The Lost Princess

Sitting in her room at the table with Robert they were enjoying some tea and each others company.

"It couldn't have been that bad. Honestly, Robert, it was only a small flampper. They're the most gentle creatures in the whole planet."

"Gentle my behind. This one was out to get me."

"Oh come on now, really." 

"Yes, really. I turned around and looked behind me and saw the blasted creature hopping away with my hat so I started to chase after it. The damn thing hops into a hole my hat in tow and I'm standing there peeping down the hole wondering how in the blue hell am I going to get my hat back."

They both heard a knock came to the door. Robert looked over towards that direction as Loraz placed her cup down while she giggled at what Robert was talking about she then turned her head slightly and said,

"You may enter,"

In came a butler and bowed his head then said,

"Princess you have a guest who wishes to have an audience with you."

Puzzled she narrowed her eyebrows and looked over at Robert.

"A guest? I wonder who it could be?" She asked.

Robert's shrugged his shoulders and shook his head just as curious as she was about the visitor.

She looked back at the butler and said,

"Who might it be?"

"Well, princess, He gives no name. He says that once you see his face you will know who he is. What I do know is that as of today he is a new student of the school." The Butler replied.

She sat back in her chair a bit and placed her hands on her l.a.p and said,

"Okay, well then where is he? I grant him his audience."

"He is right outside the door, princess. I shall let him know you've agreed to see him."

The butler bowed again and opening the door he let the visitor know it was okay to enter the room.

As the visitor stepped into the room her eyes widened and a hand flew over her mouth to keep from shrieking. She jumped up out of her seat as they both stared at each other and she began to tear.

Robert sat back in his seat and watched her reaction closely. He folded his arms in front of his c.h.e.s.t and waited for one of them to speak.

"Hello, Lo, it has been way too long and you are a hard person to find." The man said.

The tears began to stream faster down her face and she choked back on the small muffled noise that wished to escape her throat. She removed her hand from over her mouth and inhaled deeply and released it slowly.

"I thought I'd never laid eyes upon you again, Vestin." She finally replied shaking her head.

She then ran to him and jumped into his arms. The feeling of him hugging her back made her cry even more. She took in his sent and listened to his heartbeat through his c.h.e.s.t that was covered in a light armor.

"How did you ever find me?" She whispered.

"It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that much, but there is a matter I must speak with you about right now. It is very urgent." Vestin said.

Loraz stepped back from him then grabbed his hand and smiled.

"Yes, of course, we have so much to catch up on. Come to sit down I was just starting to have some tea with Robert. Would you like something to drink as well? The tea here is very good."

Vestin sighed and chuckled to himself.

"Lo, you haven't changed one bit have you? Anyway, is it safe to speak here?"

Vestin looked over at Robert who was watching the two of them with a slight smile on his face.

"So, you're the special friend who is the only one allowed to call her 'Lo'," Roberts said.

"I have called her that since we were children, sir," Vestin replied.

"Robert this is Vestin, the childhood friend I spoke of back from my village," Loraz said.

Robert looked over at Loraz then back at Vestin. He placed an elbow on the table and rest his chin in his hand.

"Sir? He called me sir, I am a prince...not a sir." Robert chuckled, "Well, I guess we can always finish our conversation another time, Loraz. Do make sure to remember about our meeting for dinner tonight."

Loraz looked at Robert as he got up from his seat and went to walk for the door. She rushed over to him and placed a hand on his arm as he reached for the handle. His tone of voice and his behavior were all signs that he was a bit upset.

"Robert, please don't leave like this." She whispered.

Robert placed a hand on hers and looked at her with a smile.

"Whatever are you talking about? Leave like what? My, dear, Loraz you should be happy right now. Isn't this your chance? And you thought all was lost and he was dead." Robert replied.

Loraz looked him in the eyes and pulled back her hand from him. She bit the inside of her lip and narrowed her eyes.

"We can talk more about this matter later, I guess. If you show up for dinner that is." She replied.

"No worries, my dear, sweet sister. Father wanted me to make sure you ate properly." Robert said his tone mocking.

"Now you call me sister?" Loraz scoffed.

"After everything that has happened you refer to me as your sister?"

"Is that not what you wanted all along, for your big brother to acknowledge you as his sister," Robert replied.

"Fine. Brother, we will finish this later, Vestin has something he wishes to speak to me about in private now. You are free to leave."

" So you are kicking me out, now? Until dinner then," Robert said with a bow of his head.

He then opened the door and left the room.

Loraz started at the door for a bit then sighed. She placed a hand on her forehead and rubbed it a bit.

"You can be such a child sometimes, Robert," she said.

"The two of you seem rather close for siblings," Vestin said.

