A Princess' Choice

CHAPTER FIVE

In the evening, my maids were packing my clothes and other important things. I was leaving first thing the next day.  My mother particularly told me not to bring too much since according to her, Queen Ellyn had pledged to take care of the rest of my wardrobe. I chose a few comfortable dresses for every possible occasion and a couple of night gowns. I was very specific about my sleeping clothes because I didn’t feel comfortable wearing something that wasn’t mine to sleep. Somehow, wearing my own clothes to sleep would make me feel like I wasn’t too far away from home. I decided to pack two of my favorite pillows because I would tend to find it hard to sleep in an unfamiliar bed. And having something that was mine would somehow alleviate the discomfort.

My maids were coming with me, though. They’re like my extensions, but I didn’t mind because they always made sure I was well taken care of and I appreciate them for that. I wouldn’t know how I’d live a few weeks without the aid of my maids, and although I know Queen Ellyn would provide me with help, it wouldn’t be the same as having Leyla and Teresa.

I raised a yellow set of long sleeve blouse with a blazer and a knee-length pencil skirt and walked to the mirror. I held it in front of me to see if it was any good. I shifted a few times side to side to really examine the ensemble, debating whether to bring it or not. In the end, I placed it down and chose a lavender day dress and a blazer instead.

Leyla and Teresa were carefully placing every item into my suitcases. I had five in total, two for my dresses, one for my shoes, one for my night clothes and one for other stuff like books and accessories.

Leyla placed the last dress in my suitcase and sealed it close.

“Well, I guess that’s all that,” I declared as Leyla set the last suitcase to the side with the other four.

“Do you need us to do anything else, Your Highness, before we prepare your bath?” Teresa queried softly.

I scanned my room for something else to be done. I’d be gone for a couple of weeks so I had to make sure I had everything I needed with me.

I brought one hand up under my chin and the other on my hip as I looked around the room.

When I realized that everything was on its place and that I had everything I needed sealed in my travel bags, I heaved a sigh.

“Um, well, I guess we’re done packing, so, I think you can prepare the bath now,” I said nicely.

“Very well, Your Highness,” Teresa said and they both curtsy.

“I’ll be at dinner, and once you’re done, you may excuse yourselves for the night. Thank you ladies,” I told them and made my way to the dining room.

“Are we celebrating?” I beamed as I entered the dining hall. I sat on my chair and placed my napkin down, grinning at the feast before me. There were lasagna, roast beef, and meatball stew. They were my favorites, a little unhealthy, but that’s what made them the best.

“We just wanted to serve you your favorites before you leave,” my mother said gladly, but a slight unhappiness was hinting on her face.

“Mother, I’ll only be gone for a few weeks!” I chuckled as I picked up a fork.

My father laughed, as he chewed on his beef. “I was thinking she made up that excuse just so she could eat extravagantly.”

“Oh, that is not true!” my mother countered immediately.

Both me and my father laughed at her reaction.

I munched on the meatball and closed my eyes as I sigh pleasurably, savoring the flavor.

“These are the best!” I exclaimed excitedly.

Meatballs were especially one of my comfort foods. My grandmother, who was my father’s mother, cooked the very first meatballs that I have ever tasted and I’ve been obsessed ever since. My grandmother could cook very well, despite being a Duchess. When we’d gone to Fortsville, my father’s hometown, to spend Christmas there, she would always volunteer to help prepare the meals.

“Nah, mother’s meatballs were still the best,” my father pointed out matter-of-factly.

“I agree,” my mother seconded.

“Of course no one could beat gramma’s cooking,” I agreed.

Our chatters died down for a few moments as we concentrated on the food. Then I thought it was a good time to bring up my parents’ arranged relationship.

“Mother,” I began, picking on my lasagna uneasily.

“Yes dear?”

“Did gramma like you the moment you met her?” I asked curiously, also obviously trying to get an advice.

“I couldn’t really say she liked me right away.” She chuckled.

“Oh, she loved you, all right,” my father spoke.

“Well, I guess she did, but that’s because I worked for it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your gramma was hard to please, I mean she hardly showed any emotions so I couldn’t really tell if she liked me,” she recalled, sighing at the memory.

“And that is why she’s scary,” my father said with a playful grin, pointing a fork at me. I giggled and said, “She’s not that scary.”

“Anyways, we hit it off eventually. My mother and I used to have a lot of tea parties with her and we got to bond.”

“I wish you were coming with me, Mother,” I confessed.

“Trust me, I want to, Cal, but there are just a lot of things your father and I are working on right now.” She reached for my hand and squeezed it lightly.

“I can’t help but notice that you’ve been pretty busy lately,” I said. “You know, since the Royals of Eisenberg came to visit.”

They both looked at each other before turning back to me.

“Nonsense, we’ve always been busy,” my father retorted defensively.

