The Scarlet Lillie

The Boy

Chapter 4

Logan helped me stand up. "Let's go, your highness." Logan said.

"Hold on. I wish to talk to the boy." I told him. Logan hesitated, but nodded. He muttered to the others to wait in the carriage and that we would be there momentarily.

I walked over to the boy and knelt down to get eye level with him. "Hi. Do you know who I am?" I asked.

He looked at me. "You're the Princess, right?"

I nodded. "What about you? What's your name?"

The boy hesitated. "John."

"I love it. So, John," I said. "Why did you steal that food?"

John looked at the bread. "My little sister and I haven't eaten in days."

I knit my eyebrows together. "Where are your parents?"

"My mom died of the flu two years ago, and my dad... He died protecting us when someone broke into our house. Now it's just me and my sister." He said.

I looked Jack over. Then, I pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry." I whispered and then pulled away. "I can't say that I know how that feels, because I don't. But I also can't say that stealing food is the best choice." He didn't meet my gaze. "I'll tell you what, I'll let you off this time because it's the first time you've done it. But the next time you and your sister are hungry, come to the palace and tell them you want to see me. I'm sure we can work something out for you two."

Jack looked up at me. "Really? Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He said and gave me a hug.

He ran off into the alleys with a smile on his face. When I returned to the carriage, Logan stopped me. "That was a very kind thing you did." He said. "But please, don't run off like that. It's our job to protect you, but we can't if you keep running away from us."

I nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." I told him.

He sighed. "Alright. Let's go." He said and I climbed into the carriage.

"Isaac," I said, once I had taken my seat.

"Yes, my lady?" He said.

"Why don't we do anything for orphans in these parts of the kingdom?" I asked.

He looked shocked at the question, but answered quickly. "Well, nothing really. It is on the kings list of things to do, but there are other things that are more important."

I shook my head. "There is nothing more important to this kingdom than it's children. They are our future. If they are not cared for then Redale will fall." The guards all shared a look that I couldn't interpret.

When I got back to the palace, I would have to discuss with my father about the children in need- like Jack and his sister.