Rescuing Princess Donee by Susie Daniels is a completed story. It is eight chapters long. JOIN now and you'll be reading more within minutes!
Chapter One
King Clemont paced the floor of his throne room, and all of the people in attendance watched him nervously. King Clemont was known as a sweet man, and he ruled his kingdom with wisdom and a true desire to see everyone happy. If someone committed a crime, and appeared genuinely sorry, King Clemont would give him or her a chance to make restitution. He only imprisoned people when he had no other choice, and torture was unheard of! He was a very just and wise man, and the people of his court were sad and upset to see him so agitated. He seldom wore an expression of anger on his pleasant face, but no one could miss the frown, or the red cheeks, or the snapping blue eyes that bespoke of his temper! King Clemont was furious, and there was only one person capable of provoking him to such a degree! The Princess Donee!
The people of the court, and in fact, of all the Kingdom of Wicksom, loved their Princess, but in hushed tones and in secret, they admitted that she was extremely spoiled. Her dear, doting Papa, the King, spoiled her and gave her whatever her little heart desired. If she wanted new tapestries hung in her bedchamber, she had them immediately. If she did not like the new ones, they were removed, and more were found until she was pleased. Delicacies that few in the kingdom could afford made up her meals, and her clothing was fashioned by seamstresses kept busy night and day trying to please the spoiled young lady. It was a sad fact that very little suited the princess, at least for very long.
Many a father thought that King Clemont needed to turn his headstrong daughter over his knee and give her a fatherly spanking. Many a mother thought the Princess needed to be taught some manners. The young men of the kingdom thought a kiss would make the beautiful young woman more biddable, and all of the young ladies wished to be more like the Princess.
No one knew why King Clemont was so angry, or what the Princess Donee had done to earn his temper, but it definitely had to be something very serious to make the normally serene King this upset, and the whispered gossip traveled throughout the Kingdom, casting a pall over the normally happy people who lived there. King Clemont continued to pace and keep his own counsel.
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Princess Donee had ordered everyone away from her chambers, and she was doing some pacing of her own! Her blue eyes were snapping with temper, much like her father’s were, and she was mumbling under her breath, and occasionally taking the time to throw something across the room. She was extremely angry with her parent, and blamed him for her present dilemma. He, of course, was angry, too, and she had heard him curse for the first time in her life! Cursing could not fix this problem, or else she would join her father, and behave badly on purpose! If only her father had been honest with her through the years, then perhaps she would have had time to come up with a plan to thwart the grandfather she had never met… a grandfather she did not know existed until this very morning. The grandfather that her Father and King assured her she did not wish to defy!
Princess Donee gave very little thought to her mother over the years as she grew up. The middle-aged Queen died giving birth to her, and her Father was the only parent she had. King Clemont vowed he would never remarry when he lost his precious Queen and wife for over twenty years, who was the love of his life, and although he spoke to Donee about her mother’s beauty, and her sunny disposition, he never once mentioned that her mother had a father, which meant she had a grandfather… or that the grandfather was also a King, and a very powerful King… A very elderly King who now wanted his granddaughter to marry a man he himself had handpicked for her, and King Alayton was insisting she come and live far away in his Kingdom.
Princess Donee had no intention of marrying until she met the perfect man. She also had no desire to meet the grandfather who had ignored her until he had decided he wanted her to get married. Just who did the pompous old fool think he was? She owed him nothing, and she would not be used as a pawn. She would not. She would make her own choices, and she fully expected her Father to respect her wishes. She would not meet with the man sent by her Grandfather to escort her to his Kingdom. If King Alayton could not come himself to make her acquaintance, then his agent did not deserve simple courtesy! This was her reply to her Father when he insisted that she at least meet with the Prince sent to escort the Princess and her party to her Grandfather’s Kingdom. King Clemont had insisted, she refused, they argued, but Donee was adamant. She wanted nothing at all to do with this Grandfather of hers, nor with the man he sent to act as his representative.
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Prince Niber was mystified by his reception. King Alayton did not tell him to expect resistance from King Clemont, but he certainly had not been made to feel welcome. Food, drink, and a comfortable chamber had been provided, and he was treated courteously by the servants. His needs and wants were attended to promptly, but King Clemont had not sent for him since that first audience, and Prince Niber had yet to meet the Princess Donee. He paced the floor of his chamber, and decided he would wait to see if he was invited to partake of the evening meal with the Court. If not, he would have to resort to other means to serve his King in the duty he swore to uphold...
