Chapter 12 CLASHES 2

• “PRINCESS IRIS, PRINCESS IRIS!”
• I look to my right and find Juliana and the girls running toward me. Ri grabs my hand as we hurry to meet them.
• “Princess Iris…”
• Before Juliana could curtsey, I take her into my arms and she hugs me back. Everyone surrounds me. When she releases me, Princess Octavia quickly hugs me.
• “Oh Iris, it’s such a relief to see you,” Princess Octavia says.
• “I missed you too Octavia,” I say.
• She releases me and starts cleaning her eyes.
• “Don’t you ever do that again. I thought I was never going to see you again,” Princess Esmeralda says.
• I turn to Esmeralda.
• “Esmeralda, I am so sorry,” I say.
• “You better be because I am practiced the ear full you were going to receive from me when I lay my eyes on you,” Princess Esmeralda says.
• I smile at her.
• “Princess Iris.”
• I turn to Lady Zadie who looks like she’s holding a lot inside.
• “Your Highness,” Lady Zadie says and curtsies.
• “Oh, Zadie.”
• She walks to me.
• “You had us worried. Princess Esmeralda kept us informed about your health since your mother wasn’t allowing any visitors to see you,” Lady Zadie says.
• “I know, and I am so sorry for making you worried. But I am ok now,” I say.
• “Of course, and I am so glad,” Lady Zadie says.
• “Princess Iris,” A voice shouts.
• I turn and find Princess Catherine standing a bit far from the crowd surrounding me with her head low. I smile and walk over to her. She curtsies at me.
• “I, I wanted to say thank you, you know for saving my life that day. If you hadn’t stirred the horse away from me, I wouldn’t be here. So I wanted to say thank you to you and am sorry you got hurt. I thought you were going to die. I was scared,” Princess Catherine says.
• I laugh as I take her hand.
• “God, you are a shy one Catherine and I am glad you are alright. Besides, haven’t you heard? It’s going to take more than falling off a horse to bring down this princess,” I say pointing to myself with a smile.
• I watch as Princess Catherine starts laughing and the tension in her body releases. I smile and take her to join the girls waiting for us. I spend time catching up with the ladies. After almost a month of being confined in my room, this is the happiest I have been.
• Not too long the boys start to come one after the other to see me.
• “Thank you so much, Prince Gregory,” I say looking around the ballroom.
• “Prince Gregory?”
• “Yes, Princess Iris.”
• “Have you seen Prince Jeffery or Prince Leonard? I was hoping I could talk to them,” I say.
• “I did see them. They stepped out during your processing. Frederick and Williams joined them,” Prince Gregory says.
• “What of Prince Nathaniel? I don’t see around too,” I ask.
• “Prince Nathaniel has returned to Italy. He is to be crowned King next month. He went back to prepare,” Prince Gregory says.
• “That is a piece of wonderful news. I wouldn’t want to miss that for anything,” I say.
• “No one wants to either,” Prince Gregory says.
• Just then Ri rushes to me almost out of breath.
• “Iris, they just brought it,” Ri says.
• “Slow down Ri, what are you talking about?” I ask.
• “It’s Nana’s harp,” Ri says.
• I turn in time and watch as the guards carefully place it on the podium.
• “Prince Gregory…”
• “It’s fine Princess Iris, I will join the others,” Princess Gregory says and leaves.
• “Ladies if you will excuse us, Iris and I need to attend to something,” Ri says.
• “Of course, Adrianna, we will be right here waiting,” Princess Octavia replies.
• Ri and I hurry to the podium.
• “It’s like I can already hear Nana playing the harp,” I say to myself.
• “Wow,” Ri says.
• “Wow indeed,” I say.
• “I know the last time we saw the harp was on Nana’s 75th birthday…”
• “Which was 6 years ago,” I say.
• “Yes, but look at it. It still looks like the way she left it,” Ri says.
• “I miss her,” I say.
• “I miss her too,” Ri says.
• A heavy thunder is heard and it scares Ri and I as we both scream holding on to each other. We look around and at ourselves as we start laughing. It starts raining just then.
• “Wow, that came out of nowhere,” I say.
• “Yeah, mother is definitely going to be on her toes,” Ri says.
• Someone clears their throats behind us. Ri and I turn and find Princess Isabelle standing behind us.
• “Isabelle,” Ri says.
• “Hello,” Isabelle says looking at me.
• “Don’t you think it’s too early for a score, Isabelle?” I ask.
• “Who says I am here for a score?” Princess Isabelle says.
• “Aren’t you always here for a score?” Ri asks.
• “Well yes I am but not this time,” Isabelle says.
• Ri and I look at each other and back to Princess Isabelle.
• “Just hear me out, ok? I know I am not the easiest person to get along with, but come on have you met my father? He is the definition of “CAN’T GET ALONG WITH” not that, that is an excuse.”
• “What are you trying to say, Isabelle?” I ask.
