The Lost Princess

Chapter 3 || Naive or Stupid

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The beaming sun caused me to wake from my uneasy sleep. Where am I? I wonder, feeling the hard ground beneath me. Did I fall asleep in the garden? I shift and realize my writs are bond! 

No. No. No. The events that took place splash around my memory like an unwelcome push into an ice cold pond. 

"I see you are finally up," says a familiar voice. It's that voice!

I glare at the man, yanking at the bonds. He laughs softly. "Oh Princess, you're so delicate. Do not struggle, we wouldn't want you to break, would we?" He whispers. I snarl at him, but he's right, I'm sick and weak at the moment. I turn away, coughing and choking on blood, but swallow it quickly, not wanting anyone to know my state. 

He smirks slightly.

"Why are you so cruel?" I ask curiously, at his behavior. In the castle, I was kept away from the outside world by my parents, who told me of the dangers that lurk in it. However, the servants and the cooks, who lived outside the protective wall of the castle, always seemed like good people, so I never believed the dangers to be true, but perhaps my parents were correct. 

"Cruel," he scuffs. "I am not cruel. Your kind is. Sitting in your castle, while families starve, and homes burn to the ground because the blasted taxes are too high to pay. Cruelty, my dear Princess," he spits the name, before continuing, "is a word you and your family are all too familiar with." His words felt like a slap in the face. He can not be speaking truth. My parents love this Eralibaen, and they would never allow their people to starve.

"You lie. My family would not do anything of the sort," I say, pulling hard once again on my restraints in an attempt to get closer to the man, who is quickly getting on my last nerve.

"I don't know if you are naive to the situation surrounding you or just stupid," he adds, looking at me with curious eyes. "Why do you think we stole you?"

"I don't bloody well know. I'm assuming for a ransom of some sort. Aren't most thieves just after money?" I ask annoyed by his sudden question.

"I see. Well, I'm sorry, but I wouldn't know. I haven't had the pleasure of being in the company of most thieves," he smiled, enjoying himself far too much. "We are not common thieves, and we did not kidnap you for money. We want law and order in the kingdom, as well as, peace for the people. We are tired of the tyranny, which apparently you know little about." I'm stunned to silence by his words. Instead of focusing my energy on the ideas surrounding my family, I chose to go for the information that was more manageable to swallow.

"You're a politician," I ask the man.

"More or less," he says, tilting his head back and forth for emphasis. "How old are you, Princess?"

"Why should I tell you anything?" I snap.

"You've asked me questions. Have I not delivered you the answers?" I nod. To be honest he gave me more answers than anyone ever has, even if most of them were lies. "Then, how old are you?" He tried again.

"I just turned eighteen. I would have thought a man like you would have known, seeing as you've all watched me so closely," I reminded him of how close his men had to get in order to learn my schedule, as well as, my guards' schedule to capture me. 

"Uh, yes, well, your parents do well at keeping any information regarding you under strict lock. Only a few of the Kingdom even know of your existence. However, seeing as you know little about the people you can't be too shocked by that," he shrugged. That last comment stung, for I know it holds truth. I look down in shame, before anger courses through me.

"Stop talking to me in such a manner. You keep telling me the state of my people, but I have yet to see it. The persons, who have surrounded me have all told of the good. You stand and speak of the bad without so much as giving me a glance of the visions you paint. Could I not see for myself? It is true I was kept behind a wall, and hidden from the knowledge around, but I will not be made to turn my whole way of thought by someone, who is doing the same as they did; Hiding me from the world, and making me think one way."

"You want to see it," he sounds surprised. I nod firmly. "Fine, Princess, I'll take you myself, but don't say I didn't warn you," he adds.

"They are my people, and I have an obligation to know the state of their being. Also, my name is Arabella, not Princess," I finish, growing tired of the name.

"Understood, Princess Arabella. The name's Leathan. Now, that those forced formalities are through with, I'm going to untie your arms. You will stay put. If you try to escape, the men will not take lightly to your actions," he said, his voice clear with a threat. He walks slowly around to the back of me, where I'm currently attached to a wooden post. I feel his rough fingers a second later, working the ropes around my wrists. When I'm free, I listen to his words and stand my ground. He must have been expecting me to run, for he quickly catches my arm. My eyes slowly met his, and they are filled with a silent challenge. I huff and wait.

He tows me to a nearby horse, and before I can protest, he lifts me up and on. Following suit, he climbs on easily behind me. He grabs the reins at my sides and shakes them hard before we were off. My head rattled back and forth, and I began to feel very uneasy. I have never been on a horse before, I simply admired their beauty from afar.

Leathan must have sensed my discomfort, for he whispers into my ear, "You've never been riding before, uh." The feel of his hot breath, sending a small shiver down my spine.

"No, I haven't," I shouted over the wind. He chuckles loudly, holding me tighter to his chest, and soon I'm leaning into him.

"Hold on, we'll be in town shortly."

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Hey fellow bookworms! So, this was originally going to be the first chapter, so if you note some repetitiveness that is why. I'll fix it during editing, once I write the whole story. Oh, and the cutie in the picture is what Leathan looks like. I'm still trying to find a face for Arabella, if you have any ideas let me know. Thank you so so much for reading, and all your support. Please feel free to comment below, and if you liked it be sure to vote. I update every Tuesday and Thursday.

@Olivia_117 Thank you for being such an awesome reader and supporter of the book! I can always count on you to read the latest chapter, and it's so very encouraging. Thank you!

Thanks again!

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