The Lost Princess

XII

Ashlyn

Today was the first day of the planning for Rose and Aaron's wedding. The kingdom was excited to hear about their upcoming marriage. They were having a traditional wedding inside the castle's ballroom with over 1000 guests including William, Peter, and John. We were sitting with the dress designer who was eager to make Rose's wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses. Now, it was all about the design.

"Lady Rose," she asked, "What would you like to have for your dress design?"

Rose takes out a book and reads the caption, "I would like a scalloped-edge lace bridal gown tulle floor length. I would also it long sleeved with lace and that the back has a lace up. I want the train to be lace and go down to the floor as well, with the veil stopping at my back. Can you do it?"

She nods, "Yes, very much so. Now, what color are your bridesmaid dresses and what style?"

"I want a traditional Virgin Isles bridesmaid dress that is in cream," Rose says.

The designer finishes writing and stands up, "In about three weeks, I'll come for measurements. Thank you for your time."

Rose smiles and a guard leads the designer out. She looks at us, "Ok, that was easy. Now, let's go check on Aaron." We walk out of the room and into the grand ballroom, where Aaron and Rose will have their wedding. Aaron was talking to a decorator about the wedding colors, cream and gold, and what the hall should look like. They were getting married in the other ballroom, this was for the reception.

"Hello love," Aaron embraces her with open arms and kissed her, "This is Mr. Jean, he will decorate the ballrooms for us."

Mr. Jean smiled at them and continued talking about the wedding reception in this ballroom and the service in the other. As he talked, I felt a pair of hands snake around my waist. "Hello Ashlyn," a familiar voice said.

I turned to see Peter, standing with a grin on his face. I laughed, "Peter!" I embrace him and he kisses my forehead.

"Hmmm, are you well?" he asks.

I gaze into his emerald-like eyes, "I'm better now that you're here. But, why are you here?"

Peter smiles, "Well, you see, today is the day that I have to announce our relationship to my mother and council. So I decided, better yet, why don't I bring you along? You can remain here if you want, it's your choice Ashlyn."

I thought about it, "I would love to go. When should we leave?"

"Well, did you have breakfast," when I nodded he said, "Ok. We can leave now. I've already asked the King and Queen, and they're ok with you going. Follow me." He walks me to the entrance where Mother and Father are waiting.

"Your Majestys," Peter bows and I curtsy.

Father looks at him, "Peter, watch over my daughter. Keep her out of harm's way. Also, tell Queen Ana that we say hello." Peter nods and leads me to his carriage. It's a dark green with two brown stallions harnessed. The driver was on his post and the footman opened the door. I sat on the cushions to find a middle aged man sitting across from me. He has a gold monocle on his right eye and is wearing a fitted forest green suit.

"Ashlyn, this is Sedrick. He's my right-hand man," Peter says.

Sedrick takes my hand and kissed it, "Charmed to meet you, Princess Ashlyn."

I blush, "Charmed to meet you, as well." He nods and tells the driver to begin the trip. The carriage rolls through the village of the Virgin Isles. I see my old house from the carriage. The window on the kitchen was still broken from where Deliah smashed it.

"Ashlyn," Peter studied me, "What's wrong?"

A single hot tear slid down my cheek, "T-thats where the abuse happened.."

He quickly leaps to my side and wraps me in a hug, "Oh, Ashlyn. I'm very sorry." I cry for a moment on his shoulder before wiping my tears and remaining my posture.

"Can I tell you?" I asked. His eyes went wide and heat rose to his face. He glanced back at the village and sighs.

"Are you ready to tell me? And Sedrick?" he asked. I nod slowly and Peter sighs, "Alright then. Do tell."

I pause. "Deliah, she hated me. I-I guess she thought I was more beautiful than her daughter and that scorning me would make me ugly. So, the first couple years, I was ignored. It got so bad that she didn't feed me for five days and I lost weight from all the arrands I was doing. Then, I passed out my the farmhouse and the farmer gave me food, milk, and bread every day. I eventually regained my weight and strength. But, sadly, the farmer moved to Amster and I lost weight again. Then, I was mopping the floor and she smacked the back of my head. With the broom. Rose saw and started to give me food. Then, she sent them to boarding school. And, she," I stop, tears forming in my eyes, "Grabs a clump of my hair and drags me up two flights of stairs. She threatens me about meeting and Amsterian and that she'll kill me if I ever do. She yanks my head against the wall and locks the door, leaving me with no food. It went on every night for eight years. She would whip me and smack me with a metal pole she found. She would sometimes even through glass at me. A-and every time I-I tried to tell, no one listened. Except you, Peter. Thank you."

Sedrick covers his mouth in shock and Peter looks as if he's going to cry, "Oh, Ashlyn.."

He puts my head in his chest and I sob into his suit, "I'll never let that happen to you. Never again. I promise." The carriage rolled past the hills and other houses. We saw the path where we secretly met up. We laughed at the old memories. Around five hours later, we reach the Amsterian castle. Their roofs were dark green and their walls were light brick color. The carriage rolls up the moat and parks. The footman helped us get down and Peter held my hand in his. He walked me inside the castle. As we're walking, I feel a slight tug on my dress. I  look down to meet a little girl with strawberry red hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a dark purple dress with her hair in a bun.

"Your pretty," she giggles.

I smile, "Thank you, and you are the most precious little thing I've ever seen." I touched her nose and she laughed.

Peter turns around and smiles, "Hello, pumpkin."

The girl smiles, "Hello, turnip." She runs and gives Peter a hug.

"Ashlyn this is my little sister, Mia. Mia this I my beloved, Ashlyn," Peter introduces us.

Mia smiles, "She's pretty. Really pretty. Mommy is in her office again. Bye bye." She waves before running away.

I laugh, "She's precious."

He nods and holds my hand. We walk through the hallway and I stop at a picture. A man with blonde hair and brown eyes stands holding a scepter in his hand. A good jeweled crown in placed on his head and he was wearing a fitted forest green suit. Peter stopped and looked at the painting, "Father."

I gave hin a tight squeeze and we continued walking. We made it to an office and walked inside. Sitting behind a desk was a woman with strawberry red hair sat. She had emerald eyes with freckles all over her face. When the door closed she looks up and smiles, "Hello my charming little prince."

"Hello Mother. The royal family says hello. This is Princess Ashlyn. My suitor," Peter smiles.

Queen Ana waves him off, "What do you figure me as, dumb? I knew of it since the ball. Come, Ashlyn. I haven't seen you in fifteen years." I walk Over to her and she examines my face.

"You have you Father's eyes. She's beautiful. Take her to the court at once. The council is waiting." Peter led me to the court and told everyone about our relationship. They all agreed and Peter took me home. After, the crew cleaned me up, I went to bed with a smile on my face.