“Hurry up Caroline, I am going to be late for breakfast,” I say.
“I am sorry Your Highness, we woke up late because of last night's activities,” she says as she struggles to fix my hair.
I bite my mouth feeling guilty because it is my fault.
Three days ago, I, Lady Juliana, and Lady Zadie came up with a strategy to carry out plans. Two nights ago, I sneaked into the knight’s gear room and sabotage their weapons. It’s a good thing I wasn’t caught like last time. All the servants serving in the castle have been called in for questioning since that day. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to be dragged into this. I was clumsy hiding the weapons, few of them were left behind. I should have taken Zadie on that help when she offered it. I am just thankful nobody got blamed if not I won’t be able to live with myself.
I went back to the forest to the spot where I hide the weapons I stole the other night from the knight’s gear room but nothing was there. Somebody took them and I don’t know it was.
“I hope father didn’t find them. He will know it was me straight away,” I say to myself.
“We are done Your Highness,” Bridgette says.
I look at myself in the mirror, feeling satisfied with the appearance I smile.
“Thank you so much ladies,” I say.
They smile and curtsey as I rush past them, and pick up my books from my bed. Bridgette has the door open waiting for me. I run past her and hurry down the stairs. I hear her behind me. As I approach the dining room, the guards open the twin door for me. I hurry to take my seat at the dining table.
“Morning father, morning mother,” I say.
I take my seat as I hear mother clear her throat. I look up at her and she is wearing a frown. Knowing the reason behind her sworn I stand from the table and curtsey.
“Morning Father, Morning Mother.”
They both nod at me as I take my seat. As usual, my father always leaves a newspaper beside my plates for me. He started doing so when I started asking a lot of questions about what was going on in the kingdom. To reduce my inquisitiveness, father always has a fresh paper for me every morning. It’s one of the things I love about father. I look at father expecting him to question me about last night but he has his face covered with the papers. I look at mother who is taking down some notes and I look at Ri who I notice has been looking at me. Finally, she picks up her book to read. I take the newspaper and start reading.
“So that’s it? You are going to stop the search for the culprit?” Mother asks.
My body stiffens at what mother says. I use the newspaper to cover my face properly.
“Yes, Sir Arnold believes the new inductees into the Knight Watch Guard must have failed to get the weapons into the castle after their training last night,” Father says.
“I just find it strange that the weapons were found lying behind the court house just like that,” Mother says.
“What! The weapons were found behind the court house. I am sure I hid the weapons under the fallen tree in the forest,” I say to myself
“Hmmm, I thought it was strange but Sir Arnold assured me it was all a mix-up,” Father says.
I can feel mother’s stare digging at the newspaper. I grip the newspaper tight to save myself from her stare.
“Alright honey if you say so. Adrianna, Iris, I heard Duchess Ophelia has the ruler class rehearsing their coronation speech with your class,” Mother says.
“Yes, she has. Well, it’s not their coronation speech it’s more like what they intend to do when they become kings, queens, dukes, and duchesses,” Ri says.
“That sounds very interesting,” Mother says.
“Yes, it is but not all the time. We have been at it for days now and it has been exhausting but today happens to be the last day. Prince Leonard, Duke Oliver, Prince Jeffery, Prince Frederick, and Duke Alden get their turns today,” Ri says.
“Wow, that sounds entertaining. Prince Leonard, Prince Jeffery, and Prince Frederick are such bright boys. I see Ophelia is saving the best for last,” Mother says.
“Yes, and it’s a good thing we will be going too,” Father says.
I drop my paper.
“What!? You are coming to our school?” I ask.
“Yes, King Archer invited us to come and watch his sons give their speech,” Father says closing his newspaper and dropping it close to me.
“When you say us, who are you referring to father?” I ask.
“I mean the three great kings and some few selected dukes,” Father says.
What!?” Ri and I chorus together.
“No yelling at the table,” mother scolds.
“Sorry mother,” Ri and I say.
“I don’t understand what the big deal is about your father coming to your school,” Mother says.
