Midnight Royale

Chapter 11: Her, the princess

It felt like a big rock was removed to my chest because that meeting was finally finished. It was just a brief meeting—but I feel like someone is strangling my neck!

I am wearing a long-sleeves ball gown in gold and I let my hair flow down. There are pearls dangling in it, and I am glad I look formal or appropriate because the Aristocrats, specially that old man pointed out a lot of things in me within a minute!

I feel bad for the real Genevierre. I wonder what will she really feel if someone told her... as if taking your life is her fault. Well, I am glad that I am in her place for now, in this matter.

The world for her is cruel I think, to take her life. So hearing it from the Aristocrats like what Genevierre did is so wrong, and take it like nothing—it will be hard for her!

Well, I tried to take my life but hesitated. Then when I am awake—the river take me here. In this weird life.

I was busy debating with myself alone in that room, when the court ladies called me.

"Princess," a lady called me. "It's time for you to eat. You haven't take your breakfast..."

Oh, I don't feel hungry! The entire conversation drain me!

"I want to sleep..."

"Princess," the lady protest. She looks worried about what I said.

My forehead knotted. This is going to be their fault if I didn't eat my breakfast—right?

Ah, being a princess is very suffocating.

"Okay. I am going to eat—but please bring the food in my room. Is that allowed?"

The lady nodded in glee. "Okay, Princess."

This is so weird to tell, but I want to dig deeper about the Aristocrats, and what really happened to this body. Maybe I can find a clue about how can I go back to my old life if I knew what happened to her.

I stand up. I feel the tension of the court ladies. They were alert and anticipating what am I going to do next.

I guess they are worried. But I don't really have the energy to run away from them or play around. This day is too much—and I cannot do something foolish again.

Because the court ladies will het fired just because of me. What a very ridiculous rules!

I smiled to the ladies. "Let's go to my room..."

They bow their head as a sign of yes. I was about to take a step and walk—but remember that I don't know how to go in my room alone.

I awkwardly smiled to the ladies.

"I don't know how to get in my room," I announced and laughed awkwardly.

The ladies guided me towards the room. The food comes after me.

I sit on a sofa where the food is served.

"Isn't this too much?" I asked them.

They shook their head.

"That is just enough, Princess."

Well, the variety of food is a lot! The portion is just enough, but when combined—it is too much!

I looked at them in disbelief. "Eat with me."

They looked shocked then shook their head again.

"We cannot do that, Princess..." They object.

I raise my eyebrow and about to threat them if they won't eat with me... but I feel like it is connected with Palace' weird rule.

"Will you all get punished just by eating with me?" I asked them genuinely.

They nodded their head that's why I continued to eat peacefully. I should take note to never force the ladies even the intention is good.

I really don't know how the palace works. I am too focused on how to get out of here and running away...

Well, I am just right on running away. I am too disoriented to believe in this kind of bullsíht! I thought Farrah is just playing around with me..

But as the time passed by already—I can say that what is happening is really real. I am in a dimension and different time of era where princess and castle exist.

I sighed. If this is real—that I am a princess who have duties... Then I need to protect my people around me. I cannot act dumb or foolish because I am not just an other person. I'm the princess!

Still, I don't know how to protect them because I am clueless of her life!

Besides, why and how did Genevierre take her life here?

"I have a question," I announced to them. Since I am just eating and these ladies sounds know a lot from the conversation of the history of Amadeo...

I should interrogate them.

"What is it, princess?" They smiled on me, willing to answer.

"Did I take my life here?" I asked them casually and scoop a food.

I stilled when their face changed into guilt!

"We are so sorry for letting you alone, princess! We... we didn't knew that you are feeling that way!"

I almost spit my food out because they started howling their apologies! I shook my head and talk even there is a food on my mouth!

"I am not blaming you all! Don't cry! I am accusing no one!" I shouted to stop them.

They oblige. Gosh, I don't want to hear them crying! This is so absurd! I drink some water before talking again.

"Calm down okay?" I raised my hand to motion it down. "I am not blaming you or anyone. I am just asking what happened to me because I cannot remember anything since the accident happened," I told them a story.

Well, that's true. I don't really know what happened to me but I am not really aware because I am not their princess.

I was waiting for an answer but they are just bowing their heads on me.

I accidentally slip my fork and it created a noise. I was baffled when the ladies started to cry again and beg on their knees!

"Princess, we are really sorry for what happened please forgive us for not noticing you are having a hard time too!"

