The Lost Princess

Walking out the door to the massive garden he heard the voice of two people talking in almost hushed toned.

"Look all I'm saying is it a bit odd that your long lost childhood friend suddenly shows up in front of you like the two of you just hung out yesterday evening and no questions are asked about how he found you. It has been thirteen years since you two last spoke and you don't know what has happened to him while you were away from him. Nor does he know what you've been through. Now you wish for me to just get along with him free of suspicions. I'm sorry, dear, as much as I love you and want nothing but your happiness that is one thing I cannot do." A male voiced said

"I understand your worries, but he is my friend, Robert. My most treasured best friend. How can I turn my back on him after everything we've gone through and stressed about all these years. How can you tell me to choose between a love that never got a chance to bloom and a love that I only just now noticed." The female voice replied.

Walking towards the voices both Robert and Loraz slowly came into view sitting at a table set for three. H saw Robert shaking his head as he stood up from his chair and threw down his napkin on the table.

"Ha...so you finally want to admit that you love me, but only when you admit that you also love him. Your words cut deep and maybe I was right all those years ago to keep my distance. If I had kept true to my original plan I wouldn't be standing here in so much pain. To think I even thought father might be right and figured I go after my heart's d.e.s.i.r.e. Well, the joke's on me, isn't it? I'll let father know that there will be no union between us." Robert scoffed.

Loraz jumped up out her seat and reached out her hand to grab hold of his arm in an attempt to stop him then said,

"Robert, please, why is it so hard to just let things flow the way they will flow?"

Both of them paused as they saw him standing there staring at them. Unsure if he should be serious or try to lighten the mood he just waited for one of them to speak.

Loraz removed her hand from Robert's arm and looked down at the round as hot tears began to roll down her cheek.

Robert looked at him and licked his lips slowly then bit the inner side of his bottom lip. He fixed his suit jacket looked at Loraz then back at him. Robert walked up to him and looked him straight in eyes.

"You best take care of her because if she sheds one tear from you hurting her I'll have every bounty hunter money can buy hunt you down so I can kill you myself."He spat at him.

Vestin took in a deep breath and shook his head. He looked over at his beloved friend who stood there trying to hide her tears from them both. It was clear to see how much of an impact Robert had on her and he could tell she was struggling with mixed feelings for both of them.

He walked over to Loraz and lifted her head so she would face him. Wiping the tears from her eye with the napkin from her hand he spoke,

"For the love of the Ancestors, I came to look for you because you're life is in danger. Do I love you? Yes...my heart spills over with love for you, but my mission is to bring you to your rightful place on the throne of a dying kingdom. With a people who are desperately waiting to be freed from the everlasting hell that is being afflicted upon them, I have risked not just my life, but the lives of many others to get here. To save the one person who brings the people of this kingdom hope, you. You are our princess, Lo. You are our only hope; our only ray of light in this damned world we live in."

Loraz grabbed his hand that held the napkin and pulled it away from her face.

"Vestin, I can't fight against a mad woman and her army alone. What help would I be to a people who have known nothing about me until now? "She said.

Vestin took both of her hands in his and pressed on them gently. He looked her in the eyes and smiled. The poor girl still thought like that of a scared young little child. She didn't see the people she was surrounded by shining light upon her in her world of grey.

"Lo, the reason your mother sent me was so you'd know that you are never alone. Past, present, and future you will always be surrounded by those who love you. I did not seek you out in hopes to kindle a lost interest long since dead. Nor was it solely for the propose of fulfilling a last wish and promise, but because I didn't want my friend who I've watched for years smile and laugh like the world was her playground spiral down into a deep and dark hole with no way to free herself. I care for you on a much deeper level than just wanting your heart. I came to bring you to a safe place," He then looked over at Robert then back at Loraz, "Had I known you were being protected all this time by someone else I would have kept my distance and watched you from afar until it was time for you retake your throne. You have supporters, Lo. You have so many behind you willing to throw caution to the wind and forsake the laws of everything that the Ancestors teach us just to make sure you regain what you've lost and have brought peace back to our lands. Our home is in deep trouble, Lo, more and more people die from starvation and sickness. They are taxed so heavily that many have no money for much, not even proper clothing."

Robert listened to Vestin's words. He looked at Loraz and realized that she had far too much to think of than to worry about him and his confessions. While it pained him to watch her rekindle any affections for the man that stood in front of them he couldn't walk away so quickly, but first, he wanted to make sure that she was safe and that her mind was clear to think of nothing else, but him.

"Loraz, didn't you already plan to stand up to your stepmother by coming here? Didn't you begged father to let you come here under the condition that you'd leave this place as the true heir to the throne of Serenity?" Robert asked.

