Chapter 1

It was a beautiful day in the kingdom of Genova. The birds were chirping, and the sun was shining with no cloud in sight.

It was a beautiful spring day, and Princess Anneliese was having tea with her Mother, Queen Genevieve, in the garden.

"I am so glad it is finally spring again, aren't you, darling?" Asked Queen Genevieve as Anneliese smiled and nodded before looking at a small boy running in the garden.

"Yes, I know for a fact Daniel is happy as well. He was getting tired of being kept inside all the time during the winter," she said, smiling.

The Queen and Anneliese looked at the little dirty blonde, blue-eyed toddler as he ran to them, and Anneliese picked him up.

"How are the lessons going, darling?" Asked Queen Genevieve as Anneliese smiled at her Mother.

"They're going fine. I'm glad I got to take a break today," said Anneliese as she began to walk, and her Mother followed.

"Enjoy it while you can; once you become queen, it will all be duties," said Queen Genevieve as Anneliese chuckled.

"You sound like you're going to retire soon, Mother," she said, giggling as her Mother smiled.

"Well, you and Julian are close to being ready sooner than expected; if it all goes to place, you might become the new rulers very soon," said the Queen as Anneliese stopped.

She knew very well that sooner or later, she and Julian would have to take over the kingdom and its responsibilities. However, she thought she would have more time to do that.

"You're not scared, are you?" Queen Genevieve asked, raising her eyebrows, confused at her daughter. She knew her daughter very well and knew nothing about the kingdom would scare her away.

If she could solve their financial problems two years ago and save the kingdom, there wasn't anything she couldn't do now.

"I'm not afraid, just worried," said Anneliese as she turned to see the toddler she was carrying and smiled.

"Daniel was born nearly two years ago; I don't want to disappoint him. I want to do what's best for the kingdom, but I don't want to get caught up and miss my son growing up," said Anneliese as the Queen smiled.

"I understand, dear. What you need to remember to do is delegate," said the Queen as Anneliese raised her eyebrow and smiled.

"Delegate?" She asked again, confused as the Queen nodded.

"You and Julian know Genova well. Take turns with the kingdom and Daniel. I will also help you ensure my Grandson is well cared for," said Queen Genevieve.

Anneliese couldn't help but smile as she saw her Mother playing with Daniel as she carried him.

"At least that's what your Dad and I did," added Queen Genevieve as Anneliese smiled.

She couldn't help but think of the few memories she had of her Father; he had died when she was six. After that, her Mother took charge of the kingdom, and she was refocused on her studies.

One part was because her Mother was too busy to be with her since she had just lost her husband and needed to care for a whole kingdom.

On the other hand, she was happy because she had time to spend with her tutors. Since she was an only child, she felt lonely at times but less lonely when she spent time with her tutors.

Most of her tutors had children, which is how she met her current husband, who was the son of her piano teacher.

He was learning geological and history studies, and when he was approved, he also became her instructor.

His Father died when he was 14, and she was 10. They had a funeral for him, and after that, he stayed with them.

"You miss him, don't you?" Asked Anneliese as her Mother nodded.

"Every day, I still can't believe he is gone," Added Queen Genevieve as Anneliese nodded.

She was very young when her Father died and doesn't remember the details of how he died.

All she remembered was a guard coming one late night to inform her Mother about her Father.

She knew because she heard a scream and raced down the steps to the throne room to her Mother, devastated.

"But he is always here with us. Sometimes, it's odd, but my heart still beats as if he were alive," said Queen Genevieve as Anneliese smiled.

"True love," said Anneliese as Queen Genevieve smiled and nodded her head. They began to walk through the rose bushes.

"How did you and Dad meet?" Asked Anneliese as the Queen smiled.

"We were betrothed, actually, since the moment I was born," said the Queen as Genevieve stopped and looked at her Mother.

"What? And you were okay with that?" Asked Anneliese as the Queen nodded.

"It was custom in my days. Besides, Genova needed alliances since our advisors have a history of robbing us," said Queen Genevieve as Anneliese nodded.

Anneliese knew very well what the Queen was talking about; Preminger had tried to steal and bankrupt the kingdom to corner them into doing what he wanted.