I was in awe. I just slipped my heavy fork! I am not really angry!

"Stop sitting on your knees and stand up. I am blaming no one for what happened. I am not mad too! I just slipped my fork because it's heavy!" I said in annoyance. "Now this is really annoying! I just wanted to know what really happened on me before I wake up!"

They immediately stood up and bow their head again.

"Sorry, princess..."

I rolled my eyes. "If you all are sorry, then tell what happened to me."

The ladies looked at each other. Hesitant.

"Princess.. It's... a sensitive matter."

"I just wanted to know what happend to me. Your princess is clueless for now and I am acting foolish because I am disoriented. I just wondered that if I know what happened, maybe I can get a little clue to remember," I explained to convince them.

They still didn't answer. "Can you get punished by answering my question?"

If that is so, then I don't have any choice but to investigate alone.

But they all shook their head as a sign of no. Then, I just need to convince them!

"Please. All of you. Help me remember," I plea. "I don't really know who I am aside from I am your princess who needs to obey this palace."

"Princess..." A lady step forward. Finally!

"Come on. Tell me what happened," I smiled to her as a sign of assurance.

She looks hesitant, but then speak again.

"Princess, you took your own life by jumping into a river..."

My mouth hang open in disbelief. Jump in what!?

"Can you repeat?"

She still look afraid of telling me the story, but I am glad the lady continued.

"You jumped in the river, princess. You are almost lifeless when the prince found you," she told the story.

The river! So the river is our common thing here!

I need to go in that river. Maybe I can find a clue to go back.

"Then? Why did I jump? Do any of you have an idea?"

I scoop some food again and waited for their answer.

"Please tell me."

"We don't have an idea why you jumped from the river, princess. You are silent and distant to almost everyone aside from the prince."

I almost choke in my food when I heard that. Silent and distant!?

"Can you all tell me what kind of princess I am? My character and such?"

They looked shocked and looked at each other with hesitation.

"Tell me. I won't be mad or will do anything bad from talking. This is also an order from a princess. So please talk—what kind of person is Princess Genevierre?" I command.

Silent and distant? I am loud and dumb! I am feeling something about me and the real princess here.

"Princess, you are a very strict, distant, and silent princess. You... you don't like people or vampires. You hate it when something goes wrong or go against you."

My eyebrow shot up. "Really?"

"You are hot headed too—" the lady didn't finish her sentence because someone hold her arm.

The lady smiled at me with hesitation.

Hot headed? Gosh, I want to know more about the old Genevierre! I think we are the total opposite!

"Can you all tell me your name? I don't know how to address all of you," I told them.

I am tired of calling them ladies inside my head. I wanted to call them by their name!

They look shock by my order, but then again started to state their name.

"My name is Gloria, princess," a petite girl said. She looks young and innocent. The girl who told me that Genevierre is a hot headed person.

"I am Mariella," a woman smiled on me.

Then they started to name themselves. I notice how they look all young and only Ms. Raquel were the one who looks in late 30's.

"You all look young. But why do you know a lot in this palace?" I asked them. "Please answer my question comfortably okay? I won't shout at you or do anything. My order is you can all talk freely."

They all nod their head.

"What kind of person I am before? Please tell all of it. Even the bad manners I have..." I eat a fried shrimp.

Ah, this is the best thing that happened to me since I came from the castle.

No one wanted to answer so I called Gloria. She looks like a person who will tell everything without knowing what she is telling is already wrong.

"Gloria, can you tell who I am before?" I asked her.

"Well, princess..."

Genevierre has a temper base on her story. She doesn't like people or interacting with anyone at all. The only person who she talk with respect is the Aristocrats, King, and Lazarus. Then the rest—she treated them all in a cold way.

Gosh, what a very boring princess we have then!

"We rarely see you smile or laugh at all, princess. You never act without a grace and you are also very careful what to say..."

Now I can totally conclude that the original Genevierre was an ice like Lazarus.

"You like everything in order, grace, and within the rules," Mariella also tells her point. "So we are really wondering why did you change so much after waking up..."

I almost choke in my own food because of what she told me. I just smiled on her in disbelief and shook my head.

"You are now loud, smiling, and disoriented, princess." Raquel. "I guess you hit your head in a rock hard to change this way."

I just laughed on their remark on nod my head.

"Why? Don't you all like your princess this way? Nice and smiling?"

"We like it, princess! But you became hard-headed—" Gloria is cut of again when someone pinch her waist.