A tray was brought to his chamber at a later hour, and Prince Niber quickly ate his meal. He was completely baffled as to what was going on within King Clemont’s castle, but he felt it would behoove him to move about as unobtrusively as possible and see what he could learn. Perhaps the Princess Donee was already given to another? Or perhaps she was hideously ugly… or away visiting distant relatives? Prince Niber was determined to learn the truth, and once he finished his meal, he opened his pack, and removed clothing suitable for a servant.
Once he was dressed, he put his pack on his back and opened the door of his chamber and smiled when he learned he was not being guarded. He put away his weapon and moved silently among the long hallways, looking for anything that would tell him something was remiss. It was a simple matter to find the large hall where the Court was gathered for the evening meal. There were many tables, covered with every food imaginable. Niber easily spotted King Clemont at the head table, but the chair on his left was empty, proving the Princess Donee did not attend the evening meal. Niber was puzzled as to why, and wondered if he might learn something by visiting the stables out behind the Castle. Perhaps one of the stable boys could inform him if the Princess was away.
Prince Niber walked with a purpose, and no one spared him a second glance. There were few people out at this hour. Most were dining, or had already taken to their bed for the night. Niber found a young boy sleeping soundly on a cot inside the stable, and was ready to wake him and ask his questions when a noise alerted him to the fact he was not alone. His hand went to the knife he had secreted in his right boot, but when he spotted the slender figure he rose to his full height and smiled. “Do not be afraid, lass; I mean no harm.”
Princess Donee told herself to relax. A servant girl would not be terrified to be caught in the stable. “I did not wish to wake Alec, but the saddle is too heavy for me to lift without help,” she explained her predicament, and hoped the man would offer his assistance. She hardly dared order him about when she was dressed as a servant herself.
“I will gladly help you with your saddle, lass.” Perhaps she would have news of the Princess, Niber thought to himself.
“I do not believe we have met,” Princess Donee looked at him curiously before he could ask her about her position in the household.
“No, I would remember if we had,” Prince Niber replied with an easy smile. “I am new to Wicksom, and sent to seek counsel for my father from King Clemont. And you are…?”
“Oh, I am… Elizabeth,” Princess Donee used her middle name, which was also her Mother’s name. I am going on an errand for the Princess Donee.”
“At this hour?” What kind of woman would send another out to run an errand at this time of evening? Princess Donee was either thoughtless or selfish…
“It is most important, and I must hurry,” Donee insisted, trying to get the servant to finish quickly. She had only a few hours at most before she would be discovered missing. Her father would send every available man out to search for her, and she needed to be well-hidden before daylight. She would not marry to please her Grandfather! She would hide away and enjoy her freedom while she may, and surely her Grandfather would see that she was too much trouble and leave her in peace. If only this lack wit would hasten to do her bidding! If she was not supposed to be a servant, she would give the man a taste of sharp tongue. He bordered on lazy, and she could not abide that sort of behavior.
Prince Niber was not a fool. The female was tapping her toe impatiently, and did not have the air of a servant. She was about something, and he was torn between turning her over his knee and spanking the truth out of her, or following her to see what she was up to. He pondered the situation for a few moments, and then decided to simply follow the lass. Perhaps she would lead him to the mysterious Princess Donee. “There you are, lass. Let me help you mount.” He picked her up and sat her on the sidesaddle with a thump. Her skirts billowed about her slender frame, and he got a glimpse of the slippers she wore on her feet. They were not the quality a servant would wear, but were fit for a Princess. Niber suddenly realized that he was helping Princess Donee escape the castle.
He permitted her to ride off, and saddled his own stallion, thankful he brought his bags with him rather than leave his belongings in the chamber to be searched in his absence. Whisking the Princess Donee off to her Grandfather would be an easy task now, and he smiled in relief. He was only one man against the entire populace of Wicksom, and the spoiled Princess had just ensured he would succeed in serving his King.
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It felt wonderful to be free of the castle, and free of all the servants who normally accompanied her everywhere she went. Donee was determined to find a small house to occupy for a few seasons, and would only return when she was guaranteed she would not have to marry until she picked the right man! And, the right man in her opinion, was very handsome, smiled a lot, did not scold, would kiss her all the time, and let her do as she pleased. She did not wish for a husband who would make all the decisions in their marriage as her friend Sophia’s husband did! Sophia’s husband made her cry at times, and he even felt entitled to punish her like a naughty child if she displeased him. And, in Donee’s opinion, Sophia’s husband was too easily displeased!
