The Princess

1.

ARANYANI

"Do not go anywhere alone and if there is any problem, koi bhi pareshaani ho, call us and we'll get you back here as soon as possible." Ma said.

"Haan Ma, yes, I understand. I'll call you if there is any problem. I can take care of myself, Ma." I sighed.

"I know you can, baby. We're just worried about you. You've never been without us for so long and now, you're going away for four, long years." She replied, her eyes getting watery with unshed tears.

I rushed to her and wrapped my arms around her small frame. My Ma, Her Majesty Queen Anya Blanc, although a tough Queen, was a softie, just for her family. She never let anyone see her emotional side, aside from Papa and me.

"Ma, I need to do this. I've been homeschooled my whole life. This is my only chance to live outside of the palace. And besides, we've talked about this, and you agreed to let me go and live outsi-"

I was cut off by someone entering my chambers. We turned and there he was, the most handsome man on the planet, my Papa, His Royal Highness, The King of Liveria, Winston Blanc. He was a just and kind ruler, always putting his Kingdom first. But to me, he was the best father, anyone could ever wish for.

"What is going on here?" He asked.

"Papa, thank you. You're the only one who can convince Ma that I'll be fine there. You are sending half the army of the country with me, I'll be okay." I exclaimed.

"Come on, it's three-fourth of the army." He scoffed.

"Papa!"

"You know I am kidding, Kelis." Papa laughed.

He came over to us, put his arms around our shoulders, and hugged us to his sides.

"Your Ma is just worried about you. You're going to live away from the protection of the palace for four years. It's bound to make us distressed." He said and tightened his hold around me.

"Papa, I know you guys are anxious. But as you said, I have three-fourths of the army with me," I laughed, "I'll be in good hands."

"We will miss you, Kelis. You are our most precious treasure, we just want you to be happy." Papa said and Ma nodded along with him.

"I will miss you, more. It's just four years, I will come back on all special occasions and breaks, and I will pursue a post-graduate degree here, as you wished for it." I promised and hugged them tighter.

"Now, please let me pack, and get out of here!" I said, pushing them out of my chambers. " I still have a week until I have to leave."

"We're going, fine!" They laughed and closed the doors after them.

I exhaled and plopped down on my bed. This was exhausting, I thought. My parents were slightly overprotective. More than slightly, but it was okay. It had been like this since I was born. I was quite literally, a miracle baby. My mother had been told that she couldn't be a mother, ever. But a fifth honeymoon had done the trick. Maybe, it was the magic of my mother's motherland, India, or just that the doctor was handed a degree without any merit. Nonetheless, I was conceived and my parents were over the moon.

I had been sheltered all my life. Never had any picture of mine been released to the media outside of our country.

My parents have given me everything I ever wanted, but they had also instilled in me, the value of money and made me work for the bigger things.

For as long as I could remember, I have always been homeschooled. I was pretty advanced for my age since I was young. My parents also made me take up extracurricular activities. They never compromised in anything regarding my all-round development.