Missing Royal (7 page)

“Va—”

He cuts me off before I can scold him again.

“Good luck, Princess. I will leave you to your own tasks now.” He bows again before walking away. But I saw the sadness in his eyes, the worry that he is hurting me and can’t do anything about it. It gives me hope.

I close the door and slide the lock into place before removing my shirt and jeans. I step into the bath and let four days of dirt and grime soak off. I let the warmth and safety take me away from here. I lean my head against the rim of the wooden tub. Closing my eyes, I think of all that’s happened, how my life has changed.

And whether it’s a good thing or not. I went from being the girl everyone picked on to being a princess. I wonder if I would ever tell any of those people who I really am if I had the chance. Probably not. I wouldn’t want to give them more ammo.

I sigh and think of Mom and Dad. Will they always wonder if I survived more than a day? Will they always worry about me? Or will they eventually move on? So many things could happen to them, and that worries me.

Will they adopt again? Will they get a cat or dog to fill the void? Or will they be glad I’m out of the house and no longer their concern?

And my
real
parents—are they ready to have their only child back? Do they expect me to be accepting of everything they tell me? Or do they know that I have a will of my own and it can’t be broken, purchased, or bent? And what are they like? Will they be caring and understanding, or will I have to fight them every step of the way? There are a million possibilities.

And are they sitting together, wondering the same things about me? Or do they have a perfect vision of what I’m like? Will I be a disappointment? Will I look anything like them?

My mind spins out of control with everything that could happen today. I seize up in uncontrollable fear. My wanders to all the things that could go wrong. What if I don’t fit in? What if they hate me? What if I was better off on Earth? Edda said she would help me get properly dressed. She said today would be stressful—today I meet the people who sent me away seventeen years ago.

Today I lost my best friend to the prince he’s always been. I’m not ready for any of this. I don’t fit in here anymore than I did on Earth. I’m not a part of this world. My heart sinks in despair as the thought hits me—I don’t belong anywhere.

I take a deep breath and begin scrubbing at my skin. My first goal is to make a good impression. No matter what I think of them, I know they can make things easy for me or they can turn this into a nightmare.

My second priority is to prove to Valentino that as long as he treats me like someone I’m not, we aren’t friends. I want the old Valentino, the one I became friends with. I can’t lose him. If I do, I risk losing myself.

My third priority is to prove to these people that I am not helpless. I came prepared in every aspect. I can take care of myself, and I will go out and find these other royals and end this Mendina’s wrath. But they don’t control me.

And that brings me to the final part. I will not marry for anything but love. If they expect me to marry just anyone—whether it helps the kingdom or not—they are wrong. They don’t control me. I am not a piece of property to be traded.

I dunk my head under the water and begin scrubbing my hair. As much as a bath is nice every now and then, it isn’t the easiest of ways to wash hair. How I would just love a nice hot shower about now.

As soon as I’m done scrubbing, I grab the towel-like cloth Edda left for me and wrap it around my body. Shivering, I dry and put my regular clothes on. Edda said to ring the bell, but I don’t know what bell that would be.

I open my bedroom door in hopes of finding someone walking by who could help me, but the hall is barren. I close the door and sit on the bed and gaze across the room looking for any sort of bell.

When I don’t see anything, I get up and walk around the room searching. But that doesn’t grant any luck either. So instead, I open the wardrobe, and while carefully avoiding all the velvet dresses, pull out the others and lay them across the bed.

“While those are all stunning dresses, none of them are fitting for the occasion. This is the dress you will be wearing this morning.” I spin around to see Edda standing in the doorway. She is holding the dress Valentino brought me.

It is beautiful, plainer than the others. The green will make my eyes stand out. I wish to wear my parents’ gift with it. I realize I don’t know where my backpack is. I rode with Valentino, and my belongings were attached to Star’s saddle.

I look around in panic, hoping someone brought it to my room but it is nowhere in sight.