However, they acted quickly and foiled his plan, but she didn't know that it happened before Preminger; he had been the advisor for as long as she knew.

"Was there someone else besides Preminger?" Asked Anneliese as the Queen nodded.

"Who was it?" Asked Anneliese confused.

"Your Majesty, King Theo is here to see you," said a guard as Anneliese and the Queen turned to look at him.

"Thank you, Leo. I will see you at supper time, darling," said the Queen as Anneliese looked at her, shocked.

"But Mother…" started Anneliese as the Queen smiled at her.

"We will talk later about this, darling," said Queen Genevieve as Anneliese nodded and saw her Mother leave.

Once the Queen was out of sight, Anneliese made her way to the front of the castle with little Daniel in her arms.

Anneliese couldn't help but think about what her Mother had mentioned; who else had tried to rob Genova? Why was she not told this?

Anneliese needed to know who the corporation was and what happened to him. Where was he now?

Anneliese was so deep in thought that she didn't notice she had walked with Daniel to the front of the castle until she saw her cat Serafina and a couple of her kittens playing along the side of the castle.

It was then she placed her son down. He ran to the kitties and started playing with them, making her smile.

Serafina and Wolfie took turns staying in the castle of Genova and Dulcinea, where Erika lived with King Dominick.

In fact, it was almost time again for them to change locations, which must be why they were at the front of the palace.

"Mama," said little Daniel; he ran to her as she looked at her son and picked him up.

Daniel had just turned two a few months ago and was now walking and saying a few words here and there.

Occasionally, she and Julian would take Daniel to the village whenever they would take their strolls.

They tried their best not to do it often since he was still young and needed attention like the kingdom.

"Momma, momma," said Daniel as Anneliese looked toward her son and noticed he was pointing at something.

Anneliese turned and saw a beautiful red carriage approaching them, but it wasn't just any carriage; it was a familiar one she knew well.

With Daniel in her arms, she made her way to the carriage as they stopped, and the coachmen opened the door to reveal Erika.

"Nice of you to join us, Queen Erika," said Anneliese, smirking as she bowed to her friend. Erika smiled and shook her head.

"Really, Anneliese?" Said Erika, raising her eyebrow at Anneliese as they both giggled.

"I mean, you are a queen, a higher title than me," said Anneliese, smiling as Erika sighed.

"Yes, but you're my friend. Titles don't matter here," said Erika as Anneliese smiled.

"How's my nephew been doing?" Asked Erika as she reached for Daniel, and he happily went to her.

"Missing his aunty Erika and uncle Dominick, how is he doing?" Asked Anneliese as they began walking.

"Very busy; it seems many of the council members are still unhappy with my past," said Erika, upset.

"I'm so sorry, Erika. Don't listen to them. You have done an amazing job so far. I wouldn't take in what they say," said Anneliese as Erika smiled.

"Thank you. I had an amazing teacher teach me real quick three years ago," said Erika, smiling as Anneliese smiled.

She knew Erika was referring to her husband, who had quickly trained her to be a princess when they were trying to unmask Preminger.

This is why it was a bit easier for her to become a queen during the training since he had a little taste of it before.

"But it doesn't help with the problems occurring in the kingdom," said Erika, worried as Anneliese frowned, confused.

"What do you mean?" She asked as Erika sighed and looked at Anneliese.

"A number of bandits have been attacking our village. We don't know where they came from or why they came," said Erika as Anneliese thought momentarily.

"What are they after?" Asked Anneliese as Erika sighed.

"What most want, Gold," she said as Anneliese nodded.

"Have they asked for Gold?" asked Anneliese as Erika shook her head.

"Like a ransom? No, they have not. All they do is destroy things in the village. They're causing

destruction more than ever," said Erika.

"Has this problem ever occurred?" Asked Anneliese as Erika shook her head.

"From what Dominick has told me, this hasn't happened in years. The last time was when his parents were alive," said Erika.

"That was 15 years ago. Was it about the money back then or destruction as well?" added Anneliese as Erika shrugged.

"Honestly, I don't know; all we know is that the kingdom hasn't seen this chaos in years," said Erika as Anneliese nodded.

