Bab 11. The Secret Door

Princess Nathania looked at the new teacher who was busy writing on the blackboard, the atmosphere was very quiet, she didn't like this. What an excruciating silence.

"Huh ..." Nathania took and breathed repeatedly. She hopes this will be over soon.

"Prince Nathan?" Kenneth turned his head, looked at his new student who looked relaxed. This young man walked over to the Prince who not seem interested in the lesson at all. She didn't even have a pen.

Kenneth took the notebook which was neatly opened in front of the Prince, still clean without a scratch from the pen ink. Kenneth frowned, he knew the boy sitting in front of him at this time was a crown prince and this was the first time he had the honor of being able to become a private tutor of a king's son.

"I know the Prince is not interested in studying, but studying is an obligation, especially for those who will lead this country one day."

"I don't want to be king," replied Nathania, she did her best to show her stubbornness.

"Don't want to be king?"

"Yes!"

"Then, what does the Prince want to do when you grows up?"

"I will travel and become a painter," she replied. Kenneth was surprised to hear the answer of The Great Prince. Want to go on an adventure and become a painter, he said? Kenneth thought that this little prince in front of him had forgotten the great destiny that was waiting for him in front of him. However, Kenneth also cannot deny that everyone has the right to have dreams regardless of the reality he will face.

"Then, today's lesson will end here. I will give the Prince the task that must be completed tomorrow,"

"Duty?"

"Yes, assignment. I want the Prince to draw the most memorable thing that the Prince met from today until tomorrow. Leave the results of the drawing to me tomorrow afternoon. I will assess the Prince's ability,"

"Really? then for today enough to study here?" asked Nathania with a beaming face.

"That's right, hand over to me the result of the Prince's painting tomorrow at 2 pm. If the result is not satisfactory, then I will give punishment."

"Punishment?" Nathania did not understand the meaning of the word 'punishment' she would receive if the new teacher was not satisfied with her work. During her life, Nathania never got any punishment especially with a teacher.

"Yes, I will give severe punishment to someone who dares to dream big, but does not want to learn and try at all!" said Kenneth, his face looking serious and creepy. Nathania swallowed hard, somehow she could feel the terrible air that would lurk her for a long time. This new teacher, really is mysterious and unpredictable.

***

Princess Nathania is starting to worry, since art lessons ended yesterday afternoon, she hasn't found anything memorable that she can paint today. Being too worried, she couldn't even enjoy her breakfast.

"Maybe lying on the grass looking at the sky can inspire me," she said, finally deciding to spend her time this morning in the flower garden, enjoying the sunny morning atmosphere in late spring.

The flowers were blooming, glistening in the sunshine. The wind that blows slowly, brings a very memorable comfort. Nathania was lying on the grass, her hands folded behind her head.

Fifteen minutes passed, but Nathania still couldn't find inspiration. Isn't this bad? If she doesn't finish her painting until 2:00 p.m., then the shadow of punishment awaits her.

"Can't ... I didn't get the idea!" she muttered while raising her head, Nathania quite frustrated.

Because she is not used to living under pressure, Nathania is walking wildly around the park, looking for anything memorable and making her escape the punishment of the new creepy teacher.

On the stone wall, the corner of one of the most extensive gardens in this sapphire palace, was a worn-looking door hidden behind a creeping tree root. Nathania never knew there was a secret door in a place like that.

With her curiosity very high, the princess immediately walked towards the secret door. This is quite strange, when the door was opened, it was not locked. Was this door really made in a place like this?

Princess Nathania felt this was a good opportunity for her. Who knew she could see the world outside the palace through this door?

"Okay, I won't waste this opportunity," she thought. With her first steps towards the outside world, the princess is excited about meeting new friends.

"Prince Nathan?" suddenly a soft voice was heard. Nathania has only taken one step forward, but she has already been caught by someone.

Nathania looked back, saw who had found it in the very back corner of this vast sapphire palace. The cute face of a little girl she met yesterday in the flower garden, the little girl with the voice of an angel.

"Judy, huh?"

"Prince Nathan, what are you doing?" asked Judy, still curling the flower crown Nathania had arranged yesterday for her.

"Ah ... that ... it's me ... I ..." she answered haltingly, because it was too sudden, she had difficulty giving an answer. The princess thought for a moment, maybe it would be better if she could honestly say that she had just found this door and intended to go out, explore the world outside the palace.

Judy looked at her while waiting for an answer, from her innocent face, there was no sign of suspicion in the look in her eyes. What Nathania knew was that she had been prohibited from leaving the palace for reasons she did not know. However, Nathan had told her that this was done to prevent the prince and princess from being kidnapped by criminals or enemies of the king.

"I'll say it, but you have to promise me!"

"Promise what, Prince?"

"Promise not to tell anyone, this is our secret!" she replied. Judy was amazed, hearing the prince say that this would be their secret, making this little girl both embarrassed and happy. Isn't it fortunate to have a secret with the great prince?

"Okay Prince, I promise I won't tell anyone!"

"I just found this door and when I opened it, it wasn't locked."

"Really? there's a door in a place like this?"

"I also just found out, if from afar it is not obvious because it is hidden behind the roots of these dense leaves. But if you look closely, it turns out that this is a door between the stone walls," she said, showing the door she had found.

"Prince is right, how come there is a door, huh?"

"I don't know either, but I want to try to get out through this door!"

"Is the Prince allowed to come out?" asked Judy, as if she also knew the rule that the Prince was not allowed outside the palace without a strict guard.

"That ... actually shouldn't be,"

"Is it true ?"

"Hem ... but, I really want to go out. I want to have lots of friends," she replied with a sad face. This little girl was again fascinated by the beautiful face of the prince. In his eyes, Prince Nathan was truly a very impressive figure. His face, as if sculpted perfectly. Yes, he must be a descendant of a god.

"But what if something happens to the Prince? what if there are bad people who disturb the Prince?"

"Nobody knows I am a Prince, so in my opinion, as long as no one out there recognizes who I am, there will be no problem."

"Is that true?" Judy was still in doubt, the only thing she was worried about was the prince's safety.

"That's right, I'll be fine" Nathania showed a sweet smile, making the little girl's cheeks blush even more.

Nathania is getting ready to leave, it's been a thrilling experience, but she can't wait to have a new experience.

"Prince ..." Judy who was shy, seemed to want to come with the Prince.

"What is wrong?"

"Can I come?"

"Of course, come on!" Nathania held out her hand. The little girl really didn't expect something like this to happen in her life. For the first time, her hand was held by a boy and to make her even happier, that boy was a Prince of this wonderful Kingdom.

***