"Princess, are you okay?" Drak said, his face knotted in worry. I looked around, noticing I was back in my room. I examined my body, confirming I was back in the body of Gora.
Drak?" I said, glancing at the troll again. I was breathing heavily as if I'd just got done running all day. I stood there examining my bodyguard in my sweat-soaked nightgown.
"Everything is fine, you had nightmare. A walking nightmare!" Drak announced. By the looks of my room, he probably meant I was sleepwalking. There were a few chairs knocked over, but other than that, the place wasn't too messy.
"Whew!" I let out a tense breath as I sat on my bed. (I thought I would be trapped in my old body for a second.) I felt as I watched Drak tidy up the room a bit. He still wore a worried look on his face as he cleaned. His ugly mug was a welcome sight.
"Princess, are you okay? You were swinging a candle holder like a sword. It was strange. You didn't speak at all, just swung your make-shift sword. Even hit me a few times." Drak explained. I honestly didn't know what I was going to tell them. The truth would be out of the question. (How would the giant react if I told him? I was a man in a little girl's body?) I wondered as much fun as it would be fun to see his reaction. I decided to go another route.
"It must be all that training Duae's been putting me threw. I sorry if I hurt you." I said, hoping he would believe my lie. He should. It's been six months of nothing but constant training. If I wasn't training physically, I was training mentally by reading books, mainly martial manuals, assigned to me by Duae.
"No need to appoligize, I would gladly give my life if it was to protect you!" Drak exclaimed. His words were dramatic, but they rang true. Drak would die for me, not because of emotions like love or affection. It was solely out of duty for his king and country. Drak was a soldier threw and threw.
"No need to get dramtic big guy." I said, looking towards the window to see what time it was. I could faintly see the light from the sun through my thick curtains.
"Come have breakfast with Drak. As a thank you for saving me. I feared I would never wake up." I said as I walked out of my room. Drak had finished tidying up as best he could. The maids would most likely clean the rest when they got in. (Devon would be in for my bath. It would be nice to see that gorgeous face.) I thought, making my way to the kitchen. It was a bit earlier than when I usually ate breakfast. But I'm sure the chefs are already up.
"Bacon, here we come!" I yelled as my bodyguard and I headed off to eat. I was also trying my best to shake my nightmare. I have been having more nightmares recently. However, this was my first case of sleepwalking. I was grateful to Drak for waking me. I turned to look at my bodyguard. The bags under his eyes had gotta bigger. ( He's been guarding me full-time while Mog was away. I bet he could use a break.) I thought, stopping in my tracks.
"Say, Drak, how about you take the day off. I'm sure you exhausted from being on guard all this time." I said to the blue-skinned demon. He looked shocked for a moment. I could tell he was searching for his words.
"Has the princess forgoten what today is?" Drak asked me. I racked my brain, trying to figure out what he was saying.
"Morning Princess. Happy birthday!"
"Happy Birthday!"
"Happy birthday Princess Gora!"
A group of maids passing us by all wished me a happy birthday. (Oh, Yeah! that's today.) I thought as I thanked the maids. They seemed to be in a rush. My dream so shook me that I had forgotten what today was. In my old life, I never celebrated my birthday. In fact, I don't even know how old I was when I died. If I had to guess, I was around 50 to 60 years old.
"I guess taking to day off would be out of the question. Still you must find some time to rest." I said. I was worried that my bodyguard would pass out on the job.
"I'm thankful that your highness would show care, for someone like me. I'm unworthy." Drak stated with total severity. I wanted to slap the big guy for being so modest. But I just smiled and began to walk again. Now that I remember my birthday, my mood began to darken a little. Today would be my awakening. The day I learn if I can use Ki. Most of the kingdom would be in attendance to watch my special moment. Thanks to my dear old dad. Who also plans to choose his new heir. Today is going to be a pain. All the nobles would be in the capital. Half had already made it here. Carriages full of people have been entering town for three days straight.
There was a silver lining other than me getting my Ki. (Mog will be here today.) I thought with joy. I had grown tired of Duae and her rudeness. Training with her was a nightmare. She never talked other than to give instructions or to ask a question about training. It also looked like Drak would be getting a break after all, which is good. Once the new heir is announced, things will get rough for me. It didn't matter who was next for the throne. They would no doubt make my life hell or kill me. Worst of all, they may even try to marry me off.
The thought of marrying a man caused me to throw up a little in my mouth. In the dining room. Drak had volunteered to wake the chef. So, I was by myself now. Thinking of marriage had almost lost my appetite, but I was able to find it again after my stomach growled.
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After eating breakfast with Drak, I quickly returned to my room. Now that the nobles have come to the capital. They would be roaming around the palace, and I didn't want to run into any of them until later. I had woken up earlier than usual, so the maids weren't here yet. I secretly hoped Mog would make it back in time for my bath. Call me a perv, but I died an old virgin, so I had never seen a nude woman before. Mog's naked body was like a work of art, one I was happy to gaze at. (I wasn't too much of a creepy old man. I only looked, never touched.) I reassured myself that I wasn't a bad guy.
The door to my room opened, and Delvon and two other maids entered. I deflated a little after seeing it wasn't Mog, But Delvon was a close second. She had started to take over Mog's duties as a head maid. Since Duae couldn't be bothered to see me other than for training. I was grateful to the imp. She was a lovely girl who catered to my every whelm.
