The Lost Princess

Chapter 9 || We Have Our Queen

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Aster, Aiden, Davison, Arabella, and I crowded around the table in our meeting tent. Before we began I pulled Arabella to the side. "You are going to be in an official meeting, for it is where you should be, but keep in mind the men, joining us, despise your parents, so harsh words may slip."

She looked up at me through her dark eyelashes, and sighed, "I understand. Thank you, Leathan," she replied all humor from our morning supper gone. I nod in return and we enter, walking to the head seat, and the empty seat beside it.

I peer at the faces of my fellow men, and announce, "We have our Queen. Now, we must figure out how to place her in power."

"Here. Here to the Queen," Aster began, smiling brightly at Arabella, who appeared slightly embarrassed by his cheer. Her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink. "I believe the only logical way to go about, would be to dethrone the current King and Queen. We could try by words first if that would ease the heart of Queen Arabella, but I fear, for her sake, it will end in force," he finishes with his gaze firmly on me. I nod in understanding, thinking the same.

"We all know of the men waiting for the signal inside. My only worry is that not enough of the Kingdom is behind us, for they don't believe the Lost Princess is real," Davison adds.

"So we show them!" Aiden calls, pounding his fist against the table. "We must have the people behind her if she is to be successful after the reign before her."

"You speak truth, brother," I say. "What has the royal family done in regards to the missing princess?"

"I talked to William, and he informed me that the King is tempted to cut his loses, instead of calling a search. Fearing the backlash of telling Eralibaen, The Lost Princess is not a myth," Aster says.

"Cowards!" Aiden scuffs. "Rather lose his own daughter, than his title." Arabella flinches beside me, and I see a flash of sadness on her face.

"That being said, he began a search for a lady's maid with red hair, porcelain skin, and emerald green eyes," Aster adds, looking at her with hopeful eyes. "Sound like anyone you know?" I watch her give Aster a grateful nod.

Arabella speaks up then, "How far are we from the castle?"

"About a day's ride," I answer without thinking. "Why?"

"We need to move. At least I do. They will be here soon if that is the case. Can a small party of us leave? The rest stays, for it looks like a camp set up. If the men get some game, it will appear as a hunting party. No one will suspect. Then, while we are away, I can go to the other villages and inform the people I am real. That should convince at least enough to get us on the right track, right?" Arabella looks at the men around her, and they are just as stunned as me. The plan is perfect. The same pride rushes through me as I gaze at her. She is our hope. "Leathan?"

"Right, that sounds brilliant actually. We will begin the rallying starting on the farthest most town, Farries, and end at the castle. Where we will present the Queen, and the conditions to a dethronement. We must have the men here prepared for a battle if the meeting there goes south. I want us ready for anything, so Davison and Aster, you two will be in charge of battle preparations. Inform William that in two weeks time, the Kingdom will be a very different place, for better or worst," they all nod with grunts of satisfaction. 

"Let's hear it for a new reign of hope. The reign of Arabella!" Aiden calls, getting everyone to chant, including me. I stare at those emerald eyes the whole time. I can tell she is uncomfortable with all the attention, but she holds my gaze with a silent challenge. 

"We leave first light tomorrow. Aiden, ready the horses," I give my final order, and stand to release the men from the meeting. Arabella and I remain. 

"William?" She asks.

"Our informant inside. He is the one, who helped us get you out."

"The guard, William?"

I nod. "You know him?"

"He is a good friend of mine," she smiles.

"Well, Princess, we have a day until we leave what would you like to do?" I ask, only to see a small smile begin to appear on her face.

"Is there are river around here?"

I nod. She giggles with excitement transforming from a queen to a giddy child right before my eyes. 

"I've never been swimming. Could you perhaps teach me?"

"It would be an honor, Princess."

Her face turns sour, "I hate when you call me that," she huffs, folding her arms across her chest, causing me to chuckle.

"Don't laugh at me," she calls, pushing my arm lightly, but it seems as though that is her hardest. She is going to need some training if a battle is upon us.

"Sorry, Prin-" I begin, but her face begins to steam. "I mean, I'm sorry Arabella," I say with a suppressed laugh. 

"Thank you. Now, swimming?" Her face transforms again with a look that leaves me breathless. Oh, my dear Princess, what are you doing to me? 

She took my rough hand in hers and begins dragging us out. "Let's go, slow poke. Lead the way."

"Okay, okay," I say, allowing her to drag me, simply pointing with my chin where to turn. Her bright smile never leaving her face.

When we finally arrive at the river, she is in awe by what she sees and it is beautiful to watch from her eyes; taking in every leaf, and stone.

I begin to undress, and only then, remember my scars. She hasn't seen them before because it was dark last night, but today with the sun high in the sky they would practically be on display. A few of them men are aware of them, and others have similar markings they bear, but Arabella has only seen markings like these one other time. On the body of a dead man. Last night she told me her secret and now I must tell her mine.

As I pull my shirt off, I hear her gasp, "Leathan." And in that moment it was as if the whip was clawing through my skin again. I don't want her to think ill of me, but I will tell her everything.

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Hey, fellow bookworms! I hope you liked the chapter. You got a little more of a feel for the men, and Leathan. I'm really working hard on character development. Please give me your thoughts. Thank you so much for reading the chapter, and all of your support! Feel free to comment below, and if you liked the chapter, be sure to vote. I updated every Tuesday and Thursday. Also, the book has reads from Indonesia and Turkey! 

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