"Banished from Heaven, Alexander Grey seeks vengeance in Damonaria's shadows. Princess Amara Ethan, accused of murder, holds the key to unlocking the Heartstone. As Alexander protects her from evil forces, their forbidden love blossoms. But with manipulative creatures, hidden agendas, and ancient powers at play, can they prevent the downfall of Damonaria?"
Chapter 1 Behind the palace's wall
Amara's POV:
I shouted, "Dad!" as I entered my father's palace. Don't be surprised; we don't live together, but we reside in the same compound. However, I barely see my parents, which I hate the most. Who tells you that royal families have it all? It's all lies.
My father's guard, Garrett, stopped me from entering, which annoyed me. "Let me in, Garrett," I shouted. Garrett is one of my father's favorite guards and one of the people I'm close to in the palace.
"Go back to your chamber, my princess," Garrett said. "The king doesn't want to see anyone. He's in the middle of a meeting right now."
"No!" I replied, folding my hands beneath my breast. "I'm not going back until I see my father. I have never gotten a chance to be here alone. It's either I'm with my siblings or my maids. Now that I got a chance to sneak out, you're trying to stop me."
I had to see my father; I wanted to tell him something. I didn't know why I felt like I should tell him today. I didn't know why I was having this strange feeling that I would never get a chance to tell him again.
"It's an order from his majesty that no one must enter the hall until the meeting is over," Garrett said.
I was about to reply when I heard the king's voice. "Let her in," my father said.
I stuck my tongue out of my mouth, teasing Garrett.
King Noah's POV:
I stared at my little princess, who was being childishly stubborn. She didn't notice my presence because she was busy arguing with my guard. I spoke out when I knew she wouldn't give up. The Amara I know would continue disturbing him until he allowed her to enter.
"Let her in," I said to Garrett.
I could see the satisfaction on her face. "What brings my princess here without her guard or maid?" I asked, knowing she had snuck out.
Amara's POV:
I shrugged my shoulders. "I just wanted to see you, Father. I thought you would be free today, so I decided to visit without my guard. I didn't know you would be mad at me."
"I'm sorry, King Noah," I added, looking down.
"I'm sure they would have been looking for you," I smirked.
"Go back to your chamber," my father said. "I will come to see you. I have some visitors I need to attend to, and you know the rules."
Of course, I knew the rules. I was not allowed to be seen by outsiders. I didn't know why they were hiding me. I'm not allowed to go out unless I sneak out, which no one must know. The only person who knows I sneak out is my personal maid, Olivia.
"I hope they have a genuine reason for hiding me," I thought.
My father asked Garrett to escort me back to my chamber and left. I frowned at Garrett, who seemed to be enjoying the whole thing. I stormed out.
"Wait, princess," Garrett said, running after me. A lot ran through my mind as I headed back to my chamber. Why is my father hiding me? Do I have some kind of disease that I don't know?
"Definitely no," I said out loud, answering my own thoughts. "Pardon," Garrett said, looking confused.
"Not talking to you," I replied. I was still thinking when a strong scent hit my nose, and I felt a presence of someone passing by me. I stopped walking and turned around to check, but I didn't see anyone. I'm sure something passed by because the palace is full of evil power.
"Do I need to interfere in this? What if my father is in danger?" I thought, looking at the entrance of the palace.
"What are you thinking, my princess?" Garrett asked.
I didn't want to interfere since my father asked me to return to my chamber. Seeing me there again would be like I'm disrespecting him. I don't want him to get mad at me again.
"Let's go," I said to Garrett as I started walking.
My maids ran to me when they saw me coming. I could see the worry on their faces.
"My lady," Olivia shouted. I chuckled, seeing them that way. Not that I enjoy seeing them suffer, I just hate the way they follow me around. I want to be free. I hate the life of a princess.
As I entered my chamber, which is the same chamber as my sisters, I have two elder sisters, Emily and Octavia, and I have one elder brother, Prince Liam. The moment I entered, they started laughing. I know they are mocking me.
I walked into my room, ignoring them. I'm not in the mood for their trouble this evening. It's almost time for me to sleep, and I don't want to sleep with anger. It's dangerous for my health. I don't want to die young. I still have to meet my Prince Charming before anything happens.
I smiled at my own thoughts, and just like a dream, I got a view of what I was thinking. Is this some kind of power I possess that I don't know about? Because my sisters called me a witch, I don't know what makes them think that way, and I'm starting to think like them. What if I'm really a witch?
"I called Olivia to see the person in front of me," "Is a guy, but he's backing me. The only thing I'm seeing is his back view."
"What are you talking about, my lady?" Olivia asked.
"I can't see anything there apart from the curtain," she said, getting me shocked. Does that mean I'm the only one seeing this?
I stood up and moved closer to the person. "You mean you can't see anyone here?" I asked Olivia.
Olivia nodded her head, giving me a "what's going on?" look. I need to see the person's face. I need to see the person's face. It's like I'm the only one who can see this.
As I was planning to touch the person, it vanished into thin air. What is this?
"I said loudly enough for Olivia to hear. "Are you okay?" Olivia asked.
"I'm fine," I replied. "I want to sleep."
"You haven't taken dinner, and I heard the king is coming to the dining today," Olivia said.
"He must have come to the dinner because of me," I thought. "I really want to see Father, but not at the dining where I always feel like I don't belong to anyone in the family. My mother, the queen, doesn't like me, just like my sisters. She likes my sisters and brother a lot. The only two who treat me like family are my father and my brother."
I heard a knock on my door. Olivia moved closer to check the person who was there. I could see from where I was sitting that it was one of my father's guards. He must have come to call me for dinner. I raised my hand to Olivia, telling her to prepare my dinner wear.
"Let's see what they planned for me," I thought.
As I climbed up the stairs to the dining hall, I saw my family already seated. My father, the king, was at the head of the table. My mother, the queen, was beside him, looking as beautiful as ever. My siblings, Emily, Octavia, and Prince Liam, were also seated.
"Amara, come and sit down," my father said, smiling at me.
I walked towards the table, trying to avoid eye contact with my mother and sisters. They always made me feel like I didn't belong.
As I sat down, I noticed a strange man sitting beside Prince Liam. He was handsome, with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair.
"Who is this?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
"This is Duke Alexander," my father replied. "He is a guest from a neighboring kingdom."
I nodded, trying to smile. But I couldn't help feeling like something was off.
As dinner began, I couldn't help but notice Duke Alexander's eyes on me. It made me feel uncomfortable.
"Amara, why are you so quiet?" my mother asked, her voice dripping with malice.
I shrugged, trying to avoid her gaze. "I'm just tired, Mother."
My father intervened, "Leave her alone, dear. She's had a long day."
I smiled at my father, grateful for his protection.
But as dinner continued, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Duke Alexander's eyes never left mine, and I felt like he was trying to tell me something.
What did he want from me?
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