Chapter Three

SODAIR

The sunrise peeking from my window made me wake up from my beautiful sleep. I glanced around and realized Liana wasn’t in the room. We sleep together but in different beds. I gazed at the sunrise by the window as I listened to the bird’s tweeting around the palace. I sighed heavily.

Life has been quite hard, remembering on that day that my dad knew that I was getting out of the palace without his consent. Since that day, wherever I go, I have a bodyguard right next to me and Liana the other. But that didn’t stop me from going to the place I wanted most. Because the escape plan was in my room, I just promised Liana that I’ll always get back. And whenever I’d get back I’d meet her pacing profusely around the room in fear that the Queen might come in and find out.

The door opened and Liana walked in. She gazed at me mischievously as she walked towards me and sat next to me.

“I hate that look on your face.” I said grumpily.

“Do you know what day it is?” She asked me eagerly.

“Just like the normal days yes, where I wake up and walk around the palace all day...”

“Today is a bit different.” She nudged me. “It’s your coronation day!!” She said as she squealed with excitement. I then gazed at her my eyes filled with astonishment.

“Oh..gods!” I said as I sighed with relief. I’ve been dying for this day to arrive. I knew the King and the Queen didn’t want to indulge me on the date that will be decided so I had to wait. This patience I knew deep deep down, will grant me what I need.

“Why are you smirking?” Liana asked me as she gazed at me thoughtfully. I just smiled at her genuinely. “Am just happy.” I said as I got off the bed.

I heard the door being knocked and I let the person come in. It was the maid dealing with my personal administration who walked in.

“Your Royal Highness, your bath has already been prepared.” She said as she bowed at me.

“I’ll be there with you shortly.” I said ato the maid who bowed and closed the door behind her. I sighed as I gazed outside the window. People were moving from one point to another making sure nothing went wrong. Here I was watching all this as I’ll be coronated as the Queen just for a day. The phase one of the preparations of when I’ll be crowned the Queen of SODAIR.

“It’s going to be alright.” Liana said behind me. I turned around and faced her. I gave her a smile as she held the robe for me to wear. I wore it and we left.

The bathing time was my best time of all. This was where I could just sit in that bathtub filled with different scents that would make me relish on my fantasy idea of being close to where I’d always want to be. I’d close my eyes and feel myself holding that one purple flower that would lead me to a trail to a wonderful world that I’ve never been in.and where I’d clearly feel at ease. But when I opened my eyes, I realized it was all illusion.

I decided to let this world that am seeking to be out of my mind for now. I’d need to focus today when I’ll be with my parents and clearly I wouldn’t want to make any mistakes.

“You look beautiful.” The maid designing my hair said to me. I gazed at myself at the mirror and saw how my azure eyes glowed today from the eyeliner that made my eyes huge. The red lipstick only lightened up my full lips. I gazed at my purple and gold robe that I wore and how it looked good on me. I smiled at myself as I loved the me that I saw on the mirror today. When she was done with my hair and as she put the small crown on my head, I felt just like the right Highness that I should be.

The maid left as Liana walked back in. She squealed with excitement as she stood behind me.

“I can’t believe it’s you.” She said as she gazed at me with her kind eyes. I smiled back genuinely.

“This is going to be my best day!” She exclaimed. “Am not going to leave your side. I can be your food taster. Your court lady, I can even be your bodyguard. I’d even want to be your maid....”

“Stop being paranoid. You know you can’t be all those things.” I said to her. She sighed heavily. “I just want to stay by your side.”

“It’s okay. You are always by my side.” I said to her as I stood up. She smiled at me as she bowed her head.

“I am ready to meet your acquaintances, Your Majesty.” She said teasingly. I scoffed. “Am not even Queen yet.” I said to her as she gazed at me laughing. She then helped me walk out of the room.

As I walked out of my room I met most of the maids standing beside me each side and as I walked they all bowed to me. I sighed as I realized this is the kind of life that I will forever live. But still that doesn’t stop my curiosity.

I headed toward the throne room and I saw by the side door that my mom and dad had already arrived. I walked towards the main door and stood there, waiting for my arrival to be announced.

“Ladies and gents, the noble people of this SODAIR kingdom, I present you, your Royal Highness, Princess Zeeklah!” He said as the trumpets were blown and the doors were opened. I gazed at both of my parents as they smiled at me. I smiled back but not for long. I knew today was my big day, but there are some things I’d have to change for a while. And I know, it’s going to be hard for me to get them.

I sat at the throne chair as I gazed at Queen Marquis who smiled at me. King Gaber then stood and addressed the people.

“Today you are all here to see the coronation of my daughter, Princess Zeeklah. This is the first trial of her assessment as the future queen. All of you today will be able to ask of what you think is right for this kingdom to her and get to learn who your next leader is.” King Gabber then glanced at me and gave me a tight smile as he motioned for the guard to bring the crown. I gazed at it. Gold, embedded with three gems, it sparkled wonderfully in this daylight.

King Gaber took it as he gazed at me. I stood up and walked towards him as I knelt in front of him.

“I hereby present you, as the Queen of the Day, Your Highness.” He said as he took out my everyday crown and put the new one. He helped me stand as I turned around to the applauses of the people around me.

He then showed me to my seat. I sat at the throne and the people applauded more. I gazed at both of my parents who now stood and bowed to me. I smiled as I shook my head not believing all this is happening. They were then escorted out of the throne room and I was left with the advisers, the noble and the people of the city who were allowed to have the King or Queen’s audience. I gazed around and saw Liana and my bodyguard standing at the left side of my hand. I nodded at Liana as she gave me the kind of bowing that I knew was all tease. Instead, I smiled as the first adviser decided to tell me of his matters.

I thought being a Queen was going to be easy, but then it isn’t. I gazed around and realized that I’ve been here in the throne room till noon. I needed a break and a good bed rest.

