THE Knight’s Hidden Princess

Reagan insisted on riding with me the entire ride back to the manor. He probably thinks that I was shaken up from what happened and my mind couldn't bear it. But that was far from the truth.

What preoccupied my mind at the moment and stunned me into silence was that a man had just killed himself. Not from fear but because of something called the revolution! I could tell I wasn't the only one bothered by it. Reagan also looked tensed the entire ride and I knew exactly what plagued his mind.

I couldn't ask him about it though. This had nothing to do with protocols, I had a feeling he wasn't going to answer me even if I did.

So we sat in silence. Each of us lost in our own thoughts as the new coachman rose us home. We finally arrived at our house late in the night and the first person we met outside was Marina who raced towards us with a worried look on her face.

Her dark hair flowed wildly behind her as she raced towards Reagan with nothing but her night robe on. She threw her arms around Reagan as she breathed out in relieve. "Oh thank the gods Reagan, thank the gods you are okay."

"Sure, I am alright too mother, thanks for asking." Miguel said his tone dripping with sarcasm.

My brows rose up with slight agreement from what Miguel said. They say parents don't have favorites but that was just a lie told to ensure peace and equality in the house hold. They all have favorites and Reagan was Marina's favorite. He was the pride of house Hawthorne and it was only fair Marina cared about him.

"I'm glad you are okay too, Miguel." She said reaching for Miguel but he just smacked her hand away.

"I'm going to be in my room, I've had a fucking long day." He mumbled as he headed into the house, "And can someone bring me a bloody wine?" He yelled.

Marina nodded her head to one of the female servants, silently requesting the servant to do as he asked. Her cold gaze then turned to me. "You are aware this came to pass because of you right?"

I fisted my hands behind me but lowered my gaze. "I am aware what happened was an unfortunate event but I fail to see how that might have happened because of me."

"Oh but it was you_" Marina said turning fully to look at me, "The rebels are actually after the royals and my family just so happen to be dragged in by the mess you created! It was you who suggested my son followed you to your kingdom! Perhaps you planned this, perhaps you_"

"I'll suggest you choose your next words with utmost care, Lady Marina," I cut her off, my tone cold as ice and leaving no room for defiance. "You wouldn't want to use your words to accuse the crown in such manner now would you?"

Marina's eyes widened as she stared at me in disbelief. "You dare to speak to me that way?"

"No, of course not my lady." I said with a smile, "But when you speak against the crown then I dare."

"Why you_"

"That's enough!" Reagan suddenly spoke.

Marina scoffed at me, "She needs to be taught a lesson or two! The same crowns she's fighting for doesn't even acknowledge her as a princess, she needs to get off her high horse!"

Those words stung and I could feel a retort coming up when suddenly we were interrupted by loud squealing. We all turned only to see Celeste running at full speed towards Reagan. I moved out of the way just in time for her to launch herself towards Reagan.

"Oh my lord thank the gods, thank the gods you are safe." Celeste breathed out before she eased away, "I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, I've been in the temple praying for your safe return ever since I heard you were ambushed by rebels." She said in a breathy tone and a snort escaped me at that.

A snort escaped my lips at that drawing all the attention to me. "I'm sorry, but just to be clear she knows that he goes to war and have been through many battles than fighting mere rebels, right?"

Reagan arched a brow up at me while Celeste awkwardly cleared her throat as she eased away from me. "I was just worried."

"Yeah, you made that awfully clear." I say with a strained smile, "And I'm alive too, you can thank the gods for that. While you continue whatever this is, I'll be in my room having a proper night rest." I said and without waiting for any approval, I turned on my heel and headed inside the house.

Huffing out a breath, I marched upstairs to my room. Once inside, I was quick to take off my clothes. The door opened and I already knew who had entered.

"Prepare a bath for me and after that you can leave, I will like not to be disturbed." I said without turning to look at her.

"Of course milady."

That voice, it sounded unfamiliar. Frowning, I turned to look around only to find a younger maid standing behind me, she looked to be in her teenage years, no more than fourteen or fifteen.

"Who are you?" I asked with a frown.

The girl bowed her head low as she clasped her hands in front of her. Despite the posture, I could see the fear in her eyes as they widened. "My name is Lagertha, milady. I am your new maiden assigned to you."

I paused taking a moment to study her. She looked too young, too inexperienced for the job. Her thin frame seemed to tremble under the weight of her title.

"Assigned?" I finally spoke, my confusion evident. "But I already have a maid. Where is Heather?"

Lagertha's hand tightened around the apron tied around her waist as she shifted nervously, "I'm afraid my mother is a bit preoccupied at the moment_"

"Mother?" I cut her off as I glanced at her with a puzzled look on my face, "Heather is your mother?"

She lifted her gaze cautiously, and in that moment, I saw it—the resemblance. The same dirty blonde hair, though hers was tied back in a messy braid that looked like it had been done in a hurry. The same delicate jawline, though her cheeks were hollowed, her youth shadowed by exhaustion.

"Yes milady," She admitted quietly. "Heather is my mother. She sent me in her place. There was a family emergency."

Family emergency? What kind of family emergency would make Heather leave in a hurry and send her daughter to come work in her place? I muse as I turned to look at the girl fully. "Is Heather okay?" I asked her.

Lagertha nodded, but her composure faltered. A slight quiver betrayed her otherwise steady expression, the barest tremble of her bottom lip. Her voice was controlled, almost too controlled, as she said, "She is fine your highness. I will go prepare your bath now milady." Lagertha said in a steady tone as she walked towards me, heading for the bathroom.

Before she could move, I was quick to grab her. Her small frame stiffened under my touch, I admired her bravery but something was wrong and I want to know. Especially why a young girl like her was choosing to shoulder such responsibility.

"Where's your mother? Tell me everything and do not tell me lies!" I demanded staring into the girl's brown grey eyes.

Lagertha stared at me for a moment before her face then I watched as her face slowly crumpled before she reached out to grab my hands, clutching it tightly in her hands. "Please your highness, please save my mother! Please!" She pleaded tears streaming down her face.