A Princess Named Harry: Book 2

Chapter 17

The boy's face stiffened. "That topic is . . ." before he could finish, the nobles who had turned on Harry appeared and interrupted her conversation.

"We can tell you the reason," said Alicia.

Harry turned to them. "Then, please do."

Alicia grinned as she began to tell the story. "It was roughly ten years ago. We were at a ball celebrating Her Highness, the Crown Princess, Lianne's seventh birthday. I, along with a few of my friends and other nobles, were all standing around talking together." She paused and stared at Harry as if she was about to tell her about the most traumatic event while looking for pity in another's eyes. "We were all just minding our own business!" she wailed.

"Okay," Harry replied.

"Well, Her Highness approached us she was dawned all in black as if she were attending a dreary funeral rather than a pleasant party."

Harry took note of Lianne's fondness for dark colors at a young age. She hadn't been disrespectful at all. She was only wearing her favorite color. Everyone should know that by now if that was the case.

"We complimented her and congratulated her, but then, my dear friend accidentally spilled her drink on Her Highness's dress. You couldn't even see the stain! But Her Highness still slapped the young girl without any good reason! All she did was accidentally spill some punch on her! Isn't that terrible, Princess Harry?"

Alicia seemed to want Harry to be shocked and back her up, but Harry just gave a blank look. Alicia's story didn't satisfy her one bit. These people regarded their princess so low because of one slap? Harry stared at Alicia with cold eyes. It was the first time in her entire life that she looked so cold and devoid of life. "Is that all?" she asked in a gloomy voice.

Alicia gasped, "Is that all?!" she yelled. "No, there are many other incidents than that! The one I told you about was only the first! Since that day ten years ago, Her Highness has slapped, berated, poured her tea on, and threatened many other young children. None of them had done anything to provoke her! They were simply trying to get along with Her Highness!"

Even if what the girl in front of her said was true, Harry still wanted to confirm it. She wanted to protest that the girl might be leaving some incriminating details out of her story and that there may in fact be many plausible explanations for Lianne's behavior. She wanted to say these things and many more. Harry tried, but she wasn't confident enough to speak up.

"That's all? Seriously?"

Varian joined in on the conversation. He moved closer and stayed right by Harry's side.

"That's all?" repeated Alicia. "Why do you two keep asking that?" She gritted her teeth. "You have no idea what it was like to see Her Highness angry, nor do you know what it was like to be the object of her wrath!"

"Yeah, because Her Highness is someone who has time to be angry with some random people," said Varian mockingly.

"It's true!" spoke the timid boy from earlier. Soon, everyone started to join in and agree with Alicia's statements.

She smiled and pointed a bony finger in Julie's direction. "If you don't believe me, just ask Lady Alphonse. Most of the princess's wrath was directed at her."

Harry and Varian turned in the direction of Julie.

"We'll ask her, thanks," he replied.

"Thank you," Harry said.

They walked towards Julie and asked her.

"Ah, yes, something like that did happen," she said as she laughed. She seemed happy to have recalled such a supposedly traumatic event. "But why do you two want to know about that?"

Harry and Varian both exchanged tense looks with one another. "We want to know about Her Highness's rumors," Harry answered. Varian nodded and coldly added, "Apparently, the night it all began was because of you."

Julie grinned and cocked her head to the side. "Oh, my! I'm flattered!" She turned to the group of boys she had been talking to. "Give me a minute, boys." She went on to tell Harry and Varian about how she had worn heels that were two sizes too big and how she slipped, and she spilled her drink right on the crown princess's dress. She chased after her to apologize afterwards, but Lianne slapped her and walked away with two maids leading her back to her room.

Harry and Varian stared at her with still faces. The story still didn't feel right. As if they were all deliberately leaving things out.

"Is that enough?" asked Julie. "Are you satisfied?"

"Yes," Harry answered. It would have to do for now.

Julie smiled and immediately went back to flirting with the boys.

Harry and Varian stood dumbfounded. They were shocked by the Taram nobles' hostility and disdain over their princess.

Harry sighed, "Are all nobles like this?"

Varian shook his head. "Not all," he answered. "A few aren't like this in the slightest."

"I want to go home."

"Two more days."

Harry knew what was waiting for her tomorrow. She'd have to see all of these people's faces again. If she felt this bad about it, then it must be ten times worse for Lianne. Will she even bother to come? Although Harry dreaded it, part of her was excited to attend another royal ball.