The Female Prince

In a dimly lit room, the moan and groan of a woman could be heard.

"Your highness keep pushing I can see the head of the baby." The midwife encouraged the woman in Labour.

"I can't, I'm tired". Queen Regina replied panting hard like she had just ran a marathon.

"Just one more and the baby would be out I promise". Sonia the midwife persuaded Queen Regina which made her agree.

Queen Regina closed her eyes and pushed really hard to the extent her veins almost bulged out her skin.

Moment later she felt something sticking out between her thighs and Sonia rushed to bring the child out cutting it's umbilical cord before wrapping the baby with a little blanket; holding the baby closely to her chest.

The cry of a new born baby soon filled the room and Queen Regina smiled brightly looking at her baby with pride in her eyes.

'Finally an heir to take over the throne'. she thought happily but did not forget to ask one important thing; the gender of the baby that is, since Sonia the midwife was busy with the baby to tell the gender.

"what is the sex of the baby Sonia?". Queen Regina asked anxiously.

"Sonia was startled by Queen Regina's anxious voice but soon composed herself and replied happily;

"It's a girl your Highness and she's going to grow up to become a beautiful princess, or even a Queen just like you"

"A WHAT?!". Queen Regina exclaimed sitting up abruptly, not caring for her present condition."It can't be, tell me you're joking and that this baby is a male Sherry!", She added in panic.

"Your highness, I would never lie or play pranks on you". Sherry replied abruptly, "you can take a look yourself if you want-". She was interrupted by the shrill cries of the infant and so she gently swayed the baby before handing her over to her mother.

"Your highness, she needs to be fed". Sherry said giving Queen Regina her baby and of course the sound of crying was suddenly gone and now replaced by the sound of sucking.

Queen Regina watched the baby in her hands and sighed in disappointment due to the baby been a female instead of a male.

"We have to keep this from everyone and no one should find out that this child is a female or else you shall suffer the consequences".The Queen threatened Sherry who nodded her head in agreement. She knew the Queen as someone who never makes empty threat, and also she loved her life and didn't want to die just yet.

Sherry knew why the Queen wanted to keep the real gender of the child a secret though. It was because the King was dead and so a heir was required to take over but the heir had to be a male, a prince and not a princess because princes were usually the ones to take over and rule while princesses were used to make an ally by marrying them off to other kingdoms but if the fact that the Queen gave birth to a female child was discovered, the throne would be given to an outsider and she was sure the Queen wouldn't want that.

"I understand your highness", Sherry replied."But you know this secret won't stay hidden forever because eventually your child is going to grow up to become a woman and she would grow Breasts and have curves right?". She added.

"I know and I would handle all of that 'cause now all that matters is that this child's real gender is kept a secret and that she would rule under guise of been a prince because I once heard of a potion that could stop a girl from developing features of a woman but make her develope features of a man instead exists and I would find that potion no matter what". Queen Regina said calmly with determination as she watched her baby suck her breast with gusto as if her life depended on it, which is half true anyway.

Poor child didn't know what plans her mother had for her.

{ Seven years later}

In a beautiful chamber laid a child of seven years, sleeping peacefully on a king-size bed that could contain up to three to four grownups.

The child snored lightly and mumbled softly while sleeping when she felt someone tapping her softly on her arm.

"Wake up sleepyhead". A voice she knew so well spoke out disturbing her peaceful sleep.

"Not again", the child grumbled. "Can't I have a little time to sleep more".

"You have to get prepared for archery training, your highness". The voice replied and before the child could make a comment, the sound of a curtain been drawn open could be heard and the blinding light of the sun's rays filled the room that the child had no choice than to open her eyes, revealing her beautiful greenish blue iris.

"At last you are awake". Tania the owner of the voice and also the child's personal maid said beaming brightly at the child, showing beautiful dimples. She had Black hair which was tied in a neat bun and blue eyes.

The child rolled her eyes and hopped down from the bed before yawning and stretching her limbs.

"What stupid archery class am I supposed to attend anyway?". She questioned glaring at Tania her personal maid.

"Don't glare at me prince Pierre because your mother the Queen was the one who told me to tell you that". Tania defended her self as she ushered Pierre to the bathroom to take her bath.

She really pitied the poor child. She pitied her for having a mother as wicked and vicious as the devil himself.

