Playing Princess

Playing Princess 2.25

The next few days were filled with so much laughter and joy for the entire country, it was hard to believe a conspiracy was going on in its midst.

I came back to Izzy’s room at almost three in the morning one night, giddy with the spirit of winter and the rich culture that I’d been surrounded by for the entire night.

“You look like you enjoyed yourself,” Izzy commented dryly as I stumbled into her room with the biggest grin I’d ever worn in my life.

“I’m sorry you had to miss it,” I breathed with a laugh and twirled on the spot. “But it was absolutely amazing. The food, the entertainment, the people!” I stopped to catch my breath then shook my head with another laugh. “It’s absolutely amazing. It’s so alive!”

“I wasn’t missing much then.” There was a genuine smile on Izzy’s face. Her eyes followed me as I collapsed into her desk chair with a long heave.

“Is it like this every year?” I asked, undoing the converse from beneath the layers of skirts.

The only downside was that as the princess, I was required to wear some of my ancestor’s old gowns, specifically Queen Annabelle’s. The good thing was that most people who attended the huge concert by the Erris Town Square also wore similar attire so I hadn’t been the odd one out, not that being the princess wouldn’t have done it.

“I suppose it’s a bit more lively than usual,” she mused, watching as Kyle and Andrew staggered in with the latter barely able to hold himself up.

“Too much to drink,” Kyle explained to our questioning looks then dropped him onto Izzy’s bed. “I should call Allegra to let her know tonight went well. Honestly Izzy, they absolutely adore you. I don’t know how you do it butt it’s actually kinda admirable.” He flashed a grin then proceeded to guide Andrew out of the room.

I thanked Izzy for the bottle of water she handed me. Pressing my knuckles to my cheeks, I was sure my face was redder than a tomato now that the heat was catching up to me. “So that’s my job done for the week. You’ve got Wednesday and Thursday, right?”

Izzy nodded absently, ticking away at her laptop. “I’m judging the contests and visiting a couple fairs across the country tomorrow and –”

“– handing out prizes for the big marathon,” I finished with her with a smile. “Good fun. Aren’t you going to run?”

Izzy paused, returning the smile. “I did when I was little. But my – our dad thinks I should take on the more paperwork and serious side than the fun.”

“Aww.” I pouted a little. “Is that really what your entire life as a princess is going to be like? No play, just work?”

“I’m sure not all the time,” she reasoned hesitantly. “But it’s a huge responsibility, taking on an entire kingdom.”

“Especially when not everybody agrees with you,” I said without thinking.

Izzy stopped, her eyes landing on me. “Exactly.”

“We’ll figure this out, you know,” I told her softly. Just as my face was beginning to cool, it started heating up again in embarrassment.

Both our lives were already in jeopardy. I didn’t have to remind us both about it.

“Then we get a rest on Friday to prepare for Saturday,” I continued in an attempt to change the subject. “You should probably get to sleep. I won’t be long in the shower, promise.”

Izzy waved it off. “Take your time. I’m a heavy sleeper anyway.”

“Weird. I’m pretty light.”