I knew that, but this one was sketchy. Usually, they would let me sit in one of their meetings to let me observe and impart ideas. But since the Eisenberg Royals, I hadn’t been invited into one, which was strange because I thought by this time they would have been pushing me to attend as much meetings and write as much proposals as I was about to get married.

“I mean, I know you were always busy, but this one’s a different kind of busy, like, “being-late-for-meals” busy, and you’ve been to a lot of meetings, too.” I put my fork and knife down and wiped my mouth.

“Your father’s just taking care of something very important, Callista.” My mother’s voice was thick and her tone indignant so I decided to let it go.

I shifted uncomfortably and bowed my head down.

“Alright,” I said in a hushed tone.

The once cheerful table fell silent.

I walked in the sitting room to meet my parents and bid my farewell before I left. I was wearing a pink knee-length coat dress that had white buttons all the way down. I paired it with white pumps that were 4 inches high. And for a regal finish, I decided to put on a pink fascinator that had a white ribbon around it.

I smiled at my mother when I saw her and she did the same.

“Where’s Father?” I asked as I close the gap between us. My mother stood from her seat and pulled me in an embrace.

“He had an urgent meeting with the Advisers’ Council, he wishes you well, though.”

“I see.”

I sighed soundly and dropped my arms down to the sides.

“I’ll be off, then,” I said, smiling halfheartedly.

“Take care of yourself, okay?” My mother gave me one last hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Okay. Bye, Mother.”

I walked towards the entrance with my maids as three guards escorted us carrying our suitcases. The limousine was already waiting outside with two other cars in front of it and behind it.

Ulric will chaperone me to Eisenberg as my mother ordered so, along with two junior officers which I was fine with.

Once I got in the limousine, we drove to the airport. The airport was only fifteen minutes away which was pretty close. We didn’t have to worry about traffic because cars would have to move over in the presence of a Royal convoy. I wasn’t happy about that privilege, but that’s how things worked here.

I turned my gaze out the window and studied each passing street. It felt weird how I was unfamiliar with my own state. I had only ever gone out here a few times, and I wished it was easy to roam around Pieth whenever I wanted to, but even that was a hard deal.

I envied the kids that could freely stroll around Pieth and live their best lives while I was stuck wandering the same halls of the palace each passing day of my life.

We arrived at the airport just a little past twenty minutes. The process of getting in had been slimmed down like security checks, scanners and such because I was Royalty. Apparently being a Royalty could get you through a lot of things that normal people had to wait in line for. I didn’t know what to feel about it, though.

When we got on the jet, a flight attendant who was standing just a few feet away from the door curtsied. “Your Highness, I’m Becca and I will be your flight attendant for this journey, allow me to show you to your seat,” she said confidently.

I smile at her kind gesture and allowed myself to be escorted further in the middle. The interior of the plane was white highlighted with wooden details here and there. The windows were big and the chairs were white leather. I was lead to a single seat near the window with a fancy wooden table in the front.

When I sat down, I thanked the flight attendant.

“Do you need anything Your Highness?” she asked sweetly. Her voice matched her face. She was skinny and tan. Her brown hair was tied up in a tight bun and she almost looked like she wasn’t wearing any makeup. She looked pretty confident with her job so I assumed she’d been doing this for years. I wonder how many countries she’d been to?

“I’ll have cranberry juice please,” I replied.

We had an hour and a half to get to Eisenberg and I decided to sleep it through.

“Your Highness.”

There was a light tug on my shoulders. I shifted lightly and slowly opened my eyes.

“We’ve arrived,” Leyla said, standing beside my seat.

I shook my head and looked out of the window. I could see the blue ocean meet the land that held tall buildings and a couple of trees. I also caught a glimpse of the palace standing tall just a few meters away from the shore.

I smiled to myself. There’s no backing out now.

When we landed, Ulric came up to me and offered me his hand.

“Shall we, Your Highness?” he said jokingly. I giggled and grabbed hold of his muscular arm.

We got down the plane and we were met with two limousines. And just as I looked up, I saw Lyonel walk towards us wearing his charming smile. I smiled genuinely back at him.

He took the last step and stood only a few inches from us.

Ulric and the rest of my company bowed before his presence and so did his to me.

“I am Officer Ulric Gibber, Your Highness, Princess Callista’s head of security,” Ulric introduced himself and extended his hand for a handshake.

Lyonel gladly shook it and responded, “My Pleasure, Officer. Thank you for keeping Callista safe.”

I found myself blushing at his words, and I tried concealing it.

He took one more step closer towards me took my hand in his.

“It is an honor to have you in my home, Callista,” he said in his prince charming tone and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.

I was caught off guard by his gesture and was stunned. When he stepped back, I shook my head lightly and smiled. “The pleasure is mine, Lyonel,” I replied.