I am a Princess

Chapter 2

≈Erick≈

When my parents notified me that I would come to this kingdom, I never expected that the Queen would recover what she lost years ago, her daughter; nor did I imagine that a single oversight would make me meet the next heir to the throne of this kingdom. The car is running, my gaze is on her; there are many similarities between the Queen and her daughter; both with almost golden blonde hair, the only difference being that Sophie has sapphire blue colour eyes, the pink lips, and the profiled nose are almost identical.

"Can I bring my friend? We're close to her house" Sophie asks her mother who exchanges a glance with the King along with a small smile.

I know that for the Kings to break the news that the heiress has returned to another person is something very delicate but they would not deny something to their only daughter who they have just recovered.

"Yes, where do you live?" Replies the Queen.

"A few blocks down the street" Sophie responds without taking her eyes off the streets that are shown through the window. I would like to know what is going through your mind at this moment.

"Sophie, I want to ask you a favour; do not tell anyone about who you are or about us, we want to officially present you at the ball, which by the way is going to be in a week, your friend is the exception" the King warns without losing the kindness in his tone.

"I won't say anything but... I don't think it's necessary to introduce me as a Princess, I'd like to keep it a secret" She admits a little bit shy, she is talking to strangers after all.

"Of course it is necessary! We want to make it known that our daughter has returned that there´s an heiress, we want to see you happy" Responds the Queen taking her by the hand, I suppose as a sign of confidence.

"And the school? Will I continue to attend?"

Her worrying tone makes me assume that she likes to study at an institution, something I've never experienced.

"Yes, but someone will take care of you, it can be risky that after everyone knows who you are you will be without security." Bodyguards are something I'm sure she won't like and it will take time to get used to.

"You should have someone watch over you from now on, now that things are not so… complicated" Adds the King.

"Can I at least choose? I don't want a bodyguard to watch over this moment where everything is supposed to be normal" 

She has a point if you have to keep a secret it has to be someone with a low profile.

"Okay though I'll have to introduce you to the staff first" The King seems to be attentive to any responses and comments Sophie gives. I had never had to see him so attentive.

"What if I already chose?" They both look at her with some curiosity, she knows practically no one.

"It has to be someone we trust, not everyone is going to be in charge of my daughter" He says, emphasizing my daughter.

"It could be Erick, he is the one I have known a little more and I assume he is completely trusted, he is also my age" My gaze goes to the King when I hear Sophie's proposal.

"You´re right, that´s a good idea, he is a few months older than you and he will be able to join the Institute, even if he has never been in one ¿ What do you think Erick? Do you like it?! The King's reply surprised me a bit.

I turned to see Sophie who smiles and then see the Queen. What Sophie proposes doesn't sound bad at all. How bad can it be to attend school?

"Are you willing, Erick? If so, you would start tomorrow" My gaze goes back to Sophie, those blue eyes forbid me to say no.

"Of course, it will be an honour to take care of the Princess and it will be interesting to attend a school" A smile forms on my lips, this will be great. My gaze goes to Sophie's eyes and hers to mine, action is not overlooked by the Queen.

≈Sophie≈

I'm glad that Erick agreed; for some reason, he inspires confidence in me despite having met him this morning. I completely diverted my gaze from Erick when I saw the distinctive park that characterizes the area where Lili lives and in which we spend most of our time together when we can.

"Here it is!" I shout and the car stops when the driver hears me.

I go down and walk towards the entrance and then ring the bell, I hear a voice in the distance clearly inside the house which I recognize very well. "I'm going". It is heard repeatedly. I hear how the door is unlocked and someone is about to open.

"Hello, Sophie?" Lili greets me as a question.

It is normal for a friend to show up at another's house in the middle of the afternoon, but in my case, it is rare at this time, too much considering that the permissions that the Rivers granted me were practically null.

"I am here to invite you to stay and sleep in my... House? Tonight" She looks at me in surprise. It must be because it is the first time that I invite her to sleep or invite her to something.

"I thought that the major witch Rivers don't let you," she says. I can tell the curiosity in her tone, this will be… interesting.

"There´s something you need to know but you have to keep it a secret. Okay?" She looks at me warily, hoping that I say something next. 