"Lord Caius thinks it might be the villager's uprising because of Dominick's choice," said Erika, hesitant of the last part. Anneliese knew what Erika meant and shook her head before smiling at her friend.

"If that were the case, the problems would have started three years ago when you guys barely got married, not now," she said as Erika smiled.

"At least lord Alexander likes me," said Erika, smiling as Anneliese frowned.

"Lord Alexander? From Andros?" Asked Anneliese as Erika nodded.

"Do you know him?" Asked Erika as Anneliese nodded, smiling.

"Of course, he was my Father's royal advisor before he died," said Anneliese, a bit upset as Erika smiled slightly at her.

"You miss him, don't you?" Asked Erika as Anneliese nodded.

"Every day, but I see him every day in Daniel," said Anneliese, smiling as she looked at her son and Erika looked at him.

"Is that true? I'd say you look a bit like your Daddy," said Erika as they saw Daniel giggling before laughing themselves.

"I know what you mean. I miss my parents every day as well," she said, a bit upset as Anneliese smiled at her.

"How did they die?" Asked Anneliese as Erika sighed.

"My mother died when I was five from a terrible cold she got," she said as Anneliese nodded.

"And your Father?" She asked as she shrugged.

"Honesty, I am not sure. My Father left one day and never returned," she said as Anneliese looked shocked.

"I'm so sorry, Erika," said Anneliese as she sighed and played with Daniel.

"What about your Father? How did he die?" Asked Erika as Anneliese shrugged.

"That's the one thing Mother couldn't afford to tell me; I knew better than to ask," said Anneliese as Erika nodded.

"But you have the right to know. Why not try now that it's been years?" Erika asked as Anneliese shrugged.

"I will try, but I don't think I will get an answer," Said Anneliese as Erika smiled.

"Lord Alexander will support you in any way he can; you can trust him for sure," said Anneliese as Erika smiled and nodded.

"Are you guys making trades with him?" asked Anneliese as Erika shook her head.

"He's a lord but doesn't own a place to rule anymore," said Erika as Anneliese looked confused.

"What do you mean?" asked Anneliese confused.

"He gave his land to his son, and he took a place in the royal council," said Erika as Anneliese looked shocked.

"Really? I had no idea. I guess a lot can change in years; I haven't seen him since I was seven," Said Anneliese as Erika raised her eyebrow.

"Wasn't he a friend of your Father's?" asked Erika as Anneliese nodded.

"After his death, I think he must have pulled away; my Father's death must have taken a toll on him," said Anneliese as Erika sighed.

"But to still not have contact with him in years?" asked Erika as Anneliese began to think.

"It does sound fishy, doesn't it?" asked Anneliese. Erika nodded, and Anneliese couldn't help but think.

"Would you like to stay for supper? I know we will all be happy to have you here," said Anneliese as Erika smiled.

"Thanks, but I must get back, or Dominick will worry next time," she said as Anneliese nodded.

"Next time," added Anneliese.

"Besides, we have a ball coming up; you guys are coming, right," Erika asked as Anneliese nodded.

"Of course, I know how much you love balls," said Anneliese sarcastically as Erika shook her head and smiled.

The one good thing Erika loved about the balls was that she could sing. She wouldn't do it always, but she would sing in most balls.

The girls were having a wonderful time giggling before noticing that Wolfie and Serafina came to them.

"I see the guests are ready?" Said Erika, looking down at the cats.

"Better get going then," added a familiar voice as both of them looked up to see Julian walking to them.

"Hello, Erika," said Julian, smiling.

"Julian, perfect timing. How are you?" Asked Erika, smiling.

"Terrific, and you? How is Dominick?" Asked Julian as Erika smiled.

"A bit worried about kingdom trouble, but other than that, he's doing fine," said Erika as Julian smiled.

"Tell me about it; I just had a meeting with King Theo," said Julian, making Anneliese frown, confused.

"I thought Mom was doing that?" Asked Anneliese as Julian smiled.

"We both did; since we are the heirs, one of us has to be there," added Julian.

"And it's usually the king," added Erika as Julian nodded.

"The good thing is that we will see you at the ball," said Erika as Julian nodded.

"Of course. I have already confirmed with Dominick and have sent him resources that might help with the situation," said Julian as Erika smiled.

