The New Prince

Chapter 3

Allura sighed heavily as she walked for the umpteenth time to the full length mirror in her room. Nanny’s light brown eyes sparkled when she saw the off the shoulder, turquoise, empire gown the princess wore.

“Oh I love this one, Princess. You look exquisitely sophisticated!” She cried out.

 “You’ve told me the same thing about the last two dresses, Nanny,” Allura sulked, “Why don’t you pick out the one you want me to wear, and that’s the one I’ll wear for the party.”

 Nanny snorted and rolled her eyes, “Allura! Your gratitude overwhelms me.” remarked the older woman sarcastically. “Princess, your eighteenth birthday is the most important event of your life next to your wedding and the birth of your children.”

 “Really? Really Nanny?” retorted Allura sarcastically. “A party with people I’ve never even met, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to someone they could care less about.”

 “What do you know child? Your future husband and King of Arus will be there...that I can promise you!”

 “I hardly believe that!” Allura responded, “Nanny, if you all think I’m about to marry someone I don’t know, you truly need...psychological help!”

 “What?”

 Lance taught her that phrase, but she did not want to start a discussion about her hanging with the ‘ruffians’ as Nanny called them. Instead, she diverted the subject, “Never mind. Nanny...would you like to hear a great joke Keith told me today?”

 “A joke?” Nanny asked, confused, as she walked up to Allura and commenced inspecting the outfit for her satisfaction.

 “A humorous fable.” Allura answered. “Ok...how does it go? Yes, I remember! Okay, so there’s this party the animals prepare in the forest…”

 “Why would animals prepare for a party?”

“Nanny, just listen. So the animals prepare for a party in the forest. The rabbit assigns each animal to bring something. So the squirrel needs to collect some food, the bear will bring the party favors, and the turtle needs to bring in the drinks. Basically each animal will bring something to the party. Well, everyone brings in their share after a few hours and guess what?”

 "What?” Nanny answered not amused one bit. “Come to the dresser Allura, I want to see what type of hairstyle I want if you choose this dress.”

 Allura sighed as she walked over to her dresser and takes her seat, “So, the turtle doesn’t show up and the party can’t begin. After a few more hours, everyone starts talking badly about the turtle and they begin to say that he’s irresponsible and not a very good friend.”

 “Hmmm.” Nanny continued looking at Allura’s hair, deciding what to do with it.

“All the animals now start speaking ill of the poor turtle when suddenly; they hear a voice coming from some bushes a couple of feet away from them. The voice boomed over the entire party and as it yelled, ‘If you keep talking about me, I won’t come!’”

“Who was that? Another animal?”

“No!” Allura yelled back, “The turtle! Don’t you get it?”

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Nanny answered her, “Not really princess.”

“Nanny. Turtles walk slow....” Allura countered with a bit of an elevated pitch. “All that time the turtle was still on his way to get the drinks.”

“Ahh,” Nanny answered with no surprise in her tone.

Allura sighed and quieted herself. The rest of the day would not be easy. ‘Not easy at all!’ she thought.