Chapter 48

Standing in the dressing room, I peak out from the behind the curtain to see an array of reporters from news crews to those looking for a scoop for the Zalaris Star - the Capitol City's news paper – and even some with little blogs that were invited. It seems that my Uncle spared no corners when it came to inviting anyone who could get the word out.

"Are you okay?" Sky's voice is just beside my ear, making me jump as I turn to face him. He chuckles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and making me smile.

"Nervous, but I can do it." I answer, taking his free hand in mine and relishing in his touch. Alice had told me that Sky went to check on Juden and the security in the dungeon before he ran into Ron and my grandfather. She had sent a Maid to find the three men to come meet us in the Broadcasting Room, which they thankfully did. I don't think I could face all those people waiting in the crowd for me without Sky beside me.

"Well, you get through this and we can go on a much needed date." He leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips, preventing me from saying anything for a moment. Date. He said date. I smile into the kiss as I think about what we could do for our date before the kiss ends and he straightens, staring down at me with a smirk.

"Where are we going for our date?" I question, the anxiety of facing the room full of people forgotten.

"Where ever you want to go, Allisara." He whispers my name, the sound of it coming of his tongue making me shiver in delight. I know I should say something, correct Sky into calling me Alli like always but I can't help and like the way he says my name. Its like he is claiming me as his. The truth is, I am his, at least I hope I am. Maybe this long awaited date can be the one we clear up who we are to each other.

"I have a place in mind we can go, Skylard ." My voice is also a whisper, not wanting to disturb this small moment between us. His smirk drops in surprise before a bright smile shines on his face, my own lips curving into one that I know matches his. Our moment comes to an end though as Ellisia walks towards me, telling me it is almost time for the broadcast and that I need the final touch ups before I face the crowd.

Ellisia had come to help with preparations for today, helping Uncle Christopher with everything from welcoming the press to bringing refreshments. When the reporters and press were sat in the room just beyond the curtains I stood behind, she came to the dressing room to help all of us that will be standing on the stage look presentable.

"Sorry Sky but I need her now." She shrugs, taking my hand and pulling me towards the small vanity where she retouches my makeup. Liz comes up behind us, her face filled with admiration and grandmotherly love as we look at each other through the reflection.

"Would you like to do the finishing touch, my Lady?" Ellisia asks Liz, backing away and motioning to the tiara that sits on the vanity. It isn't the usual amethyst one I wear but a decorative rose gold with diamonds and a ruby statement piece.

"Just call me Liz, dear." Liz calls out, making me laugh as Ellisia looks at her with a look of confusion.

"I am sorry my Lady, but seeing as your are the Princess' grandmother, you will be addressed as such." I can see Liz wanting to argue with her, but she decides not to as Ellisia lifts the pillow the tiara rests on and holds it out to Liz. The elderly woman sighs and, with shaky hands, she lifts the tiara from the pillow and places it gently onto my head. She gently rearranges my curly locks around the tiara before backing away.

"Beautiful." She mumbles, her smile filled with pride.

"I agree." My grandmama muses as she comes to stand beside Liz.

"Now lets head onto the stage before Christopher has a conniption." She adds with a laugh, motioning for Liz to follow her as she walks towards my grandfather and Ron. Sky comes to stand beside me, offering his hand to me which I take, standing to my feet and joining the others at the entrance. I think about what Ellisia said, of Liz being my grandmother, and she is right. Liz and Ron are my grandparents just as much as Lillian and Everette are.

"Presenting Marquis and Marquess Blanchard, Lady and Lord Rinmer, Sir Skylard Blackhawk and her Royal Highness, Princess Allisara Nimair of the Kingdom of Nimairene." A butler calls out as the curtains part. My grandparents are the first to walk out, the two taking a seat on the stage. Next, Liz and Ron take a seat, Liz blushing at the attention as people call for Ron and her to look their way but they too take a seat. Sky leads me to the last two remaining seat that are situated between Liz and grandmama, the two of us walking to our destination with our heads held high. We both take our seat, Sky giving my hand one last reassuring squeeze before we have to behave in front of the cameras with the red lights indicating they are on and live.