"Thanks, Julian; hopefully, that does," added Erika, smiling as they nodded.

They all bid their goodbye and watched as Erika left before they walked into the castle and headed to the dining hall for dinner.

However, as they headed, Julian noticed something was bothering Anneliese since she seemed to be zoned out.

"Something the matter, Anneliese? And don't you dare tell me something is not wrong because I won't believe you," said Julian, stopping outside the dining hall.

Anneliese smiled at her husband. He knew her very well, and she knew he would not take a simple answer.

"I talked with Mom today, and she told me something unexpected," said Anneliese as Julian frowned, confused.

"What is it?" he asked, a bit concerned now.

"In other words, she said Preminger wasn't the first one to try to steal from Genova. If that's true, why wasn't I aware?" she asked, confused.

"Maybe you were just a child when it happened," he said as she shook her head.

"Still, as heirs to the throne, we should have all the information about our kingdom. If there was more, I want to know who they are and where they are," she said, upset.

"Why?" Asked Julian, confused as Anneliese looked at Daniel before looking at Julian.

"We have a precious gem who will inherit our lands one day; I don't want anything that we weren't aware of to be the reason he cannot rule," said Anneliese as Julian smiled.

"I understand, but let's take it one day at a time, okay?" Julian asked, and Anneliese nodded. They made their way inside the dining hall.

Once they entered, they saw Queen Genevieve having a nice dinner with King Theo, and Anneliese couldn't help but frown, confused.

"Anneliese, Julian, come in; we were just talking about the ceremony," said the Queen as Anneliese looked at her Mother, confused.

"What ceremony?" Asked Anneliese, confused as the Queen smiled.

"The one they are to have to celebrate Dulcinea's 100th anniversary, I hear it's going to be grand!" Exclaimed the Queen with joy.

"Hopefully, this will bring peace then," added Anneliese as the Queen nodded.

"I'm sure the bandits will calm down with the union coming up; I don't think we can always help them with that," added the Queen as Anneliese nodded.

The five took a seat and began to eat their dinner, but Anneliese couldn't help but notice how close King Theo was to her Mother.

Was there something going on that she did not know? She wanted to ask but knew better than to sneak into her Mother's business.

Yet again, they talked about her Father a while back, and her Mother claimed to miss him. And now this? Something wasn't adding up.

Once dinner was over, they all retreated to their rooms. Julian and Anneliese managed to put

Daniel down and headed to their room.

Upon entering, Anneliese was the first as Julian closed the door before looking at Anneliese confused.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Asked Julian as Anneliese sat on the bed and took a deep breath.

"It just doesn't make any sense. Why would my Mother say she missed my Dad and be having a good time with King Theo?" Anneliese asked, upset.

"I understand what you mean, but Anneliese, your Father has been dead for years; maybe your Mother wants to redo her life. Don't you want her to be happy?" He asked.

"It's not that Julian; it's what she said. She said she misses him every day and still feels as if he's still alive," said Anneliese as Julian smiled.

"That is true love, Anneliese; it never dies, no matter how far away the person is from us," added Julian as she sighed.

"It's more than that, Julian; I feel like there is something my Mother is not telling me," said Anneliese, standing up.

"Like what?" Asked Julian as Anneliese sighed.

"I'm not sure, but something isn't adding up; I need to find out what it is," she said as Julian hugged her from behind. They both stared at the beautiful night sky.

"Your majesty?" said a maid as Queen Genevieve looked towards her from her vanity.

"Yes?" Asked Genevieve as the maid handed her a letter.

"This came in for you," said the maid as Queen Genevieve took it confused and nodded.

"Thank you," said the Queen. The maid nodded and left while Queen Genevieve opened the letter and began to read.

If I were you, I would watch out. The past is hidden for a reason. Don't go sneaking into the past. Secrets are meant to be hidden, not uncovered.

Watch yourself, Your Majesty! Especially those you consider your allies, they might be the reason to

The Queen read the note and couldn't help but freak out; she didn't know what to do with the threatening note.

One part of her wanted to tell Anneliese, but the other part didn't because she didn't want her to worry.

"Seems like I have some investigation to do," said the Queen, looking at the note before heading to bed.