THE CROWN'S CHOICE

1

VALENTINA

The door opened revealing an old lady of age atleast 60. She looked at us blinking her eyes continuously in confusion.

"The Princess is here to meet Mr. Smith" Rynon, the knight assigned by the King Romano to protect me temporarily, said to the old lady. The old lady's eyes widened. "Your highness!" She bowed her head. "I apologise for not recognising you, your highness. My poor eyesight is to blame!" She said.

"That's alright. I came here to wish Mr. Smith a speedy recovery for his poor health" I said as I smiled warmly at the lady. The old lady invited us into the house and took us to her husband, Mr. Smith. Hawkins Smith, the Praetorian Guard assigned to the protect the princess of Olkledo, was laying in the bed fighting for his life.

"Your highness!" He tried to get up as he noticed me. "No" I said as I took his hand. "You don't have to do that in the current situation, Mr. Smith. I came here to wish you a speedy recovery" I said as I gave him the bouquet of flowers. "Thank you, your highness. Although I don't expect to live, you are here to wish me the best. I appreciate it" he said. "Don't say that. You will be fine" I said as I smiled at him. He gave me a sad smile and caressed by head. Mr. Smith was like a father figure to me. Even though, my father, the king of Olkledo, would take care of me, Mr. Smith protected me all the time. He doesn't have daughters. So he treated me like one. He quit his job as my guard after he fell really ill. That's why, Rynon was assigned to be my temporary guard until father hires a permanent one.

"Your highness, it's time you meet his majesty" Rynon whispered in my ear. I nodded my head at him. "I shall leave then" I said as I smiled at the Smiths. "Thank you, your highness" they said in unison.

•••

"The new praetorian guard assigned to protect will take up his duty from tomorrow. His name is Lewis Astor"

Lewis Astor. Must be someone from Germany. There are lot of immigrants here anyway but them choosing to work for the royal family would be quite questionable given the fact that most of them don't even get treated like normal people by the nobles. Seems like nobility is only in the blood, not the behaviour.

"Yes, father" I said.

"I've prepared everything for your birthday ball. The Orlov family will arrive to the palace tomorrow. Make sure to get the prince on your side" he commanded.

"Sure, father" I responded.

"You may leave now, sweetheart" he gestured with his hand to leave as his secretary brought a bunch of papers to his sight.

"Yes, father. It was nice talking to you" I bowed and left his office. King Romano A.K.A Cesare Leonardo Romano, my father was a great king. He fought battles that remained the greatest in history. He was known for being brave and strong. And yet, he couldn't be a loving father. Him and I never once had a heartfelt conversation between us. It was always about the kingdom, princess duties, the throne, citizens, etc.

I went back to my bedchamber. I played on the bed and tried to process everything that happened today. Walking up late, missing my piano lecture, visiting Mr. Smith, meeting father. Stressful events.

Knock knock

"It's Kayla, your highness"

"Come in" I said. I got up and sat on the sofa.