The Pirate and the Princess | Niki x Puffy

3.- Presence and the Public

The rocking of the carriage against the pavement was enough to slip Niki into a trance, as she stared out the window watching places and things quickly pass by. Her mind was wandering and worrying about what the next hour would bring.

She was scheduled to give a speech to her people in the center of town, on the most bustling street, right at the prime busiest time. As per tradition, the future monarch was to talk to their subjects about their plans for the nation, how they'll be helping communities in need, and any wishes for the people as individuals.

Niki had spent the past several weeks planning exactly what she was going to say, drawing inspiration from previous ones and mustering up what her heart truly wanted to say to her future subjects. All the lives that would soon be in her hands.

Her family was talking amongst themselves and it wasn't until her name was called that Niki realized they had been talking to her.

"Niki?"

Her head snapped up, and looked over at them all staring at her. "Huh? I'm sorry I didn't hear what you were talking about."

Her mother sighed, looking at Niki disapprovingly. "We were talking about the fact that there are going to be even more people than we expected, because they finally finished paving the new road and there's more space."

Niki slowly nodded, digesting the new information as it twisted around in her head.

More people.

My people.

All here to listen to me.

As the future queen.

It took everything inside of her not to burst into tears.

She turned her head back to look out the window. Faintly, she thought she heard another disapproving sigh, and she felt the urge to apologize, but her heart was beating and her head was swimming and that's all she had energy to focus on.

How many people would be listening? Who would she see?

Her question was answered almost immediately and her inner turmoil increased tenfold as their carriage arrived on the edge of the town, where people lined the street, all waving or cheering in excitement for a glance at the esteemed and beautiful princess. Standing against the edge of the heavy woods surrounding them, nobody could contain their anticipation.

All the lights in all the shops were dim, and it seemed that everyone was outside, waiting for something.

No, someone.

And that someone had never been more terrified in her life.

Niki felt a sudden tapping on her shoulder that pulled her out of her head, only to notice that they had stopped and her family was already piling out of the carriage. Tommy looked at her concernedly, mouthing "you ok?" She shrugged and waved to dismiss him, standing up and leaving without a second glance. The first thing she heard was Tommy scuffling out behind her.

The next thing she heard was the applause.

It was roaring and deafening and with every blink it seemed to get louder. As Niki looked around all she saw were faces. A mother and son. A baker. A locksmith. A singer.

All an individual life.

All her responsibility.

Niki never knew her heart could race so fast.

Tommy walked up next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, smiling and waving to the crowd. He had a charismatic smile that shone when he was with others. A pure and talented natural leader.