Tania shivered in fear remembering how the Queen threatened to kill her if she told anyone the real gender of Pierre.

"You will be taking care of the needs of this child from now on". The Queen said placing the little infant in the hands of Tania. Tania beamed brightly at the sight of the beautiful and delicate infant.

"Your highness, he is beautiful and so delicate just like a girl". Tania said with a smile.

"That's because she's a girl". Queen Regina said coldly surprising Tania.

"What do you mean your highness". Tania asked in confusion. "But you told the royal council that your child is a male".

The Queen chuckled without humour.

"You mean the council filled with a bunch of old hags?". She chuckled again and this time her gaze rested on the baby which Tania was holding closely.

"I had to tell them that the child is a male because I know they won't let her rule when she comes of age because she's a girl". She said the last word with her face scrunched up with disappointment.

"But your highness, you know this secret can't be hidden forever because-". Tania was interrupted before she finished her statement.

"Of course I know she's going to grow up to become a woman". Queen Regina puts in sharply.

Tania nodded instantly but could not contain her curiosity and so she asked, "your highness, if you really wanted to keep this issue a secret from everyone, why tell me?".

"Why won't I tell you when you would be the one to take care of the needs of the baby?" Queen Regina asked calmly as she gazed upon the baby in the hands of Tania.

"You would be bathing the child and will know her real gender,so why keep it from you?". She added.

Tania nodded in understanding, but still could not figure out why the Queen trusted her with this massive secret, and as if hearing her thoughts the Queen chuckled as she set her emerald green eyes on Tania.

"I don't trust you Tania", She said almost giving Tania a heart attack. "Never will, but I don't need your trust to tell you this secret anyway".

Tania frowned in confusion, what did the Queen mean by that?. 'Isn't She supposed to be anxious that I would expose her to the royal council?'

"Well not with your life on the line". The Queen spoke out as if hearing her thoughts again, making Tania jolt out of her thoughts and look at the Queen as if she was an alien.

'Is she a mind reader or what?'. Tania thought with fear.

"I don't need to be a mind reader to tell what's on your mind, because the expression on your face tells what you're thinking". Queen Regina replied calmly as she walked out of the room they were, and as if remembering something she stopped to face Tania.

"Oh, I think I need to tell you one crucial matter Tania".

"I'm all ears your majesty?". Tania replied in fear.

"I have changed my mind about killing you and have now decided to make sure you receive a punishment more worse than death if you ever betray me, how's that?". She asked lightly as if talking about the weather and not about killing someone.

Tania shook in fear and swore within herself that she would never tell anyone about the real gender of the baby.

"Also on no account must you tell my child that she's a female, you must tell her she's a male because I would be giving her a male name". The Queen added finally leaving the room

~{END OF FLASH BACK}~

"Tania, are you okay?, You look like a frightened mouse". The worried voice of Pierre jolted Tania back to reality.

"I'm okay pumpkin". She replied with a smile.

"I'm so glad that you're concerned about me". Tania teased Pierre which made her a little embarrassed.

"In your dreams that I would be worried about you". Pierre said with a scoff.

Tania chuckled with delight but said nothing in rebutt.

Soon after, Pierre bathed and got dressed in a boyish clothes; trousers and a navy blue sleeve, she followed Tania to the training ground which she would be taught archery and also practice it.

They arrived at a large hall which had various weapons hung up on its walls. Daggers, bows and quivers with a bunch of arrows in them, swords of different sizes and shapes, battle-axes, you name it.

The sound of metal been scrapped caught both their attention and they turned towards the direction of the sound and saw a muscular man with brown hair man and beard; he sat on a stool and he was sharpening a dagger.

The man suddenly stopped when he noticed their presence and so got up from the stool, sheathed his dagger and walked up to them.

On getting to them he greeted, "good morning, prince Pierre, I am Aaron a humble archer and I-"

Pierre didn't let him finish his statement, "Let me guess, you would be the one to teach me archery right?". She questioned with a raised brow.

"Prince Pierre, it is rude to interrupt someone when they're talking". Tania reprimanded.

Pierre rolled her eyes, "My mum does that to you all the time and you've never tell her that what she does is rude, so why am I an expectation?". She shot back before staring at Aaron with an expectant look.

"Well?". She demanded with a raised brow

"Your guess is right, Prince Pierre as I would be the one to teach you archery". Aaron answered with a smile that reached his black eyes.

