The Lost Princess

XXXIIII

Ashlyn

The kingdom rejoiced at the birth of Cecilia Victoria, Princess of the Virgin Isles. Her dedication was coming up in a few days and the entire palace was abuzz with excitement. Tom was staying in a guest room, as were Peter and I. We planned to stay and immediately after the dedication we would go back to Amster.

I was currently reading a book in the library, cuddled up by the fireplace. I hear the door open and turn to see Aaron, "What are you reading?"

I smile, "A story about a lost princess with beautiful long blonde hair. It's fascinating."

Aaron sits next to me, "Ah, Rapunzel. Mother used to read us this story every night. I remember it well, Amelia and I would cuddle up on my bed. At the same point in the story, we would both always fall asleep. Mother would tuck me in and I would open my eyes to her picking Amelia up to her room."

I nod, tears filling my eyes, "I wish I could've been apart of the tradition."

Aaron looks to me and squeezes my shoulder, "You'll be apart of many more traditions, Ashlyn." He kisses my forehead and leaves the library. I smile and continue to read the story.

**Dedication

I sat in the front row, dressed in an off white gown wearing a tiara. Peter sat next to me in his off white royal attire with the Amsterian royal family crest on his chest. Suddenly the piano plays the melody and we all stand, turning to the door. Cecilia wearing a beautiful white dress in the arms of Rose, who was adorned in a beautiful white gown with her jeweled crown. Next to Rose was Aaron, who was dressed similarly like Peter, with our family's royal crest. Behind them were my parents, Tom, the nurses who helped deliver Cecilia and the kingdom scribe.

They walked up the podium where the priest stood. Cecilia was placed into a small white bassinet with pink ribbons. The priest walked to her and sprinkled water. Cecilia cooed and the audience adored her. Rose and Aaron smile. The priest prays over her, praying against evil and sickness, "And lastly, whenever Cecilia is to inherit the throne, let her rule this kingdom with such heart and passion as an amazing queen. Now let her be crowned." A small red pillow with an even smaller silver tiara was brought out.

Rose picked up Cecilia whose silver eyes wandered over the crowd. The priest went over and placed the crown on her head. The trumpets blared and the audience stood up. The priest declares, "I now crown ye, Princess Cecilia Victoria of the Virgin Isles. Long live the princess!"

"Long live the princess!"

Peter

Ashlyn and I were currently on our way back to the palace. Tom was staying behind in the old dressmaker's shop. Her head was resting on my shoulder. She looked like an angel sleeping peacefully. I kissed her forehead and her blue eyes fluttered open. "Hello beautiful," I whisper.

She giggles, her face turning pink, "Must you have waken me up?"

I roll my eyes and she laughs, giving me a peck on the cheek. "I'm joking you know," she gives me a sly smirk. I laugh and give her a hug. Suddenly the carriage halts. Ashlyn looks around, "Why have we stopped?"

I poke my head out of the side of the carriage. The horses look spooked and the driver is confused. I turn to Ashlyn and her blue eyes are wide in fear. Then an object flies through the window. If falls to the floor and opens up, smoke flowing through. I hear the muffled screams of the driver. My eyes get droopy and can barely open. I turn to Ashlyn, whose eyes slowly roll back as she falls to the floor asleep. I feel the world spin as I fall into unconsciousness.

***

My eyes open, my cheek rested against the seat. I sit straight up and look around. The carriage was still in the same spot. I turn to see that Ashlyn was no longer sitting beside me. My heart feels constricted and I run out of the carriage. I make it to the front end to see that the driver is slumped over his steers, knocked out. One of the two horses had been stolen. Tears fall down. I feel my body go weak.

Not Ashlyn. She's been taken. No.

Ashlyn

I open my heavy eyes and notice my new surroundings. I was no longer in the carriage or at the castle. I was in a wooden room. My wrist hurt painfully and I realized I was chained to something; kneeling on the hard floor. I was stripped of my dress.

I hear the thumping of shoes and the slamming of the door. My head was yanked up to look into the eyes of her. I gasp. She looked absolutely deranged. Her eyes were wide and crazy and her hair was a rat's nest. In her hand was a half empty bottle of vodka and she smelled of pee.

Deliah let out an evil grin, "Hello slut." She chugs the rest of the vodka and holds the bottle like a baseball bat.

CRASH

I felt the shards break into multiple pieces against the back of my head. I felt my body slump forward as my eyes closed while my head pounded.