A Princess Don't Cry

Chapter 4

Am I the only one who realizes that time is tricking us? I mean, if we have something exciting we are looking forward to, time would slow down like a tortoise. But...if something we really wish to evade comes up, time flies like a jet. Yeah. That's what happened this week. Before I know it, I'm sitting before my mirror on Sunday evening.

"Why do I have to do my hair, anyways?" I inquire Yuma. "It's not like I'm going to a party or anything."

"Well, in your defense, you do have perfect hair," Yuma says as she settles my tiara on top of my black hair. I eye my face in the mirror. Do I have perfect hair? It's like the millionth time I've heard that comment, however, I'm still not sure if it's real or if people are just trying to be nice. Come to realize it, I have serious trust issues.

I stand up and regard myself in the mirror. The blue gown I'm wearing fits me perfectly. Obviously, cuz it has been tailored just for me. I absolutely love the long sleeves and gloves. You might think I'm paranoid, but I don't wear short sleeves or sleeveless. It makes me feel...bare. Vulnerable. I also don't wear anything that doesn't reach below my knees. And did I mention I'm very shy and uncomfortable in crowds?

I take a deep breath, preparing myself mentally for the next few hours. Has meeting the twins always been so uneasy? Yeah. It's always this uneasy.

I still don't understand why I have to greet them when I have more important stuff to do like study. But, protocol. Luckily, I'm not a make-up person. If I am, I'll probably have to spend hours on only that. I've gone to a total of one function with make up and decided it wasn't for me. A little bit of lipstick is fine...but or else, no. Covering my face with powder and eyeliner makes me feel...fake. Like I'm wearing a mask and covering my real face. The feeling didn't suit me well. So today the only thing I'm wearing is a bit of lip balm.

Oh well. Let's go face the inevitable. Gathering up all my courage, I leave my room.

As I reach downstairs, my brother has already arrived. I pause in the doorway of the entrance hall and regard at my brother talking with the general near the main door. He, like me, has dressed up for the occasion, his crown resting on top of his brown head. He doesn't notice me staring, and keeps on talking making hand gestures. I can't help but notice that he looks tense. Very tense. Which was unusual. No matter how both of us agree on how irritating the twins are, Conrad always pulls off their visits or us visiting them with his usual smoothness. As I stare at him frowning at what the general is saying, I wonder what's different this time. There's no time to ponder on that thought because General Whitlow notices me.

"Princess," he greets me with a bow. I make my way towards them as Conrad turns towards me. I look at him just in time to catch a glimpse of his worry before he buries it with a smile.

"Sister," he says bowing dramatically, "looking gorgeous as always" I roll my eyes, with a small smile.

"You look as horrible as always" I tease him. He catches his heart with mock hurt.

"Where's Mother and Father?" I ask him turning to look outside. Guards have been stationed on one side of the route, and the Nuotier flag has been hoisted beside the Trisiora one.

"They'll be here any minute," the general answers. He too was gazing outside, as if he could see all the way to where the twins were right now. Maybe he was plotting different strategies of war. Who knows the minds of a general?

I scoot closer to Con. " Are you going to tell me what's going on?" I ask him, lowering my voice.

My brother's eyes cut towards me sharply. "Nothing is going on."

"Don't be such a liar Con. I know something is up. You can tell me, you know? I am part of the family. You can trust me."

Con's eyes soften, "Of course I trust you, Kathy. But there's nothing to worry about okay? It's nothing I can't handle."