Priceless

Twenty

"I'm sorry—" Her voice broke. Why is she apologizing to me?

"It's not your fault, Your Majesty." I said and caressed her back to calm her down. Maybe she's just overwhelmed.

"It is. I'm sorry for not being a mother to you. Sorry for not witnessing your achievements in life." She cupped my face. Her voice was so pleasant to hear. It's so soft. She's so modest.

"It's okay. I had a family who stayed by my side." I looked at her. I always give credits to mom and dad who taught me and raised me as a good and humble person.

"Where are they? Is it okay for you to leave them?" She asked like she wanted to bring them here. I really wish they were here.

"They left me first. They're gone." I said, tears started to build in my eyes. I felt again the pain as I remember them.

"I'm so sorry." She hugged me again. "Finally, my princess is here already. After so many years." She kept brushing my face with her thumb. I can't still feel her care being a mother, but I hope soon. I will.

"I thought there was a princess already? Princess Breipeia?" I asked. I thought she's the princess of Bouschleivour? They way she act, they way she's announced to the public.

"She's a duchess darling. We adopted her ever since. After we lost you, we can't have a child anymore." She explained as she wipe her tears.

"Is duchess the same as princess?" I asked out of confusion. They look the same when it comes to their duties and responsibilities. Now is the time to know everything I was curious about back then.

"No. If you don't have a royal blood then you can't be a princess. Only a girl like you that has a Royal blood can be a princess." She held my chin and tucked the strands of my hair behind my ear.

I lightly nodded and smiled. I can't believe that the queen..... is my mother.

"How shall I call you, Your Majesty?" I asked after a short silence.

"You can call me mother." She smiled. There's already a mom in my heart. I'll just call her mother since that's what royals usually do. I don't want to replace the first mom I knew.

"Mother." I nodded and smiled. "Where is the ki—" Oh right! Father! Brooklyn, it's father! "Where is father?" I asked, still not used to everything.

"He's in a business trip. You'll meet him the day after next. You want to roam around the palace?" She suggested and pulled me to stand up. We wiped our tears, making us chuckle before leaving the room.

I excitingly nodded. Mother also informed me that I will have a princess class starting tomorrow.

"This is the dining area where we will eat together." She said and pointed at the big room that has a long table at the center. It has a lot of chairs, too.

When I saw the kitchen, it was so big! It's bigger than our old house! How the hell did this kitchen end up like this big?! It was like a hotel lobby already! How many food can I found here huh?

"Oh!" I fell on the floor when a golden retriever dog attacked me. He licked my face and arms. "Ooh... calm down buddy." I chuckled and gave him a pat on his head.

"This is Rex, our Royal dog." She caressed Rex's head before we continue roaming around. Rex was following us everywhere.

"This is your step sister's room." She said and pointed at the door which is a bit far from my room. "Your sister is inside, wanna see her?" She smiled and looked at me.