A Princess Don't Cry

Chapter 11

Two years ago

That day, I woke up earlier than usual. I was too excited. Father had promised me that as soon as I turn sixteen, I would have a place in the court. Today was like the first step toward that.

I'm fourteen at last. Well, not technically, my birthday is in May, but anyways.

"What am I to wear, Yuma?" I asked as my maid came into my room.

"A yellow frock," Yuma told me.

"Really?"

"Yes, Princess. Since it's private tutoring, you can wear whatever you like from now on." She told me with a smile.

That gets me more excited. Of course, I'm going to miss school and my friends, Mireya, Becky, and Jess, but this is what I was born to do.

I texted my friends yesterday, and they promised to visit the castle next week.

I got dressed. As Yuma placed my tiara on my hair, my phone lit up with a message. It's from Roselina.

I grabbed the phone but before I can reply, she called me.

"Morning, Lina!" I said as I answer the call.

"Kathy! Are you ready for your big day?" Roselina asked me.

I laughed. "It's not a big deal, you know? I don't think anyone has ever been this excited to learn."

She laughed as well. "Well, you were looking forward to this. Have you met the tutor yet?"

"Nope." We talk for a little while longer, about nothing yet everything.

As I entered the dining room for breakfast, my brother was already there.

"Well, if it isn't the old lady," he said with a grin.

"I'm not old! You're the one who's old!" I snapped back at him, playing along.

"Seventeen isn't old, Kath."

"You're both old," Father said walking in, and we all laughed.

Conrad was now an active member of the court. We both attended Nobility High till we were thirteen. And now, just like Conrad, I'm going to be private tutored till I was sixteen. I'll get to know everything about ruling, law and order and more on. I'm soo excited for this.

This is my destiny as a Princess.

Or so I thought.

My tutor happened to be a middle-aged man named Paulson.

We meet him in the castle library.

"Your Majesties," he drops into a deep bow as I enter with my Father and Mother.

They shake hands and small talked a bit.

"So Kathleen, Professor Paulson would be your tutor from now on," My father tells me. I nod, suddenly feeling shy. He turns back to the professor, "Kathleen here is quite a bright student," Father pats my back.

"She wouldn't give you any trouble," Mother says with a smile.

After a few more minutes everyone departs leaving me and my tutor alone in the library.

I looked at him then. He has short brown hair, black eyes and a brown beard. If I was being honest, he looked a bit scary. But who am I to judge?

"Princess Kathleen," he sounded like he was tasting my name.

I smiled up at him. "Yes, professor?"

"Oh please, call me Paul." We are both still standing near the large windows on the left side of the library. There were a few tables on my right near the bookshelves, so I assume we'll be sitting there. Or not. This is a huge library, with two stories. We could sit anywhere.

"So tell me about yourself a bit," Paul told me.

So I did. I told him about my family a bit, my friends, Roselina, about Nobility High, and how I'm excited to finally learn about Law and Order. My ultimate role as the Princess. I don't think I've ever talked to a stranger this much before, but then again, he's going to be my tutor for two years. We'll have to get to know each other. I'll have to trust him.

After I finished, he nods. I noticed that he has a weird expression and that he had one hand behind his back. I too put my hands behind my back, fingers playing with each other nervously. Or with excitement.

"Let's have a seat," Paul said nodding at the tables.

I too nod and walk toward the tables. As I reach the nearest table I realize that Paul hadn't followed. I turned back to see him in the same position.

"Umm...Professor?" There was something off. He was staring out the window.

I smile again, "Professor? Should we take these tables or the tables upstairs?"

He shakes his head and finally turns his head toward me. Both his hands are behind his back.

"Oh Princess, you seem to be a very nice person," he said to me.

My heart warmed a bit. I had already made a good impression on my tutor.

"I'm so sorry, but I have no choice," he continued. I looked at him, now confused. What does that mean?

"But I have no choice, you see." He brings out his hand from behind his back.

I stare, frozen in place. Am I dreaming?

In his hand was a gun, pointed directly at my chest.

What the...? I can't seem to move. What am I to do? I'm a princess, always followed by guards, a person who has never met danger. I don't think I know what danger even means. There had always been someone in front of me and behind me. Protecting me.