The Hidden Princess: Secrets Revealed (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Demanding Little Women

"And I think I'm being called," Kole said, quickly disappearing back into the kitchen.

None of us moved. The couple I now knew as Nigel and Jone, stood staring at me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Amber slip into the kitchen and return with Alexander.

"Nigel, Jone," Alexander said, breaking the silence. Alexander walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder and guided me around to stand in front of Nigel and Jone. Tears were streaming down Jone's face and Nigel didn't look like he was far behind.

"But you died at Hillsdale," Jone whispered, looking straight at me.

Alexander's hand stayed on my shoulder as he smiled at the couple. "So we thought. Yet, here we are. Back together again," he said, his own tears rolling down his cheeks.

"May I hug you?" Jone asked, reaching out a hand. Glancing at Alexander who gave me an encouraging smile, I stepped forward and let myself be embraced. "Oh my beautiful girl," she said, holding me tight.

"You look so much like your mother," Nigel said, the tears finally finding their way to his cheeks.

"She's gotten so much more than their looks. She has their confidence, bravery, kindness, strength, and stubbornness," Alexander said.

Slowly I turned to Nigel. "You came to Hillsdale... you came to check on me," I said realizing that not only had I run into Jone, but Nigel as well.

He nodded, reaching out to put a hand on my shoulder, to make sure I was real. His tears increased as his hand lay on my shoulder. "Yes, I was blessed to see you a few times a year. We were so excited about reuniting, that it broke us when we thought you were gone," he said. Nigel then straightened and looked at Alexander. "How did you find one another?" he asked.

I felt my own cheeks become wet as we talked. "It was neither of us that made the connection. Father's cousins' son Nathaniel made the connections and reunited us," Alexander said.

Jone gasped and Nigel froze. "Why would he? His uncle is raising him as his own," Jone said in shock.

Shaking my head, I cleared my throat. "La Fray tried. However, Nate was never going to cave to his uncle's instructions. He was pivotal in stopping La Fray's latest attack on the castle and my life," I said defending my cousin.

"Even at a young age, Nathaniel was more like his father than most boys," Nigel said, taking into account what I had said. "Now that we know how you found each other, we can be together in peace," he said with a smile. His head titled as he caught the look that Alexander and I exchanged. "Although, you have a reason you called us and I believe it has something more than just informing us of Scarlett's discovery," he said.

We nodded and after a moment I realized that I would be the one to say what we were asking of them. "We plan to tell the kingdom of who I really am soon. King Philip and his family already know and will assist in the transfer, they will remain regent until I am of age. Although that is great and there are many people to help, after many conversations, I would feel better with people by my side that knew my parents and would be loyal," I said. Taking a breath I stepped forward. "Would you consider stepping back into your positions? Nigel, I would be honored to have you as my royal tutor and advisor. Jone, I may no longer need a nursery maid but to have an older woman to help me where a man can not would mean the world," I said smiling at the couple.

The two smiled broadly and nodded with excitement. "We would be honored to stand beside you and watch as you claim what is rightfully yours," Nigel said, putting his arm around Jone.

Sighing, I felt just a little bit more of the pressure that had been weighing me down lift as I knew that the number of those I could count on was growing. Tilting my head as I heard something I held up my hand. Quietly walking over to the kitchen I pulled the door open quickly; James and Kole came stumbling out while Rowen jumped back trying to look like he hadn't been with the other two. "You three were supposed to be watching Scarlett!" I said, shaking my head with a grin.