Chapter 3 FEELINGS

• Walking through the halls of the school wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be especially with the whispers and the stares from the other princesses. The young dukes and duchesses curtsey as we pass along. The princesses wear a tiara to help differentiate them from the duchesses, while the princes wear their kingdom crest embedded in their clothes.
• Ri walks elegantly by herself with her nose in the air. Unbothered by the stares and whispers.
• “How is she able to do that?” I ask myself
• I walk fast to meet up with Ri.
• “Walking close to me isn’t going to make the stares go away,” Ri says.
• “I wasn’t trying to use you to shield myself,” I snap.
• Ri chuckles.
• “If you say so,” Ri says.
• “Princess Iris.”
• Ri and I both come to a halt and turn behind us and find Lady Juliana and Lady Zadie rushing to meet up with us.
• “Your Highnesses,” they say together and curtsey.
• “Lady Juliana, Lady Zadie,” I greet.
• “How are feeling today, Lady Zadie? Your mother us you caught the flu,” Ri says.
• “Oh, I am better today. I am so sorry I missed the ball yesterday,” Lady Zadie says.
• “It’s fine. Trust me you didn’t miss much,” I say.
• “Says the girl who spilled her drink on Prince Jeffery,” Ri says.
• I groan at her and she chuckles at me.
• “Princess Iris, Zadie here has more information on the hunt,” Lady Juliana says.
• “Oh yes I do have more information,” Lady Zadie says.
• Lady Zadie’s mother is one of mother’s close friends and her father is Duke Raphael of Burnmark. He is in charge of the Knights of the Kingdom of Cerphila.
• “Wait, what information,” Ri asks.
• “We have information that the guards…”
• “Nothing,” I yell cutting Lady Zadie.
• They all turn looking at me. Ri frowns at me.
• “What are you planning Iris?”
• “Nothing, I am planning nothing,” I say.
• “You have that guilt look on your face when you are lying. You are planning something Iris. What is it?” Ri asks.
• “Nothing Ri. Right girls?”
• “Spill it out Iris,” Ri says.
• “Spill what out. It’s just like I told you, I am not planning anything,” I say.
• “Yes, we are not planning anything Your Highness,” Lady Juliana says with a wild smile.
• “Totally nothing,” Lady Zadie reciprocates.
• Ri looks between both girls and looks at me. I smile at her, trying to cover up my lie.
• “Iris you better not be up to something…”
• “Adrianna…”
• We all turn to Princess Octavia who is standing at the class entrance from the other end and waving at us. Ri sighs and looks at me.
• “You know what, since you won’t tell me what you are up to, I won’t push it. But please promise me you won’t go overboard and you will be careful this time,” Ri says.
• I smile at Ri. She always worries about me and that is why I love her.
• “I promise,” I say.
• I watch her as she walks away to meet Princess Octavia.
• “What did I say about not mentioning anything about our plans in front of my sister,” I say turning to Lady Juliana and Lady Zadie.
• “I am sorry Your Highness. We forgot,” Lady Zadie says.
• “I thought you tell your sister everything?” Lady Juliana asks.
• I turn to Lady Juliana.
• “Yes, I do.”
• “Then why didn’t you tell her what we were up to? She won’t stop you. Well thinking about it,” Lady Zadie says with her hand on her chin, “Nobody can stop you. I have watched your father try and fail.”
• I start walking toward the class and they join me.
• “I know, but Ri has gotten into enough trouble because of me. I need her to stay out of this one,” I say.
• “Alright if you say so,” Lady Juliana says.
• “Zadie, you did make sure you weren’t followed when you sneaked into the head mistress’s study room?”
• “Yes Highness, I made sure I wasn’t followed this time,” Lady Zadie says.
• “Alright, during recess, we will talk about the coming event more,” I say as we approach our class.
• They both nod at me
• When we enter the class, I am shocked to find some Rulers in our classrooms.
• “What are rulers doing in menders class,” I say to myself.
• Our ages are used to determine what class we fall into and each age range are taught together. Since we all start school from the age of 5, ages 5-8 are called TOLFERS, ages 8-10 are called SIDERS, ages 11-13 are called MIXERS, and ages 14-16 are called MENDERS, and 17-19 are called the RULERS.
