1

"Princess Ruthy, it's time to have breakfast," said Genesis, one of my maids.

I rose from my reading table and straightened my gown. I glanced at Genesis and showed her a bright smile, where she giggled and returned a smile as well.

As I was straightening my gown, Danielle, my other maid, rushed to my said, "Let me do it for you, princess."

"Oh no, it's okay. I can handle it," I said and winked at her.

Danielle and Genesis bowed. My maids are used to my attitude- the winks, gestures, and speech, but I don’t act like this in front of my Father. He’s the King, of course I won’t get away with it. I may be his daughter, but I am also a princess. A princess who should act with decency and pride- which I sometimes lack. I’m still growing, okay?

"Now, let's go."

I positioned my tiara while walking down the hall and came down the stairs. The guards opened the double-doors which led to the Dining Hall.

"Good morning, Father," I greeted and curtsied.

"Good morning, Mother," I faced Mom and curtsied as well.

"Good morning, dear. Have a seat," my Mom said and Dad gave me a smile.

It's so comfortable calling them Mom and Dad, but sometimes I still have to call them as Mother and Father formally, especially in public. I guess it’s the rules or some kind of protocol, despite being part of the family. I’m not yet that knowledgeable about the monarchy here, but I am currently learning and studying about it.

"Hey Keith. I mean, good morning, Prince Keith." I jokingly curtsied in front of my brother.

I have a fourteen-year old brother. I'm seventeen and I'm turning eighteen in a few months. I'm going to be in the legal age!

Keith smirked. I sat in front of him and the maids served us food.

"French toast and chilled salad huh? Brilliant," said Keith then roared on the food. Keith is a fast eater. I’m just surprised why he doesn’t choke his food from time to time and why my parents are not saying anything about it at all. Well, on a positive note, he does not get messy.

I grabbed the toast and was about to put it in my mouth when my Mom suddenly cleared her throat. I looked at her and she pointed at her fork. Then I remembered I'm a princess. I grabbed the fork and used it to eat my toast. Who even eats bread using a fork?

After eating breakfast, I headed to the women's room to sign some contracts for the Royal Orphan Parade. The women’s room is a room where only women in the palace gets to enter to work. It’s a spacious room with large book shelves, Victorian couches, a tall window with an attached balcony, a fireplace and a wide table.

The parade is for the orphans from the new orphanage building, East Rinovea Orphanage. I shared the idea with my Mom and she liked it. We don’t have enough facilities in town, so I wanted to focus building new ones for the children.

"Good morning, Your Highness. Here are the papers you have to sign for the parade," said Lady Shine and curtsied. Lady Shine is one of our senior attendants who helps us with our duties. She’s been with us since I was born, but she still looks young. I don’t know how old she is and I don’t want to bother asking her. She might get offended.

I sat on a chair and scanned the papers. Well, this will be in two days. I'm very much excited. All the people of Rinovea will be there watching.

"This will be so fun. I'm very excited," I beamed and signed the papers carefully. I made sure to read each description properly before signing it.

After I was done, I headed to the door and Lady Shine curtsied as I left. During this time of the day, the halls are usually quiet. Not many guards and maids are on duty yet. I decided to head to the garden but was blocked by one of the guards, Sir Angelo.

"Excuse me?" I said with a confused look. I had to look up whenever I’m speaking to Sir Angelo because he is one tall person. I’m guessing he’s around 5’10 or so.

Sir Angelo bowed. "Pardon, my lady, but you're not yet allowed to go outside alone."

There's this ridiculous curfew me and Keith have. We're not allowed to go outside the palace until 9 AM and 8 PM. This includes the garden, the outdoor quadrangle and practice area.

"It's almost 9, Sir Angelo. Please let me," I said and peeked through the glass doors behind him. The water from the fountains were already running.The garden is my second favorite place in the palace. I grew some of the flowers there when I was still 10 and we have benches all around the place.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but you cannot go unaccompanied." He again bowed.

"Then come with me," I said and crossed my arms.

"Very well." Sir Angelo opened the doors and led the way to the bench behind a fountain, facing the mountains where the sun rises. My main spot.

"How are you, Ruthy?" He silently asked as I sat down.

"Still the same Angelo. Still busy, and beautiful," I joked.

