17 No more worries... just acceptance.

"What is happening with the Princess? Why is she so upset?" 

"I don't know… come, let's go before she sees us."

"But, isn't the medicine of happiness already done, why is she so depressed?"

"Didn't you hear?"

"What is it?"

"She was reprimanded by the Queen."

"Why?!"

"I think she went overboard with another kid."

"Who? She would never go that far with anyone… I think? You know what I mean."

"Sigh… I know, but she caused a huge commotion in the last tea party of the Queen."

"Then… who was the other kid?"

"The son of the Duke of Eylos, Collin. "

"What?"

"Yes."

"Him? The little angel?"

"Yes."

"Oh my! But that boy is a cutie pie, he always goes around showing his sweet and almost irresistible smile to the maids and he is such a charming little boy. How could a conflict arise from those two?"

"I don't know but the Princess suddenly threw him into the pond and the Queen made her stay in her room as punishment for the whole week, no games, no fruit tart, no visits to Callum and Moira, and no Henry."

"Oh my! That is just too…"

"I know, she went a bit overboard."

"Yes, her Majesty the Queen went so over the top… she separated the two little darlings, how cruel… now I understand why our Princess is so sad. She must be yearning for her beloved Henry and… and her fruit tarts."

"…"

***

The Duke of Eylos, a remarkable man with a stunning face, of course, has to have the great features inherited from the Royal family genes. Not only that, but he had a record of awards from the Kingdom for his noble deeds. What a great man!

Even more, he is, in no way, arrogant or prideful, he has a gentle and caring personality for the commoners. And what more, he had great sword skills in his younger days, and a bright mind, for sure, he was called a genius, a talented man in every field.

He was the pride of the late King and his first son, unexpectedly, he decided to retire to the north and live a simple life far away from the politics and the government of the country. He chose to guard and protect the vulnerable people on the frontier instead of receiving the crown, his birthright. Oh my, what an honorable man!

The people from the country of Lith called him a hero, a true nobleman with a kind heart. Many thought that he would become King but he quit the fight before any announcement was made before even the late King abdicated.

The great Duke of Eylos decided to take his beautiful wife and his two sons and go away as far as he could to the North. What a great man, what a hero! the people proclaimed.

"What a dumb?"

"What are you saying, Princess?"

"I am saying, how foolish of that Duke of Eylos to retire like that. He could have been King of Lith, a powerful man. Don't you think, Tia?"

"That… you can't say that Princess, he is your elder."

"I know, but even so, he could have everything, he had the power at the tip of his fingers, he could just clasp it strongly and never let it go, but what did he do? He chose to run away like a coward… or…"

"Or?"

Anne narrowed her little beautiful eyes. How many people had she not seen? Their faces behind their masks were there out on the open for eyes. Even though the memories of her last life were a bit blurred, the feeling was embedded in her instinct.

She can distinguish with easy a lying face, a greedy eye, a desire for more, she can feel it in her heart even if she didn't want it. After all, it was also in her nature. But more than anything, she could feel the hunger for revenge.

"Nothing, Tia… what about dinner?"

"That… Princess…" Tia didn't know how to convey the most horrifying news to Anne. It would be a dreadful hit on the little Princess's heart… or stomach?

Yet they had to be followed or the future will be harder for her. It is all for her own good, no matter how she will react or who will suffer the consequences, she had to obey the instructions.

With her newfound courage, Tia was prepared now to say the words… breath in, breath out, now open the eyes with resolution.

"Princess Anne, the Queen had decreed that…" she took a hard breath again, preparing her next words with care. "That you will be in strict regimen until new orders."

Tia didn't have the courage to look at Anne for as long as she said those words, and after because she could imagine the severity of the news on the little Princess's face.

And…

She was right, Anne, the most outstanding Princess in the continent, was now going through a ridiculous cycle of acceptance.

First, she took it as a joke. "Hahaha… Tia, I've never thought you could joke like that… pff hahaha."

Second, the news was going down on her mind little by little, "It is a joke, right? But… yes, of course, how can that be true, aunty would not… but… Tia is joking, right? right?"

Third, Tia's face is as serious as ever but Anne chose denial. "No… no, this can't be the truth, this must be some horrible illusion… a nightmare, I am in a dream, yes, this is a dreadful and not funny dream."

Forth, the truth is now on her face with no more space for doubts. "No, I can't accept it! This is ridiculous, I am not fat! I am a six-year-old almost seven in a stage of growth, I should be eating more even. Isn't that right, Tia?"

Fifth, hopeless thoughts. Ready to give up. "No more pastries, no more chocolate truffle cake, no more chocolate croissants, no more apple pie, and sweet macarons, my darling Chef Hugo will have to stop making cannoli and tarts, my fruit tart. How can you do that to him? He won't be able to take it when I tell him the news… oh no! What if he forgets the recipe and goes into a torment of depression. How can you never think about innocent people's hearts?!

Sixth, coming into an agreement with herself. "Yes, this may be a great moment to reinvent himself, what if he creates something new, something special. This may not be that bad."

Seventh, no more worries… just acceptance. "Alright, Tia, let's follow the plan. What is it for dinner?"

"Salad."

"Oh no!"

The cycle begins again...