My Secret Life

The untold stories

When I woke up Prince Stephan was nowhere to be seen. I took a bath and dressed myself comfortably then went downstairs to have some breakfast. I can hear men laughing from the hallway to the dining area. My father seemed to really like Prince Stephan and they are really getting along so well.

"Good morning father, good morning your highness" I greeted both of them. I sat down on my own across Prince Stephan. My father looked at me and smiled.

"How was your sleep my dear?"

"It was fine, father."

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Elise?"

"Not much. However, I've been meaning to ask, father. What with the sudden changes around here? Is everything okay?" I was confused about all the buzz going on around us. One day we're all grieving and the next it's like there's going to be a feast.

"Don't worry too much, Elise. I'm doing all of this to protect you, to protect us and our kingdom for whatever there is that's about to come."

"What? What do you mean by that, Father? What's about to come? How about the sycamore trees? they've been protecting us for centuries. Our kingdom can stand whatever there is to come"

"No, not anymore. Let's talk about this later. I will tell you everything you need to know and promise me you will trust me. I won't do anything that's gonna harm you."

I looked at my father more confused as I was last night. There's something strange about him. He's so mysterious and cautious about the words he'll say. After breakfast my father led us into the Library. Prince Stephan and I followed quietly behind him. What's strange is that my father asked Mr. Bernon to guard that library door and to let no one in except us. Father then pulled out a book that seemed centuries old then suddenly a door was revealed right before us. We walked down the path that led into a secret room. Inside the room were more books and some artifacts that our kingdom has been protecting. Father then carried the book and went to another door and I was stunned by how beautiful this place seemed. It was a paradise. A place like something that came straight out of a dream. Father instructed us to sit on the blanket neatly put out on the grass under a big sycamore tree.

"Father, this is a sycamore right?"

"Yes it is. I know you're confused. You see my dear there's something that's weakening the trees. Your mother knew it was coming long before any of our people noticed."

"How? Did she know who's doing it?"

"No, we never knew who was behind all these. But your mother's life is connected to the sycamore trees."

"That's why she also grew weaker? How is she connected to them?"

"Because of you" he said lowering his head as he recalled the death of my mother.

"She..."

"No Elise, she didn't die because of you. She died because of whoever is doing these to the sycamore trees."

"But father, she was connected to them because of me, that's what you said."

"You see, when you were born your mother grew weaker. She couldn't feed you with her milk because her body doesn't have the energy to produce some. She went here in this exact sycamore tree and asked for help because you... you wouldn't breathe. She blamed herself for not being strong enough to feed her own daughter. There's nothing we could do to help you because your body refused other supplements. The sycamore tree answered your mother's wish in exchange for her life being bound to the trees. That means whatever happens to the sycamore trees will affect your mother."

"I was to blame, my father. I did all this."

"No, you see my dear, your mother and I are willing to risk it all because you're our precious daughter. I was to blame for not knowing sooner that someone has been eyeing our kingdom for so long. We needed protection, all that we can get so that your mother's life wouldn't be in vain."

"Prince Stephan's ancestors have sworn on their deaths that in time they will return the decades of protection our kingdom has given them. That's why I need you two to get married as soon as possible for this day It should be the right time for them to protect us, to protect you my child."

"I understand, father. I won't disobey."

My father continued telling us the history between our kingdoms and how our union would strengthen both kingdoms and allow it to thrive once more. My father have a strong faith that once our kingdoms joined together whoever is plotting war against our kingdom will come to light and surrender. I wanted to believe in him. I want to support his plans and do my duties. However, I have this feeling that somewhere between his stories something doesn't fit. If my mother could feel right away that's something is not right she should've already told my father about it. However, my father claimed that it was only before my mother died that he found out about the sycamore. I choose to keep my thoughts to myself. I know whatever it is, I will find out on my own.

After that long talk I went to my room as fast as I could. I changed clothes to not look like a royalty. I want to see for myself. I want to know what's outside, what's there that father hadn't mentioned. I'm sure I can find something that would complete the puzzle pieces in my thoughts.

"It's dangerous"

"Don't try and stop me" I said looking straight in Prince Stephan.

"I won't, but I want to come"

"Are you out of your mind? No way! This would cause more suspicion from my father"

"I will rant you out if you won't let me come" he stared back at me dead serious.

"Fine! but if something happened unexpectedly we go back. I don't want to be responsible of your death."

"I don't want to be responsible of your death either." he replied smiling

How annoying he is and here I am trapped into marrying him. We sneaked out of the castle walls and walked through the sycamore forest. As further we get I could see more and more sycamore trees drying and dying. How did this happened. All these lovely and strong sycamore trees, how could anyone be so cruel to kill them. I walked near one that's almost dying but still has some green leaves.

"There's a cut" Prince Stephan whispered

"I know, I'm not blind"

"You don't have to be so grumpy all the time" he said chuckling.

"What is this?" I took out a stick and a small bottle and scoop out some purple liquid from then cut on the tree.

"Poison. I've never seen anything like it, but they do exist."

"What do you mean?" I asked curious about what he knows.

"You surely know about them too. It was taught at school. The poison used on wars centuries ago."

"From the Tribe of Apolo. Impossible, they vanished centuries ago." I replied

"They do, I was out on a mission with your brother before and we somehow talked about this tribe we decided to go check out where it was said to exist. There was nothing there." he said

"There was nothing there, but what if it's not there because they moved somewhere else. Perhaps clo..."

Before I knew it Prince Stephan pulled me behind one of the trees. There was someone who tried to shoot us with an arrow. Luckily he was quick. I was almost hit. I was so quick everything happened so fast.