Princess and her Pauper

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - At the Flower Shop

Tomorrow has arrived. The princess exited her carriage, accompanied with bodyguards and a butler. She immediately asked townspeople for their voices and their complaints. A lot of them wished for better jobs, money, support. She explained that there has been dearth in money and the same with gold or even silver. There were still glimmer of hope in few eyes but the consensus was hopelessness. There were children begging for scraps. Her heart sank at the sight. She reached a house. A housemaid came out the door. She is a short woman with medium, curly brown hair, matching her eye color. The maid was wearing a regular dress with an apron and a small white bandanna, holding a broom to greet her.
"What can you say about the situation? Do you have any ideas to help this town?" Rianne asked.
"Your majesty, I do wish there are more jobs to offer to people, balance, help from neighboring towns and even to find a way to deliver a supply to the economy.." the girl replied.
Rianne nodded her head in the response, noting it. She waved her hand as the housemaid bowed her curtsy to her. The princess turned to reach the middle of the plaza. There was a small fountain in the middle, across a flower shop. The smell of varieties of flowers flew with the wind. Someone familiar stood there, holding flowers. It was the girl who screamed for her the previous day. Before she did anything, she looked at the familiar person. The girl was playing with small, children despite them being so thin, they looked happy. Then the girl gave them fresh flowers and some money.
"Get food children," The girl smiled as she waved to the running children.
The girl turned her head as the wind blew hard enough for flower petals from the flower shop danced around her. Their eyes met. Rianne without hesitation ran to her.
"Good day to you mademoiselle," Rianne smiled happily.
"Oh! You were the girl from yesterday.." The girl replied, started to be walking away.
"Please, do not go! Heed me out ! I want to thank you properly from yesterday!" Rianne interrupted.
The girl turned.
"Oh, you're too nice, it's alright! I didn't do anything," the girl walking away.
"I saw you giving money to the children.. that was all you had,right?" Rianne blurted out.
The girl stopped this time.
"I knew it!" Rianne pointed out.
"It's alright, no worries.. I'm just glad to help," The girl started walking away.
"What's your name? I never got to know your name!" Rianne screamed from the amount of distance they have.
"Cordelia," The girl turned her face to her for a quick smile, "You?"
"My name is Rianne!"
"... Rianne.." Cordelia thought, "that seems familiar.."
Cordelia gasped from the thought.
"You're the princess?" Cordelia turned immediately, flustered, "I'm so sorry your highness!"
Cordelia immediately bowed so low to show her deepest pardons.
Rianne giggled naturally without thinking.
"No, it's alright! It's a change of view!" Rianne smiled.
Cordelia, still embarrassed, bowed still without moving yet. Rianne went close to her. She can see the tip of Rianne's gown close to her boots. A hand touched her lowered shoulder. She looked up. Rianne pulled her shoulders to stand.
"Really, no need to fuss over it," Rianne grinned.
Cordelia slightly blushed at it.
"Say, can we go eat lunch together? At least? I want to show you my thanks," Rianne offered.
"But, your majesty! Your highness! Your eminence!" Cordelia immediately replied, even more flustered.
"Hmm?" Rianne smiled coyly.
"I don't deserve this! Your highness! I shouldn't be—"
Suddenly, Rianne grabbed her hand to go to the carriage. Cordelia looked around. She saw the guards and butler follow them. They stopped by the carriage.
"Are you alright with this your highness? She's just— you know, a normal girl.." the butler insisted.
"Hush you! She's my guest! I want to thank her," Rianne chided.
"Okay.. your majesty.." the butler walked to the driver seat.
Rianne assisted Cordelia inside the carriage before she came in. They both sat across each other. Her guest looked at the side, who looked visibly shy. Rianne just shrugged it off with a soft smile. They reached to a fancy French restaurant by the edge of town. Rianne came out first then assisted Cordelia outside the carriage. She saw Cordelia consciously try to fix her hair and dress before they entered but Rianne placed a hand on her shoulder to relax her.
"You're fine, don't worry," Rianne reassured.
They went inside the restaurant. Cordelia gawked at the sight of the restaurant. It was her first time to go in such a fancy setting. She constantly asked Rianne if it's alright for a pauper like her to come in such a place. Expectedly, Rianne brushed it off by telling her it was alright. They both had a fancy meal, which was whatever was the most delicious meal or the most recommended by the restaurant. It was an experience for Cordelia. As soon as they finished eating. They left the restaurant. Rianne told Cordelia that she never had a friend who visited her in her own place.
"I'm inviting you in my place at any given time when I can! It would be amazing! I always wished for this! I always hear from children who used to come by the castle back when I was little that their friends often visit them and just hang out in their place and have fun! However, no one does that to me.. they just leave after a choir lesson... I never really had anyone to be close with back then! Will it be alright for you?" Rianne asked.
"Oh, you're majesty! But I don't deserve such kindness you've given me for one day! I don't deserve this! But if you insist then it would be great honors, your highness!" Cordelia smoked, blushing slightly at the sudden invitation.
"I don't know what to wear! I only have this dress! This is the only dress I have !" Cordelia added.
Rianne chuckled.
"Oh you don't worry about that, silly, you can just go to my place and I can gift you a new dress!" Rianne smiled happily.
Cordelia's face heated up from the sudden answer.
"I— uh.. uh... I'm- Yeah,yes, really.. re-re-really?" Cordelia stuttered.
Rianne giggled.
"Of course!" Rianne answered.
"You're too kind your majesty," Cordelia replied.
"Oh you! You are now my friend! Therefore, you're welcome to come to my place!"
"Thank you so much your majesty! Thank you!"
Cordelia bounced a bit from happiness that she accidentally, placed her hands on Rianne's arms. She immediately pulled away, flustered, not knowing how to comprehend.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Cordelia apologized.
"Oh, it's fine," Rianne slightly, looking away, also a little flustered by the sudden touch she couldn't comprehend either.
A silence fell on both of them. Rianne broke the silence first.
"Oh! How about you go with me now!" Rianne suggested.
"What?! But— Princess! I.. I don't want to be a bother!" Cordelia insisted.
Rianne immediately took her by the hand again, going inside the carriage. When they reached the door to the castle, Cordelia looked around in amazement dancing in her eyes. The queen met them halfway though. The queen looked at both of them.
"I'm glad you met a friend, my child," The queen smiled.
Rianne smiled so brightly.
"And you dear? What's your name?" The queen asked.
"Cordelia your majesty!" Cordelia bowed.
Queen Elizabeth smiled with reassurance.
"Very well, you are free to stay here since my daughter seemed to be fond of you," The queen replied.
Queen Elizabeth clapped her hands.
"You two have fun, I got business to attend to," the queen nodded slowly before leaving.
Rianne excitedly jumped from happiness to finally have a guest in her place. Cordelia looked shyly around. Rianne immediately grabbed her and showed her around the castle. The amazement in her countenance greatly showed. They then both ended up in Rianne's room. Her room was consisted of luxurious and ostentatious belongings. However, Cordelia was amazed.
"So, sleepover?" Rianne impulsively decided.
"Whaaaaaaa??? Your majesty!"Cordelia jumped back to the door.
"Hmm? But- I'm sure it's fun!" Rianne smiled, "come on!"
Cordelia sighed in defeat.
"Yes, your majesty." Cordelia replied as she sat on the couch in Rianne's room.