A Christmas Prince

iii. cocktails

The next morning, Mrs. Averill accompanied me to see Princess Emily for our lessons. Walking around the palace by myself trying to find the room was quite the mission, till she noticed and decided to lead the way.

"I trust you have the curriculum and lesson plan I sent your agency."

"I do, but it's somewhere in my emails, do you mind me having hard copy?" That's believable, right?

"My experience with US agencies could be best described as loosey-goosey," she handed me a folder.

"Not to worry Mrs. Averill, there is nothing loose about this goose."

Opening a door, I saw the young princess on a wheelchair, drawing. I smiled, seeing her color on the paper. It brought memories of my mom, she was an artist. My mood changed suddenly, and now I was excited to spend time with the princess.

"Your Royal Highness, you remember Miss Anderson."

"Good morning, Princess Emily!" I stood next to a chair, smiling.

"Go away!"

I gulped, but still kept smiling.

"Now, now, that's not the way to treat your new tutor," said Mrs. Averill, "please be seated."

"Thank you," I nodded and took out the chair to find a small white mouse. I didn't gasp, but my wide-eyed look said everything.

The princess giggled, and picked up the mouse by its tail, showing it off rather smugly, "I thought you said you liked mice."

"Not as a seat cushion," I said sitting down comfortably, not paying attention to her attitude.

"Good luck, Miss Anderson, I would get started on your lessons quickly."

"I started with modern art," the Princess said and showed a drawing of an annoyed Mrs. Averill with the caption, 'blah blah blah.' I tried not to laugh at the shade the princess was throwing.

"Lovely," Mrs. Averill said tight-lipped, "I'll leave you both to it," she said lastly before leaving.

First on the list was Math, and though I didn't quite hate the subject, I still didn't like it. The princess was working on a worksheet problem I had given her from the folder. After finishing, I was reviewing her work, and for the most part, she got everything correctly.

"So, how did I do?" She asked.

"You're really good at math," I said finishing her assessment.

"I got 92 on the state exam," she commented.

"No wonder, let's move to your least favorite subject, English, and do some writing"

She groaned.

"What, English is my best subject!"

"You're a writer?"

"Yes," I said excitedly, but quickly recovered, "no, sort of, I studied it in New York." I hope my recovery was believable.

"I thought you were from Minnesota?"

"Yes, but I went to college in New York," I exhaled exhaustingly. How long could I keep my cover? I believe was starting to falter.

"You're wondering what happened to me, aren't you?" The princess said while I was still recovering from my mishap.

"No, no, I just—"

"It's called spina bifida, and there is no cure," she wheeled her self away from me and went to the window.

I sat back confused as to what just happened, but I shook my head, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."