The crown princess

CHAPTER ONE

The cold wind blew her messy hair, tussling it back and forth as she struggled to find her way through these very familiar woods, the thorns pricking her bare feet, she could hear the sounds of wild animals as she ventured into the forest, the night getting darker by the minute but she couldn't stop, no she wouldn't! She had to run as far away from this place as possible, she would pass through thousands of forests and rivers if it meant she would be free........."find her! You guys should spread out and don't come back without the princess!!"the commander's voice echoed throughout the forest"yes sir!!"the soldiers saluted and headed out in different directions to accomplish their

assigned tasks.

.....they were getting closer, she could feel it and she had to keep going, she ran faster and faster breathing and panting heavily as she stopped at intervals to take deep breaths. "I can hear noises over there" one soldier said and they all moved towards the area of the detected sound. "There she is! Catch her!" They all ran towards her, some on horses and others on foot...oh no!! She was done for. She tried running but at long last, her legs gave up as they couldn't endure any more of the pain she was putting them through, and before she could collapse on the ground,a pair of strong arms caught her and lifted her up with no effort at all and just like that,her plan to escape was ruined and she was shipped back to the palace, the place she dreaded most!

The sun rays peered through the windows and shone brightly into the room, waking the princess from her slumber. she surveyed her surrounding and cursed under her breath as she realized she was back in this place,it was so funny how she was trying to run away from her own home, the very palace she had lived her entire life, the very place she had grown up in and the only home she knew but what could she do? She was placed in a tight spot where the only thing that seemed right to do was to run away, run away and never return. A knock on the door brought her out of her train of thoughts "go away" she said not wanting to see anyone at all."it's me, my lady"the voice responded from the other side. she knew that voice, that was the very voice she had heard throughout her childhood,the voice of her best friend and confidant,Karen,her personal handmaid."come in Karen" she said and the door immediately flung open. Karen was shocked at the state of her princess "my lady, what happened to you?,why are you in such a state" she asked and without waiting for an answer, she dashed towards the bathroom and came back 10 minutes later"your bath is ready my lady " Karen informed but the princess wasn't in the mood for baths or anything else for that matter, her body ached all over and her feet were badly bruised."my lady, you can't just lay in bed all day, your parents will come to see you soon " At the mentioned of her parents,she immediately sprang up to her feet "that's more like it " Karen remarked and led her towards the bathroom.

After having breakfast, she was feeling better, Karen had really outdone herself this time,her body no longer ached thanks to her massage and her bruised feet were alot better. Her mom had come to see her earlier and they had talked for a bit but she hadn't spotted her father since morning, she was sure he must be very busy with important work.

....... sometime later, she was sitting in her room, reading a book when she heard a knock on the door "come in" she replied clearly not interested in meeting whoever was there "who are you?" She asked the unfamiliar person,"my lady, I'm Ruger your new personal bodyguard" he replied bowing, "where's Lucas?" She asked, carefully examining him from head to toe. Lucas was her personal bodyguard and he did a wonderful job so she didn't understand why she was getting a new one. "My lady, I'm afraid his Majesty sent him away " he replied quickly still in his bowing position. What! How could they send Lucas away!when?! She asked herself. "Okay, tell me why you are here", "my lady the king had asked to see you. He said you should come with me to his chambers" At the mention of her father, she became fearful, she knew what that man could do,he was ruthless and she knew he wouldn't spare her just like he didn't spare Lucas "okay lead the way" she said standing up. Ruger bowed and started going in the direction of the king's chambers. Once they were there, he stood outside and gestured for the princess to go in. Taking a deep breath, she entered.

........"what is this?! Take this tasteless meal out of my sight" "yes your highness" the maid said and quickly scurried out of his sight. "Prince Elijah!", his mum called,"what is wrong with you? Why are you taking out your anger on the innocent maid" "mother,it was her fault for bringing me this tasteless food. I was already upset after sword practice and now this!" "It's okay son, whatever it is, it shouldn't make you to start disrespecting food. Let's go, I'll feed you myself " "okay mother " the prince agreed. Everybody in the palace and even the kingdom knew how arrogant the young prince was. He was the only son of the king and the crown prince so everyone had no choice but to put up with his rudeness. He was rude to everyone, the guards, the maids, his father, even the princess, no one was spared except one person; his mother, the queen. She was the only one who could talk sense into him and the only one he respected but there was something about the young prince that stirred roumers within the palace and among the servants, since the beginning, it has been a common knowledge to everyone about the identities of the royal family, the entire royal family had a peculiar brown hair and brown eyes that gave them this unique look but it was entirely different for the young prince. He possessed a very dark hair and grey eyes which made him stood out completely from the entire family. His paternity was once questioned but the matter easily died down as everyone concluded that the prince might just be special and even if he wasn't, they had no choice as no one could come with any proof that he wasn't the king's son and the kingdom desperately needed a heir.

.............In the king's chambers.............

"I asked you a question Amelia!!" The king's voice roared as the princess shook and shuddered in fear. She knew her father would be upset but she didn't except him to be this angry. She didn't have the courage to open her mouth as her father continued with his nonstop questioning. "You can't speak right?! Okay then you'll have to face the consequences of defying my orders. Guards!!.... "No father, don't call the guards. I can explain. Please don't punish me". She begged at her father's mention of the guards.

Growing up, anytime she had misbehaved, her father would call the guards and they'll lock her up in the dungeons for days with little or no food and water and she'll be dealt with severely for something as little as sneaking out for sword practice or horse riding. Since she was born everyone around her had prevented her from living her life the way she wanted it. They all told her that she was a princess and it wasn't her place to ride horses or go to war, but to attend balls and be pampered, she wasn't allowed to play with swords but to play with fans, that was the life of a princess. But she didn't have any of that. She was so very stubborn that she always disobeyed her father's orders and ended up with the harsh punishment. She didn't want to go through all that again....."father please forgive me. I ran away because I didn't want to get married to that man or any other man for that matter. I wanted to go places and experience life. I'm sorry for defying your orders but please don't call the guards father", she explained falling to her knees and sobbing. "Stand up Amelia! Wipe your tears and look at me". The king said and she stood up quickly. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes and with a sigh, he spoke "Amelia I don't know how to explain it to you, I've told you countless times that this is your Destiny. As a princess and as my daughter, you are destined to marry prince Liam, do it for the sake of our kingdom and our people, do it for the sake of your mum and for my sake, please Amelia", he explained holding her hands tight. "But father, I don't even know this man and I'm not ready to get married yet and.... "Enough!!!! You will marry prince Liam and that is final. You don't have any say in this matter. Do I make myself clear?" He said in a very harsh tone, his anger, evident. Wasn't he the same man who had looked into her eyes and spoke to her with so much love? Funny how his mood could change so easily. With a sigh she responded, "yes father."