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agentstarkbarnes · 3 years ago

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Three days. That's how long she has been running. From Johnsonville.

Princess Julia Katina-Rose Johnson was the only heir of the Johnson family. The crown princess of Johnsonville. The glorious child of King Grant and Queen Daisy. The highly respected and beloved royalty of her vast, diverse country. "Our savior" the people called her affectionately. Her parents ruled the land in all fairness, and Princess Julia was no different from them. She understood the people, and was idolized by many. "The perfect queen" as the court said.

The king and queen had chosen her to be the queen.Even though she didn't have a husband. She had suitors lined up, for all good reasons. She was the most beautiful princess, according to messengers, spies and the princes who came to ask her hand in marriage. She didn't like them, it was that simple. Some of them got drawn back when they found out she talked for herself, some did not like the attitude she displayed. Arrogant, they called her. But anyone could see it as intelligence. That was her. She was the smartest person in any room. Speaks up for herself, confident and brave. Her parents never once told her off. They let her be herself. And here she is, the fiercest, smartest and the prettiest face in the land, and the chosen queen. They were yet to break the happy news to the people.

With all good news lined up, what went wrong? Why was the beloved princess on the run? Good question. Princess Julia was adored by everyone, therefore she had a lot of enemies within the court. The ministers whom she outsmarted, the corrupt chancellors she exposed. The list grew. As she did noble deeds to the people, she gathered the hate of those who weren't happy with the deeds done. The princess knew she had haters, but never once expected it to be from her family. Christian. The king's brother. Her uncle. Uncle Chin, she affectionately called. He was two faced. He pretended to be noble to the subjects and loyal to the family. In the darkness of the night, he turned his back on them. Contract killers, that's what they are called. He had smuggled them into the castle, led them into the king and the queen's room. A passage only the royal family knew. Christian used the trust to backstab his brother Grant and the queen Daisy. They were killed that night. The princess heard the sounds. She rushed to her parents' room. Saw her uncle grinning over her parents' corpse. The killers gathering near Christian, also grinning.

"Why?" was the only thing she could whisper, her eyes boring deep into his. "Vengeance. Your father took the throne from me. I wanted it back. After all these years of waiting, I wouldn't let it be given to you, a brittle princess" Christian spoke. Venom laced his words. "The savior. The perfect queen. Many endearing terms. You won the hearts of the people. I didn't. What could I do other than this, to get what's rightfully mine?" he smiled coldly. "The throne was never yours" Julia said in a brave tone, showing that she is not intimidated by him.

"Finish her" Christian said. The killers approached her. Julia was smarter. She kicked some of the killers' kneecaps. This gave her time to run. So she did.

Day 1. She ran to the village. Seeking help or shelter from the people she helped. The people gave her food. Bread, fruits, biscuits, water. Whatever was left of them. Christian ordered the men to search the kingdom for Julia. Wanted her dead at sight. So the search began. Julia had a temporary hideout in a paddy field. When the search was over, she learnt. She learnt that the people who defended her were killed. That's when they stopped. Stopped helping her. Pretended they didn't hear her. She was a ghost. She took the message and moved on.

Day 2. The forest. That was the only place left. Christian crowned himself. The people of Johnsonville accepted him as their king. They knew they were wrong. They knew they should have protected the princess. After everything she has done for them. But they couldn't. They accepted the tyrant. Anyone who spoke against him were whipped. In front of everyone. And that was just his first day as king. No one said anything.

Day 3. Julia had almost crossed the boundaries of Johnsonville. She looked back one more time. She looked at her parents' summer house in fire. Christian did it. Erasing the memories of the previous king and queen. The people who made the golden time of Johnsonville happen. In ruins. The place she had called home. The place she was willing to serve. She couldn't call it home anymore. She had nobody there. Everyone turned blind to her. Her uncle, the royalty, the people who had once sworn to protect her, the people she had sworn to protect.

And here she is. Barefoot. Her foot aching with the burden of running for days. She knew she had to return to Johnsonville. It was her home after all. She wasn't the one to give up. She is a fighter. And she will fight. Fight for once what her home was.

Food had run out yesterday. She picked some fruits by the bushes. Mint leaves. Elderberry. Ate whatever she could gather. Sleep was a luxury now. She knew that her uncle wouldn't let her live. Moving as far as she can was the only choice.

It's been hours. She began her journey this afternoon. It was evening. She was on the outskirts of Rogersburg. A peaceful kingdom, she thought. Just like Johnsonville was. She winced at the was. Anyway, she didn't have time nor the energy to think more about it. She would only worry herself. She decided to move on. Go wherever her legs take her.

She moved a little more. That's it. 3 days of running has finally got to her. She laid by a tree and closed her eyes. Praying Christian wouldn't send men to Rogersburg to find her. Her thoughts slowly faded as she slowly started to sleep.

She woke up from her sleep. Looked around. She was not in a forest anymore. Soft velvet blankets placed upon her. She was surprised. Surprised that her feet weren't hurting. She looked down at her feet. They were healed. Medicines were placed on the nightstand. Did she end up in Johnsonville again? No. The sunset looked different. Did I sleep for almost a day? She wondered. She grabbed the brass vase by the nightstand and looked at the door. She decided to stay armed until she knows what's going on.

The doors opened. She quietly saw the person. Muscular figure. Blond hair. Blue eyes. A kind body language. Any person would immediately trust him. Not Julia. Even though she wanted to trust him. He sat on the edge of the bed. "Why am I here?" she asked as she put the vase down. That's when she realized that her voice had gone raspy. Looks like he did too. He reached for water and helped her drink.

