This story follows the life of Princess Maiena, the second and youngest child of King Thaddeus-- the strong, wise, and uncompromisingly orthodox ruler of Reidonia which is a kingdom set in the modern age with customs, laws and traditions that seem t...
"Is it really necessary for me to have two bodyguards when I visit the Kindergarten School?" I asked as I looked at the two Elite Knights standing at attention before me.
They were waiting outside my door while I changed into a light pink tailored dress for my first official royal duty outside of the palace. After a month of staying within the security of the four corners of the royal estate, I finally decided to go out for official appearances especially for the citizens dearest to my heart-- the children.
"No, Your Highness." Aidan replied.
Gali turned to him with a look that told me "Wait. There's more."
"Since you will be leaving the palace's premises, you will be accompanied by six Elite Knights-- myself, Gali, Uncle Jaime's son Lionell, Uncle Roberto's son Randolph and Uncle Vito's sons Humphrey and Harold, plus eight armed personal protection officers in a five-car convoy with five armed drivers plus police escorts. There will also be undercover agents in and surrounding the school while you're there." Aidan explained.
I wasn't sure how I looked like to them but my jaw dropped at what he said. "But I will only be visiting children under the age of seven. I didn't realize I needed the entire Falkurina House to guard me. What harm could ever come to me there? Don't you think that's a little too much, Sir Aidan. You might frighten the kids."
"Nothing is too much for your security, Your Highness." He replied. "Besides, we'll be blending in so as not to scare the children." He said as he put on a yellow baseball cap with an image of what looks like a red and yellow robotic mask.
"A baseball cap?" I raised an eyebrow. I couldn't believe him. He was being completely overprotective and unreasonable. "You think the children won't won't be intimidated if you wear a baseball cap? You are big brawny men who are always grumpy for Christ's sake!" I sighed in frustration.
"It's Iron Man." He told me, pointing at the image on his cap. "I read he's very popular with children. This will help us connect with them."
"You're as rigid as your creaseless black suit!" I snapped, completely annoyed. This man has the emotional range of a tree stump and therefore wouldn't understand the complexity of a child's feelings.
I found myself in an internal debate due to my frustration at the absurdity of Aidan's argument.
"Admit it. He does look cute with that yellow cap though." The naive Maiena who was infatuated with her brother's best friend and former bodyguard giggled in my head.
"Leave me alone!" Reasonable Maiena said. "Stop giggling and stop crushing on your cute bodyguard."
I sighed. "Fine. You can all go and you won't hear another argument from me. On one condition." I told him.
"Certainly, Your Highness."
"Great!" I smirked.
***
"Is this really necessary, Your Highness?" He gruffly huffed in the front seat as Gali who was seated beside me and I held back our giggles.
"Does my suffering amuse you?" He struggled to move his head to turn to us with a frown. He glared at his brother. "Why do you get to wear the lighter suit?"
Gali grinned even wider and shrugged. He was clearly enjoying the solution I had to make the necessary security work with the children's feelings during my visit with them. If only his grumpy brother could be less cranky about it.
"Oh please! You're being too dramatic, Aidan." I rolled my eyes and sucked in my cheeks to stop myself from laughing but a smile still broke through.
He wordlessly stared at me for a few seconds. Somehow, he stopped scowling and sighed. "If it makes you happy then I have no choice but to endure this torture."
"It's not torture, Aidan. It's only for a few hours for the children." I pouted. "Besides... You look good in the costume." I admitted as my eyes involuntarily swept down to admire the Iron Man suit that we managed to find at the last minute. Gali wore Captain America.
I thought I saw a shadow of a smile on Aidan's lips but before I could be sure, he has turned away and stared out the window. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The drive continued with Aidan sitting quietly in front while Gali and I conversed using sign language in the back seat. We mostly talked about the super hero costumes that we got for the security team. Aside from Iron Man and Captain America, he told me Lionell wore the costume of the lightning God Thor, Randolph was the big green guy Hulk, Humphrey had a bow and arrow like Hawkeye, and Harold had red face with a yellow gem on the forehead like Vision. The armed personal protection and drivers wore their regular black suits and Gali said that was fine because they could pretend to be S.H.I.E.L.D.agents. Of course, he had to explain every character to me since I didn't know a thing about comics.
Soon, we arrived at the school. It was a spacious single-story building in a vast compound. There was a garden surrounding the school with a playground and a small pond. It was a lovely place and I was glad I made my first public appearance there.
The children where gathered in front of the school building with their teachers. All of them holding a white rose in their hands. I took a deep breath and blinked back my tears. I was extremely touched by their gesture.
Gali gently patted the back of my hand. I turned to smile at him reassuringly. He smiled back.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Aidan frowned but his voice was gentle and full of concern.
I looked at him and nodded. "I'm okay. Now, I'm really glad I made you wear those costumes. I should've gotten one for myself. It's the least we could do for these sweethearts." I sighed as I looked at their innocent faces through the car window.
He smiled. "I'm glad too, Princess."
When we got out of the car, the children were ecstatic and the teachers smiled from ear to ear as they tried to control the little ones who jumped up and down and cheered for the superheroes who came to accompany their Princess.
As I watched each lovely smile from the kids as they gave me a rose each and the Avengers aka the Elite Knights in costume a high five or a fist bump, I couldn't help but admire the greatness of simple joys that not even a lot of money can buy.
I knew then that it would definitely be a wonderful day for all of us including grumpy Aidan.
***
A/N:
At some point in my stories, I find a way to include some of my personal favorites. In this case, MCU. ❤
Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I loved writing it. Here's our prompt.
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