“There is nothing mother. I am always when father takes a break from his busy schedule to come to our school,” Ri says.
“Thank you Ri,” Father says.
I roll my eyes at the moment.
Just then Chef Oscar comes in with our breakfast and the servants follow behind him. The servant drops my food in front of me. I look at the cutleries beside the plate. I am conflicted about which cutleries to use for the meal. I have never understood the lessons mother gave me concerning what cutlery goes for which meal. I close my eyes, and slowly I breathe in and out. This dilemma has never allowed me to have a proper meal with my family. Mother always scolds me when I fail to pick the right cutlery for a meal or the way I eat. Because of that, I rather eat somewhere else away from the drama. I look around the table and everyone has started eating.
I turn to Bridgette who is standing at a corner behind me.
“I will have my breakfast at the usual place,” I say standing up and gathering my things.
I curtsey to father and mother and turn to leave.
“I will join you.”
I turn to Ri and watch her signal to her head maid Veronica who helps her gather her things. I watch her peck Mother and Father as she joins me.
“Are you sure?” I ask Ri as we walk out of the dining room.
“Yes, I am sure. It’s been a while since I was out in the forest. A little dirt here and there won’t kill me. Besides, you and I need to talk about your little stunt last night.”
I look at her in shock
“How did you know?”
“Let’s just say I had a little talk with Zadie,” Ri says.
“What! You threaten Zadie?” I ask.
“I did no such thing,” Ri says.
I groan at her and she sighs and rolls her eyes at me. Ri doesn’t look it but she can be very intimating when she wants to be. So whenever she says ‘she had a little talk’ it can only mean one thing.
“Well, it wouldn’t have come to that if she just told me what I needed to hear.”
“What you needed to hear?” I ask.
“What you were up to,” Ri says.
“Oh my God Ri…” I say disappointedly.
“She left me no other choice Iris. I was worried about you. Esmeralda had to threaten to tell Lord Alden she has a crush on him and she caved in.”
I stop in my tracks
“Esmeralda was in on this too?” I ask
“Yes, she was,” Ri says with a hint of pride in her voice.
I run to catch up with her.
“How did you ever talk Esmeralda into joining your little act?” I ask.
“Oh, that was easy. I just told her you were up to something and she was ready to declare war with me,” Ri says.
“Esmeralda really needs to prioritize her life options,” I say.
Ri laughs as we enter the forest.
“Wait, back to Zadie. Did you just say she has a crush on Aiden? You mean Lord Aiden of Vakapor, the young Duke?” I ask.
“Yes, that one,” Ri says.
“Wow,” I say.
“I was shocked myself when Esmeralda mentioned it,” Ri says.
“How did Esmeralda know…”
“Esmeralda has her ways. She isn’t called “The Vixen” for nothing,” Ri says.
“What of Octavia?”
“Distracting the teachers.”
“Of course, she was,” I say to myself.
And then it hits me
“Juliana! What did you do to her? She isn’t one to break that easily.”
“Oh, she was a hard one. She refused to crack. She kept going on and on about how her loyalty to you was important to her,” Ri says jumping over a log
I smile to myself, feeling proud of Juliana.
Ri sighs
“I have to give it to her. She is truly her father’s daughter.”
“Zadie told you guys everything didn’t she?” I ask.
“Yes she did and she cried as she spilled everything,” Ri says.
“Poor Zadie,” I say to myself.
“With the information Zadie provided, I was able to predict where likely you would hide the weapons while Octavia and Esmeralda came up with plans to have father and the knights search somewhere else while I and Sir Arnold took care of the weapons,” Ri says.
“Wait, what? You and Sir Arnold? How did you get Sir Arnold…?”
Ri stops talking and turns to me.
“What nonsense question. I am his Princess. After father and mother, we fall in next for authority. Of course, he was going to do whatever I said,” Ri says and continues walking.
“Thank you, Ri,” I say after a moment of silence.
“Next time Iris please come to me when you have a ridiculous plan like this one,” Ri says.
“Alright, I will.”
“I mean it, Iris,” Ri says.
