"Good morning Princess Kara."
I squinted my eyes at the light streaming in as the heavy curtains were drawn apart. I had a vague thought that I was in a dream because there was a boy with rabbit ears in a movie-liked room. It was a very weird and elaborated dream though, with me going into a kind of magical kingdom and I was a Princess—a fake Princess. I had maids taking a bath for me and I had Princess class. I wore beautiful dress, my eyes color changed, and my eyesight was good as new. When I got up and slowly adjusted my consciousness, readied myself for another full-of-problems (no, they says to call it challenges!) day at work, I first was stunned by the clarity of the elegance shrouded me. Still wearing a half-asleep face, my head ran at full speed to the strangeness of my surrounding realizing only a moment later that everything that happened yesterday was not a dream at all.
'Oh' was all I could think of as Shaph, the rabbit boy, smiled at my half-asleep face.
"Are you awake, Princess?" Shaph said.
"Um." I nodded trying to calm off the panic that started to bloom in my chest and scrambled off the bed.
"Oh, wait," Shaph stopped me and put a tray with nice light foods on my lap. "You must be hungry. When I deliver the dinner last night, you were sleeping so sound, so I put you to bed, did not want to disturb you."
I blinked at the breakfast tray without appetite, still trying to hold down the panic. I told Shaph, "Please let me wash first, I'll have it later."
Shaph looked surprise, but he lifted the tray off and I went into the bathroom. Filling the rose-shape basin with cold clear water, I splashed it on my face a few times. When it did not work, I just submerged my whole face under it until I was short of breaths. I emerged again only to see the extravagance bathroom clearer than ever, now that I did not need glasses to sharpen the view. 'Okay,' I told myself receding back and sat on a toilet bowl. Or at least, it's what used in the same purpose of the toilet bowl in spite of a king's throne appearance. I took in deep breathes, counting them to make sure my mind was fully function and focus. "Okay, it's real." I said again and rearranged my head—I mean thoughts in my head— breathing and counting breaths all the while doing so. At the fiftieth breath, totally calm, I suddenly remembered about the Welcome Party today and my nerves wracked again. It took fifty more breaths to stop shaking and another fifty to create positivity. "Okay, let's get this through!" I told myself for the last time, inhaling the last counted breath, and was ready for whatever that was going to happen because of my decision to help Shaph. With lighter mood, I went over to the washbasin again and drained all the water, watching it spiraling away and imagining my panic with it. I went on with my toilet routine, washing my face properly.
It felt a bit strange having no glasses on but (now that there was no worries and I accepted my situation) I was so positive that I could not stop looking at myself in the mirror while brushing my teeth with spare toothbrush and toothpaste I had brought out of my bag. I came out with freshened face and had the most delicious breakfast ever, or maybe it was because I felt like I had not eaten my whole life. Shaph kept pouring cups of wonderful ginger tea which went really well with spiced egg and tomato porridge.
"Thank you so much for the lovely breakfast Shaph." I said at last with full stomach.
Shaph lifted off the tray. "Sharon will come preparing you for the party."
"Not again!" I exclaimed, feeling like I had just had a bath with her a minute ago. "I will wilt!"
Shaph giggled.
Sharon swept into the room as Shaph pulled a white rope hanging on the wall among many other colored ropes. They might be some kind of servant bells. "Good morning Princess." The head maid said and guided a sighing me into the bath. My average shower time was ten minutes. These two days had already taken almost a month worth of shower, and I take shower twice a day I tell you.
There was no corset, or difficult undergarments to put on in Coronale, only a couple of light and thin but warm layers to wear underneath the dress. Shaph chose a light pink gown with laces and small crystals tracing along the body line. It trailed off about a meter behind me. The only problem seemed to be the low cut because first, my rope necklace which did not go with any dresses showed, second, my chest was flat. As flat as a board.
"Oh my!" Sharon said observing the flatness of my front.
My face turned pink.
"That's no problem!" Sharon tried to cheer me up. She fetched another dress from the wardrobe, not as low cut this time, and put me in there instead. It was a champagne tafetta gown with small train. It suited my size and height perfectly well.
"See?" Sharon took a stepped back. "You look very pretty."
"Thank you."
"But I'm afraid," said Sharon as she produced a small flower stitched bag out of her dress pocket. "That the rope on your neck must go in here. I will tie it to your dress, don't worry."
I understood but had to clutch the necklace of Buddha amulets so tight before I took it off and put it in the stitched bag. Sharon then tied the bag to the inside of my dress. Even though she put another gold flowers necklace around my neck, it still felt very vacant there.
Sharon fixed my hair and put slight make up on my face while Shaph briefed me histories of the honorable guests. I was so hungry having to skip lunch and so not ready when the time came. It was impossible to remember almost a hundred names, numerous towns and cities, and twenty kingdoms within two hours while getting your hair pull here and there.
"These light snacks will appease your hunger Princess." Shaph prepared small square chicken sandwiches. As I ate, he asked, "Do you remember what I taught you yesterday?"