• I walk to my desk which is beside Ri’s’. Princess Octavia sits in front of her, Lady Juliana sits in front of me, Lady Zadie sits behind Ri and Princess Esmeralda sits beside me. While the other princesses and ladies seat around us. I turn my back and watch the seniors talking and laughing among themselves. I look around the class room to be sure I am in the right class.
• “Emm, what’s going on? What are the rulers doing in our class? Is this our class?” I ask Ri.
• “Yes, it is and I have no idea what they are doing here,” Ri says.
• “I heard it’s because of the coronations coming up, Rulers will be having their classes with us from henceforth,” Princess Esmeralda says.
• “Coronation?” I ask.
• “What!? Are you sure?” Ri asks her.
• “Coronation is not supposed to happen until in 2 years,” Lady Zadie says
• “Esmeralda might as well be right because I heard Prince Leonard saying something about it during the ball last night,” Princess Octavia says.
• “Margery, do you have any information about this? Did Duchess Charlotte mention anything?” Lady Zadie asks.
• “None that I am aware of Zadie and mother didn’t say anything about this. I am as shocked as you all,” Lady Margery says.
• “What of you Lucinda, Did Duchess Ophelia say anything,” Princess Victoria asks.
• “Mother didn’t say either Your Highnesses,” Lady Lucinda says.
• “Wait that means…”
• “Yes Iris, Prince Jeffery will be having classes with us, that is if what Esmeralda said is true,” Ri says trying to distract me.
• “What if I am right?” Princess Esmeralda says.
• They both start arguing which doesn’t help because my palms start sweating. I am already getting anxious.
• “Wait! By this time next year, Ri and I will be in the same position of who gets to rule Filamonda. Wow, how time flies. Does father have in mind who he wants to give the throne to?” I say to myself
• “Your thinking face is on. What are you thinking about?” Ri asks.
• “What? Wait, how many faces do I have?” I ask.
• “A lot,” Ri says.
• “Am I that easy to read?” I ask.
• “Yes, you are,” Ri says.
• I look at them surprised.
• “What were thinking about?” Ri asks.
• “Well, I was just thinking who father is going to choose to take the throne,” I say.
• “Well, that’s easy, you of course,” Ri says.
• “What! What do you mean me? What happened to you?” I ask.
• “In what way am I qualified to rule a kingdom? You on the other hand are more than qualified. Besides the people of Filamonda know you more than they know me,” Ri says.
• “Of course, they know me. I am in front of every newspaper for one scandal or the other and I have made a lot of mistakes,” I say. “You on the hand are more collected, gentle, organized, and strong. Me? I am just clumsy. There is nothing special about me.”
• When Ri doesn’t say anything, I turn and look at her and she is reading the book in front of her.
• “You worry about nothing,” Ri says.
• “I can never be wrong about this,” Princess Esmeralda says.
• “I don’t think you are right, Your Highness. I mean whatever we are going to be taught they already know it. Why will the Rulers merge with us if they already know the class routines?” Lady Juliana says.
• “That’s another way to think about it. You might just be wrong Esmeralda,” Princess Octavia says.
• “Alright let’s wait for Duchess Charlotte. She will tell us what is going on,” Ri says.
• Just then the first bell sounds off and, in a distance, I hear his laughter. I turn to the door as Prince Jeffery walks into the class with Prince Leonard and his brother by his side and everyone else starts entering the class. He looks more handsome each day I see him. With his beautiful black hair, wide smile, and those eyes that look straight into my soul anytime he looks at me. I watch his every move as he walks to the back and takes a seat. He must have sensed someone was looking at him as he raises his head and looks around until he meets my eyes. I quickly turn front to avoid being embarrassed. I look at Ri who I noticed has been watching me with a huge smile on her face. I roll my eyes at her as laughs at me. More rulers enter the classroom. Shortly Duchess Charlotte walks in with Duchess Ophelia, our headmaster who is Lady Lucinda’s mother.
• “Alright everyone please settle down and takes your seat quietly,” Duchess Charlotte says. She is Lady Margery’s mother.
• Everyone quickly takes their seats.
• “Good morning, Menders,” Duchess Charlotte greets.
• “Good morning, Duchess Charlotte,” we all chorus.
• She smiles warmly at us as usual.