"Alright, I would be taking my leave now, train well Prince Pierre". Tania said before exiting the training hall, leaving Pierre and Aaron behind.

-*-

"In archery, there are ten basic steps in shooting a bow and arrow and they are, one; checking your gear and equipment, your bow string must be tight and not lose alright?".

"Alright", Pierre replied fingering the string of her bow to check if it was tight.

"Is it tight?". Aaron questioned.

"It is". Pierre replied after confirming.

"Great, so we would be moving on to step two; getting the correct shooting stance", Said Aaron."Getting a correct shooting stance is very important in archery, and with my personal experience I would say it's the most important step in archery because your stance is what determines whether your shot would hit the target or not". He explained.

"So, what's the correct shooting stance in archery?". Pierre asked raising a brow.

"Well, actually there are three basic orientations for your stance in archery and each one can be modified to suit your body type, they are square stance, open stance and close stance". Aaron replied taking a single arrow from his quiver.

"Okay, so among the three you mentioned, which one is the best?".

"Well, the three stances are good but I personally prefer the open stance because that's what I've been using for years, and it has never failed me".

"Alright, teach me the open stance then". Pierre demanded.

"Hold your horses, Prince Pierre, one step at a time". Aaron said with a chuckle. "You know, you remind me of my little boy Finn, always eager to learn new things".

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble sir Aaron but you're wrong, because I'm not eager to learn archery, instead I just want to get it over with".

Aaron happy expression suddenly melted off his face,"why is that?".

"Well it's because archery is simply a waste of time!". She exclaimed in agitation.

Aaron expression suddenly turn hurt, "WHAT?!"

"You heard me, and I'm not repeating myself". She replied with a sneer.

"No, you're wrong Prince Pierre, archery is a beautiful and wonderful art and it's fun too". Said Aaron, trying to make Pierre see reason.

"You're only saying this because you're an archer and also, just because you like archery doesn't mean every one is gonna like it too, especially me". She said as she held an arrow tight in her grips, placed it on her left knee and ruthlessly broke it.

Aaron winced like he was slapped when he saw what Pierre did and so he sighed. "Prince Pierre, I don't really understand why you hate archery so much, I mean archery is a wonderful thing so why on earth do you not like-".

"You want know why?", Pierre asked." Alright, I'll tell you why; it's because one, I am here not of my own will and two, archery is boring, I mean what's with the stupid steps by the way and ten steps?, Are you kidding me?, who's going to-".

"That would be enough of it, Pierre". Aaron said calling Pierre with out honorifics and that was because he was annoyed".

But Pierre was stubborn and wouldn't listen. "No, you can't tell me what to do, and I won't listen to you and like I said, archery is a waste of time and effort!".

"It isn't!"

"It is, I mean look at the target board, it's miles away!". She exclaimed. "How do you expect me to be able to shoot at that?".

"No is not, it's just a few metres away from you Pierre". Aaron countered as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Archery is a waste of time, I wish I was being taught something cooler like swordfighting, not archery!". She said in frustration.

"You like swordfighting?".

"No I don't, I love it and it's so much better than this stupid archery I'm being forced to learn".She said as she burst into tears of frustration and anger, surprising Aaron.

"Your highness are you alright?", Aaron asked in worry.

"Of course I am", Pierre said with a sniff. "I just got eyes in my sand,um, I mean sand in my eyes". She added as she she cleaned her eyes harshly with the back of her hands.

Aaron chuckled at her attempts to hide the fact that she was crying and so he crouched down next to her, making himself have same height as Pierre.

"Prince Pierre, I understand you don't like archery but if you don't try to let your dislike of it get the best of you, you'll find out that archery is actually fun and not a waste of time like you thought". Aaron explained.

Pierre sniffed but said nothing.

Aaron sighed. "Actually, there is a easier way to learn archery without the many steps". He confessed.

That seemed to get Pierre's attention because she looked at him sceptically. "Why didn't you say so before?" She asked suspiciously.

"Well, I just wanted to be professional and so decided to teach you step by step". Aaron explained.

Pierre rolled her eyes. "Well, you've started teaching me the steps already, no need to stop been professional, sir Aaron".

"Alright your highness", Aaron replied with a small smile that reached his black eyes.

"So where were we?".