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CHAPTER 4

They stare at each other looking for who will break the staring challenge and finally Princess Isabelle chuckles and turns to me.

“She won’t always be around.”

“And I will be ever ready to catch the Minotaur by its horns,” I say.

I watch her scorn her face and finally, she turns and leaves. We all watch as she disappears into the crowd.

“I have to give it to her, she knows how to take the fun out of a party,” Princess Octavia says.

“Yes, she does. Thank God that is over, I thought I would have to mediate between you two again,” Princess Esmeralda says.

“Sorry, Esmeralda. I just can’t seem to control my emotions whenever I am around Isabelle,” I say.

A servant comes around with a tray of drinks. Ri takes a drink from the tray, smiles, and gives me one.

“I don’t know whom I dislike more, her or her brother,” Ri says.

“Actually, it’s a tie,” I say and take a sip of my drink.

I look ahead and I spot Prince Leonard, Princess Isabelle’s older brother.

“Prince Leonard is just as devious, selfish, and manipulative as his sister. The only difference is that… well…” I gesture to Prince Leonard behind the ladies with the drink in my hand. They all turn and look at him.

“It’s a shame he’s cute,” Lady Lucinda says. Her father, Duke Hammond was just appointed Lord Sailor by King Archer of Divimon. He is in charge of shipping logistics. Her father is the Duke of Marlington, a state in Divimon.

“No that is not something to be ashamed of. What is shameful is my sister being at logger heads with two siblings,” Ri says.

I almost choke on my drink.

“Now that you mentioned it, Adrianna, Princes Leonard was the one who told King Matthew where to Princess Iris when the hunting kits went missing,” Princess Octavia says.

“And he was the one who told everyone that Princess Iris was hiding in the boy’s locker,” Duchess Lucinda says.

“He was the one who also told King Donatello that it was Princess Iris who took the swords at the Cerphila Art Room,” Lady Juliana says.

“I was scared to death that period. I thought there was going to be a war between Cerphila and Filamonda,” Princess Esmeralda says.

“Can you all stop talking as if I am not here? I get it I did a lot of stupid stuff growing up and Prince Leonard was always there to be a thorn in my sight,” I say pouring the whole drink in my mouth.

A servant passing by fills the glass up for me. Just then the music changes and the trumpets are sound.

“The music has changed Iris, you know what that means,” Ri says.

I watch as the guests dancing all stops and everyone starts gathering together.

“It’s time for our performance,” Ri says.

“Will you be performing too?”

I turn to Lady Juliana who is standing to my right. I smile at her.

“Yes, I even get to play my Nana’s harp.”

“Wow, we finally get to hear you play the Filamonda Crystal Harp,” Juliana says with enthusiasm.

I giggle and I nod at her. She smiles and curtsies. As I watch her leave, I feel Ri grip my hand. I turn to Ri who is looking behind me and smiling.

“Why are you smiling like that Ri?” I say to myself frowning.

“Ri, why are you smiling…?”

“Hello ladies,” a voice says behind me, interrupting me.

I feel myself stiffen; I feel my intestines tying together as the butterflies in my stomach starts dancing. I feel my palms getting wet. That is what that voice does to me anytime I hear it. I look at Ri for confirmation and she does that thing with her mouth letting me know I am right. I slowly turn to the voice and I look into the eyes of Prince Jeffery of Divimon.

His older brother, Prince Frederick is by his side. Prince Jeffery has his eyes are on me, staring into my pupils.

“This is so not the day not to wear a glove,” I say to myself as I feel my palms getting wet, holding the glass of juice tight.

Behind him, I notice a figure, a tilt my head to see it was and I find Prince Leonard staring at me and immediately I frown at him.

“What is he doing here with Prince Jeffery,” I say to myself.

“Princess Iris,” Prince Jeffery says and bows.

I smile as struggle with my nervousness as I curtsey.

“You look very lovely today Your Highness,” Prince Jeffery says.

“Why thank you,” I say.

He turns to Ri, “I enjoyed your solo act today, Princess Adrianna. It was very exquisite”

“And delightful to watch,” Prince Frederick says.

“Why thank you, gentlemen. I can’t take all the credit. My sister and the others helped make the show a success.” Ri says smiling.

“Ah, yes. That you are right Princess Adrianna,” Prince Frederick says.

I look back at Prince Jeffery and I noticed he has been staring at me. He finally smiles at me; my grip on the glass tightens.

“Your father told my father that you both will be performing for us today, so I came over to wish you good luck as you play,” Prince Jeffery says.

“Thank…”

My words are cut off as I feel a push behind me and my drink pours on Prince Jeffery’s clothes.

REALITY

“The push,” I whisper.

“Did you say something?” Ri asks looking at me from behind her book.

“Now that I think about it, I didn’t spill my drink on Prince Jeffery.”

Ri closes the book she is reading, raises her eyebrow, and tints her head at me. Something she does in replace of ‘Are you sure’

“Well yes I did spill the drink on him but it wasn’t my intention.”

Ri lets a sigh and gets back to her book.

“You never mean to spill your drinks on him, Iris.”

“Yes, but what I meant was that someone pushed me.”

“What?” Ri says and looks at me from behind her book.

“Yes Ri, I was pushed from behind,” I say

“Well did you see who it was?”

“No, I was too busy trying to clean my mess before…”

“Before you knocked out the servant serving drinks and spilled the tray of drinks on Prince Jeffery again which prompted Mother to cancel our performance for the evening,” Ri says interrupting me.

I groan loudly. The coach comes to a halt, letting us know we have reached Royal Academy. I leaned towards the window and peep outside.

“I wish I didn’t have to go school today. How will I be able to face anyone after what happened last night? Worst, how will I be able to face Prince Jeffery,” I say to myself.

“C’mon.”

I turn to Ri’s outstretched hand and look up at her.

“You can’t stay in the coach forever Iris. Let’s go everything is going to be fine,” Ri says

“Fine,” I say taking her hand.

“Coachman,” Ri calls.

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