Hey guys! Remember me? Yeah I don't either. Anyways, I wanna thank you guys so much for viewing this new story, and Im starting to actually pay attention in English class more so I wanted to wait until we finished a unit on writing proper papers before starting a new chapter on this. Sorry for the wait. To all the faithful readers out there, I want to send a big warm mahalo from me. Thanks for sticking with me when I was at my lowest.

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I walked with JJ all the way to the town orphanage and frowned when I saw the door. It used to be the biggest and strongest door in the village, but now it was chipped and beaten.

I hoped up onto the porch and strode towards the door. Covering my fist with the sleeve of my dress, I knocked loudly on the door. The familiar pitter patter of little feet warmed my heart as the door was yanked open. There in the door way stood Angel, Ari and Ariel, the three little angels to my heart.

"Max!" they shouted running to me.

Three blurs smashed into my legs, and I had to lean on the porch collum to keep my balance. I giggled in delight to their reaction, while JJ humphed in mock anger.

"What about me?" she asked pulling over a convincing pout.

"JJ!" they shouted with as much enthusiasm.

Hugs and kisses were exchanged as we walked into the small cottage. The other children swarmed around us and greeted us as well, while the elder orphans merely nodded in our direction and went back to their activities.

Angel, who was in my arms snuggled into my neck with a soft pur. I chuckled and placed my basket on the kitchen table and sat on the rocking chair near the fire pit.

"Where is Gurhilda?" I asked her.

She yawned into my skin and gripped my neck to her tighter. From the corner of my eye, I saw JJ get tackled by Ari and Ariel, and soon everyone had started a doggy pile on her.

"She went to fetch some water from the well," she said softly.

I looked at the fire pit and frowned. The fire was dying rapidly, the coals were turning a dull orange and a single trail of smoke trailed out of the heart.

"How long ago did she leave?" I asked Angel.

Angel shrugged. "She left at dawn," I shifted her in my arms, and she snuggled right back up to me. "She probably took the long way." Angel said.

Yeah, the long way through Minister Joseph's yard. I shuddered at the thought. It was no secret from the village that the Russian care taker took interest in the minister, but it still seemed unholy to thik of such troubled thoughts.

"Did you hear about the people coming here Max?" she asked looking up at me.

I stared into her piercing blue orbs and nodded my head.

"Good." she confirmed taping my nose. "You can get married." she said.

I stiffened under her gaze. Was a six year old convincing me to get married? Did I seem that lonely in everyones gaze? I struggled for words that would make the young girl understand that I did not desire to wed at this time. Though as if sensing my thoughts, Angel gave me a stern shake of her head.

"You can't take of me forever Max. You need a man." she said.

"I agree," a voice said behind them.

I stiffened like a rabbit caught in a hunters vision. The voice sent unpleaseant shudders down my back and up again, but I had to act like nothing was wrong, for the childrens sake. Especially when they had no idea how monstrous this man was.

I turned around with Angel in my arms and faced Minister Joseph at the back porch, with a small and plump woman connected to his arm.

I bowed my head respectfully. "Minister Joseph, Gurhilda." I said lowly.

"Maxine," they said together.

I gritted my teeth at the sound of my name seeping through his lips. I stood the same time JJ did, and a smiliar greeting was exchanged between them.

"What brings you here?" I asked tightening my grip on Angel's back.

JJ moved to stand by me as Gurhilda moved around the small kitchen, shifting pots and pans and restarting the fire once more. Minister Joseph patted Angel's head and I stiffened automatically. Angel frowned up at me in confusion, as did JJ.

"Just thought I'd see the well being of the children 'tis all," he said casually.

I nodded and set Angel down, commanding her in a shushed tone to go and play. She gave me one last look before running down the hall. JJ bumped into my back and I turned around. She had a confused look on her face, but I looked away and pulled up a seat for the minister.

"So as you probably are aware of, the kingdom shall be paying us a dear visit," Minister Joseph said.

I nodded at him from across the table. Gurhilda snarled at me, obviously wanting to be the center of the Ministers attention. I kept my eyes on the tea mug set in front of him.

"Minister Joseph, would you mind shining some light on the subject? To many rumors have fogged my opinion." JJ said, trying to ease the tension. Bless her soul.

Minister Joseph took a small sip of his tea and dabbed his lips with a rag that Gurhilda grabbed for him. "Thank you," he said winking in her direction. Gurhilda stared adoringly at the monster.

"Well Jennifer," JJ winced at her real name. "-it seems after 5 long years the kingdom is finally sending some guards to see what is wrong with our town, its been awhile since we've exported any goods." he explainted.

I nodded. That information made sense, but what didn't, was the time gap. Why wait 5 years to find out the where abouts of a trading port?

"We expect their visit in three days time. Perhaps you ladies will find a suitable man," he said. His eyes burned into mine.

I wanted to run. To scream. To hide. But I did neither, for I represented my father in public, and I shall not disgrace his name. So instead, I looked down uncomfortably at the table.

I cleared my throat and chose my next few words very carefully. "How do you suppose the men will react to the terror of the people?" I asked him.

Minister Joseph shrugged. "They will without a doubt call us out on our foolish fear. They will with no hesitation use force," JJ and I snapped our gazed to him, this was news. "But hopefully they will slay the beast." Minister said.

JJ and Gurhilda nodded with an aggresive feeling of desire. They were tired of being locked in the wall, but they would never dare take it into their own hands.

And what of these so called 'palace knights'? Will they be any different?

One could only hope.

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Alright it was short. Kill me. Im getting there ok guys? I just need more reviews, critical ones. Please tell me what I can do to make this more enjoyable to you guys (without suggesting that I change the plot) ok? Please?

-Shift