"Grandfather, can I go shopping with Quinella and Felix later?" Astin asked over lunch.
"Sure but why not take more people? It's safer." Her grandfather suggested.
"There's really no need." She said. 'There's really no need since my life isn't threatened by anyone as at now.' She thought and watched him sigh.
"Alright." He finally agreed. "By the way, I saw what you did. You're really working hard. Someday, you'll be a great queen."
"Yeah… someday." She said looking gloomy but Frederick couldn't get why. He wanted to ask, when she got up and said, "I'll be leaving now."
Frederick just watched her leave and sighed not knowing what to think. He wanted to keep an eye on her every moment but thought it would be unfair in her part and if she found out, she might get mad.
"I don't know what's going on in her head." He sighed once more feeling restless. She really knew how to make him worry.
Astin took Quinella shopping while Felix went off to carry out his assignment. This was what Astin wanted.
She'd need enough normal and average clothes to begin a new normal life, even if she's never worn them. That was where Quinella came in handy. She was in charge of picking out the clothes and she knew what would go with what.
"Your highness, are you sure you want so many?" Quinella asked.
"Yes! Plus, I'm not the only one using them, you'll have some as well, so be sure to pick your size." Astin said.
"But..."
"No buts. That's an order." Astin commanded strictly and Quinella had to oblige.
"Yes, your highness." She bowed her head.
"Oh, and get some for your brother. I'm pretty sure he has no clothes, am I right?" Astin inquired and Quinella nodded.
"Yes, your highness." Quinella set out to buy more clothes while Astin looked around.
She really never went shopping before. Jude would get everything for her. She sighed on the thought of how dependant she was on Jude. Thinking about it now, it was annoying.
Astin walked round the mall and went out. She looked at the people and felt fascinated. Even as a queen, s dohe vary stood in a rear and watched the everyday life of her people.
"Your highness!" Felix called, jolting her out of her thoughts. She turned to him.
"Is it done?" She asked and he nodded.
"Yes, but, I need passports for the cards." He said.
"No worries, once we're where we're meant to be, we'll get the passports so is the rest settled?" She inquired and he nodded.
"Yes, your highness."
"Good!" She exclaimed and tugged on his arm. "Now come, Quinella is picking clothes for you."
"Quin? What for?" He asked and she rolled her eyeballs.
"Do you plan on wearing a suit for the rest of your life? Of course you have to look normal. Now come." She dragged him to the men's section. There, he tried out quite a number of clothes and they all fit him perfectly. "Felix looks good in everything." She exclaimed smiling sheepishly.
"Your highness, don't you think these are too much?" Felix asked and she sighed tiredly.
"Ugh! You two don't get it. We need a lifelong supply of clothes. Once we get out, we'll have to rely on our hard earned money." Astin pointed out.
"I don't get it, your highness." Quinella said, as she dropped the clothes in the truck of the car.
"What?" Astin asked.
"Sorry for saying this but, is it worth it leaving a peaceful life and going into the world to struggle? Don't you like the excellent treatment you receive in the palace? Isn't it foolish?"
"Quinella!" Felix scolded coldly upon hearing her words.
"No, Felix, it's fine." She said and walked closer to Quinella, standing before her. "One who hasn't seen the madness of the crown won't understand. But remember one thing...not all that glitters is gold." She winked and walked to the front. "I'm driving." She said before entering the driver's seat.
Felix faced Quinella coldly. He wasn't happy with what she said at all.
"How could you say such a thing? The princess treats us well yet you call her actions foolish, you're being ungrateful!"
"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't want to mean it like that, I was just curious." She said.
"You are childish!" He shut the truck hard before turning round to her in the car with Quinella feeling guilty. Why did he have to be so hard on her all the time?
"You scolded her, didn't you?" Astin asked but he kept silent. "She's a child, you should know that."
"Her childish thinking will put her in trouble." Felix stated hatefully.
"Ouch!" Astin exclaimed and watched from the mirror as Quinella got into the car. She examined her face closely and saw traces of tears in her eyes. She sighed and put on the engine. There was really nothing she could do.
They got to the palace and there, Astin started packing up. She folded all the clothes bought for herself in a big box,.they could all contain because she folded carefully. She gave two other boxes to Felix and Quinella to fold their clothes in. That was the only thing they'd really carry.