She witnessed Sophia squirming upon the settee one morning, and inquired as to her health, and then bade Sophia to show her the damage upon her delicate bottom when the older woman confessed Roffolo had taken a slipper to her bare skin! Donee was incensed when she saw the reddened skin upon her friend, and she swore to go to the King and have him punish Roffolo. Sophia begged her not to do any such thing, and since it distressed Donee to see her friend begging and in tears, she promised not to tell anyone.
No, Donee shook her head; she did not want a husband who would spank her like a naughty child. She would make her own decisions, and he would obey her, like it or not! After all, her own father had given her her way for all these years, and he was a King! It was only right that her husband treat her in the same indulgent manner.
Donee was so busy dreaming about her perfect future husband that she did not realize she was being watched. She was so used to riding without a care in the world, that it did not even occur to her that there was a real need to be alert to danger. When the two men stepped out in front of her and grabbed her bridle and stopped her horse, she was instantly furious. Who did they think they were? And what were they about? “Stop this at once!” she scolded.
“Oh, and ain’t you a sassy little gal?” one of the men declared, giving her a bemused look.
“I beg your pardon?” Donee drew herself up to her full height. “Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?”
“Well, no, princess, I sure don’t… But, why don’t you slip down off that fine horse and introduce yourself to me proper-like. I’d like me a glimpse of what you got beneath them skirts.”
Princess Donee struck out with her riding whip and caught the man across his cheek. “Do not dare put your hands upon my person!” she stated coldly when the man yelped and grabbed his cheek. “I am the Princess Donee, and King Clemont will hear of this if you do not apologize in this moment!”
“She’s touched in the head, Willy,” the other man whispered loudly.
“She shouldn’t of smacked me… Now I’m mad,” Willy declared.
“Get your hands off my bridle,” Donee ordered imperiously, and in the next instant, Willy grabbed her and pulled her off her saddle, and she landed on her hands and knees on the road. “How DARE you!” Donee pushed herself up.
“You smack me with that little whip again, and I’ll use it on your bare rump until you bleed,” Willy promised, his eyes glittering in the moonlight. “Now you step outta them clothes so we can have us a slap and tickle.”
“You are disgusting, and I am not about to remove my clothing!” Donee forgot all about being a Princess as she realized she was in trouble of a very basic female nature. This buffoon actually expected to possess her body! He did not care that she was a Princess, only that she was a female, and one who just happened to be handy to satisfy his lustful urges. The very thought made her feel sick to her stomach, and there was simply no way she was going to permit him to treat her like a common whore!
“I guess we’ll take off them clothes ourselves, then, girl, and they won’t be so fine when we get through doin’ it.” Willy reached for her, and Donee lashed out at him again. The tip of her whip caught him in the eye and he bellowed in rage.
Donee tried to run, but her feet tangled in the skirt that was too long for her petite frame, and she felt flat on the ground. Willy landed on top of her a few seconds later, and Donee used her elbow to jab him.
“Get over here and help me, Gus!” Willy demanded angrily. “She’s a wild one!”
“She is also the Princess Donee of Wicksom, and King Clemont will have you beheaded for manhandling his precious daughter,” Prince Niber said from atop his stallion. He had drawn his sword and was fully prepared to use it if either man gave him reason to do so.
Gus immediately fell to his knees, begging for mercy, and Willy backed off of Donee as if he was afraid he was going to die in the next instant. “We didn’t know… Honest we didn’t!”
“I told you who I am!” Princess Donee said in her haughtiest tone of voice, and Niber wanted nothing more than to spank her in that moment. “You!” she looked at Niber in confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“I felt it best you have an escort, Princess, even if you wished to remain incognito,” Niber replied calmly. “I was concerned that something like this could happen, and you would be ill prepared to protect yourself.”
“I see,” she folded her arms across her chest. “And what will you do with these two now?” She would like the privilege of running them through herself!
“We be really sorry, Princess. Forgive us, please. We just thought you crazy to claim to be the Princess… You never go anywhere alone, and you’re not wearing riches,” Willy explained. Gus was blubbering like a frightened fool. “The King shouldn’t let you ride around this time of night by yourself!” he added his opinion.
