1 Prologue

"Alliah stop being so slow!" A little boy yelled out. Jet black hair fell on to the back of his shoulders as he ran. It bounced and flailed around with every step he took. His golden eyes were filled with mischief and joy as he took off down a hallway of my Palace. They would glance back every now and then to make sure I was not falling behind. His round face was round and smooth, even despite the big grin he had. He was my best friend from another Palace, and he was here to train to be a proper Knight, just like myself. I huffed after him, my legs swinging wider so that I could match my pace to his.

"This isn't fair Nicklos! You have longer legged than I do!" I shouted from behind him. I heard him laugh but made no point to slow down. His black cape flowed behind him despite his speed. I tried catching it in my hands as the fabric zipped upwards before launching itself back towards the ground. When I finally snagged it, I tugged on it lightly and he looked back surprised! A smile still formed on his soft red lips, he slowed to a walk and let me catch my breath. I continued to huff at his side, still gripping his cape tightly in my hands.

While I stood trying to catch my breath, he plopped down on a bench and sighed. His chest was also rising and falling heavily, but he was not struggling as much as I was. Weak kneed I plopped down next to him on the bench and leaned against him. It was a natural thing to do since we had spent a whole year together. He was the only boy to hang out with me after all. I was the only girl on training to be a Knight and it was highly frowned upon. Let alone a Crowned Princess. Nobles would travel across the land just to train with our soldiers, so we got a lot of High Officials sons. They often gossiped and would talk badly about me despite who I was.

At first, I thought it was good practice for me, especially since I would be the subject of gossip once I ascended the throne anyway. But over time it wore me out and it was really starting to dampen my spirits. That was until Nicklos approached me fended for me. Often, he told me that normal girls where boring and that I was an inspiration for changing views of woman. Woman where normally just forced to marry and have children so that we could continue the family name. But now there was a chance for me to change public opinion and start showing people woman where more than capable of just raising children.

"Alliah, our Knighting Hood ceremony is coming up. That will mean I will have to leave soon." Nicklos whispered to me. I let go of his cape from my grasp and sighed. I knew this day would come, that he would have to return home and leave me here by myself. I stared towards the bright blue sky; white clouds dotted the blue endless sea. Birds chirped and flew from tree to tree in the garden that we kept. Small rose bushes surrounded a tall and proud white gazebo, lanterns dangling inside the small erect building. I smiled and pulled Nicklos to his feet and towards the garden center piece.

"Then let's make the best of these next few weeks!" I said with a grin as I pulled him out of the sun. Nicklos chuckled as we stood in the refreshing shade and out from the beating sun. I went to let his hand go, but he kept a firm hold on it. The gross sweat from our run mingling on our palms. He turned me to face him, his golden eyes sparkling.

"You know I care about you, don't you?" He asked softly. I could tell by his tender expression and the sincerity in his eyes that he did genuinely care for me, even more so than just a friend. He never brought it up before though, so why now right before he had to leave?

"I know Nicklos. You do not have to express yourself to know that you care for me. I care for you in the same way. I really wish you did not have to leave." I whispered to him. With his free hand, he cupped a finger under my chin and lifted it to face him. Our lips where just barely grazing as he spoke to me.

"I will come back for you Alliah. Do not worry. I will write to you everyday so that you won't forget me." I giggled at his sincerity. How could I possibly forget someone who only treated me with the utmost respect. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

"Ah Nicklos, I couldn't ever forget about you. After all you and I, we are a team. So, until your return, I will be waiting here for you." Nicklos let go of my hand, taken aback by my response. After regaining his composure, he let my hand drop and wrapped a hand around my waist. Upon crushing himself to me, he grazed a soft kiss to my lips. My heart fluttered rapidly in response, my mind becoming a soft cloud as he stole my first kiss. I gripped his button-down shirt into fists in my hands. My air caught in my lungs as he let a hand stoke down my back.

Pulling his lips away, he gently cupped my back and I leaned against his chest. I was enjoying his embrace, still buzzed from the sudden kiss he bestowed upon me. He carefully and gently tucked loose strands of my black hair behind my ear. I could not help the blush that spread across my face with his touch, every ounce of him made me aware that a young man was holding me. Despite being out in the open, neither one of us cared. I just did not want him to leave that much more.

"I love you Alliah. You are so beautiful and wonderful. I do not think I know any woman who is as kind and caring as you. Yet you can be so intimidating when you want to be. You are exactly the kind of woman I want by my side for the rest of my life." I felt my heart flutter once again, touched by his kind words. I laid my head against his chest, not wanting this moment to end between us. Much like I knew it would once graduation day would come around. The thorn in my heart was only the beginning of the pain I would start to feel because of this young child.

After all, I did not know how long it would be until he would return, or if he ever would, but I would wait for him. Even if it meant that I would grow alone and old, I would not let another man into my life. Nicklos was the only one that understood me. Understood that I was not just meant to be a Crowned Princess and there was so much more I could offer on top of being the future Queen. Out of everyone that I knew, besides my mother of course, he knew me best. Could read my moods better than everyone, knew when I was having a hard time with the gossip, understood my desires to be the absolute best for myself and for my people.

So, when graduation day came, I was filled with dread. This love that had formed between us would be separated for god knows how long. I would face many obstacles in his absence. I had to face the death of my mother alone. Since I had been Knighted, my younger sister had despised me and hated me. It was not proper for a Princess to wield a sword. It was highly unladylike that I, a Princess, would go out to the battlefield and slay men left and right. That I, a crowned Princess, would even entertain giving my life up for my people. It was an insult and a disgrace to the family name. Of course, she was the only one that shared those thoughts amongst my family.

I faced Lots of battles and lots of hardships that came with being a Crowned Princess, and a Knight. And through those hardships, I waited. We wrote letters as often as we could and with each passing year, I thought that our love had only grown stronger. That was until he stopped replying all together. At first, I thought it was just because he was busy, after all he was a Crowned Prince of a Kingdom far away. But days turned to months, months turned into a year. I had my coming-of-age ceremony which he never showed up for. I felt hurt, knowing that after all this time I waited, he would give up on me.

I figured he had just stopped caring and married to some other woman who was prim and proper. A woman who truly acted like a noblewoman with high standards. Of course, if that was what he wanted, then I would allow him to be happy. No more would I bother him. So, I stopped sending letters, and let my heart turn to stone. No man was worth waiting for, if they where only going to drop off the face of the Earth.