I nodded. Yesterday, yes, today, no.
Shaph waited for me to finish and Sharon gave me the last touch. As I carefully stood up straightening my back, my steward lowered his head and led me out of the room. There were two lines of guardsmen in white and gold outfit waiting to me as the wood door grated outward. I had spent most of my time in this room since I arrived, so as the first step landed on the purple carpet, I felt like passing into another dimension all over again. I kind of lost some confidence that I had gained on the toilet bowl.
It was another long walk before we progressed into the red carpet part—I called it red sector, and no matter how good I was at mapping, I could not remember the way because all the walls were almost the same. A hissing flew past the side of my head at one point, it was a ball of red light, and I staggered out of the line, hair rose. Shaph caught me and the guardsmen unsheathed their swords spearing it at the direction the light came from. "Protect the Princess!" Shaph shouted as Prince Valentine appeared around the corner with his neon-pink hair butler.
"Prince Valentine!" Shaph gasped with surprise, but his tone turned threatening next. "Why did you attack Princess?"
"Don't panic, Rabbit. It was only a greeting." Prince Valentine gave a sinister sort of smile. "I've heard," he paid no attention to the menacing group of men and advanced forward stopping right at the tip of the swords. "that the Coronales, in comparison to us, are equally gifted with Magic. But it seems rumor is rumors. The Princess could not avoid such simple attack."
What is this guy! Do I have to deal with people like this?!—was all I could think. Shaph was silent with a sour expression and I realized it was the time for Princess to act her role. Taking a deep breath, I waved off the sword and offered Prince Valentine a polite smile. "That was an interesting way of greeting." I said calmly, salesman mode taking place, it was always useful to make friends. "I'm sorry that I am not of your expectation Prince Valentine," smiled again, "I reckon the years I spent at the other world account for it."
"I see," A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. "Well, see you at the party Princess Carla." And he took another corridor disappearing into the palace maze.
"Princess." Shaph called worriedly as I exhaled the breath holding, salesman mode went away with it. My hands slightly quivered but I held it with a fist and nodded at Shaph to move on. My butler signaled at the men and we were once again in a stately procession.
We walked some more—I took in the air to clean nervousness out of me and was almost in the same stage-fright manner again at a passageway where chatters grew louder indicating that the party was not so far off. My muscles tensed along the level of decibel. By the time the parade reached a large luxurious gilt door, I had turned into a ceramic doll.
"Raise up Princess." Shaph whispered and motioned for the door to be opened.
Giggles and chitchats died as if someone turned off the talking tap as soon as the giant paneled doors swung outward. Expensive and high-class smell hit my face and my confidence dwindled further. The lords and ladies all turned into my direction as I walked onto the platform connecting with two marble staircases, trying hard to look royal. I had never got this much attention in my life, and I knew now, I would prefer living without it and a corset would really help.
"Princess Carla of Coronale!" Shaph announced.
Cheers resonated the marble hall. The noise was so tremendous that it shook the building—wait, or is it me shaking?—people shouted Princess Carla name and, as Shaph had coached me, I waved and smiled like a Miss Universe.
"To celebrate the return of our Princess, the savior of our world—" Shaph began a string of praises that I could no longer bear to listen. I felt bad because none of it was real. When Shaph finished his pre-announcement, it was my turn to make a speech. I was scared to death with every eyes looking expectantly up at me. Shaph told me to make it brief and simple, but did not help me practice. There was no small piece of paper to guide me because it was really brief and simple.
"Thank you."
All gazes did not stir even when I had finished my brief and simple speech. I glanced at Shaph and he moved his dilated red eyes from me to the crowd as if trying to tell me to go on. Did you not say brief and simple?!
"Tha—thank you all for gathering here today." I began, voice trembling a trifle at the beginning of the extemporaneous speech. "No Magic could bring upon this happiness of returning home. I, with all my effort, will fill this world once more, with peace."
Thunderous cheers and applauses jingled the crystal chandelier hanging magnificently down in the middle of the hall. I was relieved that everyone and Shaph liked it. Shaph seized the chance when the crowd was still worked up announcing the commencement of the party.
Following was the introduction of each noble and royalty while all the other guests who were still waiting for their turns roistered with unlimited foods and drinks. By the time the seventh Prince from Mayland, Peter, was introduced to me, I had already forgot the first Prince's name and face and his Kingdom. The solemn and boring task went on and my head swirled with names, it jolted straight again when Prince Valentine came right up.
"Prince Valentine!" I said before the footman could notify him.
Prince Valentine's two colored eyes had a sinister sparkle. "You remember me?"
"It is hard to forget the person who had just greeted you with such friendliness." I said and he chuckled.
Before our conversation turned sour, Shaph dropped in. "This is Prince Valentine from Keon, Princess you've met him—"
"Twice." I said.
"Yes," Shaph said. "He was the one who helped me open the gate. The Keon Prince is known as the best Sorcerer in this world."
