.

Never again would he see his children.

Never again would his children see him.