3: The Fallen King

After the long talk with my father, we came back home and food is ready even my mother. She's just waiting for us to sit down and eat together. My clothes are torn and colored by froth. But it doesn't matter, what matters is I still look like a human, a beggar princess.

We didn't use knife nor spoon and fork in eating. It's a turkey and difficult to eat formally specially I'm starving. Same with my father. Yes, we're royal bloods, but we act like a normal villager. Definitely my mother disagrees in being excelled. We all use our hands only to eat. I noticed the smiling lips of the maids standing around us.

"Wow! I miss your cook," my father said to my mother.

"You made these?!"

"Was it really unbelievable?" she replied.

"You know what, your mother used to cook all kinds of foods."

"And it's perfect if you learn how to do it," my mother said as if I don't know how to cook egg.

"But it's more fun if we teach her how to clean too," said my father.

"What?! That's gross!"

"No! It's fun!" they said together.

"Fighting lesson is done. You should learn different things."

"That's right. So someday you will discover your own gift. Like how your father did."

"Well that's a piece of cake," he said with arrogance.

"Was that part of being a Queen?" When I asked that, they look at each other. My father grins.

"Of course. And I will teach you to be a better Queen," my mother answered. I wonder what's funny with my question.

"Oh, I remember. I have to leave this afternoon. One of the King from Alcubra nation is in need. We will meet each other together with his whole jurisdiction."

"Why? What happened?" I ask.

"Still unknown. We have to investigate the crime. It's an urgent evacuation. They will stay in Murdox kingdom."

"Why there?" I asked again.

"That is the kingdom with the greatest defense and army. Where my companion lives, King Corrihor. He's the same age as my father."

"I see. I'm looking forward to meet the people from other nation." When I said that, they glare at me.

"What?" I responded from their look.

"Are you looking forward to see your future King?" mother asked.

"Seriously?! That comes to your mind?!"

"Well I'm not sure if King Hibyte has a son."

"Oh come on father!" they laugh at me. It's awkward teasing me this way. But what if maybe I will be able to meet him? Sounds exciting but they're in the middle of tribulation in their nation.

After we eat and chitchat, I search for Almidoron. I came outside, in front of the garden. I smell nasty but I still need to do something.

"Princess!" I heard him shout it on the hallway covered with flowers. Just beside the garden. I run closer to him and check his face.

"Is there something wrong?" I look at him with anxiety. I hug him tight, he's surprised. It's just one month past when he started being my attendant but he serves as a brother to me. He's shy but he hugged me back.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault my father punished you."

"Ah. Princess, how about you, are you okay?"

"Yes I am. I'm okay with my father."

"That's a relief. And also, princess, I feel honored to be hugged by you but I think your mother is waiting..." I look behind me. It's my mother standing there. I smile to keep calm. She walk closer

"A future Queen is kind to all her servants. I'm glad I don't have to teach you that. But, a future Queen is neat and clean. Fix yourself. We will tour the whole kingdom."

"Tour? Why?"

"You said you like to meet new people, and it's better if you begin with your own city before other's." I did that tour before. And it was horrible! They're glaring, cussing and mocking me behind just because I'm not gifted and for them I don't deserve to be a Queen.

Let's just say I hate them all. But they're part of my home so I must learn to be kind and love them. I took my bath; the maids wear me a cute gray gown. Another gown that grips my waist. They braided my hair and put some make up. When I'm done, I really feel uncomfortable.

But when I look at the mirror, I almost fell in love with myself. The only thing missing is the crown. I think I can't wait to be a Queen. And I can't wait too to meet my King. My mother flattered me, I smell good, look good, and must feel good. She's fixed too. Sadly, my father can't join because they're preparing to leave.

The white carriage is waiting for us, Almidoron and Naomi will join us. Inside the carriage, I'm nervous. I don't really know how to deal with people. When we reach the town, we came down here in a market place. It's too noisy and too many people.

"Ashti, focus on good things around you. Let the bad things behind stay behind," my mother quoted. The people were amused when they saw us. I heard a vendor promoting his accessories, my mother entertained it. I'm just observing her how to interact. Another seller recommended her shoes items and hats. I smile with amazement that my mother is an expert with socializing.

I felt someone pulling my gown, it's a little girl. I sit to match her height.

"Hello sweetie. Are you lost?" she shook her head.

"Are you a living doll?" she asked with a very cute voice tone. I laugh gently.

"No. I am the princess. My name is Ashti." She was shocked. Then she wave her hand.

"Hello! Nice to meet you!"

"It's nice to meet you too." I show my brightest smile. She run away to go back with her mother, her mother greeted me too. I stand up and heard another mock. It says that I'm trying to be a Queen even though in the end I'm worthless. Almidoron covered my ears from behind. I thanked him. I just need to let things behind stay behind.

I saw a hamster in a pet shop. I doubtlessly came closer to see it. It's so cute! The shop owner handed me the hamster, it is my first time touching it and it's like a soft little ball that tickles my palm on its every step. I want to buy it but there's no use. My mother came here too to look for a closer view of a rabbit.

I jerk back and unexpectedly hit Almidoron behind. I saw a snake. It's hanging on a thick string. A hamster and a snake?! How risky it is for a hamster! The shop owner told me it's his very own pet. A kind snake. I guess no one will argue with this owner.

