The Hidden Princess: Secrets Revealed (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Welcome Home Your Highness

"Why does Sam get out of training again?" James asked, as I started to walk away from the training arena to get cleaned up. It had been two days since the ball and I was now headed to the castle.

"Because Erik likes her better," Kole said as he ducked a blow from James' sword.

Shaking my head I smiled at Erik. "Is that true? Am I your favorite?" I asked, stopping at the edge of the training arena to listen to his response.

Erik shook his head. "You're my favorite female apprentice," he said.

"She's your only female apprentice," Rowen said as he sent a right hook at Erik who was fighting him in hand to hand combat. He sent a smile in my direction.

Erik lunged forward grabbing Rowen in a headlock as his attention was on me. "She's also a good distraction for the male apprentices," he said.

"Apprentices stick together!" Kole yelled, dropping his sword and jumping on Erik's back.

Laughing, I grinned at Erik who was being dragged down to the ground. "This is why you don't agree to supervise the apprentice training by yourself. Good luck!" I called jogging off before Erik could reprimand me.

Today was the day that I was going to inform the royal family and their advisors on who I was. However, before that meeting I wanted to talk to Isabella and Aaron. Walking into the castle I paused trying to figure out where I could locate either one of the two I was seeking. Shrugging my shoulders, I turned right and headed for the royal chambers hoping that Isabella was somewhere close by.

"Sam!" I heard my name called. Turning I saw Aaron walking out from one of the rooms. Smiling, I changed my path and met Aaron halfway. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "I thought you'd be training today."

"I should be, but I have a meeting here in an hour. Before that I was hoping to find Isabella for a quick conversation. I'm actually glad that I ran into you though," I said glancing around and finding ourselves alone, I took a deep breath. "Aaron, I wanted to tell you something before you heard it elsewhere," I said.

"It's okay Sam. I already know," he said. Raising an eyebrow at him, he smiled an almost sad smile. "I know that you and Nikolai are dating," he said.

Shaking my head I quickly stopped him. "Aaron, that's not what I was going to say... I mean we are," I said.

Aaron held up his hands. "Sam, I get it. A lot has happened and maybe at one point I had hoped that we could give it a shot, but I'm happy for you. I really am. From all I've heard Nikolai is a great guy," he said.

"No! That's not what I was trying to tell you," I said. He didn't seem to hear me as he continued to talk. "Shut up! This has nothing to do with Nikolai. I wanted to tell you that I am the hidden princess, Princess Scarlett!" I cried, shocking both Aaron and myself. We stood frozen. Our eyes locked on each other, but neither said anything. His jaw opened and closed as he looked at me.

"You... your... the... wait... what?" Aaron cried frozen in his spot, words stumbling out as he tried to wrap his mind around what was just said.

Nodding slowly I took another deep breath. "Yes, I am the princess that everyone has been looking for. I didn't know that until recently, but it's true," I said quietly.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "You can't be. You're Sam," he said, his head tilting as he looked at me. "You're Samantha of Hillsdale. Orphan, raised by Richard... you aren't a princess," he said.

A smile spread across my face, shocking Aaron. "Finally someone who doesn't accept it as fact straight away!" I said, throwing my arms around him. Aaron was caught off guard and we stumbled a few steps before he righted us. I then pulled away. "But it's true Aaron. I found my brother, I found my cousin... I found the truth of who I am. I didn't believe it at first. I punched my brother when I was first introduced, then tried to punch Benedict when he pushed me for answers," I said remembering the day I found out the truth.