Author's Note: Third story I've started. Will be updated every Sunday. This one is more political .

As always reviews,ratings,Recommendations,Corrections,Questions and comments are greatly appreciated

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prologue: Funeral

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The funeral was held in the capital rather than at their ancestral home. He had an idea as to why his grandfather had wanted it this way.

“My condolences, your grandfather was a good man.”

This was the 15th one so far, and like the rest, McNeal answered with a smile.

“Thank you Baron Jiner.”

His grandfather saw his own funeral as a way for McNeal to start making connections with people.

His grandfather had once said, “No matter what rank they may hold it’s best to treat them all as potential allies.It’s best to have the right friends in the right places.”

So he smiled, even to merchants who held no noble titles. He thanked them all for attending his grandfather’s funeral. Many of the people who had shown up couldn’t care less about his grandfather’s death. They were all here to catch a glimpse of the new young head of House Hawkstone.

The last living person of House Hawkstone, one of the four pillars of the Thisadora Kingdom.

McNeal Hendrick Hawkstone was the last of his kin. He had no brothers or sisters nor any cousins or uncles, even the bloodlines of the branch houses had died out.

His grandfather was 50 at the time of his death. Since birth he had been sick and weakly and was always bedridden, but he  managed to get his wife pregnant. However, McNeal’s father had died at the age of 20. His grandfather had been lucky that Mcneil had been conceived as his father was more fond of young men.

Now the fate of his House rested upon the shoulders of a fifteen year old.

"Young master." Called a man in a butler uniform who was surprisingly young opposing all the stereotypes that placed butlers as old men.

McNeal turned to him. "What is it?"

"Shall I bring the carriage around?" Asked the butler a bit scared at McNeal's tone of voice.

The funeral proceedings finished and most of the attendants had left. He turned to stare at his grandfather's tombstone.

"Please do so" answered McNeal.

The butler nodded and left leaving McNeal alone.

"I'm sorry about your grandfather."

Ugh another annoyance

He turned with an annoyed look only for his expression to change instantly to one of surprise and enlightenment.

"We’re you not expecting a beautiful young woman or perhaps you were expecting an old man? " Said the young brunette girl while smiling.

McNeal returned to his serious expression.

"No, I could tell by your voice that you weren't an old man." Lied McNeal.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Liar."

He stared at the girl. Brown doe like eyes with her brown hair tied up in a bun. The dress she wore spoke of her status. She was definitely a member of high nobility. It wouldn't surprise McNeal if she were a daughter of one of the four great houses.

"Princess!"

Hmm? Did she call someone princess? Surely she's not referring to this girl.

An elderly maid ran up to them breathing in large amounts of air. Sweat ran down her forehead even though the weather was cloudy and grey. It occurred to him that she had been running after the girl.

The maid steadied her breath and said "Princess please don't jump of the carriage like that." The maid sternly scolded the princess

The princess frowned."I was still late Matilda. Even after ditching the carriage and royal escort I still arrived late. "

"Well, the traffic on the main roads was heavy so it couldn't be helped to be a tad late." Explained the maid

" A tad bit late!? The procession is already over!" Complained the princess  

While the two women continued to bicker McNeal's mind was confused.

Princess. It's The princess.

He hadn't addressed the princess  as befitted her status. The princess finally noticed McNeal's expression and smiled. She stood there as if waiting for something.

He noticed her stare and they each continued to stare at each other's eyes. Neither backing down. McNeal's right eye twitched in irritation. The princess was amused and continued to wait and stare at him.

Slowly as if being forced to eat off the floor he bowed down to her.

"It's an honor to meet you, your highness Izabella" he said with great reluctance

"Likewise," she answered happily

"I am Duke McNeal of House Hawkstone."

She continued to smile and extended her hand to him. Perhaps she intended for him to kiss her hand but he simply shook her hand as if in defiance. A small smile crept up his face as he won the small victory. Although others might argue that he was actually a loser for not kissing such a beautiful hand.

"Well, you're not Duke yet until you meet my father, the king... And then there's the whole ceremony, and the seal and all that boring stuff."

He frowned and turned to look at an approaching carriage on the road.

"Ah, If you'll excuse me my carriage is here so I bid you goodbye." He walked briskly to the carriage and entered the adorned carriage.

The princess stood there bewildered without offering a goodbye. Usually anyone near her age would talk to her endlessly with sweet words to the point of annoyance. No it wasn't just those her age even older gentlemen constantly jumped at the chance to conversate with her.

Weird

Thought both the maid and princess as the carriage pulled away.