I roam around the pet shop until I reach the next stand. It's full of flowers and bouquets. A young man gave me a blue rose. This color is rare. He is the vendor here. I thanked his sweetness. I was attracted to many different kinds of flowers here too. The young man gladly introduced it to me.

Some flowers are for courting, for crown and necklace. Some flower taste sweet, and some that look very attractive but filled with stench. Some are poisonous, sometimes used for self-defense. The young man said that it came from Infinite Petals, a place full of different races of flowers. I wish I could go there!

I can hear some music playing on the side of the fountain, people are gathered there. My mother pulled me to join the music. They are all dancing buoyant. Are they celebrating our visit here? My mother joins the dance on the middle together with other people, she's acting younger than me.

She pull me again this time on the middle of the crowd, we're both dancing like kids. I then pulled my attendant to join the dance. As time passed by, I didn't know that I'm enjoying the tour so much. All I have to do is to get their trust to avoid scoffing.

(King Xavier)

Afternoon is nigh. I hope they both enjoy the tour specially my daughter. I'm here standing in front of the gate of the castle, leaning both of my hands on the sword hilt in front of me. When they arrived back, Ashti came outside the carriage lively yet the carriage is not completely parked.

I don't expect her to be this hyper after the tour but I'm glad. She converged me by hug and smile. I'm surprise with the result. She told me about the pet shop, the flowers and the young man that gave her a blue rose, also about the dance they joined. I can't help but smile. She screams in happiness.

She gave me a bracelet she bought from there, it's a simple floral tie. I look girlish here but I accept since it came from my daughter. Then she plays with Alpha. Amber greeted me

"So, ready to leave?"

"How's the tour?"

"As you can see, she's absolutely satisfied." I keep my eyes on Ashti, looking pale. Amber touch and turn my face to her, rubbing her thumb on my cheek. I can read her expression, she's curious.

"I can feel your dismal. Are you okay?" I take a deep breathe before I answer her.

"I'm just worried that she'll end up like my brother."

"You mean Xymon? Don't worry, they may have the same fate but they have different personalities." No. I can even see my brother from my daughter.

"It's okay. All we have to do is to guide her and teach her positive things. Wait, why won't you let her travel? You've developed your gift by that right?"

"No way. There's no assurance for her security."

"It's for her too. You must gain your trust to your own child too." I space out thinking about that matter. Amber is right, that's difficult for Ashti to learn if she stays in one place.

"Okay. I promise that when she turned 18."

"I agree. That's a wise choice as a King." I hold her hands and kiss her lip. I feel younger again.

"Ehem... I deeply apologise for disturbing your public display of affection..."

"What is it again Key?"

"The army is ready." I lean my forehead to Amber's. "Goodluck," she said. I kiss her forehead and then rode on Alpha. But before that, Ashti held both my hand and Amber's.

"Before you detached, why not give me a sibling first?" What a great and shameful suggestion, Amber laughed with that.

"Okay. When I came back."

"Really?! Promise?" I sigh and smile. "Promise." I kiss her on her forehead too. And then we left. May the blessing of gods be with me. I don't know what kind of danger I will face. I joined Rhea and 25 knights with me just in case they need back up.

It took us half of an hour when we reach the destination. They haven't arrived. We stay to wait for them here on the lower ground. The sun is burning me so I made my cape a shade. Rhea did laugh at me. But I ignore her. I unintentionally saw a hooded boy on top of the cliff to our right side, he's watching us. Then he disappeared in a blink of my eyes.

I remembered my hallucination a long time ago. I can hear heavy treads of horses until I saw some troops arriving. I'm not sure if its them but they're few, being chased by millions of species I saw before.

"Rhea, defense line."

"Defense line!!" all knights form their line horizontally in front of me and face their shields towards the enemy. They're running fast, like lions chasing its prey. I ran Alpha to meet those monsters. Rhea doesn't expect my move. I saw the messenger with the troops. I let them pass before me, I pull out my sword and sway it in the air.

Every single one of the monsters was petrified. I play my sword with my hand before I take it back in its sheath. I can feel something from the ground, a giant one. I saw huge monster approaching. It has horns, long fangs, huge belly and color green, the other hand was cut.

I'm its target. It's just stepping on the other creatures I made a stone. Like a boss. It screams and produced shock wave across the whole field. Good thing they're secured with the shields. I cover my ears and didn't notice the monster is only an inch from me.

I lift my arm as fast as the wind and a huge stone wall came up in front of me. The monster attacked and the wall was cracked. I push the wall and monster was pushed too. Instead it continues, the monster jumped high and attempt to slam the ground, I block it by making another wall, this time in the air.

This monster is insane! It broke the wall and attack me. I was thrown away from my horse. I'm still laying on the grass when it attacked me again. But delayed, it was shot by an arrow by Rhea in its eye. Pathetically agonizing, I take the advantage to thrust it by my sword. Marvelously, nothing happens. Still moving and alive.

How did this monster exist? It grasps me by its huge hand, I spread my arms to free myself, I added some force for more effective. I push myself away with strong wind force to distance myself. I put on my sword again so I could tighten both of my gloves.

"You really want me to go this far? Then I'll show you."