The Abused Princess' Second Chance

"Well it was about 12 years ago…

Cobsworth had put me in charge of the task of greeting Lady Hattie and her father Lord Westly. He said that His Majesty who was His Highness at the time, needed him by his side. So he (Cobsworth) was leaving me with the responsibility of escorting Hattie and her father to The King's Office.

I was so excited. A job that huge was something that they only entrusted to Butlers and I had only been a Castle Servant for 3 years but Cobsworth said that my determination and willingness to learn made me trustworthy…

I took so much pride in knowing Cobsworth could trust me… Now I wish I had never taken on the responsibility…

I had heard rumors of Hattie and her father and how cruel they were to servants but I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt… I wish I hadn't because the two of them were even worse than the rumors.

When Hattie and her father entered the castle I made sure I was the first one at the door. I bowed to them, trying to give them a perfect servant greeting, but they turned their noses up to me… They didn't even acknowledge me as a human being… I still remember what they said to me…

'What an ugly servant… No manners, horribly dressed, so impolite,' Hattie snarked at me…

'Behave yourself Hattie, we don't want His Highness to know about your temper just yet… However much I do agree…' Westly agreed looking at me, 'Next time take better care of yourself and don't look so disgusting… Now take us to see His Majesty, we don't have all day,' He demanded.

I not wanting to stir up trouble, I nodded and escorted them to the King's Office.

The walk there was silent, you could cut the tension with a knife… I felt no matter what I did it would only cause trouble so I just decided to keep my mouth shut and get to the office as quickly as possible.

When we finally got there, and entered the room we were met with His Highness' icy gaze and His Majesty the late King Gerrard trying to cover it up as best as he could…

There was no greeting from His Highness, no indication that he even agreed to meet Hattie. He looked like he didn't want to be there…

Despite His Highness' coldness Hattie still tried her hardest to make a good impression, even showing off her spring green, floral, ballroom dress that she specifically wore for the occasion on account of how much His Highness loved that color and print…

But His Highness turned his nose up to her.

'If you're trying to impress me, you're wasting your time… I hate spring green and flowers are ugly,' His Highness grumbled…

When I heard His Highness say that to her… I admit it… I couldn't hold back my laughter… I allowed a small chuckle fall from my mouth, quickly composing myself… I wish I had never made that mistake because it caught the attention of Hattie and painted a bright red target on my back…

Well, His Majesty the late King Gerrard told His Highness to escort Hattie around the castle…

Despite His Highness' protest he was still forced to do so but was allowed to bring Cobsworth with them…

I don't know much of what happened when they were walking around the castle but from what Cobsworth told me Hattie tried her best to put on a facade… She tried to make it seem like she was this perfect little girl, being nice to all the servants that greeted her…

But His Highness was not buying it for a second… While having tea with her in the garden, His Highness, 'Accidentally,' spilled tea on himself and left to go change…

I came to the tea area, on account of being sent by His Majesty to go find Hattie and His Highness and bring them back to the King's Office but when I got there I saw it…

'Make yourself useful and get me some scones,' Hattie demanded, looking at Cobsworth.

'I'm sorry Milady, but my orders are to stay here with you,' Cobsworth replied softly.

'You know one day this whole castle will be mine and you'll have to do what I say,' Hattie snarked.

'I wouldn't be so sure young lady,' Cobsworth disputed, 'His Highness wants a kind queen someone who doesn't look down on people… Someone who…'

Hattie stood to her feet and tossed hot tea all over Cobsworth, barely missing his face.

'How dare you not say I'm kind,' She shouted, 'You're going to serve me one day and I'll make sure that you suffer everyday.'

'We'll see about that Milady, His Highness loves his subjects. He would never allow any cruelty to happen to any of us,' Cobsworth retorted.

Until then I had never see Cobsworth so angry… She really pushed him… Then I saw something I never thought would happen… A new low I had never seen before in my life…

She took another cup of hot tea and tossed it on herself… Then proceed to say,

'Let's see who His Highness chooses when he sees his favorite girl covered in hot tea.'

Her delusions really baffled me because His Highness never gave any indication that he even like her, yet she was so sure that he did.

When His Highness came back and saw the sight she immediately threw blame on Cobsworth putting on a real show.

'Your Highness he just went crazy,' She cried throwing herself into his arms, 'I only asked him to get me some scones and instead of helping me he got upset at me. He said he heard rumors, false rumors of me and would never serve me… Then he tossed hot tea all over my dress… I had to defend myself so I threw tea back at him… Then he said that you would pick his side because you two have known each other longer… Oh please believe me Your Highness… I would never stoop so low.'

I saw the look in His Highness' eyes, it was so cold it could've frozen over a million kingdoms. He pushed her off of him, stating that he didn't believe her… He took up for Cobsworth never questioning him.

When Hattie saw that, that deep connection she threw a fit warning that she would go to His Majesty and have Cobsworth banished and because she had status and there was no witnesses her word would be taken over Cobsworth. When His Highness tried to protest, she said something truly sinister.

