The Prince's Princess

Chapter One

"19, 20.." I let out a sigh as I finish counting the tomatoes my mother had told me to fetch from the market in town, just to double check I had enough before I had to walk all the way back realising I was missing some. We don't live in the town because we're simply too poor, and the further away from the castle you live, the less the tax; it's the law. So, we live across the forest, separating the kingdom from the 'outlands' as the villagers call it.

In any case, the outsiders, like me, are excluded from the kingdom events, even from the schools. However, my brother and I were taught by an older lady who lives next door to us, my younger sister is still having lessons from her. Mildred, or as we know her as Millie, is a lovely woman, always thinking of everyone before herself.

One time, when my mother was gravely ill, Millie nursed her to health, with the help of my father, as well as letting my brother and I stay in her home, as we were only young.

As I recall the fond memories of me and my brother chasing each other round the apple trees in Millie's orchard, I stumble on a tree root and fall to the ground, the tomatoes scattering everywhere. "No" I mumble to myself as I gather up the tomatoes, when I hear chattering and laughing behind me, that's when I knew, I was in front of the Tavern.

I look towards it and see the run down building that seemed to glow against the darkness of the trees, the atmosphere around this place is one of horror as the windows flicker from the light of the candles. Along with this, I notice a collection of big built men, staring at me and laughing when they speak. I quickly put my head down, knowing what this Tavern has a reputation for. The stories I have heard from the village people and from Millie, are something to fear and I was always warned never to go near it by the ones who care for me. I must've wondered here whilst I was daydreaming.

As I finish putting the last tomato into the basket I begin to stand up when I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder, pushing me back down again, causing my tomatoes to go everywhere, again. "What're y'doin 'ere" A gruff voice asks, his hand still on my shoulder, now grasping on it, rather than pushing it down.

"It was an accident, please, excuse me" I say politely before the man roughly pulls me off the ground and slams me to the tree behind us, hurting my shoulder, causing me to groan. "Y'shoudn't be 'ere" He mumbles, his breath smelling of alcohol and smoke.

"Please, let me leave" I ask, tears now building up in my eyes, from the mixture fear and pain, my vision going blurry. "Y're 'ere now, why not make use of 'ya" He proceeds to touch my cheek with the dirty chubby fingers of his as I try and turn my head away from his touch.

I try and scream for help, but his grubby hand covers my mouth, "n'one can 'ear 'ya darlin'" He says leaning closer and I close my eyes in fright of what's going to happen, when I hear horse hooves coming towards us, the man seemingly loosening his grip on my mouth.

"Let the lady go" I hear a deep, but soothing voice order and I open my eyes slowly, to see a silhouette of a man, behind the one holding me.

"Bugger off," The man holding my mouth lets go but continues his grip on my shoulders, keeping me from getting away. I wince in pain as my bruised shoulder gets hit back onto the tree. The mysterious man comes forward and puts a hand on the thugs shoulder, pulling him away and ordering him again "I said, let the lady go".

The thug glances at the man and his eyes visually widen and he quickly stumbles away muttering a 'sorry', almost intimidated by the mystery mans stare, it seems. I breathe a sigh of relief as I fall down the tree to the floor, exhausted from the awful experience. "Are you alright?" The mysterious man, still shadowed by the darkness caused by the trees, squats down in front of me and offers a hand.