Lili is curious so I know she will say yes, I just hope she doesn't make a fuss.

"Okay, what is it?" Lili raises an eyebrow as she asks the question.

"I will no longer live with Estella's parents. Do you see that car?" She nods cautiously. "Inside are my parents" Her gaze is lost for a moment and her eyes got wider than usual. I don't know if he is processing it or thinks it is a joke.

"What? Did they appear?! Do not play me jokes" With her response, I can not identify what emotion is taking over her. Not every day your best orphan friend finds her parents and end up being the kings of North England, although, she does not know that yet.

"Yeah, just when you get in the car don't ask a question, I'll answer you all you want when we get there. Promised?" I extend my little finger to seal that little promise; a childish gesture but that's how our friendship is.

"Promised," she says, raising her little finger.

She opens the door inviting me to come in, I suppose she wants me to help her with certain things.

"Sophie!" Lili's mother stops me when she says my name.

Good afternoon Mrs Anna Her smile does not hide the fact that the confusion is witnessing at this time to see me in s or home at this time.

"Mom, can I sleep at Sophie's house today?" Lili's mother furrows both eyebrows upon hearing Lili's question and then turns to see me.

"Everything is fine, don't worry" Her half-open gaze makes me think that she doesn't entirely agree, but I can't say what's going on since I've promised.

"Are you sure Sophie?" Lili´s mom asks me.

"Sure" Her face relaxes and her grin is changed into a smile, that's enough to know it's a yes.

"Lili, pack some clothes, you have classes tomorrow and don't forget your backpack" At her mother's reminder she nods.

"Of course" Lili answers.

We both went up to her room to put some of her things away. I hope she doesn´t start to panic with the news when we explain to her what is happening, I know this will not be easy, even if I still not sure that I am their daughter. We went down the stairs and get into the car, I know I will have a lot to explain to her and with details.

The car door opens, revealing those who are my parents and Erick. I turn to Lili who has a surprised and confused look at the same time, I just hope she doesn't start asking questions in the middle of the street, and I know she is capable of asking them.

"You have a lot to explain to me" Her gaze does not depart from the three people in the car, even so, I see how the three of them smile in a friendly way.

"I promise, but it will be as soon as we get there" She nods, but she has practically no choice.

"Get in, it's not safe for us to stay here and be seen, reporters can be very annoying and make conclusions very quickly" At the order of the Queen, we both got into the car. As soon as we did it the driver starts driving.

Lili's eyes inspect each one of us, but mines are lost in the window, admiring the landscape that changes every time we change areas. I feel a person's eyes over me and are not Lili´s, are the eyes of Erick's.

A huge gate it appears in front of us, the car stops for a few seconds but moves on at the moment the gate is opened; for the second time another gate is present, only this time it was open. Every second that passes the giants trees that make it impossible to look beyond them start disappearing until we arrive at a circular fountain where the trees are no longer visible and the palace is what captures the attention.

"We are here" the King's voice makes me realize that we finally arrive. We all get out of the car and some men quickly came to lower my little luggage. "VANESSA!" Shouts the King as soon as we enter the palace.

"This is impressive" murmurs Lili, admiring the palace.

A young woman a little taller than me with green eyes and brown hair who is wearing a navy blue uniform appears in my field of vision bowing; apparently, her age is close to mine, I can't believe she works here. 

"Can you take my daughter to her room and help her get settled in?" The girl's eyes express shock and her gaze travels me up and down.

"Y-yes…! right away sir. Follow me your Highness" I wince when I hear that last word.

" Sure, come on Lili"

Vanessa begins to guide us through the corridors of the palace, quickly explaining where each room is, like my parent's office, the main room, the dining room and the bedrooms as we walk. A red carpet covers the enormous stairs that we are now rising, the cream tones and the gold details with paintings hanging on the walls give the place an elegance aspect. The three of us are on the fourth floor of the palace where all the bedrooms are supposed to be; the long corridor makes me wonder how I am going to find my room easily.

"This will be your room from now on, Your Highness" Vanessa mentions. It's weird to hear that term, and something tells me I'll hear it more often than I think. "If you like, your friend can stay in a different room" 

Her kindness comes out and my curiosity to know why she works here at such a young age increases.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine in my room. What do you say Lili?" The sight of Lili running down every inch of the corridor focuses on me.

