Chapter 28Dipping a chocolate chip cookie into my glass of milk, I am glad I asked one of the Maids if she could run to the kitchen and grab as many of the freshly baked treats as she can with a couple of cartons of milk as once everyone settled their things into their rooms, they all ended up in my room with each one of us wearing pajamas.“These are delicious.” Lia states as she shoves a whole cookie into her mouth, getting an eye role from her twin. I laugh, taking a bite of my own as Sky sits beside me on the love seat, his left arm resting along the back of the furniture.“I think Alli can make better cookies.” He chimes in from beside me, winking at me when I roll my eyes at him.“You can bake?” Max asks excitedly, making me sigh.“And cook. Sky hates that I put bell peppers in my mac and cheese -”“That’s because vegetables don’t belong in a mac and cheese.” He cuts me off, giving me a dramatic eye roll as he takes a sip from his glass of milk. Everyone chuckles at Sky and I,
Chapter 29Walking in the garden I notice how unusually warm it has become. It has been three days since meeting with my Generals and the early March air is starting to hold hints of Spring coming earlier than forecasted. In two more days I will be facing off with my Cabinet and Nobles deciding how we will implement abolishing laws that Juden made in favor of the rich. Taylor and Kolten have been extremely helpful, the three of us with Sky and Arian have come up with a method to implement changes in both the Military and the Palace Guards within the next year that will slowly move towards the Police Force hopefully in two years time.I have yet to have any memories pop up, but I am okay with that. Yesterday after having a Baron barge in to my Study demanding I do a DNA test to prove that I am really Princess Allisara Nimair with a crowd of citizens and lesser Nobles was the excuse I needed to have a well loved news crew come in and document the whole process live. After two hours or t
Chapter 30Sitting in the carriage on the way to the Parliament Building, I look outside at the scene. Snow still clings to some places but you can tell by the way the people dress that the warmer weather will soon take over. Children run around on the side walk, their parents chiding them to be careful while shop keepers show their wears. It is such a peaceful scene, one you would not see in the Slums, and it makes my resolve in changing the Slums for the better.“Is this your first time in a carriage?” Sky asks as he watches me, a bemused smile on his face.“From what I remember so far, yes.” Turning away from the window, I let the curtain fall and relax into the plush seat. My Grandmama chuckles, handing me a cookies from the basket Ellisia packed for us while my Grandfather flips through the binder.“Your cousins and some of my friends were given a heads up for today’s meeting this morning by me. They are ready to support you.” Closing the binder, my Grandfather takes the treat fr
Chapter 31Standing from my Throne, I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before addressing the room. I have practiced this all morning with my Grandparents, I know I must be the one to start the proceedings first with an introduction.“Good morning Cabinet Members and those of the Nobility.” I begin, feeling all eyes focus on me.“I am Princess Allisara Nimair, heir to the Nimairene Throne, and I have called this meeting today to discuss the creation and abolishing of laws.” My voice is clear and strong, carrying around the semi-circle room and bouncing against the walls. I can hear the slight whispers as some open their binders, shock written on their face. It is rare for laws to be abolished, or so my Grandmama told me. I can see why many would be shocked.“I know this is so sudden with my return only happening twelve days before, but you all watched the news. I am the rightful heir and now I am undoing all the damaged that Juden Trilavantas caused while I was in hiding for my o
Chapter 32Letting out a sigh of relief, I close the binder and scan the crowd. The laws that I found to be supressing the commoners of my Kingdom took the longest to go through light I thought would happen and I am glad I set them to be discussed after lunch when many would be complacent and drowsy after eating their fill of food. Thorin Blackhawk was right the last time he and I talk. To make a man complacent, feed them a grand meal.“Remember, you have thirty days grace period before the first laws go into effect. Please get your affairs in order and be an example for the people of Nimairene.” I remind everyone as they stand and stretch, their bodies not used to sitting on their semi-comfortable seats. Kolten catches my attention as he stands, his face a blank mask as he calls everyone’s attention onto him. Keeping my own emotions in check, I sit straighter in my chair as he takes a deep breath.“Ladies and gentle men.” His voice echoes around the room, silencing the conversations
Chapter 33“Do you need help?” Someone whispers, making me want to find the mute button.“No. You’ll be surprised to know how much of a normal thing this is for us.” A deep voice replies equally as quiet as the first whisper. Something wraps around my body, scooping me close to someone warm and the scent of pine wraps around me.“Sky.” I mumble out with a yawn, opening my eyes to see Sky looking down at me.“Hey sleeping beauty. We’re home.” He greets, giving me his easy going smile. Home. For so long I thought I would have to keep stealing, conning and lying until I saved up enough to buy my own place. That I would build a place of my own deep in the country wilderness far away from Zalaris, the Capitol city that I lived my whole life in. That I would have a restaurant some time in the future and make a life of my own. But here I am, in the arms of someone I am sure I am falling in love with, being carried up the steps of the Royal Palace.“I can walk.” I yawn out, hoping Sky doesn’t
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