" why are you here alone Princess?"
A familiar voice approach me and when i look at that person i got chilled. He is the chancellor of this damn kingdom.
" Princess do you not feel well? And why are you crying?"
he kneeled down to look at my face and wipe my tears on my cheeks. I look at him as if i don't have any expression at all.
" As a princess of the Richards kingdom you are not allowed to look like that. Lowering yourself and crying in a public place is a disgrace to the king. Do you know that princess?"
I just nodded and did not say a word.
" Is the 14th Princess forgot to speak. Is that how your tutors taught you? Just nodded when talking to."
I sigh. He is really a persistent chancellor now i know why the king trust him so much. He has the capability to order people with just his words.
" Pardon my rudeness Chancellor. I am not crying a dust came in my eyes that causes tears to fell on my face and I'm looking at the lake."
He look at me in disbelieve. He sigh and stood up. While i pick up the book that fell from the ground i fixed my gown and sit on the chair that is beside me
" It is best for you Princess not to be roaming around here. And where is you handmaiden?"
" Adelle is assign to help in the ball room for the grant ball 3 days from now and it was the kings order she says."
He frowned his brows looking at me. Then i guess someone must have ordered my handmaiden.
" What i ordered is only the maid in waiting not the handmaiden of the princes and princesses. Do you know who's behind the information?"
" Adelle did not mention any to me. All she said was all the maids including the handmaiden must help preparing for the ball."
" Forgive me Princess i will talk to the head maid. Would you like me to send your handmaiden in here to accompany you Princess?"
" please do Chancellor. I don't want to go back inside the palace I'm still enjoying the view here."
" Then I excuse myself Princess."
The chancellor bowed to me and bid his farewell. Someone must have been giving Adelle a false information.
After an hour Adelle arrived holding a basket.
" Princess it is almost lunch time. I brought your lunch and it must be served now before it gets cold."
I nodded at Adelle.
" Adelle who told you to go help in the ball room.?" I ask her. Adelle suddenly stop preparing my food and look at me.
" It was Princess Ysabelle handmaiden who passed me the information."
" Did the chancellor personally looked for you to asked the same question?" I interrogated Adelle. She looks confuse. I guess she is not use to me, asking too many questions.
" Yes Princess. Is their something wrong?" She look at me hoping for an answer. And when i did not answer she continue to prepare my food.
Should i tell her to not believe any of my sisters handmaiden orders. I mean they are both handmaiden but they are more superior than Adelle. I guess telling her will make it easier for her not to get in trouble.
" Adelle starting now never follow any of my sisters and brothers order. Especially if the message is delivered by their handmaidens and try not to trust them especially Princess Ysabelle's handmaiden."
I made it clear to Adelle. She nodded and its up to her how she will handle them.
I finished half through of my lunch and started to feel uneasy. As if someone is looking at me. I look around to see if someone is spying on us and to my surprise the 2nd prince is walking towards us.
How long has it been since i saw the 2nd prince. I stood up and greeted him.
" Goodafternoon Prince Harrith."
I bowed as a sign of respect to my older brother. He's the 2nd son of the king.
" Goodday to you Cleo." He greeted me with a calm voice.
Its been a while since i heard someone say my name. He started caressing my cheeks.
" You are looking pale. How long did you stay inside your room again?" He said while looking at me from head to toe.
Among the 20 children of the king. Harrith is the only one who calls me by my name. He was the one who also saw me when Ysabelle push me off the well. I remembered when i was being bullied Harrith is the only one who can make them stop.
" Have a sit Prince Harrith." Pointing at the chair. Gesturing that he must sit.
" Do you often come here Cleo?" He ask while looking at Adelle who is currently cleaning the table.
" No Prince. It just happen that i got bored . How about you? Why are you here?" He look at me then look at the centerpiece on the table.
" Do you want to have a walk?"
Harrith stood up and offer his hand. I grab his hand and hold his arm. We started walking at the side of the lake. When i look at his face i felt that he wants to say something to me but couldn't say it at all. Was it because Adelle is following us.
I hand signal Adelle to leave us for about a minutes or so. When Harrith notice Adelle disappeared he begun to speak.
" How are you.?" The cold tone was gone.
" Why do you have to pretend that you don't like me?" I asked him
" Here in the palace all eyes and ears are on us. I know how much you want to keep your identity secret. If i call you princess and someone is following us how do you think rumors will spread?" I think for a 2nd after hearing what he told me.
" Also how sure you are that your handmaiden is loyal to you. Your status as the 14th princess of Richards are in danger."
I look at him with disbelieve.
" Me in danger? How?"
He look at me with a sad face.
" Im so sorry cleo. If only I am the crown Prince i could have protected you more."
Now I'm totally confused. I don't know what my brother is talking about.
" Tell me brother is there something you know that i don't? Please tell me." I begged him but he did not say anything. Could it be.
" Is it about me getting married after a month?" I could see the look on his face. He is shock and i must have hit the real reason why he thinks that I'm in danger.
" So it was, wasn't it brother? "
" How did you know? Who told you about that?"
" No one told me i overheard it when a 2 maids are talking a few hours ago. I didn't think it was actually true."
I look down at the ground and i felt his hand touching my head.
" I will convince father about this matter. I will try my best so please don't worry and please keep yourself inside your room."
" Ok I will.. thank you so much brother."
After a few more reminiscing brother went back to the palace. I wave back when we bid our farewell.
Now that i think about it. So it was true. I will be getting married. I should wait for about a couple of weeks for the big announcement.
When i think of it more i felt weak. So i decided to head back to my room and took some rest.
" Adelle can you prepare my bath now."
" Yes princess. And what time do you want to have your dinner?"
" i wont be having my dinner tonight."
" As you wish Princess. But if you feel hungry just ring the bell any moment i will prepare a dinner for you."
After Adelle prepares my bath i ordered her to leave and i will tend for my self. When i look at the mirror i couldn't stop thinking why do i look different from my siblings. Was it because of my commoners blood.
My hair that is as Black as the night sky and my eyes that is bluer than the blue sea. I don't have any resemblance in my siblings but the king still think that I'm his child and yet he abandoned me.
Why I am here if the king will abandoned me. Why did he not send me to exile if my mother did commit the treason they told me. And then suddenly a thought came in my mind.
" The archives." I have no doubts that they took records of my mom. Everything that happen for the past years was there. My tutor told me that there is this place in the palace that only Royal Family could enter.
All the records of the previous kings and queens are there. Also the harem of the kings as well the previous and the current. There should be an information about my mother, about us. I must look for that archive. I still have a month or a few weeks, but i couldn't slack off. I must find it as soon as possible. Tomorrow i must gather some information.
To be continue