Fire and Ice

Butler Bell

Dry tears marked my cheeks as I walked down the palace halls.

Still in my riding clothes, I made my way back to my room to change. The ball was in a few hours and I still had to rest up and get ready.

I was now on the second floor, slowly making my way back to my chambers trying to delay when I had to tell Mira everything that happened.

I wonder if she would believe me. Or if she would do anything really. She really couldn't do anything except. . .

Wait. . .

She could tell my parents about me knowing all of this. Would I have to go home? Would I not be able to see Nash again?

It's not like I would want to talk to Nash. . . Jude. . . Nash. Ugh! I still don't get how this is real. My brother passed away years ago, how could he 'magically' come back?

I looked down at my feet continuing to ponder, trying to process everything as I walked.

Which I soon figured out was a bad idea because. . .

WHACK!

A flood of pain whizzed to my head. Something hard hit me in the head. I held my head, half standing from the blow, as I tried to look for the source of the collision.

I look up to see a white hallway door half open in front of me.

"Ouch." I moaned.

I rub my sore head and picked myself up.

"Ehhem." Someone 'coughed' from near me.

I look around for the sources of the voice, no luck. The person 'coughed' again and my attention was directed to a short bluette girl.

She was standing half behind the newly opened door the was introduced to my forehead a moment ago.
The girl was wearing a sparkly navy dress that's went to her knees. White tights and black flats to match.

"Wha- why did you hit me with a door?" I piped out in confusion.

"Pardon me, but I believe you are suppose to bow and apologize to me servant. You are trained to bow to royalty, correct?" She said in a somewhat snooty way.

"Excuse me? Royalty?"

"Yes Royalty! Who do you think you're talking to?" The little bluette barked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Uh. . . well. . . " I started to say.
"Well. . . you should bow too."

"And why is that servant?"

"Servant? Apparently you don't know who you are talking to! I'm the princess of the Fire Realm, and soon to be ruler of it!" I replied in the same snooty tone.

Her eyes became large and gasped.
"Princess Nashi!" She squealed.

"Yes. . . that's me." I hummed almost awkwardly.

Before I could say anything else she grabs my wrist and pulls me into the room she just exited.

"Woah, what?" I said as the bluette closed the door behind us.

"Sit." She instructed smoothly, gesturing towards a small white table near the window of the room.

"Uh. . . no, I can't stay I have t-"

Before I could finish the little girl gives me a glare of determination. That is when I knew there was no excuses or exceptions for my release.

The small girl, who looked around the age of ten, looked in the mirror, straightened her bow and sat down across from me at the table.

"My name is Sylvia by the way, Sylvia Lockster Fullbuster."

". . .Fullbuster." I repeated nervously.
"You're the Princess of this Kingdom??"

"Yes, I am." She said with a smile.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Sylvia." I said smiling back nervously.

"Ok now for tea." She said picking up a small desk bell from her side.

About 30 seconds after she giggled the bell a few times a butler came quickly into the room.

"Yes, Lady Sylvia?" The Butler said with a simple bow.

"Tea please." Sylvia said placing the bell back on the table.

"As you wish." He said before briskly exiting the room, closing the door behind him.

"So if you're a princess, why are you dressed like that?" Sylvia asked pointing at my attire.

"Oh well I just came back from riding." I stated, brushing some of my loose hairs behind my ear.

"I see." Sylvia chirped "And you hair is pink like your father's?" She said looking at the areas you could see my tied up hair under my hat.

"Oh yes, just like my father." I said taking my hat off and placing it on the floor beside me.

Just then the same butler can back into the room with a nicely arranged tray with a pot and  small cups.

"Thank you, Sebastian." Sylvia smiled to the man before he left.

The butler bow and again exited the room in the same fashion as before.

"A butler, huh? I don't have a butler, I have a maid, Mira." I said turning my attention back to my new acquaintance.

"Oh yes. I believe I've seen her before. Snowy white hair right?"

"Yes, that's her."

"Yes well I did have maids once but I always got impatient with them. My Parents then arranged for Sebastian to work under me. And so far it's work." Sylvia told me before pouring us some tea.

"Thank you." I said, taking one of the beautiful cups from the tray.