“Alright Ri, I will,” I say.
We continue in silence.
“So how did you and Sir Arnold get the weapons to the courthouse? I mean father tightened security; you both shouldn’t have been able to get…” I ask
“That is one piece of information I won’t be telling you,” Ri says
“Ri…”
“That is your punishment for keeping me in the dark.”
“Fine,” I say.
We finally reach my favorite spot in the forest and we have our breakfast.
ROYAL ACADEMY
“Alright everyone please find a seat and settle down.” Duchess Charlotte says. “Prince Gregory please help Lord Harry organize the Siders,” Duchess Charlotte continues.
“Princess Iris, do you need help moving those chairs?” Duchess Charlotte asks.
“No Duchess Charlotte, I can handle it,” I say as arrange the chairs.
“I am so sorry Your Highness,” Lady Zadie says
I turn to Lady Zadie who has refused to stop apologizing to me since we got to school and has also refused to look me in the eye.
“For the last time Zadie, I am not angry at you and will you please look at me,” I say.
She slowly raises her head and looks at me.
“You aren’t angry at me?” Lady Zadie asks
“No, I am not. Ri shouldn’t have done that to you. I hate that you were put in that situation because of me,” I say.
“I promise Princess Iris, I won’t let them break me next time,” Lady Zadie says.
I smile at her humble innocence.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You are supposed to be helping Isabelle.”
I turn and find Princess Catherine and Princess Octavia carrying the last chairs and setting them beside mine.
“And ruin my nails? Oh no, I will do no sure thing. Besides we are royalty, why should we have to work like servants? It makes no sense,” Princess Isabelle says admiring her nails.
“We are made to work so that one day we can learn to serve our people. Even you should know something as little as that,” I say.
“I have duchesses and dukes to worry about such nonsense. My duty as queen is to mind the castle, nothing more and nothing less,” Princess Isabelle says.
“I will not be made to seat in a castle to take care of it while the man gets the rule the whole kingdom. I was made for something far more than that,” I say.
“Oh please Iris, just like everyone else, when you come of age, a prince, or a king will ask for your hand and you will accept. And just every princess’s destiny like you and Adrianna, the right to rule, will go to your husband and not you,” Princess Isabelle says looking at her nails.
“Neither I nor Adrianna will relinquish our birth right to rule to any prince or king,” I say.
I watch as Princess Isabelle looks from her nails to me. She watches me for a while.
“Alright Iris lets see if you have it in you when the time comes,” Princess Isabella says.
“I will not be bullied or intimated out of my throne or my birth right because culture demands it,” I say.
It was at that moment I realized everyone was listening to me and Princess Isabelle’s conversation. They were all staring at us.
“Your Highnesses, Graces please take your seats. The Great Kings have arrived,” Duchess Ophelia announces.
Everyone rushes to take their seat. The teachers take their seats at the left and right sides of the podium. Ri sits by my right; she has Octavia on the other side. Lady Zadie and Lady Juliana are by my left. I turn to look for Prince Jeffery and then I spot him in front of the podium taking to Duke Charlie, Lord Aiden, and Prince Leonard.
Just then Princess Isabelle walks to him and says something. He smiles warmly at her and I feel my heart constrict. She stands on her toe and pecks him. I gasp.
“Let it go, Iris,” Ri says.
“That two-headed slime creature,” I snap.
“She did that on purpose,” Princess Octavia says.
“When I get my hands on her, I swear I am…”
“Iris, no cursing. That is not lady-like,” Ri says.
I groan loudly.
“Much better,” Ri says.
I turn to Ri and turn back my attention back to Princess Isabelle, Prince Jeffery bows at her and leaves to take his seat.
Princess Isabelle turns to me, and smiles mischievously.
“I hate her,” I say.
“The feeling is mutual,” Ri says.
Prince Leonard says something to her and she starts laughing. She says something back to him and he smiles warming at her. That very moment of the brother and sister smiling at each other looked so beautiful and pure. For some reason I don’t know, I can’t seem to stop looking at Prince Leonard.
