A Princess Named Harry

Chapter 12

Many days had passed since the royal family got on the airship and watched the beautiful sunset, and so far, the king had kept his word and had not bothered Harry at all. She was glad about this and thought she would have a lot of free time, but she couldn't have been more wrong.

Harry was very busy; she had multiple classes to attend which included etiquette, dance, and history. Her teacher would always tell her, "Now that you're a princess of this kingdom, you must learn everything there is to know about governing it."

"I understand," Harry would say, but she didn't really since she wouldn't be the one to take the throne.

She walked slowly in a straight line with her arms stretched out, she was trying to balance a book on her head. "May I ask a question?" Harry asked as she twirled around gracefully.

Miss Albet, her teacher smiled at her gracefulness. "Of course, and might I add that your skills are improving greatly? You're learning a lot faster than I did at your age."

Miss Albet was a middle-aged noblewoman. She wore a long white shirt, a long black skirt, and black heels. She had very light brown hair tied tightly in a bun and dark brown eyes. She had some wrinkles on her face, and small lips.

Harry took the book off her head, turned to her teacher, and asked, "Why must I learn how to govern the kingdom when the crown prince is going to become the successor?"

Miss Albet nodded, "A very good question indeed, my dear pupil."

Harry carefully placed the book down on the table. She didn't sit down on the sofa, instead, she stood and asked timidly, "So, what is the answer?"

"The answer . . . hmm . . ." Miss Albet said pondering. She made Harry sit beside of her before she answered, "Yes, well you see, Princess, many things can happen in the near future things we could never predict, that is why it's always best to be prepared. Having a spare, you know?"

"A spare?" repeated Harry. She did not like that word. "A spare . . . you say. So, if something bad happens to the crown prince, his spare will take his place?"

Miss Albet sipped her tea quietly then answered, "Yes, that's correct."

Harry thought it over before saying anything else. "But even so, I'm not his spare, the first princess is."

Miss Albet lowered her cup. "That's true, but I'll tell you again, Princess, we know not of the future. Something may happen to the first princess, after all."

She eyed Harry, observing her, and despite not knowing how uncomfortable Harry became, she continued, "And if something does happen, what will you do? Will you, the second princess, rise up?"

Harry squeezed onto her dress tightly.

"I . . ."

But she couldn't answer because she felt like she had no right to the throne. Even if all the royal family members fall, she could never take the throne, not even as the last spare.

Suddenly, Miss Albet clapped her hands. "That's enough for today!" she beamed. "Princess, be sure to practice what you've learned today."

Harry replied, "Of course."

Miss Albet grabbed her bag. "I'll see you at the same time next week, Princess."

"Alright," replied Harry.

Miss Albet was almost out the door before she paused and turned around. "Oh, and one more thing! I was given orders to tell you to go to the knight's training grounds after class ended."

"The knight's training grounds?" asked Harry.

Miss Albet answered, "I was told that you should go meet a Sir Cambran or Cambrel."

"Sir Cambrel?" Harry asked excitedly.

"Yes, yes, him! Apparently, he will take you to the surprise His Majesty has prepared for you."

"Surprise?"

Harry recalled the memory of the king mentioning he had a surprise for her. Miss Albet bowed to Harry, and said, "I'll go ahead, Princess."

"Please wait," Harry called out softly. "I will escort you out."

After showing her out, Harry headed towards the training grounds. She wondered what her surprise would be. She was both nervous and excited to be receiving a gift from the king. As she got closer and closer, she somehow felt a change in the air. It was almost as if this gift would be both a wonderful thing and a dangerous thing. If she had known what awaited her in the future because of it, then she certainly would've taken her time getting there.