001

As the first light of morning painted the horizon, Elisa found herself in the foreign land where the ship had anchored. The air was thick with the residue of night's chaos, and the once regal princess now moved among a sea of slaves, their faces etched with weariness.

A resounding siren echoed through the morning air, piercing the quiet dawn

Amidst the clamor of the waking world, Elisa engaged in hushed dialogue with her fellow captives.

"Marcus, send words across to not reveal the identities or status of both their selves and the royals caught!"

"Consider it done your...." A glare from her warned him and he changed his words," Consider it done Elisa "

Whispers of rebellion and escape fluttered among the downtrodden, a shared hope born in the shadows of oppression.

In this bleak tableau, a familiar face emerged from the crowd. Mrs. Cappuccino, the caretaker from Norway, approached with a mix of surprise and concern etched across her features.

"Princess Elisa?" Mrs. Cappuccino uttered in a hushed tone.

Elisa nodded subtly, acknowledging the woman who had once cared for her in the palace. Before Mrs. Cappuccino could express her astonishment, Elisa interjected, "Not here. Skip the formalities and just call me Elisa"

Mrs. Cappuccino, though taken aback, complied with a nod. "Elisa, my dear, it's a relief to see you. But where is your sister?"

Elisa's eyes reflected the sorrow that lingered from the night of the abduction. "We were separated. I don't know where she is."

Just as uncertainty settled upon them, a small figure emerged from the crowd. Little Chloe, Elisa's younger sister, rushed forward with unbridled joy upon recognizing Elisa.

"Elisa! I missed you so much! I was scare that I wouldn't get to see you again..." Chloe exclaimed, throwing her arms around Elisa in a tight hug.

Elisa, touched by the warmth of the reunion, embraced Chloe protectively. The masked figure observed the scene, his gaze revealing a rare glimpse of empathy beneath the mask.

As the trio huddled together in the morning light, Elisa's tone grew serious. "Chloe, you mustn't reveal our true identities to anyone here. It's crucial for our safety."

Chloe, mature beyond her years, nodded solemnly. The sisters, now bound by a shared fate in the harsh light of day, faced the challenges that lay ahead, and the echoes of the morning siren faded into the ceaseless rhythm of their new reality. The ship that had brought them to this unfamiliar territory became a distant memory as they navigated the perils of secrecy and survival in the unforgiving light of the dawn.

*** ***

Prince Eric, the illustrious firstborn amidst 26 daughters, emerges as the undeniable heir to the grand Samaria Empire. Born of King Ronald's final and most cherished union amongst his harem.

He shrouds his countenance beneath a luxuriously thick royal cloak, a testament to his mother's forewarning of his breathtaking visage's lethal allure. Within the royal sisterhood, Princess Isabella, Princess Seraphina, and Princess Arabella stand as the most esteemed winning their stepbrother's heart, each weaving their unique threads into the tapestry of the impending royal reign.

But amongst them all, the one that could be Said to have her brother wrapped around her little finger is princess Arabella.

*** ***

Elisa grunts as she approached the well to fetch water alongside her fellow captives. She has never had to fetch her own water. But now....it's a different story.

Unbeknownst to her, Eric, the soon-to-be king, disguised himself as a senior planner, his regal attire concealing the cloak that veiled his identity were gone.

He was a pure work of art as he caused all head to turn as he passed. This handsome possessed piercing sapphire eyes that mirrors the depth of the ocean, complemented by a chiseled jawline and a confident, charismatic smile. His ebony hair cascades in soft waves, framing a face adorned with a regal nose and defined cheekbones. A subtle scar on his cheek tells tales of bravery, adding a touch of mystery to his otherwise flawless appearance.

All heads turned as he passed by.

As Elisa dipped the worn bucket into the well, Eric approached with an air of authority. "Good day, my lady. I am responsible for the palace's logistics," he greeted, his eyes drawn to the resilience in Elisa's gaze.

Elisa, surprised by the courteous address, and unable to take her eyes of him nodded in acknowledgment. Where did this handsome chunk of meat come from??? She questioned herself.

"Nice to meet you too...." She finally found her voice as she said.

"Eric...and may i know yours?" He asked as he took in all of her beautiful features, especially her eyes, still as bright as he saw her that day in the cabin and stubborn too.

"It's Elisa"

He took the bucket from her and carried it, this too also being his first time to fetch water.

Their conversation flowed like the water they drew from the well, as they walked each exchange revealing layers of their personas but still hid anything that might possibly relate to their personal lives as royalties in their own way.

Eric, genuinely intrigued, found himself captivated by Elisa's strength and spirit.

Elisa, looking into the eyes of the senior planner wondered if she was really going to fall in love in a foreign land and of all places in the enemy's domain!

As the buckets were filled and the sun dipped below the horizon, their conversation deepened. Eric, enchanted by the mysterious slave girl, confessed, "Such beauty shouldn't go to waste!"

He said as he took in her sweet smell cinnamon....and jasmine??

Though it was faint it couldn't be mistaken. But he didn't dwell on that.

Elisa, unaware of the true identity of her interlocutor, laughed and blamed it all on the soon to be king.

Eric was taken aback a bit but still asked her to go on.

As if noticing his quick mood swing asked if she could trust him, and he quickly said yes....if course what else was he to say.

"That prince is always so full of himself, I wonder why the nobles of this kingdom would want to be ruled by such an inhumane beast!" She said so fast not even stopping to catch her breath once.

Eric felt as if he was stripped off his dignity but swallowed all the anger as it came from someone he was trying to make friends with.

"I've heard so many things about this guy, but I don't actually believe in them all"

Elisa gave him the stink eyes almost immediately, "So you support him? Are you one of his faithful follower?"

The way she questioned him with do much authority etched in her voice made him shudder. He has never had to face such a strong willed woman.

The siren rang loud and that was the first time that Eric regretted any one of his decisions. The signal was for the slaves to return back to their tents meaning that they'll be parting ways soon.

At least he didn't have to answer such a question.

"I'll have to take that from you, and thanks and also it was very nice talking to you"

"The pleasure is mine dear"

As they parted ways, Elisa carried the weight a conversation that resonated with unexpected warmth. Eric, the soon-to-be king, wrestled with newfound emotions, his heart entangled in the enigma of a slave girl personality.

Unbeknownst to both, the seeds of an unforeseen connection had been sown amidst the mundane task of drawing water from the well.