Hope

Chapter Three: Discovered

Aimi-

When my blasted eyes finally fluttered open I was staring at the ceiling surrounded by people. The king and queen looked on in worry, Camilla looked disgusted, Quentin looked scared, and the man who had killed Lucy looked quite amused. Instantly, I felt like I wanted to pass out again. He could NOT be a king. He had been riding with raiders those two years ago, he was the King of the raiders, not a whole country... right? I crawled up off the floor with help from Prince Quentin.

King Joseph cleared his throat, "let us continue with the introductions shall we?" I curtsied and fell back into place. I was prepared this time for King Sampson.

"Welcome to our courts King Sampson," said the most hospitable queen in all the lands.

"The pleasure is all mine, surely," King Sampson replied.

King Sampson bowed to the prince, bowed to the king, kissed the queen's hands, and moved on to do the same to Camilla. He bowed low over her hand, looked me straight in the eye and mumbled, "Princess." He grinned, kissed Camilla's hand, and took his place to the side of the throne room. By all intents and purposes it had appeared he had addressed Camilla when he mumbled princess, but I knew he had been talking to me. How long had it taken him after Lucy died to realize she bore the tattoo of a royal maid and put two and two together?

Quentin-

Okay, it's time to get over this little infatuation I have for Camilla's maid, I mean it's Camilla's maid for cripes sake! Oh! Who am I kidding!? It's more than a little infatuation, when she fainted I felt my world crumble a bit. Helping her to her feet, touching her smooth skin again, sent waves of fire through my very being. Oh Goddess! What power does this woman have over me?

Camilla-

Blast! How could my brother have fallen so hard for my maid? I kept smiling though as the dignitaries came forward. My smile turned to a real one when a gorgeous brunette stepped forward.

"Lady Emily" the announcer called. Lady Emily hm? More like Plan B. But will Plan B work?

Aimi-

So bored, so bored, so bored am I... I kept repeating my mantra/song in my head until the introductions were finished.

"And now," said King Joseph, "We feast!"

Camilla turned to me, "Girl, you're dismissed." I couldn't curtsy fast enough; I left the throne room at a fast clip. I decided to go wander the castle gardens again. I slowly walked to the secluded center of the garden and sat on the rim of the fountain.

I took off my brown leather shoes and dipped my feet into the chilled water. A thrill ran through me as the accumulated ache of the day drained out. I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps. My heartbeat picked up, what if it were the prince? No, no! Stupid girl, he's nothing but a pretty face who wants nothing to do with you... but I couldn't help but remember how my heart had thudded and my insides had melted the two times we had touched. A little grin formed on my face.

"Why the smile, Princess?" A voice said from the shadows. I had been right, definitely not Prince Quentin. As if to prove my point, King Sampson stepped out from beneath a weeping willow.

"So when I asked about the maid who had fainted I was told she was a mute and Princess Camilla asked why I had so much interest in a homely young woman and you know what I told her?" My eyes widened in fright. He learned close until his lips brushed my ear.

"Nothing," he whispered. I felt myself relax some; my identity was still a secret.

"I have to say my dear, I do find it interesting that you don't want anyone to know you the famous 'Lost Princess of Shantari' the world would be at your feet. But I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised," He continued, "After all when everyone close to you dies..." I flinched, I couldn't help it.