"Just tell anything about me and your perception. It can help me to remember."

"Shouldn't you go to a person who will heal your memory, princess?" Ms. Raquel asked me, worried.

I shook my head and raise my hand to motion a no.

"I don't want to bother the castle by getting a healer. I just wanted to figure things out on my own."

Aside from that, having a healer is worthless because I don't have anything to remember. I am Genevierre from 21st century... Not the princess they knew from the very start.

"So please don't tell anyone about this. But help me to remember," I announced.

Even they are worried and hesitating, they just nod their head as a sign of agreeing.

I smiled. "It's good then!"

"But please princess. Tell us if you cannot handle things on your own. If you feel something wrong or having a headache—please tell us."

They are so sweet! I smiled at them

"Yes, I will do that. But for now, please tell me from the very start—who I am and how I became a princess?"

They all looked shocked. "You didn't remember anything from the very start, princess?"

I smiled awkwardly. That sounds very alarming. I don't want them to be worried—and telling them that I am not the princess will make this chaotic.

"I... I remembered. But just the slice of it. Don't worry too much! I just know it, but I want to make sure that I remember things right!" I nodded and smiled. "Please take a seat and tell who I am..."

They look hesitant. God. That sounds really weird! A person that isn't aware of her own life?

"Just tell me so I know if I remembered it correctly. All right? When I hit my head hard, my memories was hazy."

I am so glad that I got to convince them! I had a hard time to make them sit beside me—so the best thing that I can do is to make them stand in front of me!

"You are a from a notable family, princess. From the De Lucca," Gloria started the story from the start.

Since the Aristocrat happened, the Kingdom was peaceful enough. Then a decade later—the Aristocrat proposed to have a human princess inside the castle.

It was a long proposal. Six years just to convince the castle! It was hard because Lazarus hated the idea! But eventually, the king was kind hearted to give in!

The Aritocrats wanted an equality for humans. But from what I have observed in our meeting earlier—I feel something wrong! From the way they talk and all!

To continue the story, when the king gave them a permission, the Aritocrats immediately find a couple who can produce a princess in the town.

Eventually–not everyone can give their child. The Aristocrats finds a family who is well-off, beauty, and grace on the family.

The De Lucca now is a well known business to Kingdom Amadeo in making gowns and fabrics. In short, they are in the middle class before because of their business—but now a humble upper class because they still choose to reside with people instead of having a chance to enter the castle.

The Aristocrats found the beautiful business couple who is pregnant with their child. The exact couple of the Aristocrats are looking for.

De Lucca oblige when the Aristocrats offered to make their child a princess if it was a daughter—and it is a girl...

So in the guidance of the Aristocrats to the family of De Lucca, they raise Genevierre how the Aristocrats instructed to. How to be a princess and to deal with the world of vampires.

That is just sad I think. Imagine growing to be an offer to someone? Genevierre's life sounds awful for me because from the very beginning of her life, she is instructed in how to do things!

There is nothing wrong with raising Genevierre according to Raquel. She is an obedient and smart child. The Aristocrats groom her to be a perfect princess.

"Princess, from what I heard, you dedicated your life to be a perfect princess for the castle. You are the first human to be a royalty.."

What a sad life she had there. Genevierre must be very pressured then.

"You were about to enter the castle at twenty-three. But the wolves tried to harm you. The King decided to enter you here for protection."

So that is the story of Genevierre and how she got in the castle. She still have her family?

I wonder if her parents and mine are look alike? Now I want to see her parents!

My mother died... years ago. I want to hug her even... they are a different person.

How come they never visit? I already woke up and didn't see them. I thought parents normally would come if they heard that their child is okay?

Or it is different again because of this royalty rules and such?

"Why my parents didn't visit me yet?" I asked them.

They just shook their heads. "We already told them that you are awake. Maybe they are busy with the business."

Business before family huh?

I am having an idea what kind of life already Genevierre has.

"So that is the story..." I sighed. "What a bad life!" I said as an expression and laugh.

I am full of debt and bad people are following me because of it! Farrah bîtch my whole life and fired me...

But I guess Genevierre's life...

"Princess..." They said with sympathy.

I shook my head on them. "Don't worry about me! I am fine! I just wanted to say that thank you for honestly telling... and I must say that what I remember is connected with what you all tell."

I smiled to them. Now that I know her life, I must know everything in the castle.

"What about when I enter in the castle? Am I okay as a princess?"