• “Well, what I am trying to say is I am glad you are alright and I am sorry for everything,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “Wow, that must have been hard for you to say,” Ri says.
• Princess Isabelle puts her hand on her waist.
• “You have no idea.”
• Princess Isabelle looks at me. I watch her for a while and I can how sincere she is. I smile at her.
• “Thank you, Isabelle,” I say.
• She smiles at me.
• “Oh my God, you do smile,” Ri teases.
• Princess Isabelle groans at her and I laugh. Soon enough they both start laughing. Just then a thought comes to mind. I look around the ballroom.
• “I guess I should say thank you to you too,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “For what?” I ask.
• “For the letters, you wrote to Leonard. It was very thoughtful,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “You wrote letters to Prince Leonard?” Ri asks.
• “He also wrote back to her,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “What!?” Ri says.
• “You are not helping Isabelle,” I say.
• “You kept this from me. How long was this happening?” Ri asks.
• “I believe…”
• “Don’t you dare say it, Isabelle,” I say.
• “After the ball, you and I are going to have a very conversation,” Ri says as I groan.
• Just then it hits me.
• “Isabelle, have you seen Prince Jeffery around?” I ask.
• “No, I haven’t. But I did see his royal coach when we arrived at the castle,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “What of Prince Leonard, your brother, have you seen him around too?” Ri asks.
• “Well, we did ride in the same coach Adrianna. But I haven’t seen him since we entered the castle. He just vanished,” Princess Isabelle says.
• I and Ri look at each other.
• “I am sure they will turn up. You know men always have to do who knows what,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “You are probably right,” I say.
• “Alright Isabelle, come with me. The girls will be dying to know what made you change,” Ri says to Princess Isabelle.
• “I don’t need to tell them anything,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “Yes you do,” Ri says dragging Princess Isabelle along with her.
• “I will stay back; you know to look at the harp,” I say.
• Ri looks at me briefly and takes Princess Isabelle away with her.
• I turn back to the harp and couldn’t help but smile. Just then a servant walks up to me with a tray of drinks.
• “Happy birthday Your Highness,” he says.
• “Why thank you gentleman,” I say and take the drink off the tray. He bows and leaves.
• I turn back to the harp. I remember how Nana played that harp every day and every night. I would sleep off on the porch listening to her play. I can also remember her teaching me how to play the harp. I don’t do so well with other instruments, but with the harp, my hands just flow easily. Miss Adeline wanted me solo on The Music Art Exhibition Day, because of how good I am at playing Nana’s harp, she even spoke to father to let me play the harp on the exhibition day but father turned down her request. Father even turned me down when I begged him to let me play the harp. Because of time, Miss Adeline had to choose Ri to solo with her piano.
• A gentle hand on my shoulder brings me back from my thoughts. I turn to Constantine who is smiling down at me.
• “Constantine, it is only you.”
• “Yes, Your Highness. You looked lost in thoughts from afar. A penny for your thoughts?” Constantine asks.
• I smile at him.
• “It’s nothing Constantine, just thinking of Nana.”
• A heavy thunder blows as I stiffen.
• “Ah, I see you mean the late Queen Dowager. The harp must have brought back memories.”
• “I miss her,” I say.
• “Of course, Your Highness, we all do miss her. Queen Dowager was a mother to all. I remember the role she played in my life when I lost my mother,” Constantine says.
• “I am so sorry Constantine,” I say.
• “It is fine Your Highness. That happened a long time ago and I am over it now,” Constantine says.
• “Tell me about it. I mean tell me how Nana helped you through your grief?” I ask
• “About 29 years ago, I was a boy and was just brought to the castle to learn from my father and one day to take over from him as the royal butler. The Queen Dowager was a guest in the castle, under the protection of your great grandfather to study at Royal Academy. She looked after me and always made sure I never felt lonely. When my mother died, the Queen Dowager would make tea for me and deliver it to my room herself. During my training, she would play her harp and it always smoothens me. Your grandmother made sure I was happy and that I saw the castle as home,” Constantine says.
• “That does sound like Nana,” I say.
• I turn to look for Ri and I find her with the girls all laughing and Princess Isabelle looks very relaxed. I smile at the scene.
• “I wonder what is going on there?” Constantine asks.
• I turn to Constantine and follow his stare until I see Prince Leonard, Prince Jeffery, Prince Frederick, and other princes. They seem to be a commotion over there. Just then I watch Prince Leonard attempt to attack Prince Jeffery but he is blocked and pushed back by Prince Williams. Prince Frederick is pushing Prince Jeffery on the chest and seems to be in a heated argument with him.
• Prince Jeffery pushes his brother out of the way and lunches at Prince Leonard. Prince Leonard does a move and pins Prince Jeffery under him.
• “What do they think they are doing?” I say to myself
• I look around and I notice people have started to notice the commotion.
