Princess Iris

Just then a guard interrupts.

"Sorry to disturb Your Majesties. The King asked me to relay a message," The guard says.

Prince Jeffery and the guards go to one corner. As they talk I can't help but think about what happened last night. How much I worried everyone. The guard leaves and Prince Jeffery joins me. "Is everything alright?" I ask.

"Yes, everything is fine. An Octavalia ship was spotted," Prince Jeffery says.

"Leonard?" I ask.

"Yes, it seems he requested an audience with Frederick and Father and they need me to be in attendance," Prince Jeffery says.

I can feel my heart beating fast, and the butterflies in my tummy are flying wild. The warm feeling feels overwhelming.

"Iris are you okay?" Prince Jeffery asks.

"Yes I am, I just felt a little lightheaded," I say.

"Why don't you have a sit," Prince Jeffery says.

"No, I am fine," I say.

He looks at me for a while.

"Do you want to talk about last night?" I ask.

He looks at me surprised. I stand from the chair and to the small bridge across the pond. Prince Jeffery joins me.

"It wasn't a dream, right? You were there, in my room last night?" I ask.

"Yes I was; I am sorry; I had to force myself into your room. I couldn't sleep so I went to the study room to pass away the time. I was returning back to my room when I heard a noise coming from your room. I rushed to your door and I heard you gasping for air. I kept shouting your name, but you weren't responding. I got scared so I had to break the lock on the door so that I could get you on time. I rushed to your side; I realized you were having a high fever at that point all you could say was water. So I quickly took you into the bathtub and turned the shower on. That was when my mother and Princess Catherine rushed into the room. The moment the water touched you, you relaxed and fainted. Mother got scared, she didn't know what to do, it was at that moment your head maids arrived at the castle. Princess Catherine helped them to take care of you while I waited outside. I knew you would be fine but I never left your side. I stayed by your bedside till morning," Prince Jeffery says.

I couldn't look at him as I try to fight back tears. That was my most vulnerable point. I don't feel I should be here right now. I stand to leave as Prince Jeffery catches my hand stopping me. I turn and look at him; just then tears drop from my eyes. Prince Jeffery takes me into his arms and holds me tight. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer so I let them go. I cry for what feels like minutes.

"When Ri died, I started having these nightmares. The nightmares were about what happened the night of the fire. I didn't mind the nightmares you see, for me, I was glad because I got to see her every night. When I finally decided to step outside of the castle the nightmares went away except for a few nights when I get exhausted. Last night just happened to be one of those nights," I say subbing.

Prince Jeffery releases me. He uses his handkerchief and wipes my face.

"I remember the first time I noticed you at Royal Academy, I was in Mixers and you were in Siders. You and Princess Isabelle and a fight, I watched you tie her to a horse post because she was throwing stones at the ponies," Prince Jeffery says. "I had to tie her up. Besides she wouldn't listen to reason. Someone had to stop her. That was very daft of her," I say.

Prince Jeffery couldn't contain himself as he starts laughing and I join him.

"While you were scolding her and she crying because you tied her up, I couldn't stop staring at those beautiful eyes of yours. I remember telling my brother how beautiful, and brave you were. Your sister kept shouting and cheering you on. She was like your biggest fan," Prince Jeffery says.

I couldn't help the tears that escaped my eyes as I touch Ri's necklace.

"She was," I say.

Prince Jeffery touches my face gently.

"Iris, you are the most beautiful girl I have met, I love how your eyes glitter when it meets the sun. I love that thing your mouth does when you are shy, I love that even with everything that happened you never allowed it to change who you are, I love how you say my name. it never fails to send chills down my body. This is the Iris I love," Prince Jeffery says.

I look at him surprised.

"You... You love me?" I ask.

"Yes, I do love you, always have and always will and I am so happy that you finally get to be mine, Iris."

I look into his eyes as he's hands move from my cheek to my lips and he slowly carcasses them. I think we are about to kiss.

"Oh, there you are I thought I was going to have to leave without you, Your Majesty. Oh my, am I interrupting something?" Princess Catherine asks.

I smile at her

"It's fine Catherine. I was already thinking of coming to find you," I say.

"King Leonard just arrived at the castle Jeffery and everyone is looking for you," Princess Isabelle says.

"I will be there Catherine, Thank You," Prince Jeffery says.

"I will be waiting for you at the entrance, Your Majesty," Princess Catherine says with a curtsey and leaves.

"I guess I have to leave you in Catherine's hand," Prince Jeffery sadly says.

"You don't need to worry, she won't let me out of her sight," I say.

Prince Jeffery laughs.

"I bet she won't," Prince Jeffery says.

I smile at Prince Jeffery; he looks at me and kisses my cheeks before letting me go. I smile at him and leave him to meet up with Princess Catherine.

The rest of the days passed like a blur. My day with Princess Catherine was cut short when the decorators arrived at the castle. Princess Catherine helped me in picking a few designs and select pieces of music for that day. "Where is the library, I need a guide to finalize these designs. A book or two should help me?" I ask.

"Down the hall, the third door by your left but I think I should follow you," Princess Catherine says.

Just then Princess Catherine kicks the table leg and it tumbles on the floor. Everything on the table falls to the ground and scatters everywhere.

I laugh as Princess Catherine is everywhere helping the servants gather everything. Since today she has been a little clumsy.

"I am so sorry Your Majesty, I will be with you shortly," Princess Catherine says.

"Take your time Catherine, when you are done you can meet at the library," I say.

I follow Princess Catherine's directions, and when I reach the end of the hall, I take my left and bumped into someone.

"I am so so..."

I look up and find King Leonard looking down at me.

"Leonard, I am sorry I wasn't looking where I was going. I was in a..."

"It's fine Iris, I too wasn't looking where I was going. It's good to see you again," King Leonard says running his hand through his head.

"It's good to see you too. I heard you were..."

I stop talking when King Leonard takes his hand to my face and pushes my hair behind my ears. He looks at me and I can see the emotions in them. "Leonard, over here."

I turn and find King Frederick behind us, by a door.

"Coming," King Leonard says passing me and walking to King Frederick.

King Frederick enters the room; King Leonard stops just as he is about to enter the room and looks back at me. I look at him as he smiles at me, enters the room, and closes it behind him. I look around me, and look at the door King Leonard entered one last time and left for the library.