"Like what?" Mae threw back the question, feeling a little uncomfortable at how well her teacher was crossing the boundary she had set.
"Hmmmm."
"Lady Hazel, didn't you say we shouldn't be too inquisitive." She hoped her excuse would work.
"Since when did you care about rules?" Hazel pointed out.
"Well I..."
"No need to explain yourself. You were right to remind me of that and I don't go back on my word." She bowed before continuing on her journey.
"Do hurry up. You shouldn't be tagging along so comfortably, you need to walk smart and confident." She lectured.
'Even while we are just walking, she still doesn't miss a minute to use that to lecture.,' Mae grumbled in her thoughts.
"Straighten your back and no slouching of the shoulder." She could hear, rolling her eyes to every lecture given, she was glad that she was behind so her teasing couldn't be easily understood.
"Yes, Lady Hazel." Mae sighed, trying her best to hold in her dismay, she was not ready for a lesson at this point in her life.
As soon as they had reached the door, Hazel took a deep breath and turned behind her. "This is what I've been preparing you for. Do make me proud." With those final words she excused herself, walking in the opposite direction.
'Whaaat? Prepared me for? I literally have no clue as to what you meant.' Mae panicked as she debated if it was alright to open the door.
"Mind if I help you with that?" Leo's soothing voice offered behind her.
"How did you–" She was surprised at how he was able to sneak up on her.
"Shhhh!" He placed his index finger, "You have to show you are fearless and confident on your first appearance, can you do that for me?" He searched her eyes for the answer.
Feeling a rush of adrenaline, she felt a wave of calmness, exhaling she uttered with confidence, "I'm ready."
–––––––––––
"Good day Father. Mother." She curtseyed, not bothering to give them any time to react to her new found calm, she proceeded to sit on the left side to her father.
"How are you feeling?" Vivian whispered a little loudly in concern.
"The usual." She replied vaguely, shrugging her shoulders.
"You seem okay with this." Morgan felt oddly unsatisfied with her reaction. "Wouldn't you ask why this day had come quicker than expected."
"No." Mae replied firmly, "Could we proceed with the day's activities. So where are they?"
Looking down his dias, he nodded to his head royal advisor who took the cue to proceed as instructed." One of the most trustworthy people out there.," He praised.
"Your Majesty, you flatter too much, I am merely doing my job." He bowed.
Theodore, their second most loved person in their lives, he might be needed once in a while, but when he does carry out his work with utmost urgency.
"Walking up the dias, he took hold of the letter offered to him to read it aloud. Giving it a quick skim through, he adjusted his glasses.
"Your Majesty, do I really need to read this out loud?" Theordore inquired.
"Of course, do so now." King Morgan nodded in approval.
Clearing his throat, he read out:
"We are very glad you took our offer. I'm good faith. I hereby announce the three Kingdoms–Niveen, Valense and lastly Gallipo..."
"Strange names.' Mae scrunched her face at them, she made a mental note to give them a zero on name.
"... Your Highness, Prince Daven of Niveen, Your Highness, Prince William of Valense and lastly, Your Highness, Prince Lance of Gallipo."
Mae's curiosity sparked upon that name, suddenly her once thought boring day had taken a drastic turn.
Her attention was drawn to the door in front pushed signalling a presence, there they were the two Princes who worked in with shoulders raised high.
'And yet more idiots who prove they have it all or will stop at no cost to use me as a bargaining document.'. She told herself, zeroing her thoughts on those two.
"One, two,..." Mae counted, "Father, where is the last Prince?"
"You sure look concerned unlike the girl who had other important things to do." He teased.
Mae fought the urge to laugh, she was still mad with her parents and she didn't want her tough front broken with something as simple as a laugh.
"Long live the King." Both Princes chorused.
"Hahaha!" King Morgan laughed at how that brought back memories, "it has been a while since that was used for me. I really appreciate that little gesture."
"Which one of you two is Lance?" Mae interjected in a commanding tone.
Both Princes finally got a glimpse of the Princess, lovestruck at her striking beauty and majestic aura, they stared with careless abandon, mesmerized by her, unable to make comprehensible words.
Mae raised the corner of her lip in disgust, clearly aware of what was going on, and with the expressions on their face, she couldn't help but cringe. She could bring out such reactions from mature males.
"Excuse me!" She scoffed, folding her hands, bringing them back to their senses.
"Why don't we do our introductions?" Queen Vivian suggested in an upbeat fashion, "Dear, why don't you do it first?" She nodded to her husband.
"I am King Morgan of Garcia. It's my pleasure to host you while you are here, I do hope you enjoy your stay." He introduced in a cheery manner.
"I am Queen Vivian of Garcia. I hope we do get along well." She flashed a grin.
Mae internally facepalmed at how bubbly her mother was acting. In her opinion, no matter how well you treat someone, they'd always have two sides of the puzzle.
"Mae?" Queen Vivian's voice brought her back to reality.
"Mother?" She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't imagining things.
"Mae it's your turn to introduce yourself."
'Uhh! Right now? Why?' She internally wished the ground would swallow her whole.
"Do I really have to?" She looked over at her mother with pleading eyes.