The Royal Maid And The Lost Kingdom

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Alice’s POV

At first, they were hesitant. They told me that fighting was dangerous and that they were there to protect me. But I was determined, I made it a point to ask them very minute. I wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet and not be a burden to anyone else. They eventually relented and agreed to teach me everything they knew.

We traveled through dense forests and over rough terrain, stopping only briefly to rest. During the day, my protectors taught me the basics of hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting. At night, I practiced what I had learned, trying to perfect my technique. I was exhausted, but I pushed through.

Whenever I was tired and wanted to give up, I thought of Meredith and all she had done for me. I remembered the look of pride on her face as she died saving me, and I knew I had to honor her sacrifice by becoming stronger.

My protectors were excellent teachers. They were patient and kind, and they never once scolded me for making a mistake.

Instead, they encouraged me and praised me for my progress. I learned quickly and soon I was able to defend myself in sparring sessions. I still had a long way to go, but I was proud of myself and grateful to my protectors for their help.

We traveled through the dense forest, making our way towards my father’s land. Every day, my protectors taught me the art of sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, and archery.

They pushed me to my limits, but I was determined to learn. I remembered Meredith’s sacrifice and her words to me before she died, “It has been an honor to serve Her Queen.” These words fueled me to keep going, even when I was exhausted and my muscles ached.

“Alright Alice, let’s go over the sword fighting techniques one more time,” one of my protectors, Jack, said to me.

I picked up my sword, ready for the training. “Sure, let’s do this.”

Jake lunged at me, and I parried his attack. We continued to go back and forth, each of us trying to get the upper hand. Sweat dripped down my forehead, but I didn’t let it break my focus. I was getting better every day, and I could see the pride in Jack’s eyes.

“Good job, Alice. You’re becoming quite the warrior,” Jack complimented me after our training session.

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

My other protector, Alex, chimed in, “You’re not just a warrior, Alice. You’re a leader. You have a fire within you that drives you to be better, to protect those you care about. That’s what makes a great leader.”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at his words. I was becoming stronger and more confident every day. And I knew that this newfound strength would serve me well when I finally reached my father’s land.

As I traveled to the lost kingdom, I had very few possessions with me, including a small bag with essentials for survival. Every night, I found myself sleeping on the cold, hard ground. I tried my best to make a makeshift bed with leaves and twigs, but it did little to cushion me from the rough terrain.

As we continued on our journey, I felt a sense of wonder at the beauty of the forest. Tall trees surrounded us, their branches reaching towards the sky. A soft light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The sound of birds chirping filled the air, and the scent of blooming flowers wafted towards me on the gentle breeze.

At night, we made camp and continued our training. I was exhausted, but I didn’t want to waste a single moment. I was determined to become the best fighter I could be.

As I lay on the ground, I could feel the cold seeping into my bones, and I shivered uncontrollably. I missed the soft bed I used to sleep on back in the kingdom with Edward and the warm fire that always burned in the hearth.

I miss his heated kisses and how his touch affected me. But why did he betray me, did he know about it all from the beginning? Was that why he made my stay unbearable before he made me fall for him? Was that his end goal after all?

But I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. I was determined to make a better life for myself. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and tried to get some rest, preparing myself for the journey ahead.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

One day, as we were making our way through the forest, we heard the sound of footsteps behind us. We quickly turned around, swords at the ready. A group of bandits emerged from the trees, brandishing weapons and shouting threats.

I stepped forward, sword in hand. “Who are you and what do you want?” I demanded.

The leader of the bandits sneered at me. “Hand over all your valuables, and we’ll let you go unharmed.”

I laughed. “I don’t think so. You picked the wrong day to mess with us.”

Jack and Alex stepped forward, joining me in the front line. The bandits charged at us, but we were ready for them. We fought fiercely, our swords clashing against their weapons. I could feel my training kicking in, and I moved with a grace and skill that I never thought possible.

After what felt like an eternity, the last of the bandits lay defeated at our feet. I sheath my sword, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

“Well done, Alice,” Jack said, clapping me on the back.

I grinned. “Thanks, but we couldn’t have done it without each other.”

That encounter only strengthened my resolve to become a better fighter. I was no longer content with just being able to defend myself, I wanted to be able to protect others too. So, I pushed myself even harder, training for hours each day until my muscles ache and my arms were too tired to lift my sword.

As we continued on our journey, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beauty of the forest that surrounded us. The tall trees reached for the sky, their branches casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers and the sounds of birds singing. It was a stark contrast to the dungeon where I had been trapped for so long, and I was grateful for the chance to experience the freedom of the outdoors.

But, as beautiful as the forest was, it was also dangerous. We encountered many obstacles and had to be on constant alert for danger. But, with each challenge, I grew stronger and more confident. I was no longer the helpless princess who had been thrown into the dungeon, I was becoming a warrior.

As I journeyed toward my father’s kingdom, I realized the importance of being able to protect myself. I had been a prisoner for too long, relying on others to keep me safe. But now, I was determined to take control of my fate. I asked my protectors to teach me how to fight.

My training was rigorous, with each day bringing a new challenge. I was taught the art of sword fighting, as well as how to shoot a bow and arrow. I was even trained in hand-to-hand combat, which I found to be both exhilarating and exhausting.

But I always manage to push through the fatigue, always remembering Meredith and the sacrifice she made for me. Her selflessness fueled my determination to become the warrior she believed I could be.

As we made our way through the dense forest, my protectors also taught me about the dangers that lurked within. They told me of the wild beasts that roamed the forests, and of the bandits who sought to prey on travelers. I learned to be alert at all times, always ready to defend myself if necessary.

The forest was a world of its own, with towering trees that seemed to reach for the sky and a lush undergrowth that was alive with the sounds of animals and insects. I was awed by the beauty of it all, but I also knew that it could be a dangerous place. I was grateful for the training my protectors had given me, and I felt a sense of pride in my newfound abilities.

As we traveled deeper into the forest, I began to realize just how much I had changed. I was no longer the helpless girl who had been thrown into the dungeon, but a warrior, ready to face any challenge that came my way. And yet, I also knew that I still had much to learn. My journey was far from over, and I was eager to see what lay ahead.

The conversations I had with my protectors as we journeyed through the forest were a mix of laughter and serious discussions about strategy. They taught me about different battle tactics and how to read the terrain and predict the movements of my enemies. I was constantly learning and improving, and I knew that one day I would be ready to reclaim my rightful place as the heir to the Lost Kingdom.

As we continued on our journey, I realized that I had come full circle. From a prisoner in a dungeon, I had become a warrior, determined to clear my parents’ name and reclaim my rightful place. I was stronger, both physically and mentally, and I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.