"Yes, princess. You are excellent. You do your duties and aware of the rules of kingdom. You deserve to be a princess!" They smiled to me.

I winced. But base on her character—is she loved by people? Who would even like a princess who is distant, strict, and cold towards everyone?

"Are you sure?" I asked them when I finish the food. "But base on your stories, she doesn't have—I mean I don't have a pleasing personality."

"But you are intelligent, Princess! At least that can save you?"

I chuckled on her remark. So Genevierre is an intelligent woman? Gosh, we are opposite! How can I act on her character?

"What is usually her expression?" I asked Gloria.

"You always have a grim face, princess," she answered with a smile.

"Oh, then do people like like me here? Or they hate me because of my personality?"

They hesitated to answer the question, but eventually answered by Raquel.

"Well, princess... They like your service but cannot be with you in a single room. Everyone is intimidated over you."

Oh. That is not a surprise!

"Can you tell me what do I normally do before?"

I am so glad that the ladies started to tell what I need in a comfortable manner. They said that Genevierre do her job as a princess.

I thought being a princess is just being pretty and waiting for her prince to finish her task. But I got things... wrong.

According to them, Genevierre gets ready before the sun is even up! She likes to do her own style and hair for the day. I am glad that I found our common thing, at last!

Then she goes down to the dining area where she takes her breakfast and read some news of the kingdom Amadeo.

After taking breakfast, she needs to greet the king and prince in the morning as a sign of respect.

I mean–base on their story I would like to bow my head over the King, but never to the prince! As if he deserves any respect from me!

And lastly, Genevierre goes to her office and read some letters—specifically, the wishes of humans. She reads all the letters and report to the king the content or problems of humans in the land. She finish her day by doing a letter, summarizing all the needs of humans and send it to the king.

If it's a serious matter, Genevierre should personally report the problem and also participate in the meeting to solve the problem.

In the weekends, Genevierre takes fancing, ballet, etiquette and law class! What the hell!?

She already learned since birth! What is the point of that if she will only take class?

"Okay. Thank you for answering..." I nod my head after they finished the story. "But for the last question... I would like to ask..."

They are waiting for my last question. I doubt it if they can answer this one. But I hope they do.

"Can you tell me what happened before I take my own life? Like... is there an obvious reason why I jump on the river?"

The smiled faded on their face. They are worried. I am really curious for the real motive why she took her own life. I mean she looked like had a hard life—but what is the reason to jump?

"Princess that day was suppose to be your engagement party. But the prince didn't come to the event," Olivia said.

Oh. Is prince Lazarus was the reason? I am not surprise! Lazarus looked like a cruel man!

"Thanks for the information.."

I should distant myself from that man then! From their stories–it sounds like Genevierre has a one sided love to the prince!

"You can rest for now, princess. The king ordered us to give you a break for a week..."

That's a relief! I am not ready yet to face Genevierre's duty! That work and class every weekend!

"But the Aristocrats ordered to give you some basic lessons to be a princess... You have a meeting with Ms. Simson in weekends."

I just nodded my head. I am aware of that–but hell, I hate people in Aristocrats. Something feels so wrong about them.

I thank them again for being honest with me. They all leave to make me rest, but said will be back to help me get ready in sleep.

I tried to roam my eyes in the room and stand up. I was making myself busy on the cabinets when I saw a journal.

It was a heavy journal. Oh... This is Genevierre's diary! I can get an accurate information here about what happened to her! Or what she feels on the castle!

It was an old journal. Heavy. The pages were already crumpled but the letters were still recognizable.

Dear,

This is my first day on the castle. What happened was scary because the wolves really threatened me. But I cannot help but to laugh in joy because what happened will be a gate inside the castle earlier than expected!

I can finally see my prince. After all of these years that getting ready for him I can finally see him in front of me!

It will be the first time if ever.

Vie.

My eyebrows shot up. This is a diary from years ago!? From the very start? Plus, she sounds happy and giddy here! It was different from their story!

"What are you doing?"

I jump and hug Genevierre's diary when I heard his baritone voice.

Lazarus!

I immediately put the diary back to the drawer and shut it. I looked on the rude man who enter the room.

"Don't you know how to knock? What you did is rude." I glared on him. She broke Genevierre's heart!

From the very start, that child likes Lazarus even she didn't saw his face!

"This is my castle..."

I am about to talk back when Lazarus swiftly close our distance.

"You are the one who is rude here princess."