The Hidden Princess: Finding Hope (Book One)

Prolog - Hello My Little Princess (e)

The night was silent as the royal family of Jarrow sat in their castle. King Antonio and Queen Caroline sat close together by the fire watching as their son Alexander held Scarlett; his one year old sister.

Alexander brushed a few bangs from his baby sister's face as she slept. "Lettie, I'll always be here for you. One day you are going to grow and become queen and when that happens I'll be right beside you." He said leaning his head on top of hers.

Although he was the oldest, Alexander was not next in line for the throne. His mother, Queen Caroline, had married King Antonio six years before, when Alexander was four years of age. At the start many people thought it a disgrace to the royal name that a widow and her son should become royal through marriage. However, as the months passed, the people came to love Caroline and her son. After some time, any doubts about their marriage drifted away; leaving only worry for some that problems may arise when Scarlett became old enough to take the throne.

Antonio stood walking to the window. The stars and moon lighting the castle gardens. He turned to his wife and held out his hand. "Would you do me the honor of taking an evening stroll through the gardens?" he asked, helping her to her feet.

She nodded as they made their way slowly to the door. "We will return within the hour to say our goodnights. Jone will stay with the two of you," Caroline whispered, placing a kiss on Alexander's head then on baby Scarlett's.

Alexander scrunched up his face. "Mom, I'm ten years old. I can watch over Lettie while you and dad are on a walk... we don't need Jone tonight," he said with a determined look.

Antonio walked over and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "I think he's right Caroline. He is ten after all," he said, smiling down at his son who was well ahead of the other children his age; Alexander was often found watching over his sister while others were out playing or reading in his spare time to absorb any knowledge he could get his hands on. With one more smile towards his children Antonio and Caroline walked out of the room and towards the gardens at the north end of the grounds. The room grew quiet as Alexander smiled down at the little girl on his lap. It was a miracle that she was alive. The healers had said that it was shocking that the Queen and child had survived the birth. They had told the royal family that Scarlett would not make it to a year old, but she had proved them wrong.

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Chad, the guard on the south wall had stopped to call a greeting to the passing night watchman. "Boring when the night is quiet, isn't it Maverick?" his voice boomed in the silent night.

Maverick chuckled as he looked up at the young guard. "You'll learn soon enough that these boring nights are the nights that you like best my son," He called back. He was slowly making his way to the top of the wall. "My bones are getting too old for this," He thought to himself as he climbed up the steep stairs.

"I'll never favor the bor..." Chad started to reply but was stopped mid-sentence, a look of shock and pain on his face as he stumbled forward, landing inches away from Maverick.

Maverick dropped to the ground, his hand wrapped around the black arrow that stuck out of Chad's back. "What's this?" he asked, sliding over to the wall just in time to shelter himself from another volley of arrows that came flying over the wall. Seconds later, ladders and hooks began banging up against the castle wall. Maverick may have been old, but he was still a quick thinker. Most guards would holler out that they were under attack but Maverick knew the only chance was to get to the light post and set the alarm. He crawled quickly down the wall ducking as arrows and grapling hooks flew over his head. He could hear the landing of the men climbing over the walls and knew that if he didn't reach the tower soon it would be too late. Maverick quickly stood and ran to the small box that held the matches for the warning fire. He struck one and watched as the flames shot up. "You're too late, your presence has been announced," Maverick said as one man came lumbering towards him. "Look around, the towers of attack have been lit, you've failed," Maverick said, his hand dropping towards his sword.