The Crown

Chapter 1: The Return

Everything was fine 15 minutes ago. Leonora was getting ready for her next adventure; riding together with her father who just came to visit the day before. She was just so happy finally get time to be with her father again. After her father sent her to Surrey for educational purpose, they rarely spent time together. Her mother passed away fifteen years ago, and one month later her father sent his only daughter to this place. Her father is a part of royal family back in her hometown, so he couldn't freely visit her first daughter. He always put his work first, and Leonora understood that. She never demands anything from her father.

But then her father decided to put down the bomb, right before her birthday.

"Please tell me you're joking, Papa." Crouched down in front of her father, Leonora pledged. There were no tears on her face (she was too stubborn for that), but her eyes were filled with sadness and disbelief.

"It's Noah, Leonora," said her father, Benjamin, while holding her daughter's cheeks with great affection. "You know him, he knows you. What's the problem?"

"The problem?" Leonora stood up. "The problem is I hardly know him anymore. We were separated for fifteen years, Papa. I can't, and I won't spend my entire life with someone I don't know."

"You know him," Benjamin tried to repeat. "And he—"

"No, Papa. He doesn't know me."

"Then you can try to know him." Benjamin stood up from the sofa. He held his daughter's shoulders and tried to look into the eyes that resembled his late first wife. "I can't, and I won't give my daughter's hands to someone I hardly know." He repeated Leonora's words.

Hearing that made Leonora feel annoyed. Her face may be very much like her mother, but her stubbornness is inherited from this stubborn-annoying-and-controlling-but-she-loved-dearly man, and learnt from the past Leonora was sure that she wouldn't win this battle. At least for now.

Benjamin knew about this too, so in a triumphant tone he said, "Just come back first. We talk about this later. At home."

Three days later, one day before her birthday, Leonora found herself standing with a suitcase at the exit of the Aria International Airport.

Alone, feeling hot, and empty, and she was about to pass out in this crazy weather.

Her father said a couple of cars would pick her up. She didn't know who they were, but if in five minutes no one showed up, she would take a taxi and head to her house alone. Fuck the rules.

"LEONORA!"

The shrill scream made Leonora jump in surprise. She hadn't had time to look before her body was grabbed by a tight hug. She was so shocked that she didn't know what to do but grip the iron handle beside her tightly. Leonora tried to say a few words (90% was whimpering), but the tight hug of the two arms around her neck left her unable to move much.

Fortunately, long black hair that was blown by the wind didn't completely block her view, and Leonora saw another person, holding back his laughter.

"Help—" Leonora tried to say.

The anonymous girl finally let go of her deadly hug, also gave Leonora time to catch her breath. But it wasn't long before the anon girl staring at Leonora with her big beautiful eyes and grinned widely. "I missed you so much, girl!" she said excitedly and gave one more deadly hug.

The man, who had witnessed the whole incident, took pity on Leonora. He stepped forward and tried to untangle the slender arms from Leonora's neck.

"Easy, Summer. You may kill her if you keep holding her like this. She can't breathe."

"Oops." Still with a wide grin, the anonymous girl who turned out to be Summer, took Leonora's hands and said, "I'm so sorry we came late, El. But I swear it's all because Mama Geneva. She couldn't stop—"

"Summer?"

"Yeah?"

The man, who Leonora remembered as Alex, shook his head lightly.

The movement, that Leonora could barely see if she didn't pay attention, made Summer clap her hands loudly. "Right! It's supposed to be a surprise!"

"Surprise? What surprise?" asked Leonora.

"Just some things to celebrate your return," answered Summer. "Don't worry. Nothing is dangerous."

Leonora could only nod and smile wryly. With Summer involved, everything was dangerous.

"So, welcome home, Leonora. We are so happy you are here."

One simple sentence from Summer and Leonora realized her life would never be same again.

They took a black Jeep to go back home. Summer couldn't keep her mouth shut and basically she asked everything to Leonora—how's the flight; was it comfortable for her; what did you before you flew home. Leonora remembered how Summer was before everything gone south for her. She was such a bubbly girl. Everyone adored her, even for her father, the majestic King of Aria, she was the apple in his eyes.

From inside the car, Leonora could see Aria changed a lot. This was the first time she went back home after 10 years. She chose to stay in Surrey, even when the big family had important things to do—such as marriage between cousin and some traditions to do. Her father never forced her either. From her seat, she could see more and more skyscrapers were built in every corners of the city; many travelers from various countries, with their different skin colors, hair, and face shape were seen filling the streets. It was all new for Leonora.

"You know, I heard many people praise Aria as a heaven on earth," Leonora said while looked at the crowd outside a tall building. "Uncle Zach did a great job."

"Tell me about it, babe," answered Summer. "Papa couldn't stop working eventho Noah and Tristan assure him that everything will be alright. Mama tried to make Papa have a year holiday in Maldives, and, nah, he rejected it even before Mama could finish her sentence."

Leonora chuckled. "Still same, eh?"

"Truly and sadly."

After fifteen minutes, they arrived in front of marvelous gate of Highcalere Palace, a home for almost all members of the royal family. All along the way on either side, the palace was guarded by guards with full weapons. It surprised Leonora.

"Is something happening? Why full guards?"

Alex, who was driving shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "Nothing to worry."

He tried to assure Leonora, but Leonora could see how his right eyes twitched. Summer's face also changed—she was such an open book Leonora almost know something bad happened from her suddenly rigid face. But the siblings didn't say anything, so Leonora kept her mouth shut. She decided this was not her business.

Her business was only to talk to Noah and asked him to cancel their engagement.

...

so, how is it?