The Lost Princess

Chapter 3- New Romantics

I woke up this morning- my first morning in England with a new mood, a fresher mood.  Nanna hobbled around my room, sorting my attire for the day; it always bewildered me that even through all the risks, Nanna decided to stay with me, to love me as if I were her own.

"Good night's sleep princess?" She asked me like how she always did back in Arabia. And as if it were routine, I nodded back. "I bet the beds are nothing like the ones in Arabia?" She said giving me a knowing smile.

"Indeed Nanna, but something about  England is growing on me."

"Do you mean someone Princess?" Nanna said giving me a knowing smile.

"Nanna don't talk such nonsense!" I said. Every time a prince had come to the palace, my parents always tried to get me to wed one of them, and the princes always had tried but alas had failed. Nanna however always knew when I liked a prince even just a little bit, but they always did something to ruin it.

My mind pondered to the Lord Bromley, how... different he had been, I couldn't put my finger on it but I was intrigued by him, though he was rather rude in a way. His constant questions did surprise me, the only person I would have expected to ask me so many questions was Queen Elizabeth, and even then they didn't throw me off.

"A messenger came from Her majesty and requested you to dine with her for breakfast this morning, so I'd hurry if I were you." I eventually got out of the bed that didn't feel right,  I went round to the dressing table and started getting into the dark navy silk dress.

"Nanna," I mumbled through my dress as it went over my head, "do you think it's a good idea to stay here- at court for a while? Do you want to?" I slid my dress over my head and awaited her response. She was thinking of a reply and it had thrown me off, she wasn't sure what to say? She didn't want to tell me her answer? "Well?"

"Princess, I do not mean to act as if I were your parents, or make you feel as though I were replacing them, but  I  think," she said sincerely, looking up to me, "Your parents would want you to move on from the tragedies back home. I think they'd want you to settle down here dear."

Somehow, I understood what Nanna had said even though I didn't want to. Staying here would mean that it would be a way for me to move on from everything. But what of my brother? No one had heard from him, only my parents had been presumed dead..

"But Nanna what of Hassan? What if he needs my help but we can't get to him as we're entertaining the Queen of England?" I ask desperately.

"Ari, no matter where you are, you wouldn't be able to help very much, the Duke of Cornwall is doing everything he can to help find your family and trust me Aria, by staying here- a place the Barbarians would not expect you are protecting not just your family, but their legacy."

I nodded sadly, somehow losing the immature side of me for the moment, if I wanted to save my brother, Hassan this was the only way I could. All I had was my family heirloom jewels and my family name. I couldn't find Hassan with that.

"Now, enough of that talk, go down to the dining room before the Queen sends up another messenger." Nanna said, finishing my hairstyle.

Quickly, I rushed down the palace, praying I wouldn't get lost in the halls and bump into a handsome stranger,

handsome stranger? Aria what are you thinking?!

I shook my head in frustration, I should be thinking about my decision on whether or not to stay here.

Eventually, I managed to reach the doors of the breakfast room where the doormen announced me.

I nodded to them a silent thanks.