The Hidden Princess: Finding Hope (Book One)

Chapter One - Evil princess? (e)

I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as I ran through the woods trying to find a place to hide. The evil Princess Chloe had been chasing me for hours and if she finds me; I'll surely die. Her rules were harsh and boring; no one can follow them and she is quick to anger. My whole life, all five years, I've found it best to stay away from her. My heart froze as I heard a branch snap behind me. I jumped behind a bush and pulled my knees close to my chest, tucking my head down to hide my shiny face. I never knew that sweat could make you sparkle so much, but it does.

"Samantha, you best get out where I can see you right now," I heard the evil Princess yell from just in front of my hiding place. She huffed and I saw her foot stomp in anger. I sucked in my lips as I tried to keep a giggle from escaping my mouth, but she looked so funny pouting in the middle of the woods. Although Princess Chloe was only twelve she acted like she was a woman and thought everyone should listen to her. I think, in all of our village, I was one of the few who didn't listen. Which always made her mad at me. I used a skill Papa had taught to make sure the ementy was gone. I counted to two hundred before moving. After reaching the last number I crawled out and stood to my feet.

"Got you." Princess Chloe said, grabbing my shoulder.

I screamed and jerked away from her grip, taking off at full speed. I jumped up and grabbed the closest tree and climbed towards the top, then started swinging from branch to branch. After a few minutes I lost her and was now goofing around in the treetops. I looked ahead and saw a young tree. Young trees were the best! The branches would swing farther. I perched on a branch and made sure I could jump far enough and then I pushed as hard as I could and flew through the air grabbing the tree. Crack! The branch was too young and broke sending me tumbling to the ground. "Ouch," I cried, landing hard on my back and saw Princess Chloe standing above me. "I'm dead." I whispered staring up at her intense dark brown eyes the exact opposite of my ice blue eyes. I always wondered why my eyes were blue and papa's, mama's and my older sister had brown eyes. But right now I had more important things to worry about, my death was just minutes away. I let the evil Princess Chloe pull me to my feet. If I struggled it would just make things worse.

"Samantha, I am telling Papa about all the trouble you caused while he was gone. I told you it was bath time and you ran." Chloe said, dragging me back through the forest and towards our small village.

"No, please don't tell Papa, Chloe." I begged my eyes widening as we moved closer to the village. If Chloe told Papa I would be in huge trouble. "Please Chloe, I won't play Knights and Evil Princess anymore." I whined.

"Evil princess? Is that what you think of me?" Chloe asked, looking down at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Well..." I said trying to figure out a nice way to say yes. I was about to tell her yes that was indeed what I thought of her, but I was saved by the sound of hoofbeats. My eyes widened as I saw a group of our village soldiers riding home. "Papa's home!" I screamed and tore away from Chloe's grip and raced through the town and towards the horses.

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My Papa and many other men had gone to the castle to take it back from the evil La Fray who had taken it over when I was just a baby and by the looks of the smiles of the men they had won. "Papa!" I called out as the men reined in the horses. The man in front slid off and I ran into his arms. "Papa, I've missed you so much." I said, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.

"I've missed you too my princess." he said kissing my cheek.

I quickly shook my head. "No, I am not your princess. I am a soldier, just like you," I said with a huge grin.

Papa chuckled as he sat me atop his horse then climbed on behind.

"And a mighty soldier you will make." Tom, Papa's best friend, said from the horse beside him.