Lost Horizon (Sample)

Chapter 5 - Alice and the King

She wished she could've spent more time with her friends.

Rex and Chase accepted her true personality when so many others didn't. They understood her. Understood what kind of person she was on the inside. Most importantly, they respected her dream. Their perception of her differed from that of the king along with a large majority of the public. In their eyes, she was just a helpless princess. 

On the contrary, she believed Sanctuary viewed her as nothing more than a blank slate. An image rather than a thinking and breathing individual. She'd been raised in a way forcing her to develop a shield around herself. An exoskeleton in which to coat her actual personality. If she wanted to be a leader then she couldn't allow anyone to see her weaknesses.

If she permitted herself to remain as the kind, well-mannered girl of her past she wouldn't last long as a queen. Humans as a race loved receiving results. If their government couldn't meet their expectations chaos would surely ensue. She sighed, remembering Rex's words. It made her wonder if the people saw her as an admirable leader or just another money-obsessed royal. It was questions like this that made her wish she hadn't left just yet. She could use some more of Rex's odd commentary. Shutting her eyes, she replayed the decision she'd made in her mind.

"As we said, it's imperative you come with us." the second enforcer had emphasized.

"The king, you say?" Lucas replied. "Last I checked his majesty was attending a meeting with the noble families. He said he was very busy and requested I stay with Princess Alice until his business concluded."

"Yes, sir." both the enforcers responded simultaneously, almost as if they had rehearsed this conversation prior to their arrival.

"His meetings are notorious for taking long. For him to seemingly call this gathering off is certainly uncharacteristic of him." Lucas knew everything. As a guardian and fellow enforcer, he made it a duty to be knowledgeable of the people he served. He couldn't say the same for these soldiers. "So how is it he finished a meeting in under an hour?"

A dark-haired soldier stepped forward with a scowl. "Are you questioning the king's authority, sir? Doing so is a serious offense, punishable with over five years in prison. You may be higher ranking than us but even a newbie enforcer can arrest someone like you should their reasoning be justified."

Said soldier backed down almost as quickly as Lucas towered over him. He didn't appear to be angry by the soldier's attitude or scared of the threat issued to him. His expression was as emotionless as ever. "Is that supposed to be some hollow attempt at removing me out of the picture? I'm aware some have a distaste towards me but at this moment I only care for the safety of my princess. You can understand how I would be a little on edge given how alien this entire situation is, can't you?" 

Rex struggled to contain his laughter at how terrified the enforcers looked. They were practically quivering in their boots. These were the warriors tasked with safeguarding the city? Yeah right. The dark-haired enforcer backed off, his comrade taking over the conversation. 

"We- We don't have any specifics on why, per se, the king has summoned Princess Alice. We're just following his orders, sir." As he spoke he barely met Lucas' eyes, preoccupied with his repeated bowing. With a final glare, Lucas turned to Alice. "It's your call. What say you, your majesty?"

All eyes now landed on her. The girl didn't want to leave. She also didn't want to speak with her father. However, if the matter truly was urgent then she ultimately hadn't a choice. "We shouldn't keep his royal majesty waiting. If those are his wishes, I will comply.", was her response yet Rex sensed the dissatisfaction within her words. He desperately wanted to tell the enforcers to shove off. Sadly, it wasn't his place to speak. Biting his bottom lip, he remained silent. Alice shot him a pure-hearted smile and said, "Sorry, Rex. We hardly ever see each other and here I am running off."