The Reincarnated Royalty

Chapter - 12

It was one of the beautiful times of the year, Autumn. The time for the annual festival of Andria which they have been organizing since the past twenty years. The preparations were being made with enthusiasm. Claire went out of the castle along with Jake to explore the kingdom.

She was just roaming around when she heard loud drums beating and a familiar figure approached her. "Ray!" She exclaimed and quickly went to him. "How have you been, princess?" He asked her. "Not really good...." She replied but shrugged her shoulders. "You are here for the festival right?" She asked him. "Yes." He replied. "Does that mean you are going to stay here for the whole week?" She again asked him and he nodded.

She smiled brightly and hugged him. "Finally!" She exclaimed and they both went back to the castle. There she greeted Lucy too who also just arrived after Ray. All three of them caught up on their lives and talked about some random stuff.

A maid came and told Lucy that her bath is prepared so she went away leaving Claire and Ray. Ray came a little closer to her and spoke in a low voice. "Did Kevin do something?" He asked her. "Yes, he came here to get father's signature on the major alliance contract." She replied making Ray shook. "What happened after that?" He asked her. She smirked and pointed at herself. "This soon to be queen solved the whole matter." She said with a proud look.

Ray sighed and nodded at her but later realized what she just said and looked up at her with even wider eyes. "Did you just say the f-future q-queen?" He stuttered a bit. "Yes!" Claire exclaimed and told him the whole story.

"I can't believe his majesty actually said this to you." He said. "I did not believe it either." She said with a little laugh. While they were laughing and enjoying the drums started beating again and the elegant princess stepped inside.

Just as Ray saw her, his heart started beating louder than those drums. He was again being captivated by her aura. Claire noticed him and fake coughed to bring him back from his dreamland.

They both went to her and greeted her. "Nice to meet you, princess Melanie." Claire said and bowed to her while she did the same. "Nice to meet you again." She said to Ray who awkwardly bowed to her and she gave him a small smile.

"I heard that this time Andria is organizing an even bigger festival." Melanie turned to Claire. "Yes, it has been a century since our first ancestor's coronation. So, in order to remark this, a huge festival is being organized." Claire replied. "That's nice, I actually wanted to ask your permission for something." Melanie said.

"What is it?" Claire asked her. "I actually wanted to ask if I can stay here for a week till the end of this festival?" She asked her with a slight doubt in her voice. "Of course! You do not need to ask!" Claire immediately replied to her making her smile wide. "Thank you!" She said and her guards brought her stuff inside.

After relaxing for a while and having their lunch, all four of them along with Jake and Kylie went out in the streets. They talked with some little children and took the little treats which they gifted them. Claire ordered some other guards to distribute the leaf shaped chocolates which were kept in the baskets to these kids.

All of those children became very happy making them smile too. The guards were then sent out to distribute the other gift items from the royal family to the people.

Lucy saw an ornament store which was selling beautiful jewelry so she went there followed by Kylie. Claire also saw a book store and went there followed by Jake. Ray and Melanie were left alone there in the middle of the road with two other guards standing behind them.

Ray was very hesitant and did not know what to do when he felt someone holding his hand. He looked to his side and saw Melanie dragging him somewhere along with her. He wanted to protest but was not able to. He looked behind and saw the guards standing there not even moving an inch. "The guards." Ray said. "I told them to stay there." Melanie said to him.

After walking for a while they both reached a coffee shop. They both went inside and sat down. The other people who were present there got up from their seats in shock but Ray signaled them to sit back down.

Seeing him so much shy, Melanie spoke up. "Don't be so over conscious, it's fine. Consider me as your friend." She said to him and he nodded. The refreshing aroma of coffee hit their noses and the waiter put their cups in front of them. "I want to know you better, Prince Ray." Melanie said and they both started telling each other about themselves.

Here on the other hand Claire finally found the perfect book for herself and went to take it but some other person also grabbed it at the same time. He was wearing a long cloak but seeing his eyes Claire recognized him. "Prince Sky" She said to him and he also removed his cloak. "Nice to meet you." He said to her.

"What are you doing here wearing a cloak?" She asked him. "Nothing much, I just came here for the festival and wore a cloak because I do not anything about Andria." He said while scratching the back of his head. "Then let me tell you about it." Claire said to him.

They both walked while talking for a while with Jake tailing them from behind while paying with some dried leaves. They both met the others on they way and decided to go back to the castle.

They all had their dinner and after that Sky stood up to leave. "Where are you going?" Claire asked her. "I am leaving." He replied to her. "Can't you stay for a while? Just for the festival?" She asked him. "I'm sorry but I planned to come here only for a day and I do not have any other stuff with me." He said to her.

"You can take some of my cloths or send some guards to bring yours." Ray stepped forward. "It would be better if we all enjoyed this festival together." Lucy said to him. "Even I am staying here too." Melanie also joined.

Listening to their requests, Sky gave up and finally agreed to stay. "Ok, I will stay here." He said and all of them cheered. Ray sent some of the guards to Philaria to bring Sky's stuff and gave him a dress for the night.

Sky's room was beside Ray and the princesses' rooms were on the opposite side. He changed his cloths and went out in the balcony to get some fresh air. He was gazing down when something shiny hit his eyes. He looked closely and saw Claire walking in the garden while her necklace shining brightly under the moonlight. He then saw her sitting down beside some flowers and talking something to herself.

"How can I forget this day? The day we both got separated?" She said to herself and touched the pink rose in front of her. "You used to love these flowers a lot." She smiled a little. "Ray thinks that you are dead because after that we never got to hear anything from your side but I cannot accept it. My heart still believes that you are alive. I just need to find you." She said while tears rolling down her eyes.

"I hope you still remember our slogan." She said and recited that.

"Yesterday brought the beginning,
Tomorrow brings the end,
And somewhere in the middle"

"We became the best of friends."

Julia said while looking at the moon with tears in her eyes. She removed that cloth from her eye to prevent it from getting wet. The air blew making her hair sway back. Her teary eyes glistened in the bright moonlight. "I miss you a lot Claire and Ray."