BIRTHRIGHT (complete #Wattys2016)

Chapter 5: Helping Hand

Red, orange and yellow, in various different shades. All of them floating gracefully on the soft breeze. It was as if a friendly hand was gently lowering them to the ground. Whispers between these leaves filled the air, whispers, and mutters. The air was cool and crisp, like a refreshing drink of cool water after hours in a desert. The breeze fluttered around, gently caressing everything it touched with fingers that had been a comfort to so many over their long, lonely years.

The light breeze touched the leaves and they danced in the air of October. Princess Isabelle, wrapped up in a warm coat was smelling the sweet air that was all around her. She could almost see the wind, for it seemed to move everything slightly like it was in control over the whole earth. Her chocolate brown hair flew in wild directions. She reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear and kept walking through the swaying trees. That day it was cloudy like nature was planning for a storm, but a few clouds were white and that moment was so perfect, the princess had to be outside.

"Natalia! Claire! Come quick!" Isabelle called out to the two princesses trudging behind her.

"We're coming! We're coming!" Natalia yelled back in exasperation while the younger princess giggled.

Finally, they reached Isabelle who stood underneath a large tree that shaded them. A deep sense of serenity overcame Isabelle as she stared in rapture at the expanse of blue that lay before her. Rays of lights danced delicately across the water, birthed from the evening sun that both unbounded her sight and made the view all the more beautiful.

Isabelle turned to look at the two princesses. One of which looked at her with a smile, and the other looking at her with annoyance evident on her royal features.

"Why are we outside? It is chilly in the air." Natalia complained as Isabelle shook her head at the Princess.

"Come Talia. It is not that chilly! Don't tell me you don't find this beautiful? As to why we are out in the open, is because I want to have a picnic!" Isabelle informed enthusiastically with her full ruby red lips forming a huge smile.

"A picnic!" Claire said excitedly while clapping her hands, as Natalia crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. The servants laid out the blanket under the tree where the princess made themselves comfortable while the maid emptied the content of the picnic basket that Isabelle had asked to be prepared for them.

The three princesses sat under the tree, enjoying the breeze that would pluck the chords of nature, filling the courtyard with the music of rustling trees. Under blue and sunlit skies, the view was wondrous to behold, for the lake teemed with life. To the chorus of birdsong from the surrounding green bushes, and the sound of carp sucking amongst the flowering lily pads, mother duck, watchful for the predatory pike, scooped the surface for food, with her young trailing behind like a row of bobbing corks. Dab-chicks and coots fed in the safe haven of the reed-beds, whilst flashing green and blue dragonflies hovered above.

"This is quite beautiful." Natalia murmured in a daze as she looked at the dragonfly flying overhead.

"I told you," Isabelle stated smugly as she bit into the sandwich she held in her hand, her comment causing Claire and Natalia to chuckle. Soon the princess's got indulged in a mundane conversation, talking and laughing. Simply enjoying the weather.

"Alexander, I have a matter that I would like to discuss with you," Nathan said to his brother as they strolled side by side through the courtyard.

"That being?" Alexander questioned.

"A few days ago..." He started but paused, being unsure of whether to continue or not.

"A few days ago Isabelle approached me, claiming that she needed to address an urgent matter," Nathan stated. As he took Isabelle's name, Alexander stopped strolling and looked ahead, his arms folded behind his back.