PROLOGUE 2
1086 Words
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The mean girl was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the Crown Prince, her bravado melting away in an instant. She stammered and stumbled over her words, trying to explain herself, but the Prince was not in the mood to hear excuses. His eyes were narrowed, his face like stone. "You will apologize to this girl at once," he said, his voice cold and hard. "Or I will have you taken to a discipline house to answer for your actions."
The girl's face went white, and she turned to Atia with an angry scowl.
The girl then stared at the ground, her lips trembling as she tried to find the words. "I... I'm sorry," she finally stammered. "I shouldn't have said those things or do something like that. It was wrong, and I'm sorry."
" We are sorry, your Highness " The other children quickly apologized.
The Prince regarded her with a steely gaze, clearly not satisfied with her apology. "It's not enough," he said. "You must promise to never behave in such a manner again."
The girl nodded, her eyes wide and fearful. "I promise," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will never do anything like that again."
The Prince strode over to the old woman and bent down to help her up, his movements full of grace and dignity. His bodyguards followed close behind, and together they also helped Atia to her feet.
Atia's eyes were full of gratitude as she looked at the Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said, her voice shaking. "I don't know what I would have done without your help."
The Prince gave her a small smile. "It is no trouble," he said. "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter their station in life."
The Prince and his entourages led the girl and the old woman to an inn as the Prince ordered for food to be served. Atia's eyes were wide open and her mouth drooled as She salivated over the food.
Atia and Old Woman looked at each other before they both dig in hungrily.
"Your Highness, let us go back, you have done enough for them ... you shouldn't be too nice" One of the bodyguards said clearly disapproved with the Crown Prince sitting close to the dirty Peasants.
Atia swallowed the lump of food in her mouth as She faced the Prince
"Y..y.. your hi.. I.. gh .. ness, uhm... how did you know they were being mean?" Atia asked curiously.
"Oh ... I was taking a walk when I witnessed everything happening but I was at a distant, so I had to run towards you before Verra do something outrageous"
"Verra? That's the name of that girl... you know her? She didn't seem to recognize you"
"Well, She comes to the Palace often to visit my mom, So I do see her but She doesn't recognize me ... "
" oh ... em ... wow... That girl knows the Empress ... whoa, I wish to go to the capital one day, all of you will go back to the capital once the festival ends... "
"What is your name? "
" My name is Atia, your Highness "
" A beautiful name, what about your parents... Atia? "
" I don't have Parents.. Your Highness, I grew up in an Orphanage but ran away, I hate it there, Madam Tarna beat us too much and doesn't give me food" Atia said stuffing her mouth with the rice pudding.
"ran away... h.. how old are you? Atia"
"I am Seven years Old , Your Highness... I know that because I usually sneak into the school to learn, Michael said if I want to be a thief, I should be an educated thief..."
The Crown Prince and his entourage burst into light chuckles. The Old Woman was oblivious of the Children conversation and was eating hungrily.
" You Highness, h. .how old are you? " Atia asked as She reached for the boiled eggs.
" What insolence, how dare you... " One of the bodyguards started at Atia but the Prince held out a finger signaling for the Bodyguard to keep quiet.
" Well, Atia, I am 12 years old, does my answer fulfill your curiousity ?"
Atia nodded vehemently as She let out a Lovely smile that showed off her cute dimple.
"Your Highness, one day I will come to the capital, I will come to the Palace to serve you... I will cook good food for you so that you can rule us well" Atia said grinning at The Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince laughed "Sure Atia, I will be waiting for you"
"Your Highness, it is time to go back... Your Mother will be worried " one of the Attendants notified the Crown Prince who nodded and stood up .
He brought out a pouch from the pocket of his clothe and handed Atia five silver bars and He gave the Old Woman five silver bars too.
"Thank you Your Highness" Atia happily thanked the Prince as She hid the bars in the pocket of her clothes.
The Old Woman only nodded at the Crown Prince as She continued eating.
"By the way Atia... who is Michael...?" The Crown Prince asked.
"Michael is my brother, He is 12 years too, he helps me"
The Crown Prince nodded "Make sure you use out of that money to pay for School and give Michael too"
Atia nodded as The Crown Prince started to Walk out .
" Wait , Your Highness"
Atia approached the Prince as She handed him a Dagger.
"Your Highness, This is the Dagger we use to steal money, Michael gave me to protect myself from bullies... uhm ... hold on to it... when I come to the Palace, I will collect it, then you will know that I really went to school... please?"
The crown Prince looked at the Dagger then at Atia, He smiled as He collected it and walked out.
Atia had a huge smile as She went to sit down.
"You are destined to be a great Empress, You will lead this kingdom to greatness and that young Prince shall be your stepping stone to Greatness, Listen Child and don't forget your destiny"
As Atia blink trying to comprehend what the Old Woman was saying, The Old Woman suddenly disappeared. Atia fervently looked around, out of fear, She packed four eggs and ran out of the Inn .
- Writer
