The Princess's Handbook

Rule #3: Always Be Pleasant

Rule #3: Always Be Pleasant

Dante and I stayed at the cafe until it was past 3 o'clock and I knew I had to return to the palace. I sighed.

"I think I have to go."

"Duty awaits her royal princess?"

"You can say that." I replied dismissively. I guess receiving lecture after lecture for improper behavior is sort of my duty.

"How are you going to get back?" He asked again

"I'll call the palace driver. It's one of the few things I enjoy after a day out. I won't have to worry about being mobbed." I joked. He stayed silent as I called, Louis, the driver.

"I guess this is it." He said after I ended the call.

I nodded, unsure what to say.

"I guess it's wishful thinking that I'll see you again?" He said.

I stared at him for a few moments before handing him my phone. He raised an eyebrow.

"Put in your number. Maybe we can meet up the next time I sneak out or something." I offered him a small smile. He returned it and swiftly saved his number into my phone. I then proceeded to call him before ending it the moment his phone rang.

"Now you have my number too." I smiled.

"Now I'm curious, how many people besides those in your royal social circle have your number? I mean commoners."

"Hmm... One. You." I answered.

"Wow. Ok, well I promise not to leak it to the press." He said jokingly.

"See to it that you don't. If you do, I may have to take some extreme measures." I said.

"Are you serious?"

I shrugged innocently in reply with a lopsided grin.

"So you're serious. Out of curiosity, exactly what will happen if I do sell your number to the paparazzi?"

"Well, an execution at the most." I said nonchalantly. He gave me a blank look.

"I'm joking. We don't do executions here in Odivalon, what are we? Barbarians? That law has been ruled out years ago, way before either of us were borned." I said.

"Oh. Ok. But rest assure, I swear I won't let anyone know that's your number I have." He stated seriously. I smiled. "Good."

The bell attached to the door of the cafe jingled. I looked over my shoulder to see Louis, who with a courteous smile, bowed politely with a hand on his chest at my gaze.

"The car is ready, your royal highness."

"Right. I'll be out in a second." I said with a dismissive wave. He bowed again before exiting the shop to wait outside.

"I'll see you again soon." I said. Dante smiled at me.

"See you around, Jules."

The corner of my lips lifted into a smile at the use of my nickname. He probably had no idea that that was the first time someone officially addressed me as Jules, rather than Julianna, Princess Julianna or Your Royal Highness. It was different but nice. It felt normal, something that I never got to experience before.

I exited the cafe and got into the car. As Louis drove away, I turned my head to see that Dante was looking at the car. I smiled to myself at the sight.

"What should I tell her majesty if she enquires anything?" Louis broke the silence that enveloped us. I sighed before answering.

"Do not mention anything about me meeting a guy."

"I understand, Princess." Louis replied respectfully.

I leaned back into the lush leather seat and with every passing second, I became more tensed. By the time the palace was in sight, I was as rigid as a block of ice.

When Louis got out and walked over to my side to open the door and help me out, I relaxed. Another princess rule, never betray your emotions when in public. Always stay pleasant no matter how much you feel like dying on the inside.

I smiled politely as our butler, Henry greeted me.

"Welcome back, your royal highness. "

"Thank you. I assume mother is expecting me?" I said.

"Her majesty is in the drawing room. She requested to speak with you the moment you are back, Princess."

"Very well then. I will go meet her now." I said resignedly.

"Your highness..." Henry trailed off, a look of uncertainty on his elderly face.

"Speak away, Henry. You know I don't bite unlike someone." I said teasingly. He pursed his lips.

"Her majesty seems fairly... displeased." He finally stated. I sighed. "When is she not? Thanks for the heads up though. "

When I got to the drawing room and saw my mother, the corner of my lips twitched. Henry was really downplaying it when he said my mother was displeased. She looked downright furious to me.

"Julianna." She said coldly.

"Hello to you too, mother. To what do I owe the honour of you gracing me with your presence when I'm sure your schedule is packed to the brim." I said with a mockingly bright smile.

"Do not mock me, Julianna. You have broken the rules again." I could see the flames in her eyes. Yikes.

"You can't expect me to stay cooped up in this place for all of eternity! I'm an adventurous  teenager, mother. I want to see things beyond the walls of this palace and even beyond the boundaries of this kingdom!" I exclaimed, getting angry myself.

"Do not speak to me in that tone. You are the royal princess of Odivalon. You cannot just sneak out and frolick around the kingdom! Your image and reputation reflects that of our homeland, do you not understand?" My mother raised her voice.

"It's not just that! I can't make friends, I can't go out, I can't do this and that all because you think it's inappropriate! You choose my friends and let me tell you they are all pretentious brats that know nothing besides the latest dress by some designer or the hottest car in the world right now! I don't want to be like them don't you get it?! I want my life to mean something other than lessons, balls and rules! That's all my life is now. Rules, rules, rules and more rules! I'm a living breathing human being mother, I'm not just a princess! I want to have a life, I want people to remember me as Julianna Lockhart-Farrington, the girl who made a change in the world rather than Princess Julianna who did nothing but attend social events and socialise with brats." I raised my voice until it sounded like I was on the verge of shouting.

My mother glared at me. "You are the princess of this kingdom and you cannot change that. Those 'brats' as you called them are children of aristocracy and politicians and they have a lot of influence. They can help us stabilise Odivalon's position in the world."

"I'm not a pawn in you and father's game of chess, mother. I will not be played according to how you like. I love Odivalon but sacrificing my sanity just to secure our kingdom's position globally is not something I can do. How could you want your children to give up their happiness for diplomatic relationships? You may be a great queen, but you are a failure of a mother." I said bitterly before exiting the room without another glance in her direction.

I stomped my way towards my bedroom and thank God I didn't bump into any of the maids or whoever else. I had no more energy to play the part of the smiling princess. The moment I entered my room, I shut and locked the door before slumping to the ground.

I pulled my knees to my chest and proceeded to burst into tears. So much for always staying pleasant.