A Princess Named Harry

Chapter 3

A new wave of anxiety came crashing down on Harry. "A . . . a . . . ball?" she asked nervously.

"Yes," answered the maid. "Your Highness and Her Majesty will be introduced as the newest additions to the royal family."

"I will?"

"And you'll even dance with His Majesty!"

"The king?"

Harry suddenly felt very dizzy. "Um, Miss," she called nervously.

The maid smiled and replied, "Please call me Paula, Your Highness."

Harry realized she had never told Paula her name. "Then, please call me-"

Before she could finish, Paula instantly turned her down. "I cannot do that, Your Highness."

Harry sighed, "My name is Harry."

She didn't like being called 'Your Highness.' It was a title that was too foreign to her.

"Your Highness is also free to explore the grounds before it's time for the ball."

Harry had already explored the outside of the palace, but she hadn't explored the inside yet.

"But you'll have to have a royal knight with you." Paula opened the door, and a man entered. Right away, Harry took notice of his blonde hair, although it wasn't as bright as the royal family's nor her mother's. Still, Harry thought it was prettier than her dark hair.

"Greetings, Your Highness," he said, bowing to her. When he looked up at her, she noticed that he had the darkest eyes. That put her at ease. She bowed back and asked, "How do you do, sir?"

The knight flinched and replied, "It seems Her Highness will need to learn to not be so polite to us."

Paula sighed and nodded, "That's right."

Harry felt awkward around the two adults. The knight looked at her and said, "My name is Cambrel; please call me by that name, Your Highness."

Harry decided to try to introduce herself again. She hoped to have better luck with him. "My name is Harry; please feel free to call me by that too."

Cambrel's reply came quickly, "I cannot do that, Your Highness."

Harry wasn't disappointed; she expected that response.

She looked at them both and asked, "Can I visit the royal gardens?" Once again, the two shared looks with each other and gave her a sympathetic nod.

"Of course, you can," answered Paula. "Your Highness can go anywhere you want."

Cambrel looked at Harry and asked, "Is that where you want to go?"

She nodded and answered, "Yes, please."

Cambrel noted that it would take some time before she would loosen up on her formality. "Alright," he replied. "I'll lead the way."

Cambrel led her to a very beautiful garden. It was filled with many colors and life. She bent down to look at some pink carnations.

She smiled. "What a lovely garden."

Cambrel watched her silently as she smelled the flowers. She touched some of them gently, and of the flowers fell onto her lap. It wasn't wilted, and it was still very pretty. Harry picked it up and stared at Cambrel.

After a while of feeling her gaze on him, he asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Harry smiled and stood up. She concealed the flower behind her back.

"Sir Cambrel," she called gently.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Here you go," she said as she handed him the flower. He looked down at the flower in his hand. "Thank you, Your Highness," he replied.

"You're welcome, but um, referring to me as Your Highness . . . that's a bit-"

Cambrel leaned over to Harry and asked, "Your Highness, did you perhaps give me this flower as a bribe?"

"N-no," Harry stuttered. "But if possible, could you not . . . call me so formally?"

Cambrel knew that Harry was desperate for a compromise. "Alright," he sighed, giving in. "How about this?" He bent down and took her hand. "I won't address you as you Your Highness, but you are still a princess."

Harry's expression saddened.

"I look forward to serving you, Princess Harry."

After hearing her name called, Harry felt a little bit better, even if the word 'Princess' was still with it. She replied, "I look forward to getting to know you, Sir Cambrel."

Cambrel took notice of the new princess's many faults, but all of them could be fixed with time. Harry was a cheerful and very kind child, with many great traits. She will definitely become a great asset to the royal family as well as to the kingdom.

Cambrel laughed, "Well, Princess, tell me if there is anywhere else you wish to visit, and I will take you there."

Harry smiled as big as she could. She felt like she had made some progress with the people in the royal palace, even if it was a little.