Chapter 34“So movie night!” Mia calls out as we gather onto the sectional with Sky and I taking the comfortable right corner so we can both stretch out. The twins had not cooked us a simple dinner like Alice had stated. Instead the room smelt like lemon chicken, fried rice and Asian mixed vegetables with a pile of spring rolls waiting for our return after a shower and a change of clothes. They also made the men do the dishes which amused me the most. Watching Max and Adam – two men built close to body builders – hunch over the sink cleaning the diner dishes was the most amusing thing to have happened since my return to the Palace.“What are the options?” I ask, stealing a spring roll off of Sky’s plate and quickly shoving the whole thing into my mouth. It is hard to chew it as I try my best to smile innocently at Sky who sighs and pokes my full cheeks, commenting that I look like a chipmunk.“Option one from about two hundred and fifty years ago, the Harry Potter Series.” Lia chimes
Chapter 35Sitting on the balcony in my hidden tower, I enjoy the view from up here as I work on my laptop. Five days have passed since the Cabinet meeting and Arian has been collecting confessions from those that were in cahoots with Juden with the help of his men. True to my word, their innocent family members were released from prison with only specific assets seized. With each new confession, the Royal Coffers grew and with this, I have been setting a plan into motion of revitalizing the Slums. The first thing I want to do is fix the roads.“I thought I would find you up here.” Sky’s voice calls out from the door way. Looking up from my screen, I smile at him as he comes to sit beside me on the cold concrete, a plate of sandwiches in one hand and a bottle of apple juice in the other.“Ellisia told me to bring you food if I could find you.” He hands me the plate of food, taking my laptop much to my protest, but my stomach growls reminding me that I haven’t eaten anything since brea
Chapter 36Today is the day I enter Noble Society. I think as the Blanchard Estate Maids work diligently on my hair and make-up. I told them I want a natural look for my face, not wanting to deal with a layer of make-up that my clumsiness will easily wipe away. Grandmama even agreed that simple and elegant is better for me. I am to be portrayed as a strong approachable leader, not a glitzed up Noble here to find a wealthy husband.The dress we decided on was sent back with Lidia after my measurements were taken in order to finalize the details for tonight. We agreed that day that for formal events Hidden Treasures will be my only suppliers of gowns and dresses. Lidia’s work was stylish, elegant and she had all of my measurements so all I need to do is call her for a gown – or any outfit as I soon later learned that her dresses already adorned me the day of the Cabinet meeting – when I need one.“Time for the dress.” Clarice, the Maid in charge of helping me get ready exclaims in excit
Chapter 37“Allisara!” I shout, catching her before she can hit the ground. Her eyes are closed, hand clenching the plate that had her Hors d'oeuvres on. Her breathing is shallow, her chest barely able to take a breath.“Shut all the doors, no one leaves!” Eathan shouts as I slowly lay her onto her back. Guards rush to do what he says as I focus on Allisara. She is pale, too pale, and I realize someone managed to poison her.“Secure the kitchen and all the food. Someone find me a poison test and the vials of antidotes!” I call out, watching as Allisara stops breathing. Panicked, I begin C.P.R. praying that my chest compressions are helping to keep her alive. A Maid rushes towards me with Everette and Lillian behind her, the two elderly shaking with fear and rage. The Maid carefully works to draw her blood before she test it, the machine beeping as it analyzes the poison that she ingested. Thankfully it doesn’t take too long when the machine beeps loudly to a different tune and the lig
Chapter 38My body feels like every inch of it has hit a brick wall. It reminds me of the time when I was eighteen and had just finished looting some rich store owner and decided taking the roof tops was a great idea. That great idea soon became regret when I slipped jumping towards my next roof top and missed by an inch. The ground thankfully was covered in garbage bags and I did not break any bones, but I was bruised and sore for a few weeks and decided to never take roof tops again.“Alli?” Opening my eyes at the sound of his deep voice, I notice I am not in my room. What happened to me?“Alli, I am right here.” Turning in the direction of Sky’s voice, I notice him staring at me with concern but also relief. My brain feels groggy, like that time I had drank too much vodka.“What happened?” Lifting my free hand, I wince when the movement tugs on the I.V. in my hand.“Careful.” Sky moves, his hand supporting the one with the I.V. and helps me lower it onto my stomach.“You were poiso
Chapter 39“How many people are we sending to prison out of the two-hundred and four people?” Taking the file from Arian, I sigh as I think about the many people being kept in the Dungeons and holding cells of the City Prison. It has been two weeks since the failed attempted assassination on me at the Ball my Grandparents hosted and in those two weeks Arian and his Shadow Guards managed to find information on more Traitors. This time, these people were part of the working class and many had been employed by the Nobles that supported Juden. This brought the total number of Traitors from one-hundred and fifty-seven to the current total. The only good news to all of this mess is the fact that there will be many jobs available throughout the Kingdom.“A good one-hundred and twelve men and women will be sent to different prisons giving the severity of their crimes. After that, the rest with less sever charges will be sent to the outer Province to live out their lives under Military control
Chapter 40“Do you want to tell me what that was all about Alli?” Curled up in Sky’s lap, the two of us sit in the green house surrounded by flowers. During my small breakdown, Sky scooped me into his arms and rushed me to the safety of the Royal Gardens and right to the green house. I cried as he did this, finally grieving for the life I lost when Demitrias came and took me from that prison. How I stole and conned to survive and save up enough to leave the City Zalaris and move to the country. I cried and cried for God knows how long before I was left trying to catch my breath and Sky comforted me until I could breath normally again.“I guess everything finally hit me all at once.” Closing my eyes, I listen to the steady beating of his heart, feeling exhausted after my break down.“I went from a Princess to an amnesiac child in the Slums then back to a Princess with a Kingdom in shambles all because of a greedy man.” My lips quiver as the pain I feel deep inside my soul washes over m
Chapter 41Sitting on the porch of Ron and Liz’s house, I watch as the construction crew begin to tear up the rundown and old road. It has been three days since my small break down in Sky’s arms and with a new resolve to do right by my people, I called around the construction company I planned to hire and asked what is the earliest day they can start their work. The owner of the company was excited to work with me as the future Queen and said within two days as long as the plans were sent to him so he can sort out a crew. During that call, I emailed the file to him and explained that I wanted to start with the Slums in the South and work my way out.“It’s so nice to see a change for once.” Ron comments as he takes a seat beside me. I hum in agreement, taking a sip of hot chocolate. Yesterday morning I sent a group of Guards to go door to door with construction notices that would begin today, the people were hesitant at first to see my Guards, but when they read the notices and learned