I take my hand to heart and it feels so warm.
“What is the warmth that I feel inside my heart?” I ask myself.
“It’s going to be a long day,” Lady Juliana says bringing me back to reality.
I search for Prince Leonard and Princess Isabelle and they are not standing in front of the podium.
“My father is looking up to it,” I say replying to Lady Juliana.
“I heard King Archer invited all his Dukes to the speech.”
“Of course, he did. Prince Jeffery and Frederick are giving their speech today. And I cannot wait to hear it,” I say.
“Prince Jeffery or Prince Frederick?” Lady Juliana asks teasingly.
I smile to myself.
Just then trumpets are blown. We all stand and curtsey and the gentlemen bow as the Kings and Dukes enter the school auditorium. When they all take their seats, we all take ours.
We all watch as Duchess Ophelia walks to the big podium with a paper in her hand. She curtsies at the Kings and Dukes and turns to us.
“I want to welcome Your Majesties and Graces for honoring us with their presence. The students are happy you took the time out of your busy schedule to be here for them as they prepare for their futures. For the past few weeks, we have journeyed with the ruler class as they unveil to us what they intend to do when they ascend their thrones. We have our final hearing today. Prince Leonard of Octavalia, Prince Frederick and Prince Jeffery of Divimon, and Lord Aiden of Vakapor will be giving their speech today. If Your Highnesses will permit me to call on our finalists for today, we will like to begin the hearing,” Duchess Ophelia says.
Father nods at her and she curtsies at him. Duchess Ophelia turns to Duchess Charlotte in a corner and nods at her. Duchess Charlotte walks to the pulpit with a stack of papers in her hand. She looks at us with a smile on her face.
“Prince Frederick, the stage is yours,” Duchess Charlotte announces.
Prince Frederick takes the stage and his speech begins.
“And I promise that I shall not rest until the scoundrel pirates are extinguished from our lands, and our kingdoms,” Prince Frederick concludes.
The podium erupts clapping for Prince Frederick.
“Alright students, you all heard Prince Frederick's speech, does anyone have anything to say? Remember if you don’t agree with anything he said so far you can speak out,” Duchess Charlotte says.
The silence stretches, and she smiles at us.
“Thank you so much Prince Frederick for that wonderful speech. You may take your seat.”
We all clap as he takes his seat.
“Lord Aiden, the stage is all yours,” Duchess Charlotte announces.
Lord Aiden takes the stage.
“So about Lord Aiden, Lady Zadie,” Ri says.
“Yes Your Highness,” Lady Zadie says.
“Who knew there was a candle burning for the soon-to-be Duke,” Ri teases.
I turn to Zadie and the color on her face turned red.
“I wonder how Lord Aiden will react when he finds out our young duchess has a candle burning for him,” Octavia says teasingly.
“Stop that you both and leave Zadie alone,” I say.
They both giggle and I turn to Lady Zadie.
“Oh don’t you mind them Zadie, they are just jealousy that they have no one yet,” I say.
she looks at me and smiles. I turn my attention back to Lord Aiden giving his speech.
After Lord Aiden’s speech, Princess Esmeralda questions him about his tax plans. The interrogation went on for a while. She finally stopped when she was satisfied with all his responses.
“I have read so many books on how the monarchy was thrown off balance because King during that era over taxed his people and it made the people revolt. It took the intervention of the church to relate the people’s frustration to the King. My father has worked hard to ensure that our people and treated fair, taxes are regulated accordingly and the people are happy. As the second born and Princess of Cerphila, my primary duty is to make sure my father’s hard work doesn’t go to waste and my people live a free and happy life,” Princess Esmeralda says.
“Of course Your Highness, I will work hard His Majesty, and just like my father, I will make sure our people are free in their land,” Lord Aiden says.
“I look forward to working closely with you,” Princess Esmeralda says.
Lord Aiden bows and the hall erupts in a clap. We all stand up as they head to their seats.
“Sometimes I feel Princess Esmeralda might fight Prince Williams for the throne of Cerphila,” Lady Juliana says.
