Chapter One Shocking Moments

I was riding my brown horse, Mud, around the palace grounds in the front of the castle before I heard my name being called from a distance. Today I looked like a simple peasant in my old-looking brown dress with matching brown slipper shoes. My long dark brown hair was down and flowing in the light breeze of the afternoon. Of course this is not the way a princess is suppose to dress like after all, but what can I say? I'm a rebel.

"Jasmine! Go into town. It's about Trinity!" shouted my adult personal servant, Calpurnia. She is in her middle age area and very pale looking, but has a large kind and caring heart to go with her. It fits her perfectly. But you should also know that I'm her number one angel since I was born. Now I'm sixteen years old (birthday in March).

Once I heard, and processed, those words into my mind, I hit hard against the sides of Mud with my feet, but apologized in his ear as we raced off to the town in front of the palace walls. Trinity is the same age as myself. She is my other personal servant I have...and my best friend.

When I arrived, there was a crowd of people in a circle. They were looking at something on the ground. I could see over their heads since I was still on Mud and then I gasped loudly. Someone must of looked behind them to see me, realized who I was, and then told the people to move aside so I could go to the front. A crying scream came from my mouth as I jumped off of Mud and ran to Trinity lying on the dirt ground. I collapsed onto her dead body while crying my brown eyes out.

After a few minutes, and tear puddles, I got up slowly but ran to Mud. I silently went onto his back and looked at the person that asked what they should do with her body. At first I was telling myself that it was a joke. Not real. But then I turned to him.

"Return her to the palace for a proper burial," was my simple reply. I won't go but I will pray for her at our childhood play spot, I thought to myself as I rode off. While doing so, I heard the whispers of the villagers on what had happened to Trinity. Some traveler was leaving, she got in his way, and he stabbed her with his knife.

What a bastard he is for doing that to Trinity...my only friend that I have - I mean had, was my only thought running through my beating head. Tears started up again as I arrived now at a small meadow in the forest that was west of my home. I tied Mud to a nearby tree and went heading to the middle of the grassy land.

Looking around to see it was safe, I laid down with the tall green grass protecting me from view of any wandering people or animals. Once I looked up at the light blue sky, with some white fluffy clouds, my soft eyes started to close... falling into a deep sleep...with no dream but only words of a poem.

Let a bird be thy guide,

For please do not hide.

For thy...God calls,

But I will be here if thy falls

Thy is my best friend,

Which will never end.

Even when life takes a toll,

Thy will always be in my soul.

I woke up suddenly to a sound of grass moving and a voice next to me. "Hello. Are you okay?" Blinking, I looked to my right side to see a boy sitting down looking back at me. He had short light brown hair with piercing blue eyes, which was abnormal to have around my home land...even the towns nearby as well. He also looked to be around the same age as me.

"Who are you?" I asked him quietly, while I sat up from where I was. I didn't even know if my voice was able to be heard or not. If I can only get away...but how? It was already stupid of me to ask him a question, my thought ran in my weird confusing mind. Anyone in Mandrid would tell you that. No emotion had shown when I had because I didn't want to show any of my weaknesses.

"Prince Raphael of Darnia," he simply replied back with a calm look upon his face. It was like he was telling me a joke and trying to look serious. Why would anyone tell someone their rank if they were important? I know I never did but just my first name. "How about yourself my lady?" So I decided to do so back since he really didn't know who I was.

"No my sir for I am just a personal servant for the oldest princess of Mandrid your highness..." I stood up and did a curtsey bow in front of him. "My name is Trinity. May I help you with anything?" I don't know why I posed myself as my dead best friend, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

It looked to me like he was thinking of something before he answered me. "Yes there is as a matter of fact. I came here to talk with princess Jasmine..." I gasped in my mind and felt my arms trembling a little. "...And her parents. You look just like her too as I must say. Related to her in any way?"

"You must be mistaken sir. For I am just --" I started.

"Anyways...Can you or can you not help me?" he rudely interrupted.

I grinned my teeth together, but made sure he couldn't tell I was doing so. "I can if you tell me, her best friend, what your business is with her," I said just as rude, and curious, back at him. If he knew who I am really...he wouldn't have done that. He can be quite rude, but just like his cuteness shows, I noted to myself and waited for what would be his shocking reply back.

"We are to be wed," he said kind of too proudly and cocky.

My eyes widen a bit more than they were before. More than they have in my entire life to be correct. Did I just hear what I think I heard? I am to wed this prince? Does he even know me? Or is it an arrange marriage? Maybe he just said the wrong name of his princess. It could be my sister Daisy, I thought fast like a lightening bolt before I heard Raphael ask if I was okay.

"Yes I am. Just peachy. May I ask when and how you know Jasmine? And when the wedding is to take place?" I asked with my body starting to shake like a mad dog running around a house barking at random things around it. I moved back a few steps while he stood up. His eyes seemed to scan the field before looking back at me.

"In a year from now the latest in Darnia, for it was decided when we were both around one year old. I'm only a half-year-older than your princess. And for the second part of your first question, we use to be playmates when toddlers until seven years old when we had to go our separate ways for our trainings. Me to fight and her to sow," he said with a hint of sadness in his tone.

Man. How come I can't remember him, but he can remember me? He's too cute and kind to forget. Wait a minute! What am I saying? These are my worse shocking moments of my life. At least...so far they are, I thought as I then nod my head. "Okay. I will take you to her." I had a plan now and wasn't going to back down from it.