The Royal Maid And The Lost Kingdom

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Alice’s POV

I feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. I was finally going to reclaim my rightful place as the heir to the Lost Kingdom and clear my parents’ name. But, I also knew that there would be challenges and obstacles in my way. I was ready for them, though. I was ready to fight for what was rightfully mine and to protect those I loved.

As I approached the gate of the Lost Kingdom, I was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I had been traveling for weeks with my two protectors, Jack and Alex, and finally, we had arrived at our destination. The gate was grand, with two towering stone pillars on either side and a large iron gate that was adorned with intricate etchings and carvings.

“This is it,” I said to Jack and Alex as we approached the gate.

“Yes, your highness,” Jack replied, his deep voice filled with reverence. Jack was a tall and muscular man with a grizzled beard and sharp features. He was always serious, but he had a kind heart and was fiercely loyal to me.

Alex, on the other hand, was a smaller man with a mischievous smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was quick-witted and always had a joke ready to lighten the mood.

We walked up to the gate and I could hear the sound of the chains clanking as the gate was lifted.

I was finally at the gates of my home, the lost kingdom. After all this time running and hiding, I was back where I belonged. I had Jack and Alex by my side, two men who had become more than just protectors to me. We walked towards the gate, the sun shining down on us as I took in the familiar sights and sounds of the kingdom I had once known so well.

As we approached the gate, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. I was excited to be home, but also anxious about what lay ahead. Jack and Alex must have sensed my apprehension, as they both placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness,” Jack said, a small smile playing on his lips. “We’re here for you.”

I smiled back at them, grateful for their support. They had become my closest friends and confidants during our journey, and I knew I could always count on them to have my back.

We arrived at the gate, and I was surprised to find it heavily guarded. The guards stepped forward, their spears at the ready, as they demanded to know our business.

“I am Princess Alice,” I declared, standing tall and proud. “And these are my guards, Jack and Alex. I have returned to claim my rightful place as the ruler of this kingdom.”

The guards looked at each other, clearly unsure of what to do. One of them stepped forward, his face skeptical.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“You expect us to just let you walk in here as if nothing has happened?” he asked, his tone incredulous. “Your family has been gone for years, and many have claimed to be the princess since then. How do we know you’re telling the truth?”

I was taken aback by his words. I had expected to be recognized, not doubted. But then I remembered the story the woman outside the gate had told me. If what she said was true, then perhaps it wasn’t surprising that the guards were wary of me.

“I understand your concerns,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “But I assure you, I am who I say I am. If you need proof, I can show you the pendant my mother gave me on the day I was born. It is unique, and will prove my identity beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

The guards looked at each other, then back at me. They still had their doubts, but after a moment’s hesitation, they stepped aside and allowed us to enter the kingdom.

A guard appeared and I could see his eyes widen in recognition as he looked at me.

“The monarchs have returned,” he cried out, and I could hear a murmur of excitement start to spread through the crowd that had gathered outside the gate.

“Your highness, what would you have us do?” Jack asked, turning to me.

I took a deep breath and looked at the two men who had become like family to me. “Jack, Alex, I would like to ask you to be my guard,” I said, my voice filled with emotion.

The two men looked at each other and then back at me, and I could see the pride in their eyes. They knelt down on one knee and looked up at me.

“We are yours to command for life, your highness,” Jack said, and Alex nodded in agreement.

As we walked through the streets, I was struck by how different things were from what I remembered. The once-vibrant streets were now littered with debris and the buildings were in disrepair. The people we passed by looked tired and defeated, their faces etched with worry.

I could feel the eyes of the citizens upon us. They were tired and a bit dirty, their clothes worn and tattered from years of struggle. Despite their condition, they cheered and parted ways for me, making a pathway toward the center of the kingdom.

Suddenly, a woman appeared out of nowhere, her eyes blazing with anger. She stepped forward and before I could react, she slapped me across the face. Jack and Alex moved to protect me, but I held up a hand to stop them. I wanted to know why this woman was so angry.

“What is your name?” I asked her, rubbing my cheek where she had struck me.

“I am Annabelle,” she spat, her eyes burning with loathing. “And you are the cause of all the problems in this kingdom.”

I was taken aback. “What do you mean? What have I done?”

“Your uncle started a war with our kingdom, and when it came to your door, you and your family fled like cowards,” Annabelle spat, her voice growing louder. “The kingdom has fallen into ruin, and it’s all because of you!”

I looked at Jack and Alex, but they avoided my gaze, proving that what she said was true. My heart sank as I realized that the kingdom was in much worse shape than I had thought. I turned back to Annabelle.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice trembling. “I had no idea. But I’m here now, and I’m going to do everything I can to make things right.”

Annabelle sneered at me. “You’ll never be able to fix the damage that’s been done. Your uncle stayed and fought against us yet our proud monarch did not instead they turned around running away.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the street, feeling lost and alone. I looked around, taking in the sight of the poor, run-down kingdom that was once my home.

I felt a pang of guilt as I realized that I had been living a life of luxury and comfort while my people suffered. I had always known that my uncle was a cruel ruler, but I had never imagined the extent of the damage he had inflicted on the kingdom.

As we approached the palace, the crowds grew thicker. People were shouting and pointing, trying to get a look at the supposed princess who had returned after all these years. I heard a few whispers of recognition, and I could tell that news of my arrival was spreading fast.

Suddenly, the palace guards of the kingdom appeared and surrounded us. We were led into the dungeons, and I was shocked to find myself in a dark and damp cell. Jack and Alex were thrown in with me, and we all looked at each other in disbelief.

They took Jack and Alex and threw them into the dungeons, along with me. I couldn’t believe it. I had just escaped one dungeon, only to return to another, this time in the very kingdom I had sought refuge in.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice echoing in the deserted cells.

I was confused and angry as the palace guards led Jack and Alex and me to the dungeons. Meredith had died so that I could reach my home, and now I found myself back in chains. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the irony of it all.

As soon as the guards locked the door and left, I asked Jack and Alex what was going on. They looked at each other, then back at me before Jack spoke.

“Your Highness, it seems that the kingdom has changed since you left,” Jack said.

“Changed?” I asked, my anger rising. “What do you mean changed? And why were we thrown into the dungeons? Why were the people outside so hostile towards me?”

“Your uncle, the King, declared war on the neighboring kingdoms,” Alex explained. “Your parents fled the kingdom when the war came to our doorstep. It’s been said that they were betrayed by your father’s closest advisor, your uncle. Since then, the kingdom has fallen into poverty and your uncle’s rule has become increasingly tyrannical.”

I felt a cold wave of shock wash over me as I processed this information. If what they were saying was true, then my parents were betrayed by someone they trusted. And now, the kingdom I called home was in ruins.

“Is it true?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Did my father’s advisor betray him? Did my uncle start this war?”

Jack and Alex looked at each other again, before nodding. “It’s true, Your Highness,” Jack said. “We’ve heard rumors, and the people’s discontent with your uncle’s rule speaks for itself.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had so many questions, so much I needed to know. But for now, I needed to focus on getting out of the dungeons and reclaiming my throne.

I thought back to the woman outside the palace gates who had screamed that the kingdom had fallen into the hands of my uncle and called me a coward. Could it be true? Had my parents truly been betrayed? The thought of it made my heart turn dark with anger.

I started pacing back and forth, trying to come up with a plan.