Читать книгу The Secret Princess - Elizabeth Harbison - Страница 10

Prologue

Twenty-Five Years Ago

“We have to go now, tonight. As the legitimate heirs to the throne, you and Amelia are in terrible danger.”

Princess Lily of Lufthania looked at her husband and hoped her eyes didn’t show the fear she felt. “I know. I don’t want to leave my country but…” Tears burned her eyes. “We have no choice. Father has friends in Washington, D.C. We’ll be safe there until we find a new home.” As if any place but Lufthania would ever feel like home.

Georg put his hand over hers. “You will be happy again. I swear it.”

She gave a small smile. “As long as I’m with you.”

He nodded but looked unconvinced. “We’ll have a brand-new start. We can make up new names for ourselves, new histories. How many people get a chance like that?”

They both knew the answer: only those unlucky enough to have their home stormed by hostile forces who would as soon kill them as look at them.

“I suppose we’re lucky,” she said, trying to believe it. Commander Maxim’s soldiers had already killed her widowed father, and although Maxim had said he would spare Princess Lily and give her a country home that had been in the family for many years, she knew it would be little more than a house arrest at best, and a setup for murder at worst. No, Lily and her husband and daughter needed to escape before the commander’s coup was complete and the airlines were under his control. “I’m certain the people will not stand for this new regime. Before we know it, we will be free to return.”

His gaze was serious. “You do know we might never return.”

“Yes.” Her father had been very pointed in telling her that, right before he pressed a large diamond ring into her hand and made her promise to leave the country, to flee to safety and sell the ring in order to start a new life.

“But Papa,” she had said, “you can come with us.”

“No, my sweet.” He drew her to him in a strong embrace. “I cannot leave my country. I have lived for my duties to the people and I will die for them, if need be.” He saw her objection before she voiced it, and put a finger to her lips. “No, it is not the same for you. You must be safe. You must keep my granddaughter safe. One day you will return to the throne. In the meantime, you must be sure they cannot find you. They may view the rightful heir to the throne as a threat.” It was as if he’d known he was going to die. Perhaps he had.

Lily returned her attention to her husband. “I’m certain we will return. Right always wins in the end.”

He looked into her eyes and smiled. “So idealistic. Is it any wonder that I love you so much?”

Her eyes burned but she was out of tears. “I love you too, Georg. More than I can say.”

Their daughter, little Princess Amelia, stirred in her cot. In two and a half months, Amelia would turn three. By then, her entire world would be different. She would no longer sleep in the butter-yellow nursery with the soft cotton sheets that had been her mother’s and her grandmother’s before that; she would no longer run into her grandpa’s arms every morning before breakfast; she would no longer have a future planned and destined for her, with assurances of home, food, safety and security.

And she would no longer be a princess.