From Prisoner to Princess

Chapter 16

Juden's POV:

"We found her my lord!" Running into my Study, Ronan announces this news with a smile on his face, his brown eyes filled with excitement.

“By her, do you mean Allisara?” Placing my paperwork on the desk, I stare at my Guard with hopeful eyes. It has been three months since the Rebellion and in that time I had healed from my wounds and taken over the Kingdom. I thought everything was going smoothly and soon I would be crowned King, but news of that insufferable Princess being still alive spread like wildfire across the Kingdom. All the Nobles demanded that I find her and bring her back as the rightful Heir to the Throne and so began the search for her. If I can get to her first, then I can rid the Kingdom of the Nimair line and take control of Nimairene for good.

“Yes! I just received the report. We only have an hour to get to her before the others do.” Ronan confirms with a grin.

"Where is she?" I demand, standing from my desk and making my way out the door. Five of my men are waiting in the hallway, their eyes flashing with murderous intent when I motion for them to follow Ronan and me.

"Out on the apple farm just outside of the city." He answers. Perfect. The family owes me a debt for helping them during the drought last year.

My men and I make our way to the Royal Garage, our group of seven climbing into two S.U.Vs. The drive is short, but one that makes me feel like a child on Christmas day. It is a miracle that Princess Allisara was found so soon. A miracle that I will get to her first. Hopefully, no one else knows where she is.

Traveling through the Capital City Zalaris, I take in the damage from the Rebellion that is still healing. Many businesses had taken a hit when riots broke out and it is now a slow process of rebuilding the City to my liking. No one will know that I caused this to happen. No one will know that the Regent who took control and started the rebuilding process is the villain they all curse.

Soon the SUVs drive out of the Capital, the many buildings giving way to farmland until the driver makes a left turn and we pull onto a bumpy dirt path. It doesn’t take long for us to reach the farmhouse where a little girl swings on a worn-out tire swing tied to an old oak tree.

Climbing out of the vehicle, I look at the little girl and frown. It is indeed Allisara and the urge to strangle her right then and there is strong.

“Smile, your Majesty. She can’t know something is wrong.” Ronan reminds me, his face a mask filled with smiles. Taking a deep breath, I plaster on my own loving smile and slowly walk towards the tire swing.

“Allisara.” She stiffens as I call out her name, her little legs stopping the tire swing. Allisara turns her little body to look at me, her violet eyes so much like her father’s staring at me with shock.

"Uncle Juden you came for me!” She shouts, tears falling down her face as she jumps off the swing and runs towards me. Her little arms wrap around my waist as she sobs into me with relief. Playing the role of the dutiful Uncle, I pat her back and comfort her with my men watching on. The couple that owns the farm make their way towards us having heard the commotion and I nod to Ronan.

"Allisara, I am here to take you home. Go pack whatever items these nice folks gave you." Pulling away from her, I bend down to her eye level and place a hand on her shoulder. Her little face is covered in tears, but thankfully no snot. She nods obediently, promising to be right back before she runs to the couple, giving each of them a hug and thanking them for taking care of her before running into the house excitedly.

With her out of the way, I thank them for sending Ronan the tip of Allisara being placed in their care as Ronan hands them an envelope filled with cash. The couple promises to keep silent about this, knowing that soon the little Princess will be joining her parents.

When Allisara returns, a small tote in hand, I help her into my SUV. and we are off. Unfortunately for her, she will never see the Palace again.

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­Allisara's POV:

Listening to Juden explain how he found me, I close my eyes and try to envision the apple farm. I vaguely remember the tire swing he mentioned. But then again there was one in Ron and Liz’s backyard that I always used. It seems that is something my body remembered even after losing my memories.

Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and take in Juden looking at me with curiosity, as if trying to see into my mind.

“You don’t remember them, do you?” He inquires unable to hide the surprise tone in his voice.

“I don’t.” Deciding to be honest, I inwardly sigh and wonder if – in time – I will remember the farmers who betrayed me.

"If your goal was the Throne, why didn’t you just leave me with the couple instead? You say they owed you, so you could have had them keep me without anyone being the wiser.” Feeling like I am stating the obvious, Juden lets out a deep chuckle, his laughter echoing in the room.

“It’s not that simple Allisara. There are laws in place. Laws that prevents anyone from taking over the Throne.” I know the laws he is talking about. The ones that state a surviving member of the Royal Family must show in twenty years time before the Crown is passed to the Regent or next highest Nobel. I even voiced that law to him half an hour ago.

“Continue explaining then.” Feeling Sky place a hand on my shoulder, I relax into my chair waiting for the end of how I ended up in the Slums with no memories.