Evolution of a Queen

Meeting Ash

I groaned when the light started beckoning me to wake up. It felt so lovely to sleep. I almost didn’t want to wake up. Then the memories of what happened before I passed out. I shot up into a sitting position only to hiss in pain.

“Slowly,” A hand pushed me back down, “You don’t want to reopen your wound, do you?”

Looking around, I see the blonde boy standing over me. Looking more closely, I saw that he had three piercings in each ear and a bleeding rose tattoo wrapping around his ear. He also had a line shaved in his eyebrow and a strong jaw that made him look like he wasn’t someone to be messed with.

“Who are you? Thank you for saving me, but where did you take me?” I look at him suspiciously.

“My name is Ash. I took you to my crew’s base to train you, Lilly,” Ash smiled and gently caressed my face.

I slap his hands away, “How do you know my name? What do you mean to train me? I’m not going to be a friend with benefits if that’s what you want.”

Ash pulled away and doubled over laughing, “You thought I wanted you for s*x?” He barely got that out before he started laughing harder, “I’ve been watching you for so long that you seem to like my little sister, not a s*x partner.”

“You’ve been watching me?” I shriek, “How did you get into the palace?”

At this point, he had stopped laughing, “Your sister hired me to look after you, but I didn’t protect you from your father. I’m going to train you in fighting so you can protect yourself if you ever go back to the palace. My crew are the people who train the soldiers that protect the royal family, and as their leader, no one can defeat me. I’m going to make you someone who can defeat me.”

“Why? I didn’t ask for this. I was leaving my past behind me. I was going to start a new life in a village at the edge of the kingdom.”

“Your father will eventually find you, so you will be in my care until he does,” Ash looks at me sternly, “Choose a new name, I will not call you Lilly anymore. Your past self is dead.”

“Why should I choose a new name? How do I know you won’t hand me over to my father?”

“I don’t want to see you dead, but if you want to die, then I will gladly tell your father where to find you. He will be pleased that this country’s deadliest soldier found his runaway daughter. He would love to kick you around again and starve you until you ultimately die.” Ash stood up and started walking towards the door. He pulled out his phone and started dialing a number, “Hello this is Ash. I need to speak to the king.”

“Wait!” I cry out, “Fine I’ll do it! Don’t tell him where I am, please!”

Ash turned to me and smiled, “I need to speak to him concerning the training his soldiers are going through. I don’t think it’s difficult enough. Tell him he can call me at his leisure, it’s not that urgent that he responds.” With that, he hung up.

I slowly sat up. It hurt a little, but it was easier to ignore the pain now. I glared at Ash and asked, “Why do you want me to change my name? What’s so wrong with Lilly?”

Ash sighed and plopped down in the chair next to the bed I was on, “As I said before, the old you is dead, so there’s no use for the name of a dead person. If you want another explanation, then here it is. My crew is always at the palace. They know the names of the royal family. When they hear Princess Lilly is missing and you show up here, then they will tell the king, and you will go back. Choose a name here and now and don’t look back. Your new life awaits you.” 

I sat back and thought for a minute before I chose. “Winter,” I said, “My name is Winter.”

Ash grinned and leaned towards me, “Why?”

“The winter is the harshest season. It’s ruthless and shows no mercy. I will be as cold as ice, showing no mercy to my enemies. I agree with you. Princess Lilly is dead, so what use is the name Lilly? Even if I ever go back, I will not be the same naive girl I once was.”

“Excellent!” Ash exclaimed, “There’s the fire I was looking for. Get ready; your training starts in the morning. I will not go easy on you, even if you are injured. We will also change your appearance tomorrow. Now get some sleep.” With that, Ash stood up and walked out of the room, leaving me all alone with my thoughts.