Universally, Princess

Chapter 4: Stepping Out

Mother insisted on us visiting her favorite café.

At first, I was against it. But she kept telling me there wouldn't be too many people around in the morning.

I could pass a year in that castle and still feel not ready. So, I just have to rip the band off now, I guess.

After breakfast, my mother and I headed outside as I followed her towards a carriage.

The ride on the carriage was quite peaceful. I enjoyed looking through the window to see the beautiful scenery. There's so many beautiful trees and flowers covered in snow, along the trail that lead to the gates of the castle.

I turned to my mother, "Do you really not have cars here?"

"No cars, phones, not the technology that you are used to. What we use isn't electricity as you know it. The kingdom has energy that runs within it. It's like it's alive. The lanterns and some other things are powered by that energy."

"And what about the seasons?"

"It's going to be spring in a few weeks. When winter leaves the Frosted Lands, the snow melts away and the beautiful trees are revealed. The leaves look like ice, but upon touching them, they will feel like any other leaf, just a bit cold." She explained.

I slowly nodded. There's a lot I must get used to.

After a while, we finally arrived at a café named 'ChocoLair' and stepped out of the carriage.

"Oh dear, I did not expect so many people here today. If you want, you can wait in the carriage." My mother said before heading inside.

A few people were looking at me as if I were an alien.

Well, I actually am...

From what my parents told me, no one here knows that I had no clue about this place. They were all told that I was 'studying abroad' in the other dimension so that I would have extensive knowledge for when I took over the throne.

The only people who knew the truth were my parents, aunt Lily, Esla, and apparently her parents.

I snuggled into my large coat for comfort, placing the fluffy hoodie on my head.

The crowd murmured around.

"So, that's the princess. I was honestly expecting more. She looks like a scared hamster." I heard one say followed by giggles.

Not me getting bullied on a whole other planet in a different galaxy. Please! Give me a break.

As I tried to drown out the comments made by the townspeople, I closed my eyes for a brief moment and continued walking to go inside.

Looking back, I saw the small crowd begin to disperse. So, I kept walking before accidentally bumping into someone.

I looked up and saw the man from the day I arrived.

Now that I could get a good look at him, he is taller than me. His dark wavy hair has a wolf cut.

"Careful." He sounded annoyed.

For a moment, we looked at each other in silence until I spoke up, "Well, if you saw me walking, then you could have also moved to the side. It's not like you also didn't see me when I'm literally 5'8." I spoke calmy while crossing my arms. Why do I overshare when on the spot?

Also, he might be good-looking or whatever, but his attitude is another story.

As he got closer to me, a hint of amusement appeared on his face, "It seems that you are still suffering from the effects of that fall you took on the stairs," he mocked.

I backed away. "One might assume a Prince would possess more decorum. Quite a pity." I added, feigning disappointment with a subtle grimace.

Before he could argue with me, someone interrupted him.

"Donovan!" I turned to look at the man that shouted as he approached us.

"Where have you been? I've been searching for you for quite some time." He stopped to look at me. "Princess Kazia! Nice to see you again." He slightly bowed his head.

"Matteo?!" I exclaimed, to which he smiled.

I had briefly met Matteo once when Esla introduced him as her boyfriend.

"Let me properly introduce myself, I am Prince Matteo Alpín of Sapphinetia. This is Donovan, my older brother." He smiled as he patted his brother's shoulder.

The books I read said that Sapphinetia was a very powerful kingdom, next to Frostarya.

The two brothers were a bit alike. Prince Donovan was taller while Prince Matteo's eyes were a bit lighter and his hair was curlier.

Their personalities were very different, too.

"I apologize for not addressing you properly the first time I saw you. As you know, I was studying abroad, so I was not that well informed on other royals at the time. Esla did not mention that about you." I lied and tried to curtsy but almost lost my balance, which made Prince Donovan scoff as he looked away.

I bit back what I wanted to say. People were already murmuring about me. Fighting with a Prince in public would not do me any good.

Prince Matteo spoke up, "I understand, and please just treat me as you did before. You can call me Matteo, without the title. Esla told me you did not like formalities much."

How convenient.

"Um, yes, that's correct. My friends can address me casually. Please just call me Kazia."

"Will do!" He said before looking at his brother and then me, "Do you two know each other?"

Before any of us could answer, my mother came out with our drinks.

"Oh, lovely to see both of you today." She smiled at them as she handed me my drink.

They both greeted her and talked for a bit, as I awkwardly stood there drinking my hot chocolate.

"Well, we must take our leave now, Queen Elyra." Prince Donovan bid farewell.

~ In the carriage ~
On the way back, my mother seemed strange.

"What is it?"

She hesitated a bit, "Do you know the princes?"

I explained how I knew Matteo but kept out the part about meeting his brother the day I arrived.

That encounter was strange. I was still trying to figure out what happened.

"Oh, I see." She smiled.