“She is very intimidating. Trust me, I know,” Lady Zadie says.
“Esmeralda is just whole hearted. She gets very intense when she is passionate about something. She is just like that,” Ri says.
“All Esmeralda has always wanted is to have her opinions heard where they matter. She also wants to safeguard the lives of our people,” Princess Octavia says.
“She is very impressive,” I say.
“Prince Jeffery, we are ready for you,” Duchess Charlotte says.
I couldn’t help but smile. The butterflies in my stomach start to dance.
Prince Jeffery walks to the podium. He looks around the crowd like he's looking for someone and just then we make eye contact, and my heart starts beating fast. He holds my stir for a second. I feel the butterflies in my stomach all going up in flames. He begins his speech.
“That was very beautiful to see,” Lady Juliana says.
I turn to Lady Juliana and she is looking ahead but I notice she is smiling; I smile and turn back to the speech.
Prince Jeffery’s speech went smoothly and everyone including the Kings and Dukes claps for him. I stand on my feet and cheered him on as he talks down the podium to take his seat. He looks at me and smiled, and my heart skips a beat. When he finally takes his seat and I take my seat. I turn to talk to Ri to see if she noticed the smile Prince Jeffery gave me but she is staring up ahead with a confused expression on her face.
“Ri, are you okay?” I ask.
She turns her eyes briefly at me and looks away again.
“Father has been staring at you since Prince Jeffery stepped on the podium.
I look up at father and I find him looking at me. I couldn’t read the expression on his face. I look at King Archer and I find out that he is looking at me too. He turns to father and whispers something to him. I watch them conserve and nod at each other.
“Iris what did you do?” Ri asks.
“What? I did nothing and why will you assume I did something? We have been together all day,” I say.
“Hmm, that’s true and I even kept a watchful eye on you but I have never seen father look at you for this long. Even when you do something wrong,” Ri says.
“Then what was that all about?” Princess Octavia asks.
“I have no idea,” I say.
“It seemed like father was observing you and Prince Jeffery. Well, King Archer seemed to be doing the same,” Ri says.
“Observing?” I ask.
“Yes Iris, observing,” Ri sighs.
“Let’s just get back to the presentation. Prince Leonard is already on the podium. It’s probably nothing,” Ri says.
I turn back to look at father, he isn’t looking at me this time. He is listening to Prince Leonard’s speech.
“From the information I gathered, it has shown that my people lack the skill and knowledge to perform their day-to-day activities. The new tools being developed to make labor easy are being discarded. They rather stick to the old fashion way of doing things. When I become King, I will decree that all advanced tools distributed to ease labor be returned to the palace and sold…”
Murmurs breakout throughout the hall
“Did he just say that?” I ask shocked.
“I believe he did Your Highness,” Lady Juliana replies.
“That nincompoop,” I say angrily.
“I think he already knows that,” Princess Octavia says.
“…with all of that amount of money spent to ensure security and easy labor, you will agree with me that scraping out the Wager’s Charity Fund is the best solution…”
The murmurs get louder with people whispering their disagreement with one another.
“Please everyone be quiet. Prince Leonard’s speech is still going on. If you have any concerns, wait till he is done presenting,” Duchess Ophelia says.
The murmurs still go on.
“You have to hand it to him; he sure knows how to entertain a crowd,” Ri says.
“He is so doing it wrongly,” Lady Juliana says.
“He needs the shut up,” I say angrily
I feel Ri's hand on my mine trying to calm me down.
“Easy Iris, don’t let emotions get the best of you,” Ri says.
“If no one says anything now, am afraid we won’t get the chance,” Lady Zadie says.
Everyone turns to Lady Zadie who I noticed has been quiet.
“Why?”
“King Theodore is talking to Duchess Ophelia,” Lady Zadie says
We all turn to King Theodore who seems to be in a heated discussion with Duchess Ophelia and her husband Duke of Marlington, Lord Hammond is by her side. I watch father tap King Theodore on the shoulder. They share a familiar look. Father says something to Lord Hammond and he bows.
