8

Ruthy’s

Me and my family are now in front of the main doors of the palace, patiently waiting for the Wilhems. I was holding a basket of sweets and Dad was holding a bottle of champagne. Keith, who is beside me, was fidgeting on his suit.

“Keith, can’t you stay still?” Mom complained who was on his other side.

“Sorry, Mom. My collar is a little uncomfortable,” He said, adjusting his collar.

A few seconds later, the trumpets played and Sir Saint opened the doors.

“Presenting, the Royal Family of Wilhem.”

King Ricardo was in front, wearing a plain white coat with gold linings and an elegant single-layered silver crown. Queen Josephine, who wrapped her arm on King Ricardo’s arm, was wearing a long, asymmetrical plum dress with her hair in a bun and of course, the same crown King Ricardo was wearing. Behind them, was Princess Althea and Prince Thomas. Althea was wearing a yellow pouf dress that reached her knees and she had her hair in a ponytail. Her tiara set perfectly on her head. Thomas was just as simple as his Father but he wore a long sleeve polo and a one-sided brown coat that lay on his left shoulder. A silver crown shining brightly on his head. As we met in the middle of the hall, we all bowed and curtsied simultaneously. By then, I heard my Father shout.

“Ricardo! Ha-ha! You’ve gotten a little taller eh?”

“Andriego! Ha-ha! I see you seem a little buffed eh?”

And that was the start of the loud greetings. Mom and Queen Josephine were exchanging kisses and Keith was suddenly riding Thomas’ back who almost fell on the ground, and here I am, body slammed by Althea who was crushing me.

“Ruthy! Ruthy, ruthy, ruthy! I missed you so much, oh I have a lot of stories to tell you!” She enthusiastically exclaimed. I chuckled then hugged her back tightly.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Althea. The world is just giving me everything lately,” I sighed and I heard her giggle.

“Now, save those ‘everything’ later at my room, okay?”

Althea then went to Mom and Dad to greet them and now, Thomas was in front me.

“Princess Ruthy,” He greeted then took my hand to kiss it.

“Prince Thomas,” I curtsied. “How was your travel?”

“Tolerable, it wasn’t as boring as I expected it to be. Althea was babbling every hour,” He chuckled. Oh, wasn’t expecting this fresh attitude from him.

“Wow, you’re in a good mood?” I teased and he smiled.

“I guess you’re having a tough time lately, I might just pull back messing with you for a while.”

“Say, ‘how bout we head to the Dining Hall for dinner? I’m starving!” Dad commented then led the way.

--

The Dining Hall was noisy, but in a pleasant way. We we’re all chatting and eating at the same time.

“So, Ruthy, dear, how did the opening of the orphanage go?” Queen Josephine asked.

I set down my spoon and fork then placed my hands on my thighs. “It went great, Your Majesty. The children loved their new home,” I replied with a smile.

She smiled back at me. “That’s good news, darling. I’m happy to see you progress like your Mother. You’d make a fantastic queen, don’t you think Cleo?” She faced Mom.

“I agree. Me and Andriego are constantly teaching and training her for the future. She’s a tough one.”

“Say, Ruthy, have you made your thoughts of getting married?” King Ricardo suddenly said in between the talks. I almost choked my food.

Althea gave me a tissue and I straightened my poise. “I am yet to meet a suitable partner, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t you think it’s getting a little late, Andriego? She’s turning 18 in a few months,” Queen Josephine told Dad.

Dad wiped his mouth then cleared his throat. “Well, it is really not my place to force my daughter to marry. She will meet her love, soon.”

I looked at Dad and gave him a warm smile. He really is the best. He’s not forcing me to anything I don’t like, even if it’s going to cause him trouble. I’ve always wanted to help Dad in any way I can. Seeing all the stress he’s been feeling, all the papers he has to sign, the country he has to rule. It wasn’t his fault he was born of royal blood, and all I have to do is carry that with him.

“How about my son here, Thomas?” King Ricardo suddenly perched.

I heard two different things that moment. Coughing and laughing. The coughing was from me and Thomas, and the laughing was from Althea and Keith.