“It is none of your business what the King permits his daughter to do,” Niber said firmly. “I should behead you right here. It is no less than you deserve for putting your hands on the Princess. She might be innocent enough not to realize what you were planning to do, but I am not so naïve.” Niber was shocked at the fury coursing through his body. He had no respect for a man who would take a woman against her will.
“Please, Princess… we only meant to give you what we thought you wanted by riding out here alone at night, not hurt you none. I lost my infernal temper when you used that little whip on me. I am very sorry. If I’d known you really were the Princess, I wouldn’t have been rough with you.”
“Cut off their ears,” Donee ordered. “I will be satisfied with that.”
Both men put their hands over their ears and looked at Niber in shock.
Niber couldn’t believe what he was hearing! If anyone deserved a sound punishment, it was the spoiled young woman so casually ordering him to disfigure two men for life! He was not about to harm these two men because she had flaunted herself and they misunderstood. He brandished his sword and said, “Get out of here and do not let me see you ever again.”
The two men did not need to be told twice. They nearly stumbled over each other in their haste to be gone lest the Princess give her order once more, and the lowly servant be compelled to obey her wishes. They were relieved to escape the situation unscathed, and Willy was mumbling his thanks to the gods that he hadn’t done what he meant to do to the female. King Clemont was a fair man, but if he’d harmed the Princess Donee, he would have suffered mightily for his mistake. Gus was still blubbering, and for once, Willy didn’t chide him for it… His own eyes were wet with relief as well.
“If you know I am the Princess Donee, then you know that you are compelled to obey my wishes…” Donee turned her angry blue eyes on the man standing above her and looking down on her, and not even offering her assistance to get to her feet. “Yet, you chose to let those two heathens run away without any sort of punishment whatsoever. Are you not afraid I will tell my father and he will see to it you are punished?” she demanded.
“Princess, I would hope that your father would be fair-minded and punish you as you deserve.”
“What?” Donee was startled, and positive she did not hear him correctly. “Surely, you jest!”
“I do not,” Niber said quietly. “A young lady should know better than to ride out alone at this time of night. All sorts of things can happen, just as what happened this night. Those two thought you a woman of easy virtue, and only thought to sample what you were offering. You are not dressed to fit your station in life, and while I can and do understand your desire for anonymity, your garments do not offer you enough protection Princess. Were I your father or husband, I would turn you over my knee and spank you soundly for putting yourself in danger.”
“You go too far, sir! I will surely tell my father!”
“Fine, we will turn around and go back to the castle,” he said just to watch her eyes grow wide. He knew she would not wish to go, but he wanted to know why.
“No! I do not wish to go back at this time. You are dismissed, and may return now. I must be on my way.”
Niber shook his head, “Have you learned nothing at all, Princess? If you will not return to your father and tell him how foolish you have been, then it will be up to me to see to your punishment.”
Princess Donee gasped in outrage as she flew to her feet. The man was insulting and aggravating beyond belief! How dare he speak to her so crudely? Especially now that he was aware of her identity! “You will do no such thing! In fact, you will leave me at once. I am completely out of patience with you, and I will be forced to beat you if you do not comply with my wishes.”
He merely smiled as she brandished the small riding whip in her right hand. Did she honestly think to intimidate him with her theatrics? Perhaps it worked among the people who lived in the castle, but it would hardly work with a man of Prince Niber’s experience. “I am so sorry, Princess,” he began, and saw the gleam of satisfaction enter her eyes as she anticipated his capitulation, “but I do not take orders from a spoiled little girl. You need a sound spanking if only to prove you should not make threats to men who are three times your size.” He reached for her, and then felt the bite of her whip as it landed on his left cheek. “That was a huge mistake,” he warned her.
Princess Donee was stunned when Niber knelt on one knee, and used his bent leg as a place to upend her! Her long hair trailed in the dirt as she struggled to throw herself off of his thigh. Her arms flailed wildly, and her legs scissored up and down as she railed at him. “Let me go, you heathen! I am a Princess! You cannot treat me like this! My Father will have you flogged!”
“He will thank me for doing as he should have done years ago, Princess Donee,” the Prince smiled in satisfaction as he brought her own riding whip down on her rounded posterior. It caught in the folds of her skirt, and he knew that she could barely feel a thing, but the little brat screamed for all she was worth. He raised the small whip again, and once more it caught in her skirts, but she screamed mightily. He was positive it was nothing more than temper, but since he did not intend to injure her he thought perhaps he should have a look…