"Oh, who, Robert and me? No, he is not a sibling nor does he see me as one either. We were just brought up together after I moved into his castle. I think he might just be a bit jealous of you at the moment. He is rather fond of me it seems."

"I see. You look almost sad about him leaving when I asked for us to be left alone."

"Well, that's because the past few weeks Robert and I have begun to have a better understanding of each other. Since I found out about who I am and what I might be going through my life has changed."

"But you haven't. You still have a bit of hope sparkling in your eyes."

"I've missed you so much, Vestin."

"I've missed you more."

"So, how did you find me?"

"Your mother told me everything before she..."

"She is dead, isn't she?"

"I'm afraid so. She died the night before the Dark Morning happened."

"The Dark Morning? What is that?"

"A few weeks after you vanished a group of men came to the village looking for your mother. Fortunately for her death took her the night before. If that band of men had gotten hold of her she would have been tortured until she died. I am sure of it."

"What happened to the village is everyone safe?"

"With the help of my mentors, I managed to save a portion of the village. It was mostly children, though. The men and a few women fought back and tried to distract the enemy while I and my mentors got those who couldn't fight to safety."

"And your mother and father?"

"They were used as fodder for a fire. Burned alive along with a few others."

"Oh, my Vestin. I am so sorry."

"They died heroes, so don't cry. The others managed to get away and are living their lives all over Zanooma. I stayed behind to look over the people that were saved from that night. Finding a few more as the days went on when I ventured out to search for food, the village has now grown into a new village able to defend themselves from all threats and dangers."

"So our small village has grown. That is good news at least."

"Lo, the reason I came looking for you is that of a promise I made to your mother before she died."

"Promise what was this promise?"

"That I would grow strong and protect you with my life from the queen, your stepmother."

"Oh, Vestin. Why take on such a task all by yourself."

"Because I have always loved you. Not like a friend loves a friend or a brother loves a sister, but like a husband loves a wife."

"What..."

"My heart has always been yours, Lo. It is that love for you that has driven me and motivated me all these years. I understand that we can't ever be, but know that I will always be by your side now and I will be here to you get your father's kingdom back and save your people."

"Why would you tell me such a thing right now."

"Because the rest of what I wish to tell you is not pleasant."

"And that is..."

"While your stepmother wants you dead there is a hidden figure who wishes you to live and use you for his own agenda."

"Who?"

"He is given the title 'The Hidden King'. I only know about his plan and came to be here because I was able to move my way through his army."

"Vestin are you trying to tell me that you've become a soldier of Serenity?"

"Yes, I am a Dark Knight. A Captain to be exact. It was the only way we could find information about you after you vanished into Mossca and the only way we could watch our enemy closely."

"But all the innocent people that must have suffered..."

"I am not proud of the blood that I had to spill in order to reach your side, but you can lecture me on my poor behavior another time. I was sent here to bring you back to Serenity to secret so the The Hidden King could marry you after framing the queen and announcing you the rightful heir to the throne."

"But I am practically already engaged. This king you work for would have a nasty battle on his hands if he were to try anything."

"You are? To whom?"

"Well, to Robert. Father apparently wants us to marry and even though we started off on the wrong foot the past few months have been rather pleasant."

"So you found love...I am happy for you."

"I have not found love, Vestin. To be honest I am confused as to what I want and what I can have. Robert expressed his feelings towards me and I gave him my reply."

"May I ask what your reply was?"

"Vestin, I know that I love you. As both friend and even more than a friend, but my heart also goes out to Robert."

"Well, To ease your mind I did not come all this way to sweep you off your feet. If it pleases you I will still remain by your side as your friend."

"Let me sort out my feelings before I give you my answer, but a familiar face is always nice to see."

"Anyway, I won't be able to stay here long. I was given a year to find you. I also have my mentors waiting close by in case we need their assistance. In that time I would like you to think about what you wish to do about your Kingdom. If you wish to fight for it then you will have yourself an army waiting for you, but if you choose to just fade away then I will respect your wishes and won't ever speak of the matter again."

"Vestin, we have not seen each other for eighteen years and we've a lot to catch up on. Can we not leave the heavy talk for another time? I just really want to spend time with Vestin, not Captain Vestin, just Vestin."

"As you wish, princess, how about that tea."

She smiled and took his hand and lead him to the table. They sat down and for the first time in eighteen long years she felt completely relaxed and her cheerful smile she lost at the age of twelve returned to her.  

She knew her heart ached for Vestin, but she also knew that it raced for Robert. Eventually she would have to choose which one to give her heart to completely, but she knew that love would have to wait until she freed her people from the corruption and evilness that plague the kingdom. Only problem was how she would do and when it was done would she be ready to rule over people.