My Uncle walks onto the stage, his body clothed in a well tailored designer suit and I recognize Lidia's handiwork instantly. He takes a stand at the podium, his face an emotionless mask as he looks towards the crowd of reporters and press.

"Welcome people of the press, reporters and those seeking the truth." He begins, speaking into the mic attached to the podium.

"I am Lord Blanchard, uncle to Princess Allisara and I would like to let you all know that after a third assassination attempt, my niece is safe and Sound." He continues, the press asking multiple questions as he pauses. He holds out his hand, the crowd pausing for a moment giving my uncle a chance to speak once again.

"If you have questions, please hold them till the end after Princess Allisara has spoken." My Uncle exclaims, the flashes of camera's going and capturing his image.

"Now, I welcome my niece, Princess Allisara, to take the podium as this is her press conference." He introduces me, stepping to the side of the Podium and holding his hand out to me. I stand from my chair and walk towards him, placing my hand in his and watch as he lifts it and places a kiss on the back of it. I thank him for putting this conference together so fast and watch as he walks to his own chair that is placed beside my grandfather before I face the crowd.

"Good evening the people of Zalaris. I am Allisara Crestal Nimair, Princess of Nimairene and soon to be Queen." I start and take a deep breath. Grandmama and Liz prepared me in what to say but I need to state everything in my own words.

"Yesterday during the parade I was attacked for the second time since returning to my rightful place. After that while seeking shelter with my adoptive grandparents, their house was broken into and explosives destroyed their home. This was the third attempt on my life just hours apart." I watch as a look of unease fill the people before me and I wonder just what the people watching the broadcast are thinking.

"Your Highness, do you know who is behind this attack?" A man calls out, holding his microphone towards me. I smile in his direction before answering.

"The culprits are a part of Juden Trilavantas' faction. The ex-regent has confessed that the rebellion that took place fourteen years ago killing many innocent lives, including my parents, was caused by him. His people want to see me dead with Juden back on the throne." A collection of gasps and disbelief resonates around the room. I wait for them to settle down and ask the one question I am waiting for. Finally a woman stands up with her hand raised timidly in the air. I nod at her and she takes a deep breath. She looks like a blogger with how the man behind her films this interaction on a small device, but the unmistakable red light tells me she is live as well.

"Do you have any proof of this confession, your Highness?" She asks, her voice shaking slightly.

"I do, actually." Happy that someone asked the question I have been waiting for, I pick up the remote on the podium and turn to the screen behind my family, pressing play. The screen turns on and the video recording of Juden's confession plays out. The room is pin-drop silent, the crowd before me captivated by the video as my interrogation with Juden continues. When he gets to the point of how he was going to kill me, someone shouts out in outrage. Finally the video comes to an end and I turn back to address everyone.

"Juden Trilavantas was like family to me. For the first six years of my life I called him my Uncle and was set to marry his son Demitrias." I begin, closing my eyes as the memories of Juden and my father laughing and talking flashes through my mind.

"But due to his greed, he betrayed my family in order to take the throne. Had he waited till my twenty first birthday, Demitrias and I would have married and his family would have become royalty in the end. Instead, he wanted to be King." I feel tears falling down my face and I refuse to wipe them away. My people need to see the pain this caused me. That even through my tears I stand tall ready to fight.

"As he mentioned in his confession, Jude took me to a Doctor and it is because of this doctor that I am still alive. He sealed my memories and sent me into the slums of Zalaris so that I had a fighting chance at living and could make it to the age of twenty – the age I am now – so that my memories could return to me and I can return as your rightful Queen." I paused, taking a deep shaky breath before smiling into the cameras.

"I promise to be the Queen the people of Nimairene deserve. I have already started by reforming the Military, removing those in power that took Juden's side. I have started abolishing the laws that traitor create the last fourteen years and replacing them with laws that will benefit the people. But most importantly I have started rejuvenating the Slums and helping those find proper jobs that will help support their families." Someone, a man with a recording device pointed towards me, asks what steps I have taken for the Slums and I happily explain that I am helping to rebuild many of the broken and run down homes, documenting ownership with those that have lived in said buildings for years. That I have helped others find jobs within and outside Zalaris. This answer placates him as he returns to his seat and I am able to continue speaking.

