The Lost Princess

XL

Rose

Two Days Later

Cecilia coos in her crib and starts wiggling around. I smile and walk over to her. Her silver eyes light up and she smiles a toothless grin. I chuckle, "What an adorable little darling." I wrap my hands around her body and place her in my arms. She grabs a lock of my hair and I take it out, shaking my head, "A feisty princess."

Aaron walks in, wearing a brown suit. He leans against the door, "You look like you're having fun."

"I guess we are," I say softly and lay her in her crib. I sit on the bed and put on shoes that I placed at the foot of the bed. Aaron sighs and sits next to me. I roll my foot around. 

"I'm sorry for how I acted when Ashlyn went missing. It was harsh," he squeezes my hand.

I nod, "You acted out of fear and anger." I stand and straighten my gown, "But I guess it's excusable since Ashlyn is alive and well. We need to start heading to the square for the execution." 

I walk out of the room and locate the royal nanny. She curtsies. I smile to her, "Cecilia is grabbing hair; be warned." The nanny chuckles, assuring me she could handle a little hair pulling and scratching. She walks to our room and curtsies to Aaron, who follows after me. 

Aaron runs and holds my shoulder, "Rose, please slow down."

"We'll be late," I hiss and try to keep walking.

Aaron turns me around and his silver eyes stare into mine. "Our marriage is more important than that criminal getting what he deserved. I thought we resolved everything, dear. Why are you upset?"

"We are going to be late, I want to see him," I say softly. Tears run down my cheeks and I stare into his silver eyes. 

Aaron turns red, "My love, what's going on?"

I sigh, my voice shaky, "I-I can't have more children."

"What?" Aaron responds. I can see the pain and anguish in his eyes.

"A-After I gave birth, I went to the infirmary. The d-doctor said there were complications with Cecilia's birth. I-I can't have more children so I want to see my f-father. B-Because now that I can't have more, I want to value the family I have left," large teardrops roll down my cheeks, "I-I know he needs to be executed. I understand but I-I don't want to be late because he's still my father. I'm sorry that I am such a disappointment."

I sob softly and feel Aaron's arms wrap around me. Sobs rack my body but Aaron puts my arm under my legs and carries me through the palace. I hear muffled talking and feel warm light on my face. The trotting of hooves fills the air and Aaron steps into something. I peek through his shirt and notice we're in a carriage. I look in Aaron's eyes, "B-but, aren't you mad?"

Aaron wipes tears from my cheeks, "Never. It's not your fault, darling. Cecilia is our pride and joy.  I am glad that she is our only child. We will love her with the same love we would if we had a thousand children. As for Tom, he is your father. He is your blood and I understand that you wish to see him. And you will never be a disappointment, Rose. You are an amazing mother and queen who has all of the kingdom's love. So, I'll give you some time to collect yourself and we will go. Because as his daughter, you have a right to see him."

I nod and wipe the tears. I take a deep shaky breath and knock on the panel in front. The slider opens and I sit up straight, "To the town square, please." The carriage started moving and Aaron squeezes my hand. I kiss his cheek, "Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too, Rose," Aaron nods. 

Ashlyn

I stood, leaning against Peter so I wouldn't step on my burned foot. We are in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by family and friends. Suddenly the crowd parts and Rose and Aaron walk through the crowd. Rose's face is completely red and her hands are entangled in Aaron's. I heard the loud booings of the crowd. I turned to look up the hill. 

Two guards led Tom down the incline, whipping him when he slowed down. Blood drips off his back and dropping in the grass. His screams pierced the sky and the crowd's angry boos responded. Tom climbed the stairs and is pushed into the position in the guillotine. Tom's eyes scan the crowd and make eye contact with me. I feel bile rushing up my throat. The guards walk behind him and tie his arms together. 

The burning of alcohol filled my nostrils. I shook my head and focused on the scene in front.

"Open wide princess!" Deliah's horrible shrill pierces through my skull. I scream and she shoves the green beer bottle down my throat. Tears fill my eyes and Tom smirks to me. 

Deliah's crooked teeth appear in my mind, "I should've killed you that day you rolled on my doorstep."  My face burns and the air feels heavy. I squeeze Peter's hands and the elders pronounce Tom's death sentence. 

"Last words?" 

Tom cackles, "I regret nothing."

I accidentally step on my foot and the pain blurs my eyesight. The sharp glass pierces through my skin. I feel the warm blood run down the soles of my feet. I can almost feel the sharp glass piercing my bone. Deliah and Tom's horrible laugh fills the air. 

The rope of the guillotine snaps. My body tumbles down the dirt path. My head bangs against the rock and I hear a plop. Deliah's body is impaled and blood pours from her nose. 

Time moves still. My mind flashes from the guillotine's blade to Deliah's punches to my body. The blade gets closer to Tom's neck. He looks at me, a smirk drifting to his face. He puckers his lips to a kiss. My eyes go wide. He laughs.

SNAP

I fold forward and vomit on the ground. Peter holds my back and runs his hand on it. My body shakes in anguish and I cry out. Tears fall on the ground and I find it hard to breathe. My throat burns as more vomit falls out of my mouth. I hold my head in my hands. Peter pulls me up and holds me to his chest. I continue to sob in his arms. I feel a warm hand squeeze my arm and a wet kiss on my forehead. I open my eyes, still full of tears. Peter hands me a water bottle and a handkerchief. I drink some water and wipe my mouth. 

Peter looks at me, his green eyes full of sorrow and heartbreak, "Let's go home," he rubs my belly, "All of us." 

I nod. Peter takes my hand and walks to the carriage. He opens the door and I sit next to him. The carriage starts to move and I look out the countryside. The sun starts to go down, purple and orange swirls paint the once blue sky. I sigh and turn to kiss Peter. He turns, his face blushed, "What was that for?"

"For being the best husband to ever grace the planet," I whisper. He smiles and kisses me softly. I smile and look out the window.

Finally, the monsters are gone.