Chapter 13

It's a beautiful morning here in Firce the sun has just risen leaving a clear sky, displacing a landscape that could just take your breath away. I stepped onto the balcony to view the whole scenario. A particular flock of birds flew around the castle, playing with the snow while singing a beautiful melody. One of them landed on the golden polished balustrade and it was spreading its blue wings. 

'Beautiful.' I mused to myself. 

The sight of the snow never looked beautiful in my eyes before and believe me, I was falling in love with. My thoughts flew and a flashback of my normal life came into my head. This week is Christmas but I don't that festival is celebrated here. 

"Annabelle." a voice called and footsteps followed. Victoria was searching for me in my room but couldn't find me.

"I'm over here!" I piped as I waved her arms, frantically trying to get her attention.

Victoria walked onto the balcony, her face washed with relief immediately she sighted me. "I was so worried upon seeing an empty bed." she sighed, wiping away the beads of sweat around her forehead. "Enjoying the view." 

"Say that again." I laughed, catching a snowflake that was fallen from the sky. "Snow never felt so beauty before." The birds that was flying around caught my sight again and also my curiosity level.

"These blue feather birds look beautiful as always." Victoria grinned, stretching forth her hand to encourage one of them to climb on her. 

"That's what we call them?" I muttered, using my hands to brush its gentle blue wings. "Their songs are so melodious." 

"Come on, let's get you ready for the day." she left the bird fly back into the sky so it could join the others. "Your tour is today."

"Tour?" I asked in a puzzled tone. "Which tour?"

"Ooh, didn't Richard inform you about it." she said, heading into the bathroom. "He told my he did." 

The last word Richard said popped into my head and I gave a light chuckle. "Yeah, he did, but maybe I forget it." I got a black cocktail party dress, it was a knee-length flair gown, and it was lovely. 

"Anna, which flavour do you want?" she inquired. Her voice was pretty clear from where she was. "Vanilla, Lavender or Cotton Blossom and do you want warm or cold water?" 

"Let's go with Lavender and warm water." I replied. "Victoria?"

"Yes, sweetheart."

"Is Christmas celebrated in Firce?" I inquired. 

Victoria's shadow was clearly outlined, even though heavy silk curtains covered the window. "Christmas? Is a human festival or something like that?" 

'So they don't celebrate that here.' I noted in my head. 'That's why dad rarely celebrated it.' 

"It's a human festival," I said, placing my gown on the chair that was right in front of my vanity. "I just wanted to know if it was celebrated here.��

"We don't celebrate Christmas here," she said, walking out of the bathroom to dry her wet hands with a towel. "But we celebrate the new year." 

I smiled at her before giving her a nod. 

"I'm sure you felt weird after seeing your powers and wings for the fight time." she said she before getting silver accessories and a matching silver heel from my armoire. 

"I felt weird," I confessed with a peal of light laughter. "Weird and confused, but I'm home now and I feel amazing." 

"Glad you're adjusted to all this." she said. "Okay, have your bath then I will help with your hair." 

"No, don't bother I will do that by myself." I said. 

"Okay, come to the hall for your breakfast." she instructed before leaving the room. 

'Time to relax in my bath.' I said to myself.

**********

"Good morning everyone." I chorused, earning a reply from everyone seated on the table. 

"How was your night?" Isabelle inquired with an enormous smile. 

"It was amazing and thanks for asking." I smiled back, moving the chair that was set out for me back a little so I could sit down. "How was yours?" I asked after settling down on the chair. 

"Oh, it was nice." she squeaked.

My grandfather sipped his tea before looking at me. "Glad you've settled in nicely." he grinned, beckoning one maid to attend to me. 

"What would you have, my princess?" the servant asked, displacing the tray she held in her hands. "French toast, Cheese on toast, Cinnamon toast, Milk toast, Toast sandwich or Garlic bread?" 

I looked at the varieties of toast displaced in my front. Never in my life have I had so much to choose from. "Uh..maybe the Toast sandwich and the French toast." I said at last. 

"Okay." she placed the toasts on my plate. "What would you want to have with your toast?" 

"Milk Coffee." I replied, and the lady poured it out for me. I took the cup and held it the way a princess should, keeping my ring and pinky fingers tucked in.

"Excellent choice, princess." Richard who was sitting right next to me whispered to my hearing. "We chose the same thing." 

"Really? I didn't know that," I smirked before biting into the toast on my plate. "Wow! This toast is amazing. Who made it?" 

"Victoria did." Richard said. "Her meals are amazing." 

"My taste buds agree with that." I moaned silently. 

"Annabelle, today Richard will take you on a tour around Firce." my grandfather said after a few minutes of silence. "I planned to accompany you but a meeting just came back I hope you will enjoy it." 

"Sure thing." 

"Your highness," a man whispered before leaning down to speak to my grandfather. 

"Okay," my grandfather sighed. "Darling, I'm so sorry, but your tour will have to be postponed."

"Why?" I cried.

"We are having visitors today," he announced. "The Werewolves and The Yugen are coming over." 

"Why?" Richard fumed. "Why do we need to host them?" 

"Richard, you know why by now so stop complaining." my grandfather said. 

"Why exactly are they there coming?" I asked. 

"Well, we have unsettled business to finish, so that's why there are coming," he said. Pulling back his chair so he could stand up. "Richard, we need to talk come and meet me in my study now." 

"Yes, sir." Richard muttered. 

"Annabelle, once again I'm sorry for postponing your tour." he placed his hands on my shoulder. "I will make it up to you." 

"Don't worry," I beamed. "I will just stay in my room." 

"Okay, darling." he grinned, leaving a light kiss on my forehead. "I want everyone to be ready and be here by 7 pm prompt no excuse." 

"Yes!" we all chorused.