"Yesterday the fair planned for the Spring Parade was ruined by the shooters. As such I want to apologize to the people for this and in three days time I will have fairs around and outside the city take place. At the same time a ball will take place for the Nobles to come to the Palace so that I may get to know the Nobles that help run the Kingdom." No one interrupts me this time and I am thankful for that as the last part is something I dread saying. It's been fourteen years since the last rebellion and right now I need to stop any chances of another one occurring. For that, I need to do one thing that I have been looking forward to for the last few weeks since putting that man into the dungeons.

"Although we have fun times ahead of us, there are some unfortunate actions I need to take to prevent another rebellion that may lead into a civil war." The crowd starts firing question after question about what these actions are and I have to wait for them to settle once more before I can continue. The frown on my face must have been the signal that I was growing impatient and someone begins shushing the crowd until they all return to their seats with embarrassed looks.

"My people have interrogated many of Juden's men, including Juden himself. We have found that many of their family members had no clue of them turning traitors as well as many that also turned traitors. You may have noticed land being seized in the name of the Crown and the Trilavantas are no exception." I take another deep breath before continuing, my hands clenching into fists as I brace myself for another onslaught of questions I don't want to answer.

"I have canceled the engagement between Demitrias Trilavantas and I. Have taken back many of the land that belonged to all the traitors but left some to those that are innocent so that they may rebuild their life after their spouses, children and relatives left them destitute by turning their backs to the Crown. I have removed people from rank and made them normal citizens and have taken shops and business that were used to fund Juden and his rebellion. I hate that I have to do this, hate to know that people my family have trusted for generations would turn their backs on us just for money and power, but I hate that in a weeks time I will have to publicly execute many of these men and women because of the choices they made." The crowd gasps and shouts in dismay at this announcement. A public execution hasn't happened in over sixty years. I catch sight of my reflection in the glasses of some man in the crowd. I stand tall, my face a mask of pain and determination with tear streaks along my cheeks. This is the person I want to portray to my people, a Queen who has compassion for those she rules over but is determined to do what is right for the good of her Kingdom.

"My Uncle, Lord Christopher Blanchard will read a list of who is to be executed when I am done and answer questions related to this but I want to end with this warning for my people. As much as this may scare you all, please prepare yourselves for a rebellion and a possible civil war. We have yet to find all of those associated with Juden Trilavantas but we are doing the best we can to hunt each and every traitor down. I, as your soon to be Queen, will do everything in my power to prevent a civil war, but I cannot guarantee my preventions will work. That is all I have to say." With that, I return to my seat and my uncle takes the podium. He begins with reading out a list of well known traitors, starting with the ones who's minor involvement sent them to prison and demoted their whole family to commoner status. Some of the reporters in the crowd asks questions and he patiently answers them. I am thankful that he is able to take charge as this whole conference has left me feeling exhausted and sad. So many people want me dead for no other reason than because I am Royalty standing in the way of their greed.

Uncle Christopher continues the list, this time announcing the names of those to be executed and what punishment their family received due to their actions. The last name to be read is Juden's stating he will be the first to be executed for the crimes he committed fourteen years ago and over the course of his regency. No one protests to this, as the shock from the truth has worn off. Finally the conference comes to an end and Sky helps escort me from the stage. Guards will escort the reports off the Palace grounds thankfully and I am happy to be done with everything.

"When did we decide on a ball?" My grandmama asks when we enter the dressing room, giving me appointed look.

"When I was addressing the press." I shrug, thanking Ellisia as she hands me a glass of water and greedily drink the cool liquid.

"Well, at least you gave use three days to prepare." She grumbles, but I can see the excitement in my grandmama's eyes. I have learned since reuniting with her that she lives for balls and functions and to have free reign to plan one in the Palace must be making her giddy like a child on Christmas morning. My grandfather chuckles, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his side for a small hug.

"You do know you'll have to wear a ball gown again, right." He states, making me roll my eyes.

"I know. But I have a few announcements I want to make in front of the Nobels, and what better place than at a ball." I shrug as my grandfather smirks, his eyes darting to look at Sky who is talking with Liz and Ron.

"Do those announcements have anything to do with those three?" He whispers into my ear and I nod, my lips curving into a soft smile.

"They do."