I decided to tell them that I would kindly have another day when I’d listen to them like I did today. They obliged as I was escorted out of the throne room and heading to my room. On the way, I met my father’s guard who bowed in front of me.

“Your Royal Highness, the King is in need of your presence.” He said to me. “Is he alright?” I asked concerned. “Yes he is. He just has some matters to talk with you, he’s in his office.” He replied.

“Okay. Let’s head there.” I replied as the guard started leading the way.

We arrived at the King’s office and I decided to walk in. He was busy scribbling something on paper. When he saw me he put the paper away and invited me to sit next to him.

“How does it feel with weight over your shoulders?” He asked me.

“Weight?” I asked him curiously. “The people’s needs.” He replied.

“Oh that.” I said as I smiled nervously. “People do have a lot of wishes.”

“Well, today I decided to grant you some too.” He said to me.

“Grant me?” I said eagerly. He laughed heartily.

“Yes. Whatever you need. Tell me and I’ll do it. No harm will come to you. Today is your day. I want you to enjoy it.”

“Wishes.” I smiled to myself. I had stupid wishes and dangerous wishes. But who am I to say no to His majesty’s need?

“You are now sixteen. I think trying to grant some of your wishes would ease the resentment you have on me.” He said.

“Resentment?” I asked incredulously. “Why would I resent you?”

“The bodyguard.” He said to me as he gazed outside the window. I sighed heavily. Yes that was a great toll on me. He’s been on my side for five years now.

“That’s one. No bodyguard for today. Liana said she’ll volunteer to be my everything today.” I said to him.

“Liana? Does she even know how to protect you?” He asked me curiously.

I gazed at him solemnly. He knows completely that I go to practices of self defense with Liana every single day.

“Not in a bad way.” He said to me. “It’s just am worried about the both of you.”

“We will be fine. Another thing, I want a new color arrangement in my room.”

“What’s wrong with the color orange? It brings the light to your eyes..”

“It’s noisy.” I said abruptly to him. He sighed.

“Color?” He asked me concern laced in his tone.

“Purple and gold respectively.” I said as I gazed at my robe. Gazing at it only reminded me of...

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Your Highness?” King Gaber asked me teasingly. I knew this was the one thing that no matter how much I asked , he won’t let me do it.

“I want to get out of the palace and parade the city.” I said to him. He gazed at me his gaze penetrating to my soul. I looked away as he sat there silence enveloping us.

“I’m afraid I can not grant that wish.” He said to me as he stood up.

“Why? You told me today is my day and you will grant my wishes just the way I want them....”

“No!” King Gaber said to me aggressively his time sharper than I’d ever known. He composed himself as he said in a silent tone.

“I will not let you put yourself more in trouble. You are not in the right state of mind. I can not trust you heading back there.” He said as he paced profusely in his office.

“Not in a good state of mind you say?” I asked him, my anger about to wreck havoc at him. He gazed at me, his eyes daring.

“Well then. Since am not in a very good state of mind, why don’t you find a nobility to be the Future Queen of this kingdom of yours that you are trying so hard to protect?” I said as I took off the crown and threw it. I gazed at him, waiting for him to say something but he didn’t. I walked out of his office and headed to my chambers.

Liana tried to keep up with me but she decided not to ask anything after seeing the way I walked out of the office. When I arrived at my bedroom door, I gazed at Liana.

“I need some time alone.” I told her. She wanted to say something, but then decided not to. She bowed to me as she watched me walk in and close the door angrily at her face.

I paced around my room. When my eyes caught up the cloak by the side I decided I can’t possibly wait any longer. I took of my robe and wore my cloak and walked towards the board. I opened it and disappeared from site.

As usual I went back to my best place. The place that I always feel at home. When I arrived there, the flowers had wonderfully bloomed and their scent was quite intoxicating. I squatted down to get the flower that was near. I couldn’t reach it, so I tried once again to reach it. This time, I saw a pair of shoes walk towards me as the hands plucked it and handled it to me. I gazed at the mam then at the flower in my hand.

I smiled genuinely as I gazed at the petals of the flower and decided to breath in once again this intoxicated scent.

“The flowers are amazing aren’t they?” He said to me. I glanced at him. His green eyes were mesmerizing and they made his facial features much more prominent. His body was a bit muscular and his height 6”3.

“Yes.” I said to myself. “I’ve been asking myself a million questions why my dad would not plant this wonderful flowers on our side.”

The man laughed heartily. “Well they only support this soil at this side.” He said to me.

“Maybe I’ll have to steal just a little bit to grow them at the palace grounds.”

“Palace?” He asked curiously. I gazed at him as I shrugged.

“My name is Claus by the way.” He said to me.

“Zeeklah. Well, that is my name unless you end up calling me Your Highness like the rest of them.” I said sarcastically.

“You...you are the princess?” He asked me eagerly.

“Yes I am. I mean I am so frustrated that I had to escape from the palace just to be here..my dad doesn’t get it.. I mean this flower makes me feel...”

“At home?” Claus interrupted me. I nodded approvingly.

“Well, I can take you to that home that is, if you are ready.”

“Is it...is it...really there?” I asked curiously. Claus smiled at me genuinely. “Of course Zeeklah. So ..should we?”

“Yes!” I said as I stood up and gazed at him. “I’ve been waiting for five years. Five years...”

“Well it’s worth a wait then don’t you think?” He said as the fence I was accustomed to, showed a gate way to the other side. Claus gave me his hand daring me to go with him. I mean, I’ve always wanted a wonderful life better than this with weights on my shoulder.

I gazed at Claus as he gazed at me hopefully.

“Till I see you again, dad.” I said as I gave Claus my hand and we walked away further away ..from my so called Home.