Loraz looked over at him her eye wide and speechless. That conversation was to have been private and she thought they were along at the time.

Robert walked closer and stop short as Vestin released her hands and walked over to sit in a chair. They looked at each other for a moment each nither one of them blinking and Vestin nodded his head and then sat back in his seat.

"I overheard your conversation one day when we were back in Massca. You begged father to let the royal family know the truth about you. I didn't hear much and understood very little of the conversation, but the determination you had about facing this head on...I don't truly trust this gentleman, but to open up the way he just did in front of a stranger says a lot. Whether his words are true and genuine can be determined at a later date. A true ruler understands his people. Their needs, their wants, their d.e.s.i.r.es...you were once living amongst your people. You have seen the world with the eyes of a commoner and the eyes of a royal. Use this strength to bring your people to the future they are hoping for. You already know that Massca will always aid you in any way you need."

Loraz looked at Robert. She felt her heart pounding as she inhaled deeply. As she exhaled she looked over at Vestin. So many things came rushing at her at once and felt her body become light. Her plan when she left Massca for Ay Su was to come forward as the princess of Serenity and announce herself the rightful heir to the throne. She turned to face Robert again and wondered when exactly did she become so full of fear at being found by her stepmother.

"Your both right. The past few years I've just been doubting myself and lost who I truly was," She walked over to Robert and took his hand in hers then pressed it gently, "Our personal matters can wait a bit I hope until I accomplish an almost impossible task?"

Vestin looked up from the table and a smirk crossed his face. He had a fear that he may have been too late in winning her heart. while he said he didn't come to woo her he had hoped that just showing up would rekindle some type of spark between them.

"Lo, I will always be with you whatever you decide," Vestin said.

Robert lifted her hand up to his lips and pressed them softly. He looked her in the eyes and saw the flush of red across her cheeks.

"I will wait for as long as I can breathe, "He whispered.

Loraz pulled her hand away slowly and cleared her throat. She looked over at Vestin and an idea came to mind. She had learned that the order of succession in her kingdom was by order of birth no matter the gender and that she could appoint anyone she trusted most to hold her seat in her absence. She Smiled and rushed over to the table ready to blurt her idea out to Vestin.

Vestin not at all surprised by her sudden excitement returned her smile and said,

"Something you have in mind?"

She shook her head up and down then looked behind at Robert.

"Yes, the first step of our battle plan is to go to Madim," She Replied.

"Why?" Robert asked

"If this Hidden King has already found out about me its only a matter of time before he sends more spies and assassins, correct?" Loraz said.

"Spies, yes. Assassins, no. He wants you alive. You're of no good to him dead. The queen on the other hand. You are the only thing that stands in her way to keeping her sick son on the throne. Last I heard your brother only had a year left to live." Vestin replied

Robert frowned his brow all this preparation for war and the other party's King is on his death bed.

"What exactly is he sick with?" Robert asked.

Vestin saw no point to the question and at first thought not to answer, but then looked over at Loraz who also looked a bit curious.

"I heard it's a sickness of the mind. It's slowly rotting. His memory is slipping from him as we speak. Poor man barely even remembers his name or where he is half the time." Vestin answered

"Hmm...that sounds oddly familiar. When did he get this illness." Robert asked.

"I heard he was born with it, but many have testified that it started after his sixth birthday," Vestin answered.

Loraz stood up straight and glanced back at Robert.

"Robert, do you think it could be..." Loraz said

"It sounds like it could be...but father made him destroy every one of his labs when we were kids,"Robert said.

"You mind filling me in?" Vestin asked.

Robert walked over to the table and looked around to check his surroundings. He leaned in a bit closer and whispered,

"My oldest brother invented a poison when I was younger that rots the body from the inside out. If fed to someone in small dosages the poison can be used to make it seem like it is just an illness. But the poison is untraceable as far searching the blood, smell, or even taste. It is as clear as water. The only way to know for sure that you have actually even taken it in is to check the bodily waste."

"Really. So there may be someone poisoning the royal family." Vestin said.

"Not someone, the only one who would benefit from the prince's death,"Loraz uttered.

"This Hidden King?" Robert said

"Exactly..."Vestin said

"Then all the more for us to get to Madim's office. If my plan is to work I'll need both of your cooperation. " Loraz said.

The two men looked at her then at each other. They both sighed and Robert sat back down in his chair.

"Agreed," They both said at the same time.

Loraz giggled and clapped her hands then said,

"Great just leave everything to me for now."

She then sat back down in her seat and poured herself a cup of tea.