• “I really what to think what would happen if father and mother hear of this, worse King Theodore,” I say to myself.
• “Constantine,” I call.
• “Of course Your Highness,” Constantine says with a bow and heads over to the commotion.
• “What is going on over there?”
• I turn to Ri who appears by my side. The other Princesses and Ladies join her.
• “I have no idea. But Constantine is going to deal with it,” I say.
• “What happened? What could have caused the fight?” Princess Octavia asks.
• “It’s the rain, I hate when it’s rain. It always stirs up emotions,” Princess Catherine.
• “Oh no Leonard, he just started getting better,” Princess Isabelle says.
• “Is something wrong with Leonard?” I ask.
• “It’s complicated Iris. You won’t understand,” Princess Isabelle says.
• We watch Constantine bow when he reaches them. They all turn their attention to him. I don’t know what he says to them but shock registers on their faces and then it heats me.
• “Ri, father, the other kings,” I say.
• “Don’t worry they didn’t see anything. Lady Juliana is keeping them entertained,” Iris says.
• I turn to look for father and I find him with the other kings. Lady Juliana seems to be entertaining them with her ballet skills. I turn back to Constantine. After watching them for a while, I can’t help but admire the way Constantine is handling the issue. I can’t help but respect him.
• “You know I always forget your Butler comes from a very long line of Butlers,” Princess Esmeralda says.
• “Yes, and I heard he is from one of those old and prestigious families who swore their loyalty to the throne,” Lady Lucinda says.
• Constantine must have said something to them because they all look in our direction. My eye makes contact with Prince Leonard and for the first time I see many emotions going on in them but I can’t make out which is it. I look at Prince Jeffery who is looking at me with hurt in his eyes. I smile at him and he smiles back. Just then, Prince Leonard breaks out of Prince Williams's hold and gives Prince Jeffery a stare I can’t seem to make out. He turns from the crowd and walks away.
• “If you will excuse me, ladies,” Princess Isabelle says and runs after her brother.
• I can’t help but watch Princess Isabelle chase after her brother and catches up to him. She turns him to look at her. I watch both brother and sister talk for a while. He says something to her and walks away. Princess Isabelle stands there for a while before chasing after him and they exit the ballroom.
• “That was uneventful,” Princess Esmeralda says.
• I can’t help but worry about Prince Leonard as I look at the ballroom door. I look back at the boys and Constantine is walking back to us.
• “Your Highnesses,” Constantine says and bows.
• “Constantine, is everything under control?” Ri asks.
• “Yes Your Highness, nothing I couldn’t handle.”
• “Prince Jeffery is headed here,” Lady Zadie says.
• “Alright ladies let's go rescue Juliana,” Ri says.
• Immediately they all follow Ri and head toward Juliana.
• I turn back to the ballroom door and look at it one more time.
• “What is wrong with me? I can’t see to stop worrying about Prince Leonard,” I say to myself.
• “Your Highness,” Prince Jeffery says with a bow.
• I turn to Prince Jeffery who is looking deliciously handsome in his outfit.
• “Your Highness,” I say with a curtsey.
• We both smile at each other. I turn to Constantine and nod at him. He nods back with a bow and leaves.
• “I have never seen such a bond between a princess and a butler before,” Prince Jeffery says.
• “What can I say, Constantine is very loyal and you of all should know how hard it is to find loyal butlers these days,” I say.
• “Indeed Princess Iris. You are right,” Prince Jeffery says.
• I stare at him for a while.
• “What was that all about? Between you and Leonard. What were you both thinking fighting in a place like this?” I ask
• Prince Jeffery's smile disappears for just a second. His hand goes through his hair. He looks behind him like he is uneasy and finally looks at me.
• “What is wrong Jeffery?” I ask.
• “It isn’t something for you to bother about Iris. Leonard and I have our differences and sometimes those differences clash. It isn’t something that hasn’t happened before,” Prince Jeffery says.
• I look at him feeling not convinced by what he said.
• “From what I saw earlier, it looked deeper than that,” I say.
• I stare at Prince Jeffery, observing him. He seems uneasy and scared. Before I could ask he starts talking.
• “Listen, Iris, while you were sick a lot has been happening. Certain decisions were made and part of those decisions caused the fight between Leonard and I,” Prince Jeffery says.
• “What are you talking about? What decisions were made, by whom?” I ask.
• “My father and your father came up with a way to deal with the pirate problem and…”
• “That sounds good Jeffery. If they found a way to deal with the pirates, then that means they will announce it to everyone today right?” I ask.
• “Yes,” Prince Jeffery says almost in a whisper.
• I look at him for a while.
• “Why does he him seem uneasy?” I say to myself
• “You don’t look too happy about this plan.”
• “Princess Iris, I want you to know…”
• Prince Jeffery is interrupted by the trumpets. I turn in time to see mother and father heading towards the podium.
• “It’s time for the inheritance,” I say