Chapter 9;

    

    *Princess Ana Mae's Pov*

    

    

               After hearing what Leana said, I was left staring at the prince and princess of the other two kingdoms. I don't know how to react, I'm afraid they won't like me just like my cousin Amira who despises me so much. They both walk towards my direction with a smile on their faces.

    

             "So, the rumors are true. The crown princess of Citrine is finally studying here!" the princess spoke and I can see happiness and excitement in her crystal blue eyes. 

    

               "Yes," I answered nervously. I don't know why I suddenly felt nervous, probably because it's my first time to come face to face with other royals.

    

            "We are very happy to finally meet you, right Lyndon?" she giggled. 

    

               "Of course! We've been waiting for this day your highness," Lyndon said politely then he smiled at me.

    

               "No need to call me your highness because you came from a royal family as well and besides we are all students here. No need to address me like that," I told him. They chuckled after hearing what I said.

    

                  "You're right. By the way I'm Diane Villaren from Ethmus and this is Lyndon Kashiver from Valor," she said to introduce herself and the prince beside her.

    

                     "I'm Ana Mae Villashne and this is Leana Swendel my friend." Leana waved her hands to them.

      

                 "Hello your highnesses, it was nice meeting you," she said politely.

    

               "It was nice meeting you too Leana," Diane said happily.

    

                 "Me too," Lyndon said that made Leana's eyes sparkle like diamonds.

    

                "Gosh I think we forgot something Leana!" I blurted out. I suddenly realized that we still have a class to attend to and our professor might have gone mad waiting for us.

    

                 "Oh my! How did we forgot about the time?" Leana said nervously. 

    

                 "You better hurry, we'll see you again some other time. It was nice meeting you again Ana Mae and Leana!" Diane said with glee. Then they both gave us a warm smile. We smiled back to them before we started to walk towards the direction of our classroom.

    

               "I'm nervous your highness," Leana whispered,  she's playing with her palms, something that she usually do everytime she's nervous. I mentally laughed with her actions, she's cute!

    

              "Don't be Leana, our professor might scold us but she's not going to kill us," I teased her. Then all of a sudden she stopped walking which made me curious. So I stopped walking as well then I faced her.

    

               "What's wrong? Why did you stop? I thought you don't wish to be scolded by our professor?" I asked with full curiosity. She diverted her gaze on my left side and I almost froze when I did the same.

    

            I was really shocked to see my cousin that I have been avoiding for several days now. She's walking towards our direction with a smirk on her face.

    

              "Oh what a lovely day! I have finally seen my dear cousin!" she said sarcastically.

    

              "What do you want Princess Amira?" Leana asked in a bored tone. I tried to give her a 'stop it' look but she just ignored me. This bad girl ,she really wants to feel the wrath of my cousin!

    

              "You shut up slave! I'm not talking to you!" Amira yelled at her, her eyes are deadly indicating that she's really mad. I stood between the two of them to stop my cousin from doing something bad to Leana.

    

             

                  "Amira! Will you please stop being so arrogant?" I told her and her eyes became more darker. She held my chin up and I wasn't able to protect myself when she suddenly pushed me. I fell to the ground and it created a scene. Everyone who sees it started to whisper like bees.

    

               "Why did you do that?" Leana shouted angrily. She was about to slap Amira but my evil cousin quickly grabbed her wrist and pushed her just like what she did to me. 

    

                "Amira this is too much!" I stood up and was about to slap her when she said something that broke my heart.

    

               "My dear cousin, do you really think that slapping me would make you a hero?" He laughed hard and that made our audience laugh as well. I was more pissed with what she did. She just disrespected me infront of our schoolmates! How could she do this to a crown princess like me? And I'm her cousin for pete's sake!

             "Listen carefully, you are no longer inside the walls of your so called palace. Your mommy and daddy are not here to save you," she mocked.

    

              All of a sudden I felt a sudden pain and longing in my heart. I missed my mom and dad. I run as fast as I could, I even heard Leana calling my name but I did not stop to look at her. I ignored her and continued to run, I have no idea on where I am planning to go. The only thing that's clear to me is I need to run away from Amira and overcome this pain and longing that I'm feeling right now.

    

             I found myself walking in the garden of our University. I slowly walk towards the direction of the bench that was placed behind a tall tree. I sat there and started crying.

    

           All my life, my only wish was to be accepted by everyone especially by my own cousin and aunt. They are my family but they are always treating me like an enemy. I wasn't able to stop my tears from falling and my cheeks were already wet. I did not bring anything that I could use to wipe them away so I just let them fall freely.

    

            "Just tell me if you need a shoulder to lean on, I can lend you mine." I automatically turn around when I heard that voice. And I was shocked to see Zion standing behind me wearing a smile on his handsome face. I can feel my heartbeat raising like it's in the middle of a life and death situation.

    

              "What are you doing here?" I asked him trying to hide the nervousness that I'm feeling right now. He slowly walks towards me and comfortably sat on the bench where I was sitting. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to me.

    

             "You might need this," he said using his sweet manly voice that made me lost for a second. God how could this man be so perfect?

    

              "Thank you." I'm a little shy but I have no other choice but to accept his offer. My cheeks and the collar of my uniform are already wet due to my unstoppable tears and I need something to wipe them.

    

               "You're always welcome," he answered, still wearing his smile. Then he stared at the blue skies above us. I was curious when his smile grew wider and then he chuckled. Seriously? What's wrong with this guy?

    

                "All my life I have never seen such beautiful skies, not until today." I was more curious with his statement. 

    

               "What do you mean?" I asked him.

         He remained staring at the skies and then he spoke, "My childhood days were filled with darkness. It feels like I've been kept hidden inside a small dark cage. I have no freedom to see the light of the day, nor enjoy the lovely scent of flowers. I don't even know what it feels like to be free and play under the sun," he mumbled and I could see sadness in his eyes.

    

             "What do you mean? Your parents locked you inside your room for a long time?" I asked him.

         He chuckled before he diverted his gaze to me , then he looked directly into my eyes and I swear to God it made me feel weak.

    

            "Not literally. But the world where I grew up is not as beautiful as yours. It is a world full of pains, disappointments and hatred. But I have no freedom to be sad, I was told to keep my emotions hidden. You wanna know why?" he asked still smiling. Seriously how could he smile when his eyes are clearly telling me that he's sad?

    

                 "Why?" I don't know why he's telling me everything about his past life, but atleast I want to listen to his story.

    

                  "Because showing your tears, fears and sadness to your enemies means showing them your weakness. You are giving them a hint on where they should attack you." I was completely shocked with his answer. I wasn't able to say a single word, even when he patted my head before he stood up and started to walk away. I was left speechless but a part of me is telling me that he's right, I should not show everyone that I'm weak. I'm the future queen of this land and I need to be fearless, brave and strong!