Complete Summary:

Hope is a funny thing. It's free for anyone yet one of the most precious things in the world. Like a phoenix hope can rise from the ashes, strengthen the people. With hope there's nothing lost yet.
Hope is exactly the thing the kingdom of Polis was in dire need of. A few people cling to it and keep their resistance against the corrupt kingdom. Maybe the rise of the last royal member of the original reign can help spreading the hope throughout the lands and finally conquer the evil king.

Prologue

It was one of the nicest days in a long time. The sun shone beautifully down onto the ground and there were no clouds in sight that might try to destroy the sunny and warm day. The birds flew high in the sky, singing lovely melodies. The people of Polis were happily gathering at the heart of the kingdom of Polis just for one reason.

Two days ago the princess was born.

King Alexander stood on his balcony and glanced proudly down at his kingdom and its citizen, enjoying the sun on his face. He loved his people and was happy to share this day with them. They were as happy as he was for the little bundle of joy his wife had graced him with. Just like the sun, his heart shone, too. With pride and joy.

He couldn't wait to present his daughter to his kingdom and their people. Later today, the king and queen will celebrate with the citizen, knowing that they were already loving their princess. Alexander already imagined all the things he'll teach his little girl, all the experience they would share while she would grow into the beautiful and amazing woman he knew she would be.

The king turned around when he felt a gently hand on his shoulder, staring directly into green eyes. They had the exact same shade of green his daughter had been gifted with and his heart burst with happiness at the thought of his daughter having the same gentle and beautiful green eyes as her mother.

Queen Alessia was a kind woman. Her heart was pure and full of joy, loving her life. Their people loved her for her kindness and because Alessia spent a lot of time outside the castle, interacting directly with their people. She helped their people not just with orders and words, but with her own hands and Alexander surely wouldn't be the man he was today if not for her.

He loved her long, brown hair, her tall yet feminine figure, the dimples forming every time she laughed. Her laugh was contagious. As soon as she laughed, he joined into it just because she was happily laughing about something. He knew he was whipped, but he didn't care.

Right know Alessia was smiling at him before her eyes flickered to the bundle in her arms. There she laid sleeping. His daughter, Princess Alexandria. She may be in this world for just a few hours, but she already had the kingdom wrapped around her tiny fingers. He had heart several servants talk about little Alexandria and knew that she will be the kingdoms new favorite. It didn't bother him that much, handing over this title to his daughter, she already was his new favorite, too. With time she will be as strong and skilled as he was and just as beautiful and smart as her mother.

Alexandria's future will be bright and filled with love, he was sure.

"Just as beautiful as her mother." He murmured, caressing gently his daughter's hairy head.

Alessia smiled. "She's a little angle."

Alexander wanted to say something but got cut off by a knock on the door. "Come in."

It was Dante, the King's right hand and adviser. After having known each other for over a decade, Dante and his son Cage almost belonged to their family, especially after the death of Dante's wife. Dante had risked his life for his king quite a few times over the years, earning himself his current position at Alexander's side.

Smiling at his ever faithful adviser, Alexander beckoned the other man in. "Dante, my friend. What can I do for you?"

Dante bowed before the little royal family. "My King, your people arrived at the castle and the throne room is set up. It's time to begin with the festivities. The people are excited to meet the newest member of the royal family."

"You're right, Dante. We've withheld our little bundle of joy long enough."

The throne room was filled with people not only from Polis but also from other kingdoms and their representatives, all gathered to celebrate the birth of Princess Alexandria of Polis. One after the other stepped in front of the fresh parents to offer their congratulations, every one eyeing the baby in the grip that was standing between the king and the queen, unaware of the giddiness of the kingdom as she slept peacefully.

The king almost envied his daughter of her obliviousness. As much as he loved his people, after hours of constant small talk and thanking people for their congratulations, the king was ready to call it a day and retreat to his private rooms and spent quality time with his little family.

