1 Twelve Years Apart

"Alira, don't cry. I promise I will protect you." A boy who had blonde hair and gray eyes said.

He was Caden Richards, the only son of her father's friend, Jayden Richards, and the princess of Flousia, Margaret Richards.

They were at the throne hall earlier to witness the coronation of Caden's uncle, the king of Flousia. But the country's most awaited celebration turned into a nightmare when a group of men barged into the palace.

At first, she couldn't understand what was happening. She didn't know the reason those men who came were holding guns and knives.

She was holding hands with Caden when it suddenly became quiet. Then Caden dragged her beside his mother. She stayed behind him instead of running toward her parents and her twin brother.

"Caden, what's happening?" She asked while looking at him with a confused face.

Caden's eyes held no emotions, making her even more worried.

"Don't let go." He said.

She nodded, even though she knew nothing behind his words. Then he pulled her to walk closer to her parents. She was relieved to be with them and her twin brother, Lucas.

Everything happened so fast and the next thing she knew, the men who came and the royal guards pointed their guns at each other. Her heart pounded and her knees weakened. She was so scared, but she felt Caden squeeze her hand gently.

She looked at his serious face and there she saw no fear in his eyes. They were both six, but Caden looked more mature with his expression.

"Do you trust me?" He asked.

She bit her lip and nodded at him. Then Caden ran outside the throne hall, pulling her away from everyone.

Men were fighting, and shooting each other everywhere they went. Despite her exhaustion and fear, Caden kept running. She wasn't really sure why she trusted him so much, but she felt safe with him even though they were just six years old.

"Caden, where are we going?" She asked.

"We're going to hide in the library." He said.

She didn't ask anymore and just followed him. They ran through a long hallway that felt so endless. Her feet were numb, and she was breathing raggedly. When they took a turn, they bumped into someone, making them fall on the floor.

Caden was quick to react. He covered Alira so the man in front of them wouldn't see her.

"Prince Caden!" The man called.

"Who are you?" Caden asked, while glaring at the man.

"I'm a historian. I work here and am a servant of your mother. Why are you here alone? Where are you going?" The man asked.

Caden looked at the man from head to toe, making sure he wasn't lying to them.

"We're looking for the library. Do you know where it is?" Caden asked.

The man nodded. "Just run straight through this hall and you will see a big bronze door by the end of it. You have to hurry. I saw some men running in that direction."

Caden didn't say another word. He stood up and grabbed her hand. But before they left, the man held Caden's hand.

"My prince, you will be a great king someday." He said.

Alira heard the man's words. She glanced at him and saw that he was hugging something. He smiled at her and ran in the other direction.

"Alira!"

She then looked around and saw her friends looking at her.

"What?" She pouted.

"You're thinking of your prince again?" Vira, one of her friends, asked with sarcasm.

She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Why would I? I was just thinking of my speech on Saturday."

She lied to her friends. The events that happened twelve years ago were still fresh in her mind, as if it was just yesterday.

She was six when she met Caden. They became close because their parents were friends. And eventually, she became his crown princess when he became the heir to the throne of Flousia. 

A day after the engagement, she went back to her country. But because of some circumstances, they forbid her to tell anyone that Caden was a crown prince and she was his crown princess. It was a secret she kept for the past twelve years.

She told her friends she has someone special, a prince, but never dropped a name or even the country he was in. She didn't even know if they believed her.

A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes passed by in the hallway. Alira glanced at her and sighed.

"Do you know Caroline?" Lea asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, a family friend."

"Really? You know she's a bit of a rebel. She's always in either the principal's office or in the guidance counselor." Vira commented.

Lucia Caroline Richards—Caden's little sister. Alira wanted to get close to her, but they never had the chance to talk. Caroline was rebellious and always did what she wanted. Unlike her, Caden's sister always disobeyed her parents.

She was unsure if Caroline knew about her engagement with Caden. She would pass by their classroom and would sometimes glance or glare at her.

"I think they said she has an older brother who's studying in Switzerland and a younger sister who died long ago. Maybe that's the reason she's like that. I heard she punched someone in the face and was on her way to the principal's office again." Lea chuckled.

Alira took a deep breath and stood up. Her friends called her, but she didn't look back. She ran outside and went to the principal's office.

Caroline's parents, Jayden and Peggy, we're on vacation. Caden was not around either, so she felt like Caroline needed her.

She saw Caroline walking out of the principal's office. Her heart pounded as she approached her.

"Caroline!" She called.

The girl glared at her. "What?"

"I-I just—"

"Save it. I don't need you to scold me." Caroline said.

"N-No! I'm not! I-I just want to ask if you're okay." She stuttered.

She heard Caroline chuckle.

"Do you really want to know if I'm okay? Or you're here to ask about my brother? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, princess. I have never talked to him. I didn't even know what he looked like. So don't bother."

Then Caroline walked out, leaving her speechless.