The Lost Mark

Chapter 4:Family

What makes a family?

A family created by blood

A family created by love

A family created by need

A family created by greed

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  It was surprising how quickly riding a horse can get you to your destination. I had never ridden one before and I was really sore from the whole ride. Walking up to the castle I could tell that the prince's assumption was correct. There were people and guards running around everywhere. It was indeed chaotic. The guards let us in and we headed straight for the throne room. Everyone looked up from what they were doing and stared at me with a disgusted look on their face.

I came in my best clothing, but that wasn't saying much. The best that I had was one of Gwen's old gowns that has many patches on it from wear and tear. Gabriel didn't look much better than me.

The moment the queen saw her sons she immediately got off of her throne and ran towards them. People around the room snickered at the queen's antics.

"Sweetheart," the queen cried looking Gabriel up and down. "What happened to you?" she then turned to her older son. "Such a good brother. I knew Adam would bring Gabriel home. I just knew it!"

While the queen fussed around her sons the king stared at me. We looked at each other in the eye, both refusing to back down.

"Who is this lady" the king bellowed from his throne.

"Mama Alesta." Gabriel introduced me to his parents.

" What?" the queen gasped.

"Gabriel, go to your room." the king demanded

When Gabriel left the atmosphere became very tense.

" You took him!" the queen cried, shaking me.

I closed my eyes and let the queen continue to shake me silly.

" Mother, let her go." Prince Adam said.

"Why did you do it?" she asked me.

I opened my eyes and took a look at the distraught mother. "If I told you I tried to bring him home would you believe me."

"You took him to your home." she accused

" The moment I met him, I offered to take him home."

" Well you didn't"

" I did. Twice in fact."

" When?"

" The day I met him and today."

"You were escorted today."

"Was I?"

I knew you should be respectful to your queen, but she was acting hysterical and quite frankly it was annoying me."

" Alina, sit down." the king ordered ." Calm down."

She followed his orders and sat down.

"Take her to the dungeon" the king commanded.

I let the guards drag me away from the throne room. I saw the guard that I saw when I first came to the castle, the one that didn't let me in. I pointed to him.

"That one!" I yelled as I passed the prince.

He nodded."I understand."

I went to the dungeon silently, not a single complaint came out of my mouth. They threw me into a cell and shut the door. I got up into a sitting position.