Chapter 1: The Prince Of A Thousand Lives
The Kingdom of Misthaven was one filled with gossip that flowed through the local village like a never ending rushing river. All rumors had the same subject in common; That of the King's only son and heir, crowned Prince Killian.
Prince Killian was a great warrior and was greatly educated due to his upbringing. However he was also a womanizer and there was not a single woman in the kingdom whom did not hold great desire towards him... But the reason for the rumors regarding the prince was due to the fact that any woman whom unfortunately passed away during labor; The prince would take the child into his care were they would live and be taught within the walls of the castle much to the king and queen's protests.
Killian sat before his mother and father with an unimpressed expression,
"This has got to stop, son" King Brennan said firmly,
"I will not disregard my children as if they are nothing" Killian replied simply,
"Your behavior washes through this kingdom like a plague. As do the rumors they cause" Malcolm growled in anger but Queen Alice placed a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder before going and sitting beside her son who refused to look at her,
"... This has to stop, Killian" she told him gently,
"The rumors... They will reflect badly on the children's future and I know you don't want that" Alice told her son softly and it was after a moment that Killian nodded and Alice mirrored his action before standing, turning back towards her husband,
"The children stay here" she said simply causing Killian to look up with a soft relieved smile,
"But Alice..." Brennan tried,
"But... Killian will hire a nanny to assist in their care and teachings" Alice finished and her husband sighed before reluctantly nodding in agreement before leaving the room with an exhausted expression on his face and Killian stood from his chair before hugging his mother,
"Thank you" he whispered causing her to smile gently as she hugged him back,
"I'll see to the hiring of the nanny but Killian... No More" she told him firmly and he nodded in understanding,
"Yes mother" he told her but Alice easily saw the sadness in his eyes,
"I know you mean well... But it's best for the children" she reasoned before cupping his cheek in a comforting manner that mirrored the type of smile on her face.
~ Three Days Later ~
The Queen stood on the balcony overlooking the castle courtyard and shook her head, unimpressed at the sight of the what seemed like endless line of woman waiting to apply for the position of nanny. It disgusted her that they were all simply there not for the sake of the children but because they believed they could charm their way into her son's bed, possibly manipulate him into taking one of them as his wife so that they might be queen one day,
"Accept only their applications if they bothered to bring one and I shall be the one reviewing the credentials and conducting the interviews should their skills meet the job description. You may inform them all of this" Alice said firmly and the servant standing by her side gave a nod of understanding and a curtsy of respect,
"Yes, Your majesty" the maid bid before leaving the queen to her thoughts.
~ A Few Weeks Later ~
Killian watched as maids left his mother's study in tears due to having not been successful in obtaining the roll of nanny and he shook his head,
"Daddy" a voice came from up the stairs causing him to look up and he smiled brightly,
"Yes, sweetheart?" he asked, heading up the staircase to her,
"We can't find Chrissy. We're playing hide and seek" the little girl explained and Killian chuckled before lifting her into his arms,
"Well let us go and find your brothers and sisters and see if we can all find her together" he suggested causing the little girl to giggle in delight as Killian pressed a kiss to her forehead before placing her on top of his shoulders and moved at a brisk pace with slight skipping movements as he made horse like noises causing his daughter to giggle even brighter.
~ Meanwhile Out On The Valley ~
A Young woman was out riding her horse when she spotted something lying on the dirt road,
"Whoa boy" she encouraged her horse gently before dismounting and held the reins as she approached the small object before picking it up, discovering it to be a small stuffed rabbit,
"You founds Fluffster" A voice said gleefully causing the woman to look up and see a little girl popping her head out from the high corn before rushing over as fast as her little legs could carry her and took the little rabbit, hugging it close and the lady giggled,
"Well, I'm happy to see that he's back safely where he belongs" she said kneeling down with a curious smile,
"Now where do you belong and what are you doing all the way out here on your own?" she asked,
"Playing hide and seek" the little girl replied,
"Ahhhh and who are you playing with?" the woman asked,
"My brothers and sisters. They'll never find me cause they're all hiding at the castle" the little girl said smugly with a giggle and the woman looked towards the castle up on the hill before smiling at the child and held out her hand to shake,
"I'm Isabelle. What's your name?" she asked and the little girl shook her hand in a silly manner causing Isabelle to giggle,
"I'm Crissy!" she said brightly before holding up her rabbit,
"And this is Fluffster!" she told her and Isabelle giggle before shaking the toy's stuffed arm,
"It's very nice to meet you Chrissy and Fluffster" she bid before standing,
"Maybe we should go and brag to your brothers and sisters of how clever your hiding place is back at the castle" Isabelle encouraged and Chrissy nodded in excitement, bouncing up and down,
"Yes, yes, yes!" she chanted causing Isabella to giggle with a bright smile before lifting the little girl onto her horse and climbed on behind her before nudging her horse, causing him to ride off towards the castle.
Review if you would like me to post chapter 2!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996