'Your father won't believe you because of how much you love Cobsworth and how much you hate me. He'll think you're just trying to protect him because you think of Cobsworth as a second father and wouldn't dare go against him… Now if Cobsworth doesn't apologize to me and beg me for my forgiveness Ill have no choice but to tell His Majesty of how cruel Cobsworth is,' She smirked, fluttering her eyelashes.

It was at that moment I saw how truly evil she was… I was already on her radar but I wasn't going to let Cobsworth go down… So without a second thought I walked over to them and before Cobsworth could even open his mouth, I told His Highness that I had seen the whole thing and that I would be more then happy to defend Cobsworth to His Majesty… Nobody really knew how close me and Cobsworth truly were. To the castle he was my boss but to me he was also like a father…

At that moment I became Hattie's mortal enemy… I was her only focus… It was as if I was an enemy that needed to be taken out immediately… She swore she would get me back one day…

I told them of why I was there and what His Majesty said and took them back to The King's Office.

Naturally when we got there Westly and His Majesty asked about Hattie's dress but before anyone could speak Hattie put on a real act…

Crying she told them it was an accident and that she was playing and accidentally got tea on her and Cobsworth. She told them that Cobsworth was so sweet to her and how much of a gentleman he was, trying to get her new clothes but she didn't want to bother him…

Her act was so theatrical that none of us could actually get a word in, which was exactly what Hattie wanted… She didn't want to be found out as the evil little girl she was…

After that whole performance His Majesty said something truly outrageous…

His Majesty said that he had decided to extend His Castle to Hattie and her father, allowing them to live there… He said that he had to extend this honor because Westly had saved his life from an assassination attempt…

Me, His Highness, and Cobsworth were all baffled but His Majesty was so insistent…

Hattie whined that she wanted a servant and suggested that I be her's because I did, 'So well,' greeting her and escorting her and His Majesty agreed to it without a second thought…

For 7 long years I had to wait on Hattie hand and foot being met with abuse from her and her father until one day I saw them panicking…

Some of the Generals were looking into the attempted assassination of His Majesty and they were getting close to finding out that Westly had orchestrated the whole thing in an attempt to get his daughter in the castle to become queen…

They knew that it was going to be found out sooner rather then later… So one day Hattie had some Royal Guards, His Majesty, and the Guard Master at the time raid my room.

She said that I took the Her Majesty the late Queen Rosewell's diamond wedding ring…

They ransacked my room but I wasn't worried because I didn't do it… I was sure they weren't going to find anything but… They did…

When they found it I was beatened and then sentenced to banishment… Forced to live in Thieves Forest along with my brothers who I had to support by myself…

And Hattie was given what she always wanted a secure place at the castle… I read in the paper that His Majesty was so grateful to Hattie for finding his late wife's ring that he put in a permanent decree that she and her new maid Nylah were allowed to live there as long as they wanted.

A couple months later I read in the papers that there was a man hunt for Lord Westly for the attempted assassination… I don't know if he was ever found or what happened to him but the man hunt was something fierce…

To this day I still firmly believe that Hattie planted that ring among my things just to get a leg up… Her deceit ruined my life…

I was stripped of a job, any means to make money to make money was taken from me because I was labeled as a thief… I lost it all… And because I was labeled as a thief with no ways of making money, that's what I became… Now I really do deserve to be in Thieves Forest… Especially for what I did to you…"

Auggie looked over at Gabrielle with a heavy heart…

"I'm truly sorry, miss… I just don't want to be in the Thieves Forest anymore… I want a better life for me and my brothers… But I also understand that you are an innocent party… You didn't ask for any of this… You didn't deserve any of this…" He sighed, looking down at the floor, "I'm so ashamed of myself."

"What… What would you have done with your life if this had never happened to you," She inquired, scooting a little closer towards Him.

"I probably would have a wife by now… Maybe some kids… And maybe I would even be a Butler… It was my dream to start a family of my own… To have a wife and a son… But that dream's gone now… That's why I don't want you to give up on His Majesty… He seems to really love you…" He advised.

"But your dreams aren't gone Auggie… I promise when I get back home I'll make sure His Majesty and everyone knows that you aren't a thief and that Hattie lied… His Majesty will listen," Gabrielle assured, standing to her feet.

"You really think His Majesty would believe you," He scoffed.

"I do," She reassured, "And I promise I'll make sure he listens. Hattie will not get away with this."

"Why are you helping me," He questioned, "I'm your kidnapper. I did horrible things… Why help a thief like me?"

"Because… Nobody deserves to be punished for a crime they didn't commit and had it not been for you being accused none of this other stuff would've happened. I promise Auggie once I'm home you'll have a new life… A better life… His Majesty will reward you for all your troubles," She promised.

"You're very optimistic kid," Auggie chuckled, heading for the door, "Get some sleep… I'll check on you in the morning."

"I promise Auggie," She stated, watching Auggie walk out the door, "I promise."