Modern Princess

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Renoford's POV

The ride home was completely silent. I was contenplating on whether I wanted to rebel against my father or not. I knew if I really didn't want to do this, he wouldn't make me, so what was stopping me from telling him?

I finally came to the conclusion that I would see how this went. Mrs. Folks might be right. This could be a great experience, but I wouldn't know if I didn't try.

The car pulled into the castle driveway and I saw farther down that there were three cars parked at the front.

I hoped they are not here for me. The car stopped when we were under the drop off area and I stepped out to walk inside.

It was full blown winter here so being out of the warmth of the car for just a minute was miserable. I rushed inside and was greeted with heat once more.

Lady Emma immediately helped me take off my coat and scarf, then directed me to where I assumed my father was.

Lady Emma straightened out my dress and hair before motioning for the guards to open the doors.

Apparently, someone important was here.

I motioned for them to open the doors and straightened my back.

The doors opened and I saw my dad and three other men sitting at the long table and three other men sitting at the round one.

All eyes turned to me when they heard the doors open. I stood at the open doors a second, trying to figure out what to do, then the guard announced my presence.

They all stood up and bowed as I curtisied because I knew none of them were probably royalty, but someone special.

"Princess Ren, it is so nice to finally see you again. I remember the first time I met you, you were just a wee babe," a man, that couldn't have been over five foot, said to me.

I immediately noticed his accent that was either Rheadian or Troarian

He enveloped me in a hug not two seconds later, leaving everyone to gawk at us.

He pulled back and eagierly said, "I'm Diggory, ambassador for Rheadia, and I'm very excited for your wedding."

He was beaming, while I on the other hand, was trying not to choke.

"Well, I have to find a husband first," I laughed nervously.

I looked at my dad for help, but he just smiled at me and Diggory.

"Renoford, each if these men are here representing their kingdom of which, one of the princes are from. We will be speaking to them individually and working out how each prince can have the most comfortable stay here, in Kedudien. Gentlemen," he turned around to address the men. "You are welcome to any refreshments you may want. We will speak in just the room over," he announced, pointing to the left.

"Now, Diggory, if you will please follow me, we will begin this meeting."

With that, I followed Dad and Diggory next door to a much smaller room. I never really came in here because this wing was more of Dad's working place so I just stayed in the other three wings mostly.

There was a big round table in the center of the room and three glasses of water at three seats. There was also a small desk in the corner where a woman sat with a keyboard, ready to write what we say down. Father and I took seats across from Diggory, as he pulled papers out of his briefcase. We also had a lawyer in the room to review the contract before we signed.

Dad could pretty much handle all contracts, but he liked to have them double checked.

"Right, so lets get to business," Diggory suggested.

****

This went on for hours. Representatives from each kingdom would come and tell us the demands of their King and Prince. I tried to keep a straight face, but the exhaustion was starting to kick in, which was just making me irritable.

Of course, I couldn't just zone out because the men asked me questions left and right. I had to answer them no matter how ridiculous they may seem because if father answered them, it would seem like I was incapable of taking care of myself.

Only Diggory and two other men were even nice about it too. Most of the men expected didn't request what they wanted, they expected it. Naturally, they would not get everything on their list, that was why we were negotiating.

See the way this works is they would put everything they would ever want, no matter how outrageous, on a list and then we would negotiate out all the extremities (a new car? Really?) and keep the necessities or smaller demands.

Needless to say, I was physically and mentally drained by the time we were finished. The men were staying here for the night, then flying back to their kingdoms the next day.

However, before I could make an escape to my room, Father pulled me to the side.

"Princess, there is one more thing I need to discuss you. It's about your birthday this weekend."

The look on his face said, that to me, the news would be bad.

"I thought it might be a good idea to have a big party and to invite all your friends to come hang out. We would have it in the ballroom and could have a big dance floor or anything you might want."

"Dad, I already told you, I just want something small. I don't want to make a big deal about it, especially if the princes are coming in a few weeks. Where is this coming from?"

Before he could answer, it dawned on me.

"You already planned a party and invited the princes, didn't you?"

"Princess, this is for your own good. This will give you a great opportunity to meet them before they stay here. Plus, you can invite anyone you want and have anything you want."

I could feel myself on the verge of tears. Why wouldn't he listen to me?

"This isn't a discussion. A discussion would be you asking me if I wanted to have a big party. If I wanted to invite the entire kingdom to the palace. This isn't what I want. What I want is to forget about all of this. I want to live a life where I don't have to worry about having to find a husband in a few months or where it doesn't matter that I wore the same color dress as another princess. Why won't you listen to me? I don't want any of this!"

I couldn't stand here any longer. I knew part of my erratic behavior was because I was so tired, but the other part was all the bottled up anger I had sheltered for the past hours.

I couldn't listen to my dad's excuses anymore. I turned on my heel and ran to my room, not caring who saw me.

I really wished I could get away from this.

****

xx