"Morning Princess, happy birthday!" Delvon said in a cheery tone. She grinned excitedly at me. The other maids also wished me and happy birthday. I thanked them all as I got up, heading towards the bath.
"Delvon, do you know when Mog is suppose to be back?" I asked as the maids began to undress me. Delvon was busy filling the tub with hot water.
"She was supposed to be here by bath time but is running a bit late. Do not worry. She wouldn't miss your birthday for the world." Delvon replied with confidence. The thought made me smile. I didn't want to miss the old bat but I couldn't help it. Mog was the closes thing to a friend that I've ever had, in any life.
"You are quite right little Delvon. I wouldnt miss this for anything." A voice announced. Getting everyone's attention. We all turned to find Mog. Her red eyes stared at me intently. (No scare on her face, so it's not Duae.) I thought, making sure I was the Mog I knew and loved. I fought the urge to give her a hug. I was nude, so that it would be a little weird anyway. Mog didn't mind picking me up and hugging me deeply. Her sweet smell caressed my nose as I hugged her back.
Mog whispered how much she missed me and how glad she was to be back. I gave in and told her I missed her, which earned me many more hugs and kisses. I was getting embarrassed, so I asked the head maid to stop. She frowned but accepted my request.
"Alright, what are you all standing around for? Today is a big day for her highness. We have much to do." Mog stated. She clapped her hands, and the maids continued preparing the tub.
As I bathed, I caught Mog up on everything that's been going on. I told her about my training and how her sister was treating me. I also recounted my victory over Duae. I had won the bet, but my father wasn't too keen on the idea of me giving up the sword. So I was stuck learning both hand-to-hand and sword Ti-Ki.
Mog listens carefully, never interrupting. Just listening. I unload all my thoughts on her, just like the old times. It has been so long since I had someone to talk to. Drak wasn't a great conversationalist, and Delvon was too formal with me. Mog was the only one I could speak freely to.
"I am sorry I left you alone. I know it must have been hard." Mog said. Her eyes began to water, but she held in her tears. I gave the woman a hug; I didn't want her to cry. She hugged back and whipped her face. After she calmed down, she turned me around to shampoo my hair. Her magic hands went to work rubbing my scalp. I had missed her head messages. They always relaxed me.
We finished the bath quickly, and I headed towards the wardrobe closet. Mog seemed to be in a great mood as she skipped to my closet. Delvon and the other maids were also giggling to themselves. I, on the other hand, was not happy. That's because Mog just told me I had two outfits for today's festivities.
One for the party and one for my awakening ceremony. One usually unlocks their soul core on the hour of their birth. This means I would awaken my Ki later tonight. I was born at a late hour. The ceremony will be held before the hour of my awakening. We also still had some time before the party. So Mog used most of our time on my hair alone. I had two small braids running down the sides of my silky black hair. The rest of my long hair draped behind me. However, I was mad that it took Mog so long to develop such a simplistic hairstyle. I had to admit I did look beautiful. (Is this really me? I have no right to be so cute.) I thought as I examined myself in the mirror.
When I was done admiring myself, we were on to clothes. I was lucky that Mog had chosen my outfit beforehand. I would have been stuck in my wardrobe for days if she hadn't.
"Is the dress to the princess liking?" Mog said, watching me gaze at the dress. It was a long black gown with purple trimming. I was surprised I thought I would be in black and red, the colors of the royal family.
"The princes all wore the colors of there mothers tribe. Your mothers tribe didnt realy have a flag or crest. So, i used your mothers favorite color. She would always comments on how much she loved my purple hair." Mog said as she brought the dress to me. I wasn't a real big fashion man in my old life. In fact, I had no fashion sense at all. However, I did like the thought of wearing my mom's colors.
"I love it, Mog, thank you! I said as the maids helped me put on the dress. It was a perfect fit. I decided I would reward Mog for her actions. So I twirled around, giving my best little girl act. All the maids, including Mog, look as if they will pass out.
"So, pwetty!" Mog squealed. She was holding her chest as if she had a heart attack.
"My heart hurts!"
"She so cute i might die!"
"I could die happy after seeing her highness."
The maids all chimed in. They always went crazy when I did everyday little girl things. I guess it was because I act a lot older than other girls my age. After they calmed themselves, I finished getting dressed. I now wore a black tiara adorned with purple jewels. Silver bracelets and black shoes. It took them a while to find the rest of my ensemble. I was slightly angry until Drak walked in with a tray of snacks. Mostly fruit, but I'd take anything at this point. Mog had planned for him to come in, knowing I'd likely get antsy. I was happy I didn't have to try on my second outfit until later.
"Now, theres only one thing missing." Mog said, pulling out a silver box. The box seemed ordinary, but how she held it made it seem important.
"This is my gift to you, it was your mother. I fought your father for years to get it. He final agreed that your mother would've wanted you to have it." Mog explained as she opened the box. Inside was a tiny silver necklace with a small purple heart attached to it. The pendant looked like my mother's favorite flower. It had the same shade of purple too.
"This was hers."I mumble. I had to swallow the lump in my throat. I quickly put the necklace on. It was bittersweet that my mother was here with me. I believed she loved me and didn't just throw me away. I also decided that I loved her.
"Thank you truly Mog. This means the world to me." I finally spoke after noticing Mog's anticipating face. I twirled the tiny heart with my fingers. It was a simple necklace as far as they came, but it was my mother's. That made it the best necklace ever.
"I'm happy you liked it. Now, let's show the kingdom how beautiful their princess is!