Alex, Jane, and Charlotte all wandered their way back across the beach. It was later than they thought it was as they looked out onto the setting sun.
Jane watched Alex out of the corner of her eye. He was dragging his feet slowly in the sand. She could tell his despair in needing to go back to the castle, he didn't want to face his father.
If they were alone, Jane would have brought up the matter, she hated seeing him like this, but Charlotte was still around so it would just have to wait till later. She didn't trust Charlotte to keep her little mouth shut.
"Alex do you want to go on a ride tomorrow? I really rather fancy taking the ponies out." Charlotte wriggles her thin arm through Alex's muscly one and poses her question.
Alex, oblivious to Charlotte's obvious flirting, shrugs, and replies, "Maybe, I am sure father has some jobs for me to do though." As he said this he sneaks a glance at Jane. She is smiling at him, but not a smile that reached her eyes. It was more of an "I am sorry" smile. And as if to confirm it she reaches out slowly and grabs his hand for a soft squeeze of reassurance.
However as she is about to let go, he holds on tighter. Her hands were so soft, so perfectly molded for his he couldn't possibly let go. Alex could still feel Janes stare on him, but all he could stare at was their hands interlinked. It was burning his entire arm, the sheer electricity of it was incredible to both of them. Jane blushed immensely and had to look away when he started caressing her thumb with his.
All he wanted was her. He was sure she knew that, well almost sure.
Janes's stomach was fluttering inside her. What's happening?? She thought to herself. All she knew is that she didn't want to let go.
Charlotte looked over to see Alex blush. And her heart jumped with delight! He was nervous to link arms with her!
Oh, Alex! I knew you liked me too! Charlotte thought misleadingly.
She couldn't help the beaming smile which appeared on her face when she thought of the effect she thought she was having on Alex.
Alex was oblivious to Charlotte's smile, it didn't occur to him that he was leading her on.
"Come on, we should hurry up a little more," Jane says finally. "Lily is probably getting quite worried." She adds.
"You are right. Race me?" Alex dares Jane, his soft blue eyes glinting with amusement and happiness, she couldn't bear to say no, especially not to his mischievous smile.
Before Charlotte could get a word in, the older children were off sprinting down the sands towards the castle which loomed up ahead.
Charlotte could only huff and wish she could run as fast as Jane could. She took off her shoes and ran along after them, her smile had disappeared.
The castle was magnificent. It loomed on the edge of Peer Cliff, down below lay the crashing of the waves. Castle Huntley is located in the British isles. Not long ago the isles were divided up into kingdoms. Dàl Riata was one of them, the largest of them all. Its territory included a large part of the North and West of Great Britannia.
Anyone who visited it thought it a great privilege. Its great walls and turrets were more modern than any other castle in Great Britannia. The rooftops were pointed instead of flat, seemingly to improve military tactics. The windows were large and open, unlike many in the area. Many contained fantastic stained glass windows, which were formed into stories of the great kingdom for any visitor to view. It was a magical place.
The children crossed the bridge over the dark waters of the moat and unto the great iron gates which were opened upon sight of them. The gates revealed a large courtyard, in the center of which held a fountain where the children had played many times. The walls of the stone fortress were thick, and they even had fireplaces in each room! This kept them warm on even the coldest of nights.
All three climbed the courtyard steps to the archway hall, on their way to the Great Living room. Alex walked in silence behind them. He knew the lecture he was going to get from his father. He already knew he was a disappointment. As his only heir, he was trying and he truly loved the kingdom, but as he grew older he started debating whether he could do it. Whether he was right for the job. He couldn't talk to his people the same way his mother and father could. In fact he found it hard to talk to anyone but Jane.
It's not like his father made it look easy, to run a Kingdom, but he did it with such assurance, such dominance that anyone who called him a bad King, would just be plain lying. He was a great king. A bad father yes, a worse husband, but a great King.
They entered the Living room where they found Alex's mother sitting by the warmth of the fireplace reading a book. The flames brightened her beauty, even as an older woman, she had the figure of youth. She had blonde hair, similar to Janes. But Lily's was all wound up neatly in a bun.
She looked up upon their arrival and smiled. "Hello my dears, how was the swim?" She asks them as Alex goes over and kisses his mother on the cheek.
"Lovely Lily, the water truly is magnificent down there, especially with the sun setting its rays on the waves."
Lily smiled at Janes's description, it caused some of her own memories of her youth to spring up in her mind fondly.
"Sounds very nice dear. But now I think it is time for bed. And next time I want you all home earlier. It isn't safe for two young proper ladies to be wandering around outside at such late hours, even with Alex around." She added.
"Yes, mother." Alex chimed in.
"Bring me my son Minnie or so help me god I won't let him out again!" The roar of the King's command didn't go ignored. The next moment in sprung Minnie all red-faced with embarrassment. Minnie was a plump woman, and normally all bubbly and bright, but right now was shaking with fear from the King's orders.
She is the children's Nanny, but soon they will be too old for her... The Queen thought sadly.
"I am sorry your Highness, but my Lord has requested to see Alexander," Minnie says to the Queen.
Lily's eyes go to her son who has gone pale. Heaven knows the argument that is going to occur.
"Thank you Minnie- Alex go see to your Father's command please."
He looks at her with pleading eyes for a second before storming out of the room to see his father.
"Minnie will you please get the young ladies ready for bed." The Queen asks tiredly. "And once you are done run me a bath, thank you, that's all."
"Of course my lady," Minnie replies.
Lily is kissed goodnight by the two girls and returns sleepily back to her book.
Jane and Charlotte walk quietly behind Minnie as the shouting from the King's study grows louder and louder.
Janes's stomach knots terribly when she thinks of Alex in there. She so badly wanted to be there to comfort him.
YOU ARE READING
Hidden
Teen Fiction"Look for her where you least expect, for she will be the downfall of the Human Reign." Jane is in search of herself. What her life was like. Having been adopted into the Royal Castle after a war with invaders, Jane grows more and more curious about...