“That doesn’t look good,” Lady Lucinda says.
“…to ensure the safety of goods distributed between the four great kingdoms and against pirates, we will cut off trade and shut down shipment to the eastern regions.”
Everyone one gasps
“He didn’t,” Ri interjects
I feel the girls turning and looking at me, I feel their eyes on me.
“…against the pirates. The new weapons will be distributed to each kingdom. And to ensure that we never run out of weapons, trees will be cut down…”
“You darting beast,” I yell.
The whole hall becomes quiet and everyone turns and looks at me.
“Iris don’t…”
“No Ri, someone has to say something,” I say dragging my hand from hers.
“Ah as usual the cavalry,” Prince Leonard teases.
I turn just in time to see him smirk.
“You infuriating swine,” I curse.
I turn to Lady Juliana and Lady Zadie; they stand and let me pass.
“How dare you stand right there and disrespect your people,” I say as I make my way to the podium.
“I didn’t disrespect my people.”
“Yes, you did. You just told us how you take away cheap labor from them.”
“I just stated facts and from the way I see it, it is the truth. That is something I will make no apologies for especially to the likes of you,” Prince Leonard says.
I look at him shocked.
“Did he just refer to us, women?” I say to myself.
“You are just as pigheaded as your sister. You don’t care about anyone but yourself. Your people are what makes you a king but you rather have them stay ignorant than educate them,” I say.
I hear Ri’s voice “Yes, yes go, Iris.”
I turn to Ri and she is on her feet cheering for me. I hear a throat being cleared and I turn to Prince Leonard who has an irritated face.
“What goes on in my Kingdom is no one’s concern but…”
“That you are wrong, Leonard.” I watch his eyes look at me shocked. I have never called him without his title.
“What goes on in your kingdom is very much everyone’s concern. You are talking about cutting down more trees…”
“Which are to be used to fashion weapons…”
“We can do without more weapons. More weapons mean we are preparing for war and that is one thing we all don’t need.”
“That is reality, there is a war brewing and it is coming to our doorsteps soon. More weapons mean security and that is what I intend to accomplish,” Prince Leonard says.
“Fine Prince Leonard, we make more weapons, how does that ensure the safety of our people?” I ask
“We will make more weapons and teach the people how to fight,” King Leonard says.
“No Prince Leonard that is no accomplishment. What you are doing is inflicting fear on your people and fear can never be trusted, it will destroy your kingdom,” I say.
“Since when did the likes of you care about what goes on in the parliament?”
I groan at him
“I like to think I am more brilliant and resourceful in the obvious area that you lack and I can’t wait to teach you,” I say.
“Alright, thank you so much, Prince Leonard, for that wonderful speech, and thank you Princess Iris for your contributions and concerns,” Duchess Charlotte says.
Duchess Charlotte continues talking and I turn to father for the first time since I started my debate with Prince Leonard and he is looking at me. He finally nods at me and I smile at him and make my way back to my seat.
Ri pulls me into a tight hug
“That was amazing Iris, who knew you had it in you,” Ri praises.
“Yes Iris, that was brilliant,” Princess Esmeralda praises.
“You were like a one-man army Princess Iris,” Lady Zadie says.
“Thank you so much ladies, I am glad you all approve,” I say.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?”
We all turn to Princess Isabelle who is standing on the podium.
“With the permission of my Father, His Royal Majesty, King Theodore of Octavalia, I invite you all to my 16th birthday ball which is set to take place in three days. What other way to celebrate the end of a school year if not with a dashing ball? My card invitations are currently going around. All Princesses and young Duchesses are invited to my famous enchanted flower garden tea party. The dress code is pink and we will...”
Lady Juliana hands me the invitation card. The card has my name on it with glitter.
“Princes and young Dukes will be entertained by my brother, Prince Leonard. There will be sword fighting, horse riding, and so much more.”
“Did she just say horse riding?” I say excitedly.
“Don’t get any ideas, Iris,” Ri says.
“Already too late for that,” I say.
Ri sighs.