Chapter 3: A lost princess

GENERAL GEORGE'S POV

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I am extremely angry. My blood was boiling with rage and my hands twitch continuously with the need to pull out my blade and separate King Patrick's head from his body.

How dare he?

Not only did he walk into the palace court like he owned the place and demanded that the princess be given to him, he also got the guts to threaten our kingdom with war.

What insult!!!

I have heard that the Evergreen kingdom has never lost a war but our kingdom has never lost one as well and I strongly believe that we have a great chance of winning if put against the Evergreen kingdom.

I singlehandedly took down many nations on my own, what gives King Patrick the right to look down on us and challenge us.

The bastard!

We had all gathered at the king's study as he requested. 

I stood loyally beside the king. Prince David and princess Melissa sat on the only two available seat in the study. While David glared continuously at King Patrick who leaned his back against the wall by the door, princess Melissa stared at him in awe and admiration. 

Although I understood her fascination, I didn't like the look she was throwing at him. But I have longed come to realize that princess Melissa was really a weak soul when it comes to capable men whom she deem worthy of her.

It made me a bit scared because no matter how much I hate prince David, I would still prefer him for the princess over this tyrant called a king.

The king cleared his throat loudly. "King Patrick" he began "there is something you must know." King Patrick merely raised a brow. The king sighed loudly before saying "princess Melissa is not the bride you seek" Prince David immediately shot the young king a victorious look but king Patrick wasn't at all fazed by that.

His majesty was not done though. "She is not your bride because she is not my first daughter"

Four pair of eyes stared at the king in shock including mine, although King Patrick did not seem at all shocked by the news.

"What do you mean your majesty?" Prince David asked.

His majesty sighed again. "I had a daughter before Melissa from the first queen. She was immediately stolen after birth which is why no one in Windfall knew about her. Everyone thought she died along with her mother at child birth"

Melissa spoke next, her words shaky from the unexpected news "but you never said anything about this to mother or me"

"I know my dear. I have been looking for your sister for years to no avail and I did not want to burden you with such sad news until she is found"

I remain silent even though I was still shocked by the news. Why wouldn't I be. I've been by the king side for years and yet knew nothing about this.

"What does that have to do with me King Collins" King Patrick's deep voice spoke through the silence for the first time. "The law says that if the first daughter is no more the second shall be given and if the second is no more the third shall be given. That is how it goes King Collins"

"But the law clearly states that it must be confirmed that the first daughter is indeed gone" Prince David put in angrily "the first princess is merely missing and not dead. She can still be found"

"The prince is right" his Majesty agreed "and I promise you Kind Patrick that if you give me some time, one month in particular I shall found the princess and bring her to you"

King Patrick scoff disrespectfully and it took all in me to not walk over to his side and show him how to respect his superior. He may be a king but he still in our kingdom. 

"From what you said the princess was stolen from the palace when she was born and the late queen died of child birth and from what I know, that was twenty years ago" he squinted his eyes at his Majesty "are you saying you have been looking for your lost daughter for twenty years with no avail"

"Yes I have but..."

"You haven't found her all these years" he cut in rudely "what more would a month do"

Despite my urge to kill him right now, I couldn't deny that he is right. "I know you think its impossible King Patrick but..."

"Two weeks" he cut in again.

"What?"

"I can only give you two weeks to find my bethrot or I am taking the available one and if that is also impossible, then we shall face each other in the battle field" He glance at a blushing Melissa ignoring Prince David's glare before walking out of the study.

The kind sighed heavily. "What will you do now father?" Melissa asked. She didn't sound as panicked as she looks.

"I have no choice but to bring your sister to the palace Melissa"

"But how is that possible your majesty. We can't find someone who had been missing for twenty years in just two weeks" I reasoned.

"He is right your Majesty" Prince David agreed with me for the first time in years "for your sake and mine we need to find a better solution to this"

"The only solution left to sort this out is war" my fist clench in determination "just give me the order your majesty and I shall have my men prepare to take down the Evergreen Kingdom"

"Put those thoughts aside General that won't be necessary"

I looked at the king is surprise "do you have another solution in mind your majesty?"

"Yes, it will be better to bring the princess to the palace instead of shedding the blood of our innocent men on something so ridiculous"

"But the princess..."

"I lied General" the king cut me off.

"What do you mean father?"

The king sighed again "My first daughter is not missing. Princess Larissa was hidden away the very moment she was born because of this very situation" we kept silent waiting patiently for an explanation "before the princess was born, I was in a very difficult situation. I had manage to anger three different nations. The Evergreen Kingdom, The Snowfall kingdom and the kingdom of skulls. I made the same promise to each kings that I shall give my first born daughter to each of their first sons in exchange that the war be called off. They all agreed to this but I knew that war would arouse again once she is born so I hid her away and faked her death. If I bring her back to the palace, the other kings will come for her and I'm scared of what will happen if I bring her back to the palace" 

"Then why take the risk your majesty?"

He looked at me sadly "I will come up with a solution soon once she's here as of now, you are responsible for bringing her back" He picked up a scroll from his table and handed it to me "at sun rise tomorrow you must begin your journey to the west kingdom of Windfall and there you will ask for Bernard. When you find him, give him that letter and from then you will know what to do"

I took the scroll with a firm nod. "Yes your majesty"

"Go with someone you can trust. It could be a really dangerous journey to handle on your own"

"I will go with him" prince David said quickly "as your future son in law and Melissa's bethrot I ask that you give me this chance to help with this matter. It also involves me anyway"

I was about to protest when the king interrupted "a good idea. You must go with prince David Genera and be back in the next ten days"

"Yes your majesty" I answered through gritted teeth glaring at Prince David.

My eyes found princess Melissa's annoyed expression. She did not look at all happy about everything.