The Scarlet Lillie

Complications

Chapter 3

After dinner, I made my way down to the front entrance of the palace. Marcie met me at the door with my maroon-red cloak in her hand.

"Have a good time, my lady." She told me after she had helped me put it on.

"Thank you." I said and walked out.

Logan was waiting for me out side, along with my four other personal guards- Jake, Max, Phillip, and Isaac.

"We're ready when you are, my lady." Logan said. I nodded and accepted his hand to help me climb into the carriage. Jake, Max, and Isaac got in after me while Phillip took the drivers seat with Logan.

The horses pulled forward and we made our way through the streets of Perdania. As we rode, I pulled the curtains back just a bit so that I could see outside.

The people had parted on the street so that we had a clear path. They stood cheering and threw petals at the carriage.

"The citizens are sure in a pleasant mood today." I said.

"It's not everyday their princess is out of the castle." Jake replied.

I glanced at him. "You make a point. But I can't do much about that. You and Logan and my father never let me."

Isaac sighed. "My lady, we have our reasons."

This time, I looked at him. "But I get to find out what those reasons are today, so you might as well tell me now." I said and turned back to the window. We were leaving the more crowded parts and were entering the shopping district.

"I'm sorry, my lady, but the king wishes to wait until the afternoon to tell you. He said he wishes to be the one to explain everything."

I sighed and was about to respond when I saw a small boy around twelve years old being cornered by two grown men. "Stop the carriage!" I shouted. The carriage stopped abruptly and I pushed open the door.

"Your highness!" Jack said, climbing out after me. I ignored him and pulled my hood up over my head.

I pushed through the crowd and raced to the boy. I stood between him and the two men. "Stop this!" I said.

"Get out of the way, miss." The larger one of the two growled. "This does not concern you."

I stood my ground. "What is this boy guilty of?" I demanded.

"He stole a loaf of bread and two apples from our cart." The other man said. Why two apples? I thought.

"I apologize on behalf of this child. But he is simply that; a child. You mustn't punish him for not knowing any better." I said.

The larger one growled. "Shut up. We don't care what you have to say. Now get out of the way."

"No." I said, being stubborn.

The man rolled his eyes and slapped me across the face. The force was so powerful that it knocked me to the ground.

"Your highness!" I heard Logan call. I looked up to see him and the others running towards me with their swords drawn. I pushed myself up, covering my cheek with my hand.

The two men stood in disbelief. "Highness?" The one that slapped me whispered. "No way."

Logan arrived and knelt next to me. As he helped me sit up, my hood fell back, revealing my face. The two mean fell to their knees instantly. The boy, was in to much confusion to know what to do.

"Are you alright, you highness? How bad did they hurt you?" Logan asked. The other guards had surrounded the two men, keeping them at sword point.

"I'm fine, Logan. It stings, but I'm fine." I insisted.

"You." Logan hissed at the two men. "What are your names?"

"My name is Thatch. This is my brother Oliver." The one that struck me said, not looking up.

"Look, before you say anything, I need to explain myself. I would never had done that had I known who she was." Thatch said quickly.

I raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying that if I wasn't the Princess you would have struck me? A lady?"

Thatch realized what he said and I saw his jaw clench. "No, that's not-"

"Thatch. Stop talking. You're making it worse for yourself." Oliver muttered.

Three more parol guards rounded the corner. They took the two brothers away in cuffs, and I was sure it would be a few days before they were out again.