THE KINGDOM OF BEACON HILLS
CHAPTER 1
High on top of a hill, surrounded by lush forest, sat Hale Castle. The kingdom was always a happy place, the subjects very devoted to the royal family. During times when others threatened the kingdom, all villagers were brought into the safety of the castle walls and they would fight with the soldiers to defend the castle and protect the royal family.
Lately however, something hasn't been right and everybody could sense it, something was going on up at the castle but nobody in the villages knew what and nobody from the castle was talking.
3 YEARS PRIOR
"You wanted to see me father?" Prince Derek asked as he entered his parent's chambers.
"Yes Derek there is something I need to talk to you about; I want you to go to the Kingdom of Portland. We've always gotten along well and they have been a great ally to us and Princess Vanessa is getting married so I would you like you to go to represent us."
"Ok but why don't you and mother go?"
"Because my son it's time you and your sister start learning about diplomatic missions like this and before you ask your sister is going to the kingdom of Francisco" the King said with a smile.
"Ok so when do I leave?"
"You'll leave next Thursday and the wedding is on Saturday. I want you to go down to Malins Tailor Shop and get something new to wear on your trip as well as to the wedding."
"Yes father I'll head down now."
Prince Derek was walking through the village with some friends when he ran into and knocked down a skinny young kid causing him to fall into a puddle of water.
"Watch where you're going" Prince Derek said.
"I was standing still you ran into me you clod so you watch where you're going" the young guy said.
"Do you have any idea who I am?"
"Yes you're the big clod that just ran into me and knocked me down."
"This is Prince Derek Hale so mind your tongue or I'll pull it out" one of Derek's friends said.
"Oh excuse me I'm sorry that means you're the ROYAL clod that just ran into me and knocked me down."
Derek put his arms out to stop his friends from advancing on the guy and he just looked at this person, he found it interesting that this young man didn't seem impressed or intimidated by who he was.
"Come on guys I've got things to do" he said to his friends and they left.
Prince Derek was just getting ready to head down to the dining room to have dinner when there was a knock on his chamber door, "come in" he said and looked up to see his father coming in and he wasn't alone.
"Son, this is Stiles he's your new manservant" the king said and Derek and Stiles just looked at each other.
"Stiles this is my son Prince Derek."
"Yes we met earlier in the village, so nice to see you again Sire" Stiles said pleasantly.
"Oh good well I wanted to explain Stiles' job duties with you present Derek, in case there was anything you wanted to add. Now Stiles what you will do is go to the kitchen in the morning and get Derek's breakfast and bring it to him here in his chamber. Open the curtains and windows, get his clothes for the day and make sure he gets up. You'll be responsible for cleaning his room and his clothes and that includes polishing all his shoes and boots as well as his armor and weapons and just be available to him at any time. Derek is there anything else you can think of?"
"Not that I can think of father, I've never had a manservant before."
"This is true, Stiles do you understand everything?"
"Yes Your Majesty."
"Good then you can get started by cleaning Derek's room, come Derek dinner is ready." Derek made sure to bump Stiles hard with his shoulder as he walked passed him, following his father out of the room.
Two hours later Derek returned to his room and stopped dead when he walked in the door. All the wood in the room was shining; his bed was made with fresh clean sheets even his armor was shining. He had intended to make things difficult for Stiles when he returned, just for fun, but he had to admit he was very impressed with what Stiles did while he was at dinner.
Over the next few days Stiles would bring Prince Derek his breakfast, open up his room and wake him up and then leave without saying much and Derek was always disappointed, he wanted Stiles to stay and talk to him, keep him company but it didn't seem like it was going to happen.
"Stiles wait" Derek said one morning.
"Yes Sire?"
"Why do you do that, you come in here wake me up and then leave."
"It's my job Sire and if I didn't wake you your breakfast would get cold."
"I realize that but why don't you stay for a bit?"
"Certainly Sire, is there something you need me to do?"
Derek just looked at him for a moment and then got out of bed and put his robe on, "no Stiles just forget it" he said angrily. Stiles just bowed slightly and turned to leave.
"I don't understand you" Derek finally said.
"I'm sorry Sire I don't know what you mean?"
"The first day we met you called me a clod and then when you found out I was the Prince, then I was just a royal clod. Then you had no problem speaking your mind and now you barely speak to me."
"I wasn't your servant then Sire and I don't wish to lose my position or end up in the dungeons."
"Stiles please can you just stay with me and talk to me?"
"Certainly Sire what would you like to talk about?" Derek realized it was hopeless, his hopes of being friends with Stiles just wasn't going to happen.
"You know what Stiles, don't worry about it I'll be fine" Derek said and sat down to eat. Stiles again bowed and turned to leave but before he did, he looked back to see the Prince sitting there eating and realized how lonely he actually was and he felt bad for him.
Derek was about to pick up a piece of sausage from his plate when a hand appeared and took it and he looked up, "so what shall we talk about Sir Clod" Stiles said and Derek laughed.
Prince Derek was sitting in the grand hall eating and talking with other royals and members of court at the palace in Portland, they were having a celebration dinner following the wedding but soon all heads turned towards the doors as they could hear a commotion out in the hall. It only took Derek a few minutes to recognize the voice of the man that was shouting about being let in and he stood up from the table.
"Excuse me" he said to the King and Queen and stepped outside the room, there he found two guards in the process of dragging Stiles away.
"You there hold up a minute" he said and the guards stopped.
"Stiles what are you doing here?"
"Excuse me Sire but do you know this man?"
"Yes he's my servant. Stiles what are you doing here?"
"You need to come home Derek, something's happened."
"What are you talking about?"
"The castle was attacked, I and one of your father's servants managed to escape. He headed south to get Princess Laura and I came here to get you" Stiles said. Derek nodded to the guards who let Stiles go and then he turned and went back into the dining hall, "I'm sorry but something has happened at home and I must return" Derek said.
"What's happened, is there anything we can do?" the King asked.
"That was my servant he came to get me, the castle has been attacked I must return."
"Go son just go and if you need help please let us know" the King said as he hugged Derek and walked with him to escort him out, giving Derek and Stiles a carriage with the Kings fastest horses. When they returned to Hale Castle the devastation was evident but the worst part was when they pulled into the courtyard, lying on the ground were the bodies of the dead which included the King and Queen and all Derek could do was drop to his knees in shock. Stiles stood by him, keeping a hand on his shoulder while the guards and knights brought in more dead and wounded.
"Any word on Princess Laura" Stiles asked Sir Isaac, one of Derek's knights.
"No not yet" he said.
Just then a horse came into the courtyard and Stiles knew instantly it was not good news. The man riding the horse was the other servant that escaped with him and he was barely able to stay on the horse. Sir Isaac caught the man as he fell from the horse and Derek came running over.
"Sire, I'm sorry, we were attacked on our way here….the Princess didn't make it" the man said before taking his last breath.