"You need not praise me." Prince Valentine bowed deeply showing line of gold hairs glistened among red silk, and before he left, whispered. "If you do not mind Princess, since you had been living in the Dry World for such a long period of time and possesses little to none magic skill, I could offer you magic lesson."
"That is a great idea, Prince Valentine!" Shaph said overhearing us—or maybe not, I thought at the glimpse of the rabbit ears.
"That settles then." The Prince backed away before I could share my opinion. Oh, well.
Stepping on the stairs in such an elegant gait next was a man with gold hair and bright sky blue eyes, he was a typical prince and I was not surprise when the footman announced, "Prince Philip of Witrin!"
The Prince laid his hand across his chest and bowed down so gracefully and princely. It was so professional that I was shy at my awkward beginner act.
Coming up were Prince Tane of Saelia, Lord Cameron of Bana, Count Cristen of Rinac,—they all tried so hard to present themselves—tried hardest was the next one Prince Jared of Cimon who, long silky white hair flowing , swept in confidently and gallantly, crossing his arms and fixing me a questioning stare from his scary almost white irises. "As a princess, you look so ordinary," He said.
Wow, he got me this one! He was the only person who spoke the truth so far.
"Prince Jared," Shaph jumped in. "even though you are the most respectable and skillful Magician in this world, I beg you be polite to our Princess."
Prince Jared chuckled. "I have not done a thing. Just observing the woman who is going to be my wife."
Okay, that's over the line! Or is he Princess Carla's fiancé?
"You don't look like the one who have that mythical magic-controlling power." He drew his face closer. There was a conceit smile on it. "But I suppose you're cute."
Despite a business smile, I was boiling inside, grinding my teeth at those words from a thin mouth of such young face. He was probably quite a number of years younger than me and he criticized me so boldly.
The footman announced King Fayn next and the King genially greeted me. He seemed to be the only one whom I could talk to without tension.
"Where's that necklace of yours?" he asked. "The rope one."
"Hmm?" I touched at my neck and my finger met cold metal. "Oh, Sharon had me took it off," I said. "Only for this party." I added.
King Fayn smiled, "It is a very unique necklace." He could only say that much with the long line behind. "See you later then."
As we waved goodbye like a normal friends, the next Prince, Prince Leonhard of Aeca, whom I fell onto when I first arrived here, stepped up. I wanted to take this chance to apologize him, but he bowed and left swiftly with neither a word nor a glance.
Oh, whatever!
A couple of brother and sister, who were addressed as Prince Eldrin and Princess Elise of Bila, scooted up to the platform grinning from ear to ear and talked livelily like a child. (Maybe they were.) The elder, Prince Eldrin looked barely twenty to me.
"My beautiful Princess! It's love at first sight!" Prince Eldrin declared and shocked the hell out of me.
Hey, hey, your sister's here.
"It would be great if you could be my sister-in-law." said Princess Elise.
And you go with him!
I laughed dryly making the hundredth curtsy of the day. "Thank you." And I was glad that there was only a short time for each introduction, or I was going to die of awkwardness.
One pair of siblings down, another up. This pair did not look as childish. In fact, the elder sister who must be around my age, was very graceful and beautiful in her long wavy-tip icy blue hair and light purplish eyes, while the brother had them with bolder color and one eye behind a metal patch like pirates. Observing the matching of colors of hair and eyes of people in this world was also kind of fun. I did not see any black, the darkest was dark blue or brown.
"Princess Alette and Prince Ciel of Mithril." announced Shaph.
We exchanged formal salute and smiles. Then Princess Alette said, "Our long awaits is finally over. I thank you in advance for helping us."
"It is my pleasure." I tried to return with equal formality but did not know if I succeeded.
"I heard also that Master Rabbit here deserves the merit of your return." She turned to Shaph and he blushed flicking his ears shyly. "Ciel, why not say something to Princess Carla?"
Prince Ciel remained unfathomable as he said in monotone, "Thank you for coming back to save this world."
I was touched. They were very polite and nice.
The succession of the formal introduction went on at length. I met almost every age range, from five years old to eighty. I was not sure what were these people trying to make of me, and if they really believed I would marry that five-year-old Prince Caleb kid, or that eighty-nine-year-old King. The mad thing was those kingdoms with no prince, sent their princesses. All the princesses strived mightily to be the 'BFF' but one, Princess Balerina of Narun, who just straightforwardly offered to be my partner if I did not mind her being a girl too. What in the world!
I humbly refused her.
My energy was depleted and I lost all the appetite after the last lord, Lord Gallean of Cottonwall, descended into the party pool, realizing that I was in a much more difficult situation than I had thought. Princess Carla's life was not easy.
"These people all want to get Princess Carla?" I quietly asked Shaph who were instructing the footmen to their duty.
Shaph nodded. "You're so popular, you see, Princess?" he grinned.
I retorted. "Not me, not Princess Carla, but the power."
Shaph just smiled and I sighed sinking into the boisterous crowd of people and continuing my Princess act. It was going to be a long day. At least, I brightened a little at the thought, these hi-so people would all leave tomorrow morning and left me in peace at last.
Or so I thought.