• “I can see some confused and curious faces among you all. I can tell you are all trying to figure out why the rulers are in your class. I will let our Principal Duchess Ophelia explain to you our activities for the rest of the class section,” Duchess Charlotte says.
• We all turn our attention to our principal.
• “Thank you very much Lady Charlotte. Hello Menders, I know you are all wondering what Rulers are doing in your class today. Well from now henceforth, Rulers will be having the rest of their classes with you until the end of the school year in two weeks. You are to help them prepare for their future. As various kingdoms prepare for their upcoming coronations, we want to help prepare our future Kings, Queens, Dukes, and Duchesses to be the best version of themselves. As menders and aspiring rulers, you already know the ills of your kingdoms. I want you to teach the Rulers all that you know and in return learn from them. In doing so, we can all have a striving and healthy society that works just for us. With that being said, I will hand over the class back to your teacher, Duchess Charlotte. Do have a wonderful day kid,” Duchess Ophelia says.
• “Thank you, Duchess Ophelia,” we all chorus as Duchess Ophelia makes her way out of the classroom.
• “Alright, we have a lot to do. Just as the principal said you all will be working together. First things first, Princess Octavia, Prince Gregory, Prince Nathaniel, Princess Iris, Prince Philip, pick up your books and move my left,” Duchess Charlotte says.
• We do as she says as she starts organizing and mixing us up. After 20 minutes she is done and we are all seated in our new seats for the next two weeks. I look at Lady Aurora to my right from the Ruler class. She is Lady Zadie’s big sister. Lady Lucinda seats in front of me. Behind me is Prince Frederick and to my left is Prince Leonard.
• “Of all the people to seat beside me its Prince Leonard. Can this day get any worse?” I say to myself.
• This is one seating arrangement I don’t agree with. I look to the other side of the classroom and my eyes land on Ri, she still has Princess Octavia in front of her. I gasp when I find out who is behind her, Prince Jeffery, and I frown when I find Princess Isabelle sitting to his right. She catches me frowning at her and she smiles warmly at me as she draws Prince Jeffery's attention by touching him on the arm. My frown deepens but I turn front quickly not to be caught staring.
• “Alright class, before we begin is there anyone who doesn’t like their seating arrangements?” Duchess Charlotte asks.
• With no wasting time, I quickly raise my right hand.
• “Apart from Princess Iris, is their anyone else who wants to change their seat?” Duchess Charlotte asks.
• Nobody replies.
• “Prince Leonard, will you love to change your seat?” Duchess Charlotte.
• “No Duchess Charlotte, I am ok where I am,” Prince Leonard says.
• I look at him surprised. I thought he would want to change his seat considering how he doesn’t like me.
• “I am sorry Princess Iris since no one wants to change their seats and Prince Leonard likes his seat, you will have to remain where you are seated,” Duchess Charlotte says.
• “Alright Duchess Charlotte,” I say.
• I look at Prince Leonard and he seems to be avoiding my gaze.
• “Alright everyone, we won’t be having any teachings today instead you will be teaching yourselves for the next two weeks,” Duchess Charlotte says.
• “How are we going to do that?” Prince Frederick says.
• Duchess Charlotte who is leaning on her desk stands up quickly, clapping her hands together, and walks to the front of the class.
• “One person from the Ruler class will come over and tell us what they going to change when they become King, Queen, Duke, and Duchess. See it as your coronation speech. You are going to tell us how this change is going to affect the lives of your citizens. After each speech, anyone from the Menders class who doesn’t agree with your idea of change has the right to speak up. Do you all understand me?”
• “Yes Duchess Charlotte,” we all chorus.
• “So, any more questions before we begin?”
• Lady Zadie raises her hand.
• “Yes Lady Zadie,” Duchess Charlotte says.
• “How do we know the opinions we share are right? I mean what if we are wrong? I know I don’t know it all.”
• “That’s why I am here Lady Zadie. I am going to make sure everything goes smoothly. With that being said, Your Highnesses, I want you all to be open-minded toward your future Dukes and Duchesses. Like I always tell my students, if you want to have a successful reign, they are the ones you must learn to listen to because they are the closest to your people. Alright, let’s begin. Prince Williams, we will start with you.”
• Prince Williams walks to the podium in front of the class. He introduces himself and his speech starts.