Princess and I

6: Princess Xete

I woke up with sheer panic and contentment as I saw a beautiful Princess sleeping beside me. I looked at her and smiled as she drooled. She's still beautiful, she don't deserve what's happening to her right now. I don't want to wake her up to this reality where she doesn't even know if her family can make it through but I have to.

"Good morning Princess. Its time," I bowed down to her and smiled.

She slowly blinked and adjusted her eyes to the light. I laughed a little when she noticed that she was drooling and wiped it off with her hand.

"Good morning Princess Sekinah, I never knew that you can be so respectful," she joked.

I stood up and ignored her.

"Im sorry," She said as she tried to grab my face and started pouting.

"You better start preparing now, drooling faced Princess," I smirked at her.

"Okay," she smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

I was taken aback and as if reality has hit me. Is that even... Can she not do that... It bothers me... Come to think of it, I don't even know her and I didn't even ask her name on the first place. I walked away with a mood that is unknown to me. But before I need to deal with this confusion, I need to explain tons of things to my family. Although I'm glad that the search is over.

We went down already and no one was present in the table. I figured out that its probably still early.

"You can sit wherever you want. Except at both ends, the king and queen sits there."

"I know, I'm going to sit right beside you. You're the last child so I figured out I won't have to take anyone's seat," she smiled broadly.

"Who is this stunning young lady?" Haidus winked at Princess Xete.

My eyes narrowed on its own.

"She's the one who's going to end our misery," I simpered.

"You're worth the search my Princess. Can this morning be ever more beautiful. Do you want to sit beside me? My sister there doesn't have enough manners to sit beside you," he grinned and offer pulled the chair beside him.

I feel agitated and baffled with his flirting and the way he just said that I don't have enough manners. What a hypocrite.

"Yes brother. She can sit beside you. You should have asked my permission because I found her first, and finders keepers," I  sarcastically teased.

Xete looked at me, bewildered and shook her head. I whispered for her to sit beside him. She stood up and did. A pang of jealousy hit me - they looked so good together, and this is probably where its going to end. Slowly, everyone started to arrive and sat on their seats. Everyone was wondering who the heck is sitting beside Haidus - and wishing its not another random girl.

"Another proposal, Haidus?" My mom asked in annoyance.

"I wish mother, I wish. As you can see, I found the Princess," I stared at him with disbelief. As I was going to say something when Princess Xete interrupted their conversation.

"Actually, Princess Sekinah found me and she let me sleep comfortably in her chambers and fed me well," said Xete.

"Job well done my daughter. We shall talk about the details later, you know where. Xete and Sekinah are the only one needed. Right now, we eat and celebrate. All of you, do whatever you need to do after. You all need some rest," my father said calmly.

All I can do is stare at them - Haidus and Xete. I don't know why they look good together but I can still feel the little ache that's traveling everywhere inside me. I never had the guts to look or smiled at them the whole time. There's nothing really to be happy about; isn't smiling only meant when you feel great because right now, I don't.

...

"Princess..." my father observed her carefully and continued, "Sit, sit. Welcome to our kingdom. Do you already have an opinion about it? Do you want me to ask Haidus to take you to a tour outside?" My father asked while having this proud look.

"Thank you King Hikiah. Its truly a pleasure to be in your kingdom. There's no wonder why my father sent me here. Sena, I mean Princess Sekinah has already walked me around. But thank you again," She looked at me and a little curve on her mouth formed. This solar ... and her makes me feel nervous. I put a little smile on my face that turned into a smirk.

"You're dismissed. A maid will greet you outside and lead you to your bedroom," said the King.

As soon as I was about to walk out with her..

"Stay."

Xete put up a face that seemed like she was asking if I'm okay to be alone and if I can handle it by myself. I nodded.

"Daughter, how did you find her?" My father asked.

"I... I found her... Months ago. Outside the.. Inn. Yes, the Inn. She looked like a beggar. So, I helped her, and I left her with a dress and a room in an Inn, and some gold."

"How many months? And how did you recognized her?" He asked.

"I went to the library and saw that the girl I helped was working there and just the way she moves reflected mine. I mean its just like a puzzle," I lied.

"Great job daughter. You're progressing. Is this really the true story?"

My mother suddenly entered the room, "Is your father giving you a hard time when he's supposed to be praising you?" My mother asked and continued as she switched her glances, "Such a kind and generous daughter, like his father. Don't you agree? Why don't we just let her go? We already found the girl Hikiah."

"Shall I leave now?" I asked politely.

"Not yet. How did you really find her? As you said, you left her," my father didn't let go of the topic.

"She was on Haikas town. I went there and she saw me. My horse kind of, kicked her..."

"How long?"

"I don't know. Eight months? Can I leave now? Isnt it not enough that she's already here?" I begged.

"Some of the maids have already seen her here ... months ago. Why is that?"

"She wanted to repay me for helping her. But! I was just joking at first and she didn't look like a Princess. But I saw her again and yes.."

"What did you ask for her to do?"

"I asked if she could be my personal maid..." I whispered.

"You had asked a Princess to become your maid?" My father started laughing. Thats not even funny but atleast Im not in a big trouble.

My mother asked,"but I have never ever seen her in the palace. Did you hide her?"

"I kind of kept her in my room," I whispered again.

My mom started talking in a frustrated tone, "I didnt raise you like that. You know how I feel about other people sleeping in your rooms, especially when theres only the two of you! Youre still not on the right age."

My father interrupted, "What are you so worried about? They were probably just playing dress ups," he paused and looked at me, "You're mature enough to make your own decisions. You're dismissed."

My mother whispered, "What if its like Gale again?"

I walked out and breathed the fresh air. It was suffocating inside. That was an easy talk - not as bad as I expected.