Chapter 1
Charlie was running down the servants’ corridor and accidentally crashed into the laundry lady who spilled all of her laundries. She looked down at him with a glare, “Charlie! Watch what you’re doing.” Charlie picked up the clothes and smiled at her, “Sorry Mrs. Pothams.” Mrs. Pothams sniffed but her glare softened. Before she could say anything Charlie was on the run again. He rushed into the kitchen and grabbed the princess’s breakfast plate.
Charlotte looked at the door when it burst open and relaxed when she saw it was Charlie. Charlie set the food down on her bed with a grin, pulled a chair up, and sat in it. “How are you doing Charlotte?”, Charlie asked. She flipped her hair, “Fine if you don’t count my mother and Jozalynn making me go with them shopping today. I-” Charlie interrupted her, “I know, I know, you rather go out with your brother and do archery. I’m just saying this but maybe you know a person who could sneak you out there so you could do that.” Charlotte perked up at that. She knew Charlie would help her. In fact, she knew that would help her do anything. They had been best friends since Charlotte was 6 and Charlie 4. Charlie had been the only one she was able to make friends with. Well, other than her brother.
They were talking while Charlotte was eating when somebody burst through the door. Charlie quickly stood up. He wasn’t supposed to be sitting down next to royalty and that could get him and Charlotte in trouble. Charlotte’s brother, Liam, started laughing and they both relaxed. “Charlie, you should’ve seen the look on your face! Ahh…. That was nice. So, how are you, Charlie? Haven’t seen you in a week.”, Liam sat down at the end of Charlotte’s bed. Charlotte hit him with a scowl on her face, “I could’ve had a heart attack!” Liam smiled at her softly. Liam was her older brother and the next in line for the throne since he was the oldest at 15. Charlie and Charlotte both knew though he rather not. Liam had told them he would rather hang out with them and his best friend Leo, a stable boy. Liam had always been Charlotte’s favorite family member. She could tell him anything, like how she had made friends with the kitchen boy. Liam, Charlotte, and Charlie were all close friends together.
Charlie gathered up the breakfast stuff and headed towards the door. He turned back, “I couldn’t risk getting the cook to yell at me again. Oh, Leo told me to give this to you and say that he’s available tonight but just don’t get caught.” Charlie pulled a letter out of his chest pocket and gave it to Liam. “Bye!”, Charlie exclaimed and left.
Meanwhile, King James was pacing back and forth in the throne room. He was worried about the upcoming visit of the British royal family. There was to be a ball and dinner. Everything had to be perfect. Sighing, he sat back down on his throne only to have a couple of seconds of peace before all three of his children came rushing in. King James looked up to see an angry Jozalynn, a stubborn Charlotte, and a cautious and exhausted Liam. Now King James was amused. He knew that Charlotte probably had fought about doing something that ‘normal girls’ would do, Jozalynn had argued about it with her, and Liam probably got called into it by Charlotte for her backup. “Children, children, what is going on?”, said King James with an amused expression on his face. He looked down at them all but his eyes lingered on Liam who saw this and looked down. Jozalynn came right out with a huffy voice, “Charlotte won’t go with Mother and Me shopping even though we all know she needs to wear something new. Also, something that isn’t those horrid colors she insists on wearing like green and black.” Charlotte glared at her and looked up at her father, “You know I hate shopping Father. It’s vile and unnecessary! Why do we even have to have them over?” King James stood up and told Jozalynn to go. “They are important because I say they are Charlotte and you must go shopping with your mother.”, King James sighed. Charlotte was no doubt his favorite child. Inside he saw himself. Brave, stubborn, and fighting for what she thought was right. Though sometimes, it was hard to get her to do what you wanted.
After she stormed off, King James looked at Liam. He put a lot of pressure on Liam because he was next in line as the heir, but King James also loathed him. For Prince Liam had something King James didn’t. Prince Liam had compassion. He was able to make friends with anybody just by listening to them and saying a couple of sentences. Another fact might be that Liam reminded King James of his own mother. Both were sweet, kind, and had blonde hair.
“During the visit I expect you to behave. . . Also, I’ve heard that you have been hanging out with the stable boy. I remind you that we do not make friends with servants. If I catch or hear that you’ve been seeing him again I will make sure there will be punishments for both of you.”, King James said sternly. Liam nodded and didn’t say anything. The King dismissed him.