"We'll be fine with yours" She affirms, re-inspecting walls. "Plus we have a lot to talk about" Judging by her sarcastic smile, I know she'll bombard me with questions.

"As you wish, you can tell me anything" I nod and Vanessa bows one more time before she leaves.

«It will take time to get used to all these… formalities.»

The first thing you enter is a very nice room in shades of cream and a little pink, quite spacious considering that it is for a single person. Lili, like me, examines every corner as if it were the last time we saw something like this, her house is big but compared to the palace it is very small.

"This is awesome!" She exclaims. "I can't believe you are going to live here"

I feel like it's all a dream I'll soon wake up from, one that I don't want to do for one reason alone, I'm no longer under the Rivers' care and rules.

"I know. Shall we continue? I still have to unpack" The look that she gives me at this moment makes me know what she´s thinking right now. «Like you have a lot to unpack» Her gaze directed at me expresses it.

"Sure" she says with surrender.

I open the door in front of us, revealing the huge room that will be mine from now on. The gold and pink tones, like the Victorian style, make it look worthy of a Princess, the dream room of every girl and which I will now have.

"This is..." The words I think of at the moment cannot agree to come out.

"Beautiful" Lili completes for me. "Sophie this will be your room!"

At Estella's house, my room was not bad but it was not very comfortable either, not to mention that it was in the service area, at least here I am sure that even if they are employed the rooms are spacious.

"I know! We can already have sleepovers!" 

The enthusiasm that I feel to know of the freedom that I now have is enormous. Maybe this change isn't so bad after all.

"Wait... I'm friends with a Princess!" Lilly's sight is lost for a few seconds and I start to laugh after her comment.

"Come on, let's see what else we can find" I say, and then continue moving further into the bedroom.

I open another door to find a great surprise. «A bathroom just for ME! Good, I always wanted one.» 

Normally I had to go to the service, although it was somewhat uncomfortable since all the staff in Estella's house use that.

"Ok...?" She looks at me strangely but considering that this is all new to me, I am not worthy of that look.

On the right wall of the bathroom, there is a sliding door, I open it to find a closet which I doubt can fill even a third of it, I barely managed to fill two medium suitcases when I packed.

"Pass me the luggage, I will organize the clothes" I ask her.

Lili goes out to the room later entering with my two suitcases

"Let's get started" The sound that Lili's hands make when they collide means that we should start.

We took out everything my suitcases contained and began to put it inside my closet. Some of the shelves were not within my reach or Lili's so they were empty, as I had predicted the closet wasn´t filled but something tells me that it will not stay that way forever.

"That was fast. Can you imagine all of Estella's clothes in that closet?" I ask causing me to receive a look full of surprise from Lili. Estella has an infinity of clothes, but it doesn't fill the whole closet.

"We'd never finish" She says with a laugh wich a don´t waste time to fallow. "So... explain me how you know they are your parents.

I knew that the moment in which Lili was going to question me about all this had to come. And, matter or not if a want to talk about it, I need to tell her since she is the only person I trust. 

I try to remember every detail, from when I arrived at the Rivers' house until I opened the door of their house, everything has happened extremely quickly.

"Apparently my ring ratted me out" I look down at the small gold ring that I wear and remove it to hand it to 

Lili who precedes to examine it very close. "The Queen told me that it is unique in the world, that it was ordered to be made with one of the most famous jewellers in England, besides... Do I not have certain similarities with them?" My amused tone at the last question causes Lili to laugh again.

"To be honest, you are identical to your mother" Her confident look manages to make my doubts about whether this is all real diminish, maybe she's right and I hadn't noticed.

"And... what do we do now? We are done setting us up" I ask, directing my gaze to the suitcase, which is now completely empty. I'm tired, it hasn't been an easy day in every way.

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry" She answer taking her hand to her stomach.

Quickly, my brain associates hunger with food, intriguing me how the exquisite dishes will be served for the Royal Family.

"Me too, I couldn't eat at the Rivers' house besides..." 

The sound of a knock at the door interrupts our conversation. At least the time to told her everything was enough.

