The Lost Princess

XVIII

Emerald
15 Years Earlier

"Father!" I run up to his desk. He finishes writing his final letter.

"Emerald, darling. I've just finished up my letters."

"For?" I ask, peering up at him.

"Why, for the overthrow of the entire continent of course! We are going to become richer and wider and bigger!"

"Huh?" I ask.

He picks me up and sits me on his lap, "Emerald, you are only two, and won't understand these palace matters. But, here's all you need to know. Amster and the Virgin Isles are responsible for all of our problems. They killed your Mommy, remember that."

"They killed Mama?" I ask, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Yes, they did. In a war, shortly after you were born. I wanted to expand our country but they said no. I went after them and attacked. One day, they raised the castle and captured dozens of servants, and your mother too. They threw her in a wood carriage and lit it on fire. I had to watch her die. They are bad ruthless people, Emerald, remember that always," he explains.

"I will, Papa. I will," I promise. I leave his study to go to my room. Ms. Hill, picks me up and takes me there. As we are going, we pass by a picture of my mother. Tall with black hair and dark brown eyes. She was so beautiful.

"I love you Mama..." I cry.

King Derek

Emerald was easy to manipulate against the Amster and Virgin Isles royal families. Her and mother of hers, so easy to change and turn around. My poor wife, she died of pneumonia a couple months after Emerald was born.

But, saying Amster and the Virgin Isles kingdoms were responsible for her death will build a life of Emerald hating those families, as I do. I laugh.

I was finally going to get my revenge on those families for not letting me marry either of the queens at my wish. Lander was another goal, but was to far away to conquer without months worth of planning. And I've been planning this day since Amelia and Ashlyn were born.

I walk out to my room. Ms. Hill greets me, "What can I get you, your Majesty?"

"I want a full black outfit. Black pants, hat, shoes, shirt. I want to be fully disguised. Tell Paul to retrieve me a fast horse and comfortable saddle and get the cooks to make butterscotch cookies. Now!" I order.

"Yes, your Majesty." Ms. Hill curtsies and scurries along. I take a long bath and change into my undergarments. I step out of the tub and find that my clothes were laid out for me.

I dry and change. I walk over to my table and slightly wet my hair, then ruffle it. I walk out of my room and Ms. Hill greets me with a tray of cookies and some napkins. I take three cookies and wrap them in a cookie.

"Has my horse been arraigned?" I bark.

"Yes your Majesty. Also, a man by the name of Sir. Sedrick of Amster is waiting to see you," Ms. Hill replied.

"Yes, I was expected him. Direct him to the stables," I order. She nods and scurries along.

I walk to a large cabinet and grab my riding gear before heading to the stables. Sir. Sedrick stood there, "Ah, King Derek. What an honor."

"Sedrick, do you have it?" I ask.

"Yes, my lord. Just as you wished. Small and sharp, and the black handle shall hide your prints," he hands me a sharp blade with a black handle.

I chuckle, "It's perfect. My advisors will pay you soon. Have you found any news of the Amster royal family?"

"The king is in despair over his wife's death. He won't be recovering any time soon. While I, raise his only son and heir. Soon, everything we want will come to past," Sedrick snickers.

"Yes, but I must be off. Goodbye Sedrick." I put on the glove and place the knife in my pocket. I climb the horse and ride off to the Virgin Isles.

I make it just before sunset and ride inside the gates. All the servants were busy enjoying their day off for he birthday of the twins. Ha-ha. Fools.

I ride up to a young princess. I'm not actually sure which one it is. She looks up at me, her naive blue eyes glowing as she sees the cookie. She reaches her stubby hand and I swoop her.

She screams and the maids look at me and call for the Navy. I flee on the horseback. The baby won't stop crying.

"Shut up!"

She screams and kicks my arm. I fall off the horse and we tumble into the woods. The girl rolls around in the mud and lands at a door. I stand up, "Damn it!"

I hide behind a tree and watch as a woman opens the door and cradles the baby, looking lovingly at it. She goes inside and closes the door.

What am I going to do?

Then, an idea surges through my head. I walk to the house and knock on the door. The woman comes out, "How may I help you?"

"That baby girl you just found. I want you to raise her, berate her, and treat her like dirt on you shoe," I command.

"Why should I? She's only a child.." the woman answers.

I chuckle and pull out a bag of silver I took with me, "I'll pay you like this every month. Just keep her out of sight."

She smirks, "I'll do it. By the way, who is this kid?"

"It doesn't concern you. I'll pay you soon. Meet me in the woods two weeks from today." She nods and scurries back in the house.

I ride the horse back home and the medic treats my wounds. From my bed I shout, "Ms. Hill!"

Ms. Hill runs in, "Yes your Majesty?"

"Mail the envelopes on my desk to all the kingdoms surrounding us."

She nods, "Yes your Majesty."

I smile.

A war has begun.