The Hidden Princess: Kingdom's Fate (book three)

Chapter Three: This Is Exactly When The Dungeon Comes In Handy

King Syrus looked between Nikolai and I for a moment before he made the connection. "May I presume that I have just ran into Aurjoa's queen?" he asked with his eyes landing on me.

Nodding I straightened up. "Yes. I am so sorry that we met like this. Jone will have my head for lack of proper manners," I said.

"Jone? She must be the older woman that was with the welcoming party. She did seem quite flustered that the two of you were absent," he said with a smile.

"Jone was Sam's nursery maid when she was a baby and has taken the role of assisting her as she learns about her new duties," Nikolai explained. "I'm sorry that we weren't there to greet you. We didn't think that you were arriving until tomorrow. May I take a moment and properly introduce you?" he asked. When his uncle nodded, Nikolai took my hand. "Uncle Syrus, may I introduce you to Queen Scarlett. Your highness, may I introduce you to King Syrus of Eskalay," he said.

I stepped forward in a curtsy. "It's an honor to meet you King Syrus and a pleasure to have you as my first visitor," I said standing with a smile.

King Syrus bowed and took my hand placing a kiss on it. "It's an honor to meet you as well, your Highness. I have heard nothing but praise since your return and I look forward to getting to know you," he said.

"I as well. The friendship between Eskalay and Aurjoa runs deep and I look forward to continuing it," I said, stepping back beside Nikolai. "Now if you'll excuse me I should go change into a proper welcoming outfit before meeting your family," I said.

Shaking his head King Syrus stopped my exit. "Nonsense. You look lovely as you are. Save the dress for dinner. My wife is dying to meet you and I doubt she'll care what you are dressed in," he said.

Smiling, I could tell why Nikolai talked so highly of his uncle. "Those are kind words. However, Jone will have my head if I show up dressed as I am," I pushed.

King Syrus stepped forward offering his arm. "Shall we remember for a moment that you are queen and not Jone. Come with me now and we can worry about Jone later," he said. Laughing I nodded and accepted his outreached arm.

"I've located the love birds," King Syrus announced as we walked into one of the gathering halls. The conversation quickly came to a stop as all eyes turned to us. I saw the horror in Jone's eyes as she took in my attire, no one else seemed to notice. King Syrus led me first to the group of women. Queen Vivian and Isabella sat in the lounge area with an older woman and two women that looked to be a little older than Chloe. "Ladies, I'd like to introduce you to our new neighboring queen," King Syrus said. The three ladies stood and curtsied, I quickly dropped into the same depth of curtsy. "Your majesty, may I introduce you to my wife Queen Helen and my two youngest daughters Princess Helena and Princess Naomie," he said introducing the women of his family. "And this lovely young woman on my arm is Queen Scarlett," he said.

Queen Helen was the first to approach me. "Thank you so much for inviting us to be your guest. We are so sorry that we missed your coronation. Syrus was quite ill and my daughter Saundra was having her first child," she said.

I smiled kindly at her. "I understand. It all came together so fast that I know that many were unable to make it. I am just glad that you are here now. We will have more time for conversations during this visit anyway as my time will be devoted to you and your family," I said. Glancing over to the men I noted one young man standing beside Prince Louis.

Nikolai caught my eye and offered his arm. "Let me introduce you to our closest cousin in age," he said, guiding me over to the men. "Prince Silas may I introduce you to Queen Scarlett. Your Highness, may I introduce you to my cousin Prince Silas," he said.