"Can I pass?"

Erick is leaning against the door frame. I make a gesture with my hand giving him to understand that he can come in.

"Do you need anything?" I ask.

Something that I like about him is that I can speak as if there is trust between us even though we met this morning.

"They sent me to let you both know that dinner is already served" Lili and I exchange glances and a smile appears on Lili's face.

"About time! I was starving" She stands up abruptly. 

It may be that Lili exaggerates many things but with food she never does, that is sacred to both.

"So what are you waiting for?" Let's go down" Erick opens the door for us, making the cute gesture of letting us out of it first.

"Thank you" I reply to his action.

When we reached the end of the hall we went down the long, elegant and wide stairs to the first floor where the dining room was located. Once we get in I visualize the Kings who smile as they hardly notice our presence. Seeing that the Queen's eyes on me, the thoughts and plantings that I made myself in the past suddenly hit me; now I know what happened to me and that I was not abandoned as I believed... and as the River´s made me felt.

When I see the King with that friendly and warm smile with which he presents himself in each important event and ceremony, the feeling of belonging to a place invades me, the two people who are sitting at this moment are my family, they are my parents.

"Sophie, take a seat, you too Lili" Ask us the Quen, who smile in a natural and confident way. 

«Has it always been like this?».

Lili sits to my right and Erick in front of me, the Queen is on my left, and right of the King who sits on one end of the table. There's no question that we really look like family.

"Sophie" Calls the Queen. " I am excited to tell you that on the day of the ball you will not only be presented as our daughter but you will also dance the first piece of the night with someone you choose, it is a tradition for a royal ball when something is celebrated. Do you have someone in mind?" 

They all keep their eyes on me waiting for my answer. I know they expect me to say the name of some guy but logically everything points to just one.

"Yes, I'll ask my boyfriend" The King, who was chewing the bite that he had previously introduced into his mouth, begins to choke. After a few seconds, recovers his posture.

"Do... Do you have a boyfriend?" 

His words are not very defined due to his stuttering, he glanced at Lili who resists letting out a laugh; the Queen, on the other hand, has a face of tenderness and Erick who remains serious.

"No, it was just a little joke, sorry"

The King remains serious.

"You are just like your grandmother" Asserts the King.

For a few seconds, a toss in the chest appeared in me when I heard that last thing. Your grandmother. A word that I thought would never be directed at me.

"Well... putting all this aside, do you have someone in mind?" Asks the Queen.

The doors of the dining room are opened by three employees who enter with practically an entire banquet. One puts all the dishes on the table, another places the plates in each of our places and the last one is dedicated to serving us. Ultimately this is a new experience in my life.

The smell of food is the only thing in this whole place that I cannot classify as something unknown or new, everything around me goes into the background at the moment that unknown images invade my mind.

"¿Is this necessary mom?" I ask, playing with my fork.

In front of me is a plate which contains a peculiar salad that does not stimulate my appetite for which everyone at the table starts to eat, a rare orange puree and a small portion of chicken.

"Yes, don't judge something by appearance, not everything is what it seems" She places her hand on my cheek in a gentle way encouraging me to take my first bite. "You see?"

"What is mommy? It's delicious!" For the second time I take some of that puree, unfortunately, the fork flies out of my little hand. I turn to the other end of the table when I hear the laugh of a child who I glare at making him stop laughing. "Max!" I yell at him.

"Max, it's not propper of a gentleman to laugh at a lady" An elegantly dressed woman rebukes him.

"I'm sorry, Sophie" He says sadly.

"Sophie, honey, are you okay?" 

The Queen's voice comes to the fore bringing me back to reality making me aware that I have been distracted for a few seconds. Like when you slip into your thoughts and you can´t stop, something that happened to me at the moment I tasted food.

"Yeah, I just... I have eaten this before" I reply to her.

"Yes, you have. It was the last dinner you had with us before…" 

The phrase left in the air implies my disappearance. A bit of nostalgia invades me, I don't know anything about my past and I'm practically starting from scratch.

"Oh"

I decide not to tell them about the little memory I just had to not strain the atmosphere. The rest of dinner was relaxed thanks to the funny comments and embarrassing anecdotes that Lili commented about me and the occasional joke from Erick. The attention that the Kings paid to me and Lili when talking was genuine, they seemed interested in even the smallest detail that Lili and I commented.

