Ch 1 Shocking decree

A little girl was standing in front the tomb of her parents. It was pouring heavily. Clouds were thundering in the sky.She was deeply traumatised by the death of her parents. It was their funeral. Her nanny Kelly caressed her head and said," Princess...Let's go. You will get sick and King and Queen will be sad.They won't be able to live peacefully their."

Her voice clearly indicated she was old and tired. Her throat was dry.

" Nanny, Why did they leave? Tell them to come....I don't want to stay here without them...." she said in her sweet voice.

Tears gathered in her eyes and she started crying. Nanny Kelly sobbed with her.

She was only eight and only princess of kingdom Macedonian. The reason for their death was unknown. Rumours were circulating that someone murdered them but there was no evidence and sign of murder. The kingdom went into grief. People were mourning the loss of their king.

King Arthur's cousin William saw it as a chance to gain power. He bribed every minister and became the new king.He was greedy and selfish. He saw princess Madeleine as threat to her crown so he banished her to lone palace. Eight years old Madeleine didn't need crown but only love. She wanted attention and care. But, she was left alone in lone palace with her nanny and a maid Amy. They gave her all the love in the world she deserved and she grew into a fine young woman. 

She was even happy between the cold walls of lone palace but king was never satisfied even with the gold of his palace. She can even sleep nicely on uneven ground but he was sleepless on the fine silk mattress. He saw her grow like a flower always happy and shining like sun. Seeing her, his days passed like  years. He wanted her to leave somehow so decided to give her as hostage to enemy kingdom.

  Madeleine (After 10 years)

" Mmmm....it's so nice Nanny..Give me some more, please." I batted my eyelashes at nanny and gave my best puppy eyed look.

" No, you already had enough." She told me sternly lifting her golden glasses to her nose. 

I pouted and said," One more please." 

She sighed and said," Okay, one more." 

I smiled broadly and ate the mint chocolate cupcake.I eyed the cupcakes for more.But,She saw me and said," Go now." 

I laughed and walked out of the kitchen.The weather was really nice.Sun was high in the sky and light winds blowed my long black hair. Nanny told me I looked like my mother. she also had long black hair and green eyes. But I have grey eyes like my father. I miss them every day. There's nothing much to do in lone palace. Amy and nanny won't let me do anything. Nanny always says,

" You are a princess. You are born to be pampered and loved, not to work. We are here to work." 

And I always smile at her. 

I love library the most. So many, books were there of every genre from action to romance . Nanny didn't know that at night I always sneak out to read romance novels.I love books. They have been my friend all these years. The king had a son and a daughter. They were my cousins but, I have never met them. I never knew why he hated me.l looked at sky and said,

" Father Mother I am growing nicely so don't worry for me.....I...." 

Amy's voice interrupted me.I looked towards her. She was running towards me and was shouting,

"Princess....huff...Princess.....huff...."

She stopped in front of me and her breathing was uneven. She was huffing and puffing. She looked at me with wide brown eyes and her face was pale. Her brown hair were messy from wind.

" What happened? You look like you have seen a ghost.You were gone to buy some groceries.Where is the basket of fruits?" I asked. 

She was not carrying any basket.

"Princess....they.....princess...

I interrupted and said," Okay....Take a deep breathe,first." 

She inhaled deeply and when she calmed down a bit.She said,

" I heard the rumours that his majesty is sending you away.... Everyone was taking about it in the town." She said.

" What....you must have heard something wrong. It's been years now and he hadn't even visited once." I brushed her off by saying this.

" But ...." 

I interrupted again and said,"Where is basket?" 

She looked at her hands and scratches her head,

"I might have dropped it somewhere in the way." She said meekly.

" Nanny is going to be angry." I warned her .

"Mother Mary, what will I do now.She will roast me today?" She panicked.I smiled. She was back to her usual state clumsy and cute. 

" Amy, you have arrived....Good, come I was waiting for you." Nanny shouted from kitchen window. She must have heard us talking.

" pray for me princess." She made a crying face and ran towars the kitchen.

I smiled at her silliness. 

My heart dropped on the news she told me. What if that was true? 

I never thought of leaving this place. This was my home. I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard nanny scolding Amy. It must be hard on her. It was time for my interference.

I walked into the kitchen and said, " Nanny, it's okay." 

" You don't understand princess. This won't do at all. She is not responsible at all....." she yelled .

I went behind nanny and started massaging her shoulders.

" Nanny, Amy is young.She is learning.....Right, Amy." I looked towards her and eyed her.

She understood and looked towards nanny. She grabbed her hands and said," I promise. I will do better. " 

" Look, she promised." I said .

" Do anything you want.I don't care." She sternly said and jerked away from us.

" Nanny is angry. Look Amy, she is trying to act cute in this age." I said mockingly.

Amy looked at me wide eyed and laughed silently. Nanny looked at me and said," Young lady, You are calling me old. I won't give you cup cakes from now on." 

Amy and I looked at each other in horror. I said," Nanny ,I was just joking." 

She looked at me with kind eyes and smiled a bit

" I was also mocking you." She laughed.  Amy and I also laughed with her.

Just then, we heard footsteps.I looked at them in confusion. They had matching frowns on their foreheads.I walked out of kitchen.Nanny and Amy came behind me.Several knights came towards us and stood in front of us. I had a bad feeling about this. Nanny stepped forward and eyed me. I knew what she wanted to say so I stepped behind her and stood with Amy. 

" Why are you here? Don't you know no one is allowed here?" Nanny said in a professional voice. 

A knight came forward.He must be commander. 

" We are here to announce His majesty's decree." He informed us.

" His majesty's decree." Nanny parroted.

The commander knight opened a scroll and started reading,

" I as king of Macedonian kingdom is declaring that in order to maintain peace and strengthen our relationship with neighbouring country. I, hereby, order Princess Madeleine my lovely niece to go to kingdom Clematis as hostage." 

My heart was thumping in my chest loudly.I felt nauseous after listening to this. 

" My princess won't be going anywhere." Nanny replied. 

" That's king orders you can't deny. Princess will be travelling tomorrow. So, prepare her accordingly. " He said.

" But..." a third voice interrupted nanny.

" I knew that old woman wouldn't listen." 

Knights parted like sea and everyone bent to ground. 

" Greetings to sun and moon of Macedonian kingdom." They all said in a chorus. 

So, he was the king. He was bald and had a round belly. His head was shining due to sunlight. He was wearing gold rings in his every finger. His crown looked so heavy with all those shining jems embedded in gold. His clothes were extravagant.

" I knew this old maid wouldn't listen to what I say. So, I came here myself.She has to leave tomorrow by hook or by crook. I don't want to force you or use violence. Pack her bags and most important thing. You can't leave with her.Only one maid will go. I will send carriage.Be ready." He announced and walked away followed by the knights.