There's something between me and Angelo for almost 2 years now, but we don't consider it with anything since it's not allowed. I don't want Angelo to lose his job because of me. This is how we keep up with each other- secret and silent conversations away from people.

"I agree," He said.

We didn’t speak for a few minutes, just staring at the slow sunrise in front of us. I looked around the garden and noticed that there was no one with us.

"Can I hold your hand, Your Highness?" He asked.

I stared at him. We haven't held hands since the Ballroom Party where everyone was holding champagne in their hands and Angelo and I were in my room in the balcony. That was a chilling memory. Angelo did not like the idea of him inside my room at all and I had to force him to come inside with me.

I smiled at him. He then held it, gave it a light squeeze, then a quick kiss. I felt myself turn red. I smiled with my head down, embarrassed by the look on my face. We stood up and entered the glass door separately.

"Good morning, Your Highness, Your Majesty Queen Cleo wants your presence in the pastry room," said Sir Saint when I entered the palace.

Ah, Sir Saint. One of the bestest guards in the palace too. Actually, Saint, Angelo, and I are like best friends. When there was a bomb threat in a gathering we attended at West Rinovea, they were ready to catch the bomb for me. I'm blessed to have guards like them. He and Angelo entered the palace at the same time. Apparently, they were already close friends from their hometown.

Saint is just as tall as Angelo. He has dark brown hair while Angelo has blonde. He has small cat-like eyes unlike Angelo’s almond eyes. Their personalities are different from each other. Saint is timid and less talkative, but he’s very sweet and kind. On the other hand, Angelo has an intimidating look but has a cheerful aura and attitude.

"Very well Saint- I mean, Sir Saint," I stuttered and gave a quick curtsy.

I walked to the pastry room where my Mom was waiting. The pastry room was on the same level as the garden, basically the ground floor of the palace. Our rooms, the throne room and women’s room are on the second floor.

"Yes Mother? You were calling for me?" I asked when I entered the room. Oooh, cake testing? There was a tier of cakes in the middle of the room.

"Help me choose 3 flavors for the celebration of the new orphanage."

I started at the left side. I think it's coffee mocha because of its color and toppings. I took a small piece using a tablespoon and gosh was it so wonderful, like a whole heaven was in my mouth.

"That was wonderful," Mom commented and I nodded.

There was cream cheese, butter cream, soft chocolate, and gosh, freaking wasabi? People really make cakes with the weirdest of flavors lately.

"Milk! I need milk!" I exclaimed and my maids rushed to give me a glass of milk.

"Dear, wasabi is great," Mom said and took another spoonful. I drank the milk in one shot.

"Princess, be careful," the chefs commented.

"Ugh, how dare them?" I groaned.

"So, what are your choices, Your Highness, Your Majesty?" the chef asked. I chose butter cream and soft chocolate while Mom, you guessed it right, chose wasabi.

"Great choice, Mom," I sarcastically said.

"Tone," Mom warned and we left the pastry room.

As we were walking down the hall, Mom suddenly perked and grabbed something from her side pocket. "Ruthy, you have a note from the country of Wierxia. The leaders are coming for the party," she said then handed me a letter.

I squeeled. King Ricardo's family is one of our closest friends. Their daughter, Princess Althea, is actually a friend of mine. I know Althea has a brother- an annoying and stubborn prince. I’m close with the both of them, but Althea’s brother likes to pull tricks on me since we were kids, so he gets on my nerves all the time we see each other.

I ran to my suite while carrying my gown. It’s a good thing I wasn’t wearing heels but only flat shoes under my gown. Lady Shine suddenly came out from a room I passed.

"Your Highness!" called Lady Shine. I halted to a stop and looked behind.

"Yes, Lady Shine?"

"The King will meet you in his study in an hour!"

I gave her a thumbs up and continued running to my suite.

When I entered my room, I tidied my desk, sat on my reading table and opened the letter.

"Althea wrote it!" I exclaimed as soon as I opened it.

Dearest Princess Ruthyelia Nobingale,

                    We, the Wilhem family, have accepted your invitation for the East Rinovea Orphanage party. We will gladly bring gifts for the orphans.

                   Hello Ruthy! I am delighted and excited to finally see you again! I hope you have your pajamas ready for a sleepover!

                   - Kingdom of Wierxia