“I’m sorry, what?” Thomas, who was in front of King Ricardo, almost drowned in his water.

“Thomas is a likely suitable partner for Ruthy. He is of royal blood, he has the looks, the brains and the manners. They would rule Rinovea marvelously,” King Ricardo added.

Queen Josephine was looking at Mom, waiting for her reaction, but she was speechless.

“Well, I-uh, that depends entirely on the children. Right, darling?” Dad looked at Mom, waiting for S.O.S.

Mom came back to her senses then clasped her hands. “Yes, Thomas is the perfect candidate for this, but I would not like them to force each other. We’ll give them time.” She smiled. Hold on- wait a minute. Is she actually agreeing on this?

“Then it is settled! Thomas can stay here for a few months to spark up their relationship, you know?” King Ricardo teased and laughed. Dad followed, but with a nervous chuckle.

I was left dumb-founded. I can’t bring myself to join the conversation because they looked determined to make this work. I can only open and close my mouth.

"Wait, are we really serious about this? Can't I stay too?" Althea said who was beside me.

 “Of course, you can. Are you against it, darling?” Queen Josephine softly asked.

Althea looked at me then winked. “Well, not really. I wouldn’t mind my best friend finally being family, but at least give them time.”

I looked at Thomas, hoping for a rebound, but he was just as speechless as I was.

“Dessert will be served.”

And that moment, saved us all. The topic died down, and they were finally talking about business.

“Oh my gosh, I never realized that Dad would bring that up,” Althea said beside me. I laid down on her shoulder then wrapped my arm on her arm. “I can’t believe this is happening. He’s your brother! How are you okay with that?” I complained.

She shrugged. “Thomas can be a prick sometimes, but he’s caring and smart when he’s serious. I’m surprised he didn’t push you to the fountain a while ago when we arrived.”

“Chocolate mousse cups for the first dessert of the evening.”

I turned and saw Noah serving the dessert. He had his hair brushed backwards and he was wearing a neat blue apron that matched his white polo.

“Shut-up. Who is that handsome man?” Althea whispered beside me.

I stared at him as he served the dessert at each of us. When he finally reached my seat, he gave me a wink before going back to the kitchen.

“Ah, that boy right there is Noah. He saved my daughter from an attack last week, so we offered him a place here in the palace,” Dad explained.

“That’s very nice of you, Andriego and Cleo,” Queen Josephine commented as she tasted the mousse cup.

I turned to Althea. “There you have it. That’s Noah,” I said.

I looked at the mousse cup and it was so captivating. This is one of my favorite desserts ever. I grabbed a spoon and took a scoop on the cup. When I tasted it, it was like the world stopped for a moment to ask for a bite. It was like heavens on my tongue.

“That is amazing!” Althea exclaimed as she immediately finished the cup.

“You got a talented baker right here, Andriego,” King Ricardo commented as he nodded his head while finishing the cup.

I savored every bite I had. He was really a talented baker, just like Queen Josephine. Queen Josephine baked a cake for my 10^th and 16^th birthday. It was one of the best cakes we had. Mom even hid some to eat in their room.

“How is it, Mother?” Althea asked. I looked at Queen Josephine and she almost dropped the spoon.

“Josephine?” King Ricardo called. She was speechless for a moment, staring at the cup.

“That was the most delicious mousse cup I ever tasted,” She said then smiled. She looked at King Ricardo, “It was almost like my Mother’s.”

I breathed. I thought she didn’t like it. Noah would sweat buckets if I told him that. “You should taste his cheesecake. It’s my personal favorite,” Mom said, who finished her cup as well.

I giggled. I remember our ‘cheesecake’ interaction almost a month ago. Because of that cheesecake, we met and then met again in my castle. What a coincidence huh?

“So, he’s living here?” Althea asked. I can’t believe she’s interested at him.

“Yeah, but I don’t know how long, maybe after the construction of his bakery? We offered him one since he saved my life.”

Althea giggled. “He likes you.”

I let out a laugh. “What are you talking about?”

She smirked at me, “I saw the way he looked at you. He saved you not just because you’re the princess.” And then she teased me all through-out dinner.