Princess in Hiding

Chapter 17

I lay awake, unmoving, staring at the chandelier I have been thinking that would drop on top of me. Funny, my anxiety did not make me move. I have never slept in such a soft bed, with soft pillows and soft comforters. Although, they should be comfortable, I have never been uncomfortable all my life. I turn and notice the time that it was only a quarter before seven. I probably have woken up too early for a princess.

I don't even know how a princess should act because of now being able to know that I was a princess all along. It will be a long time before I'd be able to absorb that I'm the princess, I guess. I pulled the sheets up to my head and let out a huge sigh. You can do it, Aikaterie. Yup, that's what I probably need. A pat in the back, yes? I just have to cheer myself up. This is the start of my new life and I have to stand firm on my decision.

Like I had any choice, right?

Moments later, I heard the door opening, feet scurrying around, wheels rolling around. I pushed the sheets down and saw the girls busy rummaging around my room. Valerie and Agnes were busy preparing the table on the far right of my room, near the wide balcony. Trish and Ragna were busy going in and out of the wardrobe and the bathroom. I scrunched my nose.

I scrambled out of my bed and went near the table. My eyes nearly popped out when I saw the amount of food laid on the table. I mean, I know I shouldn't even be surprised because I served the fake princess before. This was still too much for me.

"Hey, Valerie, Agnes, I don't think I can eat everything," I muttered while staring on the food. I gaped at the food. This table was filled with various food like croissants, cinnamon buns, honey, cheese, teapots which I don't know what's inside. Coffee or chocolate perhaps? Maybe tea? There's also macarons and cake. Eggs, bacon and some pancakes. This is overwhelming. Gosh, I'm overwhelmed!

"Well, it's okay if you don't eat everything, you know that, right?" Valerie started pouring some syrup on the pancakes. "Coffee, tea or chocolate?"

"Coffee—" I shook my head and returned to the topic. "Yes, but this could feed an entire family already!" I crossed my arms and tapped my feet, thinking of how the food in front of us would not go to waste because most of the time, when the royal family has finished their meals, it's either fed to the animals or thrown away.

I pursed my lips and glanced at the girls around me. I really wouldn't be able to finish everything so I decided to share. Maybe my conscience of wasting food will be lessened if I shared this will my friends. My conscience will surely suck the life out of me if I turn a blind eye on wasted food.

"Eat with me," I muttered. I saw their utter confusion. I pouted. "Come on, I know that our chefs provide same quality food here, but this is more than enough for me. Eat with me." I pressed my palms together and pleaded them.

I know that they wouldn't be able to decline me, I think. Gladly, the girls agreed after some moments of contemplation. Now we are eating in peace.

"What would you feel when the King comes home?" Agnes suddenly asked.

I stopped midway from sipping my coffee. I blinked several times, but I can't even think of the scenario of how our reunion will be. I shrugged and continued sipping.

"I have no idea, to be honest. I don't even know what to feel. The King treated me like his daughter. I'm most worried about him. He probably had already received word about the situation."

"The King dotes on you so much, Aikaterie. He will love you to the bones when he comes back," Trish said.

"I'm not sure. Everything went so fast; I can't even keep up."

I reached for a cinnamon bun and started munching on it.

"Do you fully know the grasp of your duties as princess, Aikaterie?" asked Valerie while she was sipping some hot chocolate.