The kettle whistled and puffed. I poured the hot water into a mug filled with cocoa powder and milk, and stirred. I sat and watched as the rain continued to drizzle.
I was home alone. My parents left a note that they'd gone out. It seemed that they do that more these days. As for Nolan and Vic, God only knows.
The quiet is consoling and endearing. No paparazzi, no duties to perform, no school, no studying. Just me and my hot cocoa. It's almost like it's all a dream. The ring on my finger begs to differ. The weight is beginning to wear on me. Who am I now?
It was all so easy. I knew what I wanted and knew how to get it but now... I don't know anymore. Everything just seems so hard so confusing. What am I to do when the two years are up? Would I even be out of this when the two years are over?
I twirled the ring on my finger and sipped out of my mug.
The door opened and four heavy feets stepped in. I walk to the living room to find Nolan and Vic wet taking off their shoes.
Is that blood on Vic's face and Nolan's hand?
"Where were you two this morning?"
They ignored me.
"Hey." I set my mug down and crossed my arms across my chest.
"Are you a monitoring spirit now?" Vic appeared irritated.
"What's wrong with your face?" I asked him. To Nolan, "What did you do? What happened to your hands?"
"Fuck off, Anna." Victor scowled and walked past me into his room.
"Victor."
"Leave him," Nolan sighed
"What happened out there?"
"You don't have to know it all, Anna."
I clammed up. Watching out for them and they take it as intruding. Fine, whatever. I grabbed my mug and entered the kitchen.
My parents arrived later with lots of stuff. Elaborate meals were made. There wasn't much laughing and playing. They bought me another sketchpad and acrylic paint. I'm pretty sure I haven't run out of my supplies but whatever.
Today is the last day with my parents before I found my way back to the Doom of Dooms. I chuckled to myself shaking my head at myself. I am going back to the palace tomorrow. Yay.
It seemed everything was back to the way it was. Nolan ignored me except for small talks. I'm still embarrassed about the other day. He should have changed in the bathroom.
My parents are well my parents.
Victor was still acting strange. I'm pretty sure they got into a fight.
I sighed again for the umpteenth time.
"Will you stop that? You aren't dying tomorrow." My Mom snapped.
You don't know half of it, mom.
I sighed again just to spite her. Receiving a glare as reward, I grinned. My dad keeps on feeding me like he won't get another chance to do so again. I don't think he will.
This day should just end already. I'm tired of the way it's so sluggish and slow and making me want to cling to my parents and not let go and and-
I sighed inwardly. I'm tired.
And tomorrow came. Slow but it came as today. Hugged my family good bye, lots of kisses on my face, I didn't snap at Vic. That's a first. Groaned at paparazzi, rolled my eyes and entered the limo.
And my life resumed its regular routine.
Sure enough, we got to the palace after an hour of silence. I definitely could crickets throughout the ride.
"The Elders request your presence." Greens, the King's right man and Head butler greeted us.
Yeah whatever. Of course they do. They couldn't let us sleep an hour or two before...
I'm so cranky. I woke up on the wrong side today.
The Elders looked as pristine as ever. Awe never seemed to evade me each time I meet them together in a place. It wasn't comforting or welcoming.
Henry isn't here, I noticed.
We greeted them as we stepped in. They nod their heads with such grace I would never be able to achieve.
Grandma Penelope greeted us with her ever present smile. "It's so good to see you two again. It's been a bore without you."
I smiled in return while Nolan answered, "Good to be back, Your Majesty."
The king and queen were stoic. All business and dry. At least they were smiling today. Even if it was the fake smile they had for the camera.
"Yes good to see you again, Crowned Prince and Princess." The king spoke for the first time. The queen only nodded.
Genevieve paid us no attention whatsoever, checking out her nails. At least she was bold enough to show how boring this all is.
"Now that you are here, you would be able to take over some duties you rather left behind for a short vacation." The Queen is rather irritated.
"Ah yes. Nolan, you would be in Netherlands tomorrow. Greens would give you the full details of what you would do there and will escort you. This contact would be of immense benefit to us." The king looked pointedly at Nolan. He looked outright scary.
"As for you Crown Princess, Prince Louis from France will be visiting tomorrow. You would be attending to him." The queen sternly added
I bet they had plotted this together and probably cackled the way villains do in movies. Gee, it suits them.
I nodded my head and sigh. Some things never just change.
His shoes clicked as he walked down the stairs.
"So you're leaving, for how long?" I asked when he finally comes to a stop in front of me.
Nolan shrugged, "For as long as I'm needed. Why? Are you going to miss me?" A smile played at his lips.
I scoffed, "Of course not. Why would I?"
""Your highness," A bodyguard came bowing, "Your ride is ready."
Nolan nodded, "See you soon, Anna." He walked ahead with the guard in tow.
Warmth burst through me. He can't just leave me here alone. Just as the guard opened the door to the limo, I called out Nolan's name. He turned to me confused. To be honest, I'm confused myself not until my body moved on its own, running to him. I wrap my hands around him, earning a grunt.
My eyes burned. "Come back safe."
He hugs me back, patting my back. "Of course."
I held back the tears that weld up in me. Seriously woman, get a grip. He's going to be fine. That is what bodyguards are for. My face flamed in embarrassment as I push myself away from him.
"I never did that." I said.
His eyebrows rose, amused. "Bye bye, Brian."
My fist collide with his stomach. He gasped and bent over, holding his stomach. The guards jolt forward in alarm.
"See ya, Jerk." I spun on my heels and walked away feeling good.
"What do you wear to meet a foreign Prince?", I asked Mara and received a quizzical look.
"Clothes, of course. You need to represent our culture and country. You will tell him all about our nation, it's like being a diplomat." She continued, "He's going to eat our local food, listen to music and decide whether or not he should relate with us. This is a big deal, Anna. If you fail, there would be grave consequences not just from Her Majesty but from His Majesty, okay? So you will show all we have taught you today."
I blink once. Twice. "That's a lot of pressure."
"Yes, now." She clapped her hands and the junior maids snap to attention, "See to Her Highness. I'm going to see to her dress. His Royal Highness from France will arrive at noon."
"Noon?!" A glance at the clock told me it was half past ten. How am I going to see to all the preparation before then?
"Yes, noon." She threw me a look over her shoulder.
"Mara, I need to go to the kitchen and decorate the hall and-" I rattled off. I told a maid to pass me a pad and pen then told her write all I was listing down.
Swears, that Queen has it in for me.
Standing on my toes, I reached for the book, A guide to Theatre History.
Almost there, I thought as my hand grazed the bottom.
Someone reached up and drew it out. I spun to thank the person and jerk back when I see who it was.
"Aubrey?"
With a wide grin, she waved the book in my face. "Here it is."
I eyed her with narrow eyes. Why did she help me? Am I not her enemy?
"Thank you," I said and wondered why it came out sounding more like a question.
"Where is Nolan?"
"He travelled."
"To where?"
"Why do you want to know?"
She shrugged and flipped her straight hair over her shoulder. "Why not? He is my boyfriend."
"Then text him yourself."
"You know he doesn't pick up his private phone when he is busy. Besides, why won't you tell me? Are you jealous?"
I scoffed and laughed out loud. Me jealous? Why would I be? "He is in the Netherlands."
She bit her lip and drew out her phone. "Bye," she said and sashayed away.
What is she up to?