⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING! MENTION OF RAPE
Princess Alia POV
I'm still stuck in this meeting with my father. He was talking to the top leaders of our kingdom. Richard arrived late and said he just finished something, but I think it's obvious that he wanted to see Leo for a bit.
Father wanted me to attend these meetings so I'll be ready for the future which I understand.
"Some kingdoms have reported attacks by The Savages," the general said. This got my attention.
The Savages is an evil and powerful group who invades kingdoms to steal riches and women. They are just horrible. They will kill a lot of people just for their own pleasure.
No one really knows where their castle is located or if they even have one. Years and years of sending a group of great knights for an expedition to look for them, none of them returns.
Our kingdom was attacked years ago and it was one of the most horrible things that ever happened here. A lot of people were killed, women raped and then killed, children kidnapped and never found.
Our kingdom took a long time to recover, but when we did, we became one of the most powerful kingdoms standing.
We've never heard of The Savages for years, that's why it shocked me.
"The Savages?" Richard stood up fuming "If we do have an expedition, I'm volunteering to lead the group"
Father looked at him sadly "Richard, we both know why you can't, it's too personal for you and that might get you killed. This kingdom needs you alive"
"Your highness, I've waited for too long, I did nothing for too long. The Savages did so much damage to my family and you know that" Richard aggressively pleaded.
"I don't know what exactly happened that night but I know that you risking your life is not worth it. You have a daughter for christ's sake, Richard. I know you are the best man for the job in terms of skill and leadership but for it being too personal to you, you're going to make a lot of stupid decisions because of that. So that makes you the worst man for the job" My father said trying to convince him.
Richard sighed "You want to know what exactly happened that night?"
No one spoke, I guess some part of them were curious. None of them were there, being at the top means you are protected by the best, only relying on news from the messengers. Richard was also here in the castle at that time, but he ran outside to get his family, my father told me.
Richard started his story with a glazed look like he was reliving it "It was chaos, a lot of screaming. There was fire everywhere, people burning. I wanted to help them but I was so worried about my family that I turned a blind eye, I still feel guilty to this day but I didn't regret it because I was just in time to save my little girl. She is one brave kid" He smiled slightly remembering his daughter
He sighed "When I arrived at my house, it was a disaster. A lot of parts were burning, wood scattered, and part of the ceiling falling off. And in the middle of it all, I see my wife naked and she was drenched in her own blood, her body was full of stab wounds. I stood frozen, my wife was dead. What woke me from my trance was Leo. She was crying on top of her mother, she was covered with blood, I was so scared that it might be hers, I pulled her up. I can't even talk to her, she was frozen in shock. I had to carry her out of our burning house because she wouldn't move on her own. You know what broke my heart more than seeing my wife killed?" He looked at my father "It's seeing my daughter broken. You know she has nightmares to this day. I would wake up from her screaming and she would be sweating buckets and shaking so wildly. Until we just got used to it. We never got over it. She was only a ten-year-old girl and she was held by men to force her to watch her mother being raped and then stabbed thirteen times after" He looked like he was barely getting it together.
"So I don't care about what you think is best your highness, but I need to avenge my wife and daughter for what they did to them, even if it's the last thing I do" He finished.
All of the people in this room are teary-eyed and mortified from what they heard, from what a single family has gone through. This time my father couldn't stop him "I want you to come out from this alive Richard, you hear me? Your daughter will be waiting here with us" My father sighed in defeat.
They conversed and planned the perfect way to win this war and decide who will be on Richard's team while I was left alone to my thoughts.
When we were together, Leo was always smiling or teasing me or even flirting with me but I never saw her cry or look like she was broken. She's really good at hiding her feelings.
Just thinking about her makes me miss her teasing. She became my best friend in a short amount of time. She was always there for me but I didn't realize she needed someone to be there for her more than I did.
Last night was confusing. We were friends but sometimes I was imagining if it was possible for us to be more but I'm not even sure if she liked me that way.
She was always teasing and flirting but I never saw her real interest in me, maybe she was attracted to me but it's probably just that. Attraction.
Or maybe she was just hiding her feelings again.
Leo for me is very interesting and intriguing. I find her really beautiful, she's very charming, When she teases me, I fall a little every time, and she has the best body I would always swoon inside, but the best part is her eyes, it's a light combination of gray and blue. When she looks at you, you won't be able to stop yourself from starting back, it's like her eyes are pulling you in.
I always feel the safest when I'm with her.
But everything is just so complicated especially now that marriage is in the picture, so I know that nothing could happen between Leo and I.
"Okay dismissed" I looked up and everyone started to leave after bowing to The King.
My father stood up "Richard I need to talk to you privately" Then he looked at me "You can also go honey, thank you for attending, I'll see you later" He kissed my temple then I walked out.
I looked at the time and saw it was late already. I went to my room and took a shower, did my nightly routine then changed into my nightclothes.
I was lying on my bed looking at the ceiling. Why am I having a hard time sleeping?
I stood up and went to the kitchen to get some milk then on my way to my room someone spoke: "Can't sleep?" I looked to my right and saw Leo. I can't help but smile at her.
"No, I even tried counting sheep" I joked.
She chuckled. How could I know that she was going through something traumatic when she always had a smile on her face every time she was around me.
"You want to come in?" I asked her gesturing to my room.
She shrugged "Sure"
When we entered I sat on the bed and gestured for her to sit beside me.
"How's the meeting princess? I see the boredom didn't kill you" She teased then lay down on the bed, I smiled.
"Unfortunately no, I had to go through it till the end" I pouted slightly.
"You have to get used to that princess, when you're Queen you have to go through all of those" She smiled.
I sighed "Unless I marry someone who's an expert with this battle stuff. I don't even have any idea when it comes to fighting and battle planning" I ended up laying beside her.
"I can teach you if you want" Leo offered while facing me smiling.
I looked up to her and said "Or you can just marry me" I joked. Was it even a joke? I don't even know anymore.
She laughed "At least take me to dinner first" Then she stretched, her shirt slightly moved up to show some of her toned stomach.
I averted my eyes from her stomach "Can you stay here tonight?" I asked.
She turned to me worried "Sure, are you okay"
I smiled at her. She's always thinking about everyone but herself, how can you not be attracted to her?
"I'm fine, just didn't want to be alone tonight," I said.
She nodded in understanding and then covered us with my blanket.
I didn't make her stay tonight because I didn't want to be alone, but the truth is I didn't want her to be alone tonight.
I wrapped my arm around her and fell asleep.
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A/N: A little bit of drama and a little bit of fluff for you beautiful people. Thank you :)