As his face came upon a familiar face, his mood lightened and a smile formed on his lips. "Titus? Old friend, are you truly here?" Alexander stood to greet the newest visitor. Titus had been his teacher growing up. He looked the same as the last time her had seen the man. Still hairless, wrapped in a black robe, eyes sparkling with wisdom. Only a few wrinkles betrayed his older age.

Titus had been a true friend while Alexander grew up, transforming from his teacher to his mentor and advisor, having been the one Alexander had valued with his advice the most. He had stood at his side during the Great War with the other kingdoms, working together to archive a lasting peace with all of the thirteen kingdoms.

"Alexander, we have not seen us in a long time." Titus replied as he accepted the friendly embrace of his former student.

"It's good to see you again. No one seemed to have seen or heard of you since the Great War. I worried that you wouldn't be among us anymore."

Titus scoffed and smiled at Alexander. "I may be getting older and my bones crack more than back then, but I'm still no easy target."

"Good to know." The king laughed.

Smiling at the king for a second, Titus let his gaze wander to the little person in the middle of the royal parents. "And who do we have here?"

Alexander puffed his chest proudly, his smile widening as he looked at his daughter. "This, Titus, is my daughter Alexandria."

"Mmhh, Alexandria? I believe she will be a great ruler of Polis in the future."

"You and me both. She'll be the heart of Polis."

"I'm happy for you. And I am proud to have been your teacher. You're the best king I've ever witnessed living in these lands. You're a good and kind husband," Titus nodded at Alessia whom smiled back at him. "You're a good friend to those close to you. And now,….now you will have the chance to be a good father to your little girl."

"Please, don't praise me too much. I just try to be fair and help my people to live a happy life. However, I will-" Suddenly the king got cut off by an arrow that lodged itself into his chest. A scream broke through the crowd before all hell broke loose.

Titus turned around, noticing several armed people who must have snuck in without the guards noticing it. The royal guard immediately attacked the intruders but it was already too late.

The king of Polis lay dead on the ground.

His eyes flickered to the queen who had just watched her husband getting killed, though after a few seconds her eyes caught his gaze and she stood up. She had to protect her daughter. She'll have time to grieve later. Alessia stepped over to the cradle and lifted the now crying girl in her arms. However as she looked up she stared directly at the nocked arrow of one of the archers. She waited in shock for her death, but it never came. Instead, she saw one of the royal guards, a young black woman, striking down the archer.

"My Queen, follow me!" Titus yelled, trying to get the queen's attention. He had to get her and her daughter to safety.

Alessia followed Titus through the halls of the castle. The screams of the victims of the attack could still be heard, echoing through the castle. Her daughter still dried in her arms. They were about to enter another corridor when Alessia felt a piercing pain in her back, stumbling to the ground with a silent cry of pain, yet still careful to not crush her daughter under her weight.

"Titus!"

The man turned around and noticed the fallen queen, an arrow sticking out of her back. A movement caught his attention and he quickly threw the knife he always carried with him at the archer, killing him.

"My Queen, are you able to walk?" He asked as he bend down to try and help her up.

Alessia exhaled painfully, black dots already clouding over her vision. "No, I'm too weak."

"Then I will carry you."

"No!" The woman may be weak and near death, but she called upon all the strength she still had left and gave Titus a determined glare. "I'd slow you down. You have to protect my daughter, Titus."

Titus stared down at the bundle in her arms, the girl still crying though not as loud as before. Coming to a decision he looked back up to the queen and nodded, taking the baby carefully into his arms. However before he could stand up again, Alessia grabbed his arm. "Promise me that you'll look after her, Titus."

He glanced back to the baby in his arms whom had quietened down and was now looking at him with curious green eyes. In that moment he knew that he would never be able to leave a young, lost soul like the princess. "I promise."

That was the last thing the queen heard before the light of life left her eyes and stopped breathing, her dead eyes still staring at the little girl. May her soul find piece in the afterlife, Titus thought as he gently closed her eyes.

The screams had long since ceased and a deathly silence had taken over the castle.

A lot of people died today.

The king and queen of Polis died today.

The day that had been supposed to be one of the best days of Polis would now be forever overshadowed by today's events.

Continuing or not?