"I found you in the forest. I recognised you immediately. The smartest, bravest and the prettiest princess in all land" he said, his cheeks tinting pink. "Anyway, I wouldn't let someone on the forest like that. I brought you back here and asked the maids to take care of you." Julia smiled lightly. "Where are my manners?" he scolded himself. "I'm Prince Steven Rogers of Rogersburg. Call me Steve" he extended his hand. A permanent smile stayed on his face. A sincere smile. "I know.Princess Julia Johnson of Johnsonville" she returned the smile.

"I've heard about you." Steve said. Even though he knew her. But neither of them said a thing. He handed her a plate of food. Biscuits, tea, sandwiches. She ate them slowly. "I know. You said that moments ago" she said softly, savoring the food she got. He rubbed the back of his neck, hiding his blush. She smiled. It's been days since she smiled naturally. "I know about you too. Steven Grant Rogers. Crown prince of Rogersburg. Chivalrous, meek, smart. Not afraid to help anyone. Not a perfect soldier but a good man" she said. They exchanged smiles. An instant connection, a spark. Both could feel it.

"Why didn't you come ask my hand in marriage? We are neighboring countries. Just curious" she asked, pouring her tea into a cup. Stir stir stir. She dropped a sugar cube. The sugar dissolved as she stirred. She looked at him for an answer. He then slowly opened his mouth. "I did not want to marry you without you knowing me. I mean.." he tapped his fingers on his knees. Tap tap. Tap tap tap. She noticed the pattern he tapped. His nervousness. "I've seen kings and queens in a loveless marriage. I wanted to know you and love you, before marrying you. I wanted to meet you but you were always fighting, holding court or serving your country. I didn't want to bother your noble work" he looked at his feet. "We've met" Julia echoed in the room. He nodded. He remembers too. It was a fine spring day. The gathering of the Johnsons and the Rogers. Blossoms on every tree. Steve and Julia talked all day. About nothing and everything. At the end of the day, both liked how the other person thinks and acts. Their character. Their sense of service. It was a spark. But neither talked about it. Steve left for his palace, so did Julia. Until now.

Clink. Julia placed the cup on the table and looked at him. "So.." she began to talk. Steve didn't let her. His lips crashed on hers. She accepted it. He wasn't urgent or desperate. He was slow, loving. She pulled him closer. He kissed her just right. He withdrew slowly and looked at her. His eyes were soft. Nervous, almost. She nodded her head. Wanted him to know it was okay. He helped her sit right against the wall. Propped pillows around her. He looked at her. It was her turn. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lovingly. Steve took her cheek in his palm and held her gently. They kissed. They kissed as if they had all the time in the world.

Withdrawing, they cuddled. It was comforting. Breaking the silence surrounding the cuddle, Steve softly talked. "We know what happened to Johnsonville". Julia nodded slowly, letting tears fall from her face for the first time since it happened. They rolled down her cheeks. Steve immediately brought his hand and wiped them. "We are going against them. An assassination as father calls it. Our family loved yours very much. My parents had an enormous respect for them. We shall never hurt anyone from the family." he said. She nodded again. "I promise you. Innocents will be spared. Christian will be the only casualty. Christian and his men." he kissed her cheek. She smiled at him. She knew Johnsonville was secure. Their castle was more secure. "I can help" she muttered, holding his arms around her. "Okay, if you want to" he smiled.

It's been seven months. Three months since she came to Rogersburg. Prince Steve and Princess Julia had developed a romance. A romance that should've happened way earlier. But who cares? They are together now. That's the way. Soulmates always find a way to each other. The Rogers family kept her a secret. The assassination was planned over these months. Just one night away. And Johnsonville should return back to the old self. The prosperous, happy and lush country. The place which she once called home. She will get to call it again. She knew she will. Steve promised her. The Rogers promised her. She knew about their loyalty. They always helped countries get back to happiness. Plus, they were like a family to her now. The bond has been created. A bond so strong, she felt like one of them.

This is the night. The night where she finally gets her country back. The assassins were sent. Julia helped them. King Rogers was vigilant all night. Steve and Julia laid on the velvet couch. None of them were sleepy. It was 2 in the morning and neither of them slept. Steve read books to her while they cuddled under a blanket. Julia read to him too. They talked. They kept awake all night. Steve said he'll marry her after this. If she agreed to it. Julia said yes. They celebrated this happy moment within themselves. Steve made a makeshift ring from the vine from the plant beside him. She laughed as she let him put the vine/ring on her finger. They kissed for a while. They kissed because it was official. They made their love public and official. They kissed because they were willing to get into anything. Together. They would face anything with each other. They had love. They were in love. They loved each other. The news came in. Christian was dead.

Julia walked back to Johnsonville again. Her home. She was glad to call it her home again. She was crowned. All the corrupt officials were gotten rid of. It was only a matter of months to get this job done. She had the help of Rogersburg. Together, they brought back Johnsonville to it's old form. The people apologized for their behavior. Julia knew they meant the apology. She was the bigger person, she always is. So, she forgave them. They were grateful for her. She was their savior after all. She restored their summer home. The one which Christian burnt. She turned it into a park. A memorial for Grant and Daisy. After almost a year, Steve and Julia got married. She was now Julia Katina-Rose Rogers. They ruled Johnsonville and Rogersburg. People saw them as the next Grant and Daisy. They were happy under them. Guess what? Maybe happily ever after exists after all.

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