When we finished, Lili, the Queen and I went up to my room. Erick and the King, on the other hand, went to the office, so they talk about certain issues that need to be resolved. 

I open the door of my room, astonished once more by the sight of it; It is true that I had already seen it but it still amazes me that this is mine.

"Do you like Sophie here?" Asks the Queen as the three of us take our seats in the small living room before we fully enter the room.

The slightly raised chin, her shoulders back and her ankles correctly crossed make the Queen's posture perfectly impeccable when taking a seat compared to mine, her elegance and security is noticeable and despite having a friendly look talking to her it is still difficult to me, but I must.

"It's very big and definitely very different from what I'm used to, but yes" I say.

"And you Lili?" She asks for the second time; this time to Lili.

"I must admit that I always wanted to know how was the palace from inside, and now Sophie lives here, it's weird all this but it's very cool" Lili answers as her eyes travel around the room.

"Your friendship is of two, right?" At the question asked by the Queen, Lili's gaze focuses on me at the same time that she smiles.

"Yes, it has always been like that" My best friend replies.

"Well" The Queen says as he gets up. "Lili is a pleasure to have you here and I know that we will see you very often; take it as your second home. I'll leave you, you two have school tomorrow and you need to rest. Tomorrow they have classes and is going to be a very hard week" 

Before leaving, she places a kiss on my forehead. She's right about something, it will be a hard week.

"I like her, there is no doubt that they are family" Mentions Lili when the presence of the Queen is gone.

"Maybe. We should rest" We both get up from our seats to enter my bedroom. "By the way, Erick will join us tomorrow” I comment.

"¿He would drive us there?"

"No, he literally is going to join us to school" I clarified.

I go to the closet to shed my outfit for the day and finally put on the comfortable pyjamas that I used every night. Lili, on the other hand, enters the bathroom with her pyjamas on hand that she took from the bag she brought with her. 

I see the time on my phone, it's late. Lili and I are spread out on the floor on the carpet, each with a pillow that we grab from the bed. The feeling of resting runs down my back every time I stop thinking about a problem that I can´t solve at the moment.

"What are you going to do tomorrow?" She asks after a moment of silence.

I am aware that her question has a purpose but I do not find it very specific.

"¿What do you mean?"

"With Estella. How did she react?" Lili turns to see me.

Estella is characterized by having everything at her disposal and believing that no one can have more than her, I can imagine the thought that passes through Lili's mind at this moment, it is surely negative.

"Luckily she hadn't arrived yet" 

"And her parents?" 

The desire to laugh is present when I remember how they received me when I arrived after work, but it fades when I remember the terrible treatment they gave me all this time.

"I arrived and Mrs Marlene called me darling, you can imagine?" 

Lili's laughter is heard all over the room, and it's so contagious that I start laughing too.

"I imagine you feel happy now" I nod at her statement.

"Too much, I have a family, an unconditional friend and apparently a bodyguard-prince that I hope to call a friend" She looks towards the door when we hear a noise coming from it, letting see Erick. He must have heard what I said.

"Of course you can call me friend. I know we just met but he assured you that you can trust me, also your Lili" I smile despite the intrigue that Erick generates in me. "Well... I just came to see if you need anything"

"Thanks for everything, Erick, and we're fine, we don't need anything" I reply.

"In that case... goodnight" He says, nodding just once before leaving.

"I like him" She says once Erick is out of the room.

"Me too, at least I know I won't get bored when you're gone"

"And you said you'd never see him again" A mischievous smile forms on her as she raises both eyebrows.

Remembering what happened this morning with Erick makes me think that it was ironically a perfect cliché that despite being so common on screen, it does not usually happen in everyday life.

"That means that today's lesson is that life gives you surprises... let´s sleep, tomorrow will be a hard day" I say.

"Yes"

It is clear that it is impossible to sleep with so many emotions; I just found my parents, I will live in a palace, I am a Princess, and I may never see the Rivers again. What more can I ask for?! But I must rest, at least try, not because a difficult period of my life has ended means that everything will be easier from now on.asks after a moment of silence.