Prologue
"Higher! Swing me higher!" Serena yelled at her best friend, Dimitri as he pushed her on the swing. "If you go any higher, you'll fly off!" he yelled back.
Serena Vogarus is a princess and the only daughter of King Alexander. Dimitri Reigns is the son of servants who work in the castle.
These two became quick friends when Serena spotted young Dimitri assisting his father with his daily work by pulling weeds from the flower garden.
She was sad because her mother had recently passed away and she needed a friend to talk to.
"Hi, what's your name?" little Serena said to the the boy. He looked up at her and smiled. "My name is Dimitri. What's yours?"
She gave him a curtsey and introduced herself. "My name is Serena. It is nice to meet you Dimitri."
Dimitri's father came running towards the two children. "Dimitri! You must bow to the princess like this." The man bows to the young girl and she giggles.
"Why does he need to do that?" she asked. The man looks around confused. "Princess, please excuse us. We are very busy." The man bows again and nudges his son to do the same.
"Wait! I want to go play on the playground. Would you like to play with me?" Dimitri begins walking towards her before his father grabs his arm.
"I am sorry your highness but he cannot. He must work." Serena stares at the boy with a sadness in her eyes.
"What are you doing out here, Serena?" A powerful voice yells for the girl. She turns to see her father walking towards her. He sees the saddened look on her face and he becomes concerned.
"What's the matter my love?" her father asked as she wrapped her arms around his long legs. "I was hoping to make a new friend but he said that Dimitri can't play with me." She pointed her little finger at Dimitri's father.
The man fell to his knees and bowed, pulling his son down with him. "Please forgive the misunderstanding, your majesty. I think the young princess simply didn't understand that we are beneath her and we must tend to the gardens. I did not mean to hurt her feelings."
The man seemed visibly shaken and Serena did not understand why. "Arise. If the boy wishes to play with my daughter, I see no reason why the children can not play." the king said.
The man stands and looks over at his son. "Would you like to play with the princess?" he asked softly. "Yes sir!" Dimitri wastes no time and runs over to Serena and takes her hand as they race off to the playground a few yards away.
"What is your name?" King Alexander asks the man as they watch the children run off. "My- my name is David, sire. David Reigns."
The man bows again and the king waves him off. "Enough of that. It looks like the princess has a new friend." The king smiles as he watches his young daughter running, laughing and enjoying herself. "I have not seen her beautiful smile since her mother died."
The king's voice trails off and his face becomes somber. "I was so sorry to hear of our queen's death. She was truly an incredible woman, sire." The king said nothing as he wiped a single tear from his cheek.
I will send out a few warriors to look over the children as they play. You can get back to work." The man bows his head. "Yes, your highness. Thank you very much."
The king takes another look at his happy princess, then walks back inside.
