The Stolen Throne

Chapter Two - Rich and Poor

Lucy loved market day. She loved the smells and the stalls, but most of all she loved interacting with the people. Her favourite stress reliever was coming down into the city and just talking and walking around. There were always bright colours, bright smells, and bright flavours.

"Princess Luciana!" A familiar voice called. Even with just the sound of her voice, Lucy's mood instantly lifted.

"Kia?" Lucy called in reply. Kiana Maln laughed slightly as she made her way towards her friend, her brown eyes sparkled in merriment and her wavy brown hair flowed behind her.

"Where have you been?" Lucy cried, "Your mother has been looking for you everywhere!" She stood a head taller than her friend, who was short and curvy where Lucy was tall and slim.

"I've been avoiding her. Did she tell you why she was looking for me?"

"No. Why was she?" Lucy's curiosity piqued.

"She wanted me to give her a hand and "help out" Lady Fynch," at the lady's name, Kiana shuddered, "And you and I both know what that would entail."

Lucy nodded in sympathy, "She treats those that serve her like vermin."

"I don't understand how you can bear being in their company day after day."

"Believe me, neither do I. I'm pretty sure coming here and going to the training ground are about the only things that keep me sane."

"Speaking of things that drive us insane, how was your meeting with Lord Brockam? As horrible as he is good-looking?" Kiana grinned, enjoying the contortion of Lucy's face as the despicable lord's name was mentioned.

"Worse than you can imagine. He just doesn't seem to understand what being a princess entails. He had the audacity to suggest that the time spent in the pleasure of his company is better than spending time with my people, protecting them and caring for them." Her green eyes darkened, her fists were clenched.

Upon seeing her friend's simmering rage, Kiana grabbed her hands, pulling her through the market, "Come on, let's go and see if we can cheer you up and keep your mind off that bigoted pig."

"I hope you don't mean me." Rodryn Vahl grinned, leaning across his stall to speak to the girls.

"Believe it or not, not everything is about you, Rod." Kiana teased as she pulled Lucy over to the stall. Rodryn sold the most amazing fabrics, imported from all over Zyron, and he was incredibly proud of his collection. Lucy always loved visiting the stall and looking at all the exotic fabrics. She loved having dresses made from his fabrics, they always seemed to be the most comfortable ones.

"At the moment, we need to cheer Lucy up." Kiana said.

"Bigoted pig? Let me guess - Lord Brockam?" Rodryn smiled mischievously, his bright blue eyes twinkling.

"News travels fast then?" Lucy groaned.

"If it's about the princess, it's the fastest news to travel."

"I don't know whether to be pleased or slightly worried." Lucy sighed.

"Probably worried," Rodryn said, a thoughtful look passing over his face as he gazed off into the distance, "The whole kingdom will know if you ever do anything untoward."

"What do you mean by untoward Rod?" Kiana asked.

"Well, you know how these royals are, always bored, always meeting new people, always looking for new excitements." Rodryn's mischievous grin spread as he slid is ice-blue eyes to Lucy.

Kiana opened her mouth in shock at Rodryn's bold words.

"Haha," Lucy said, grinning at him back, "You won't be laughing when I throw you in the stocks for disrespectful behaviour."