A Princess Don't Cry

Chapter 10

I overslept the next day.

I wake up and it's seven already. Actually, I woke up at about five, but I didn't feel like getting out of bed so I slept again.

Instead of getting ready for school, I grab my science textbook and start studying leaning against the headrest on my bed.

Study warning; Don't ever study in a comfy place. Believe me.

My brain reads about chemical bonds for a whole of five minutes before I'm drooling on my science book.

"Kathy?"

I jerk up from my slumber at my mother's voice. I quickly readjust my book and pretend to be deeply absorbed in covenant bonds of atoms.

"Mom?"

Mom enters my bedroom. "Oh, you're studying! What a good girl! I'll make a maid bring in some snacks for you!" Mom says sitting on the corner of my bed. Yuma has probably told her that I overslept.

"Thanks, mom." I feel a tinsy bit guilty.

"You can stay at home and rest today if you're r tired." Yup. Yuma definitely told her I overslept.

"Okay." I agree.

"And Kathleen, your checkup is due soon." I look up at her at that.

"We actually found this new doctor, and I'd like to get her opinion as well." My mom tells me.

"Okay."

"Since you're at home today, we could do it in the evening."

"Okay, mom."

Mother smiles at me. Her whole face lights up when smiling. It made me feel safe. I wonder if I look like her. I definitely don't have her brown curly hair or blue eyes.

"Alright then darling, I'll let you study." She ruffles my hair with a loving smile and leaves.

I look back at my book and start studying for real.

"Don't you think Doctor Tyler would mind if we go see a different doctor?" I ask my mother as we walk in the hallway leading to the castle infirmary. I always do the checkups in the castle itself. All the equipment needed is installed here, (specifically for me...I guess?) So I don't have to leave the castle for this stuff. Have to keep it undercover, you know?

"He wouldn't mind," Mom assures me. "Besides, we have to take an opinion from a different person, you know? Just in case?"

"Okay." I'm nervous now. Mom is hoping for better results than the last time...I know it's probably gonna be the same.

Hopefully not worse.

A guard opens the door to the infirmary and we enter. The whole space is painted in white, even the curtains are white. There are ten beds arranged in parallel and all of them were unoccupied.

There was a room in the left corner where there is an ECG machine, an X-ray machine, and an Echocardiogram machine.

Don't look at me.

As we enter, the nurse's room at the other end opens, and out steps a woman. She's wearing a business skirt and a shirt tucked in with a stethoscope hanging around her neck.

She drops into a deep bow. "Your majesty," she greets my mother.

"Docter Wells. It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming." Mother shakes hands with her.

"Princess Kathleen," the doctor says, turning to me.

I smile and offer my hand for a shake too.

"So." Docter Wells rubs her hands together. "Shall we get started then?"

Mom nods and hands over my previous reports.

We enter the room with all the equipment and Doctor Wells sits behind the dark wood desk. Mom motions me to take a seat as well and we both sit opposite the doctor.

"How are you feeling, Kathleen?" the doctor asks me before going through the reports.

"I'm good," I say shyly. Mom gives me an encouraging smile.

"That's good to hear." Wells flips through my reports before turning to my mother. "Majesty, could you please explain to me, what exactly happened?"

"Of course," Mom says. "Would you stay outside or...?" Mom asks me. Uh. Why can't I stay and listen? It's not like I'll combust or anything. I can handle it.

"I'll stay."

I lean back in my seat and stare into the distance. I haven't heard this story from anyone's point of view before. When my family talked about this incident, it would always be when I'm not in the room or in hushed tones so I wouldn't hear.

The only people who know about this incident are a few royal guards and the most trusted members of the court. And of course, Roselina knows and her family, but that's it. No one else knows. Sometimes I wonder...how much longer can we keep it hidden?

"Two years ago, in February ..."