“Your Highness, you need to get dressed. Your parents are waiting, as is the entire royal court.” Her words hit me hard.

“The entire royal court? I’m meeting my parents—in front of other people?” I thought it would be a more personal affair. I thought we would meet in a cozy room somewhere.

“Of course. The entire kingdom has been awaiting your return, Princess. This is a day of celebration for not just the kingdom, but the world.” She has one eyebrow furrowed, the other raised, confused at my confusion.

“I just thought it would be different. Sorry,” I mumble. “If they’re waiting, you’re right. I should get dressed.” I hold out my hand for the dress.

“Milady, I assure you this will be easier if I help you. As I am to understand, you’ve never done up a dress like this.” She shows me the back. There’s no zipper—just laces. And Edda’s right—I’ve never worn a dress like this. So I nod and allow her to help me put it on. Which is more than a little awkward but she is kind to turn away until the dress is on.

She ties the back up so tight, I feel like I can’t breathe. I don’t say a thing—she has to know what she’s doing. I suck it in and take small breaths. “It becomes easier in time, I assure you.”

I just nod and look out the window. “Turn around,” she says. I turn. Before me is a full-length mirror and I have to admit, I look stunning. The only thing that doesn’t fit is my wet, knotted hair. “Take a seat.” Edda places the velvet chair behind me. I don’t want to touch it but I do as she says.

I cringe as I feel the way the velvet moves beneath my dress. Edda carefully brushes my hair. Not once do I feel the pain that usually comes with getting four-day tangles out of one’s hair.

“Edda?” I’m afraid to make the request. I don’t know what the limits are, what the rules are.

“Yes, milady?”

“Is this my room now?” I almost hope she says no but I have a feeling it is.

“Yes, Your Highness. Unless it is unfitting, in which case we can find you a bigger room,” she offers. I look around the best I can while she’s holding my hair.

“Oh, no. I don’t want bigger.” I don’t know what I would do with a bigger room.

“Is something wrong with it, then?”

“Well, I don’t like velvet. And this room seems to be overrun with it,” I finally say.

“I see. Do not worry, Princess. I shall see to it that it is taken care of.”

“Thank you.” I look back in the mirror and see the braids she has put in my hair. Two braids, one on either side of my head, and they meet in the middle to make a ponytail. The rest of my hair is straight and hangs loose. I’ve always braided my hair back but I like how this looks on me.

I’m beginning to believe that she could make a princess out of me yet, if only in the looks department—something I never thought would happen. She makes the last finishing touches, somehow getting my hair to stay without an elastic band.

“Thank you. I’m stunned.” I touch my hair and spin around in the dress, and for once I feel like I’m worth more. The sleeves of the dress are longer in the back and almost reach the floor. Trimmed in gold, the gown makes me feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt.

“That’s fitting because you look stunning, Your Highness.” She smiles, and I believe we will be great friends.

“Thank you,” I say kindly. I appreciate all she’s done for a total stranger.

“Now, milady, your escort awaits you.” She pushes me toward the door.

“What about shoes?” I look at my bare feet, freezing on the cold floor.

“I am so sorry, Your Highness. Please forgive me.” She curtsies and opens the wardrobe, pulling a pair of gold slippers from the base. I slip them on and run out the door, running right into Valentino.

“Forgive me, Y—” he begins.

“It’s my fault, and I’m sorry.” I look up at him, not wanting him to continue treating me like we don’t know each other. I hate it.

And for a moment, the charade stops. “You’re beautiful.” He looks me up and down, and I let him.

“Thank you.” I curtsy. I don’t know why, but it just feels right.

“Shall we?” He offers his arm, which I take in an instant.

“I don’t know that I’m ready for this.” We walk down the long hall, our steps in sync. A maid walks toward us. She appears to be in a hurry but as she gets closer and realizes who we are, she stands against the wall in a curtsy until we’ve passed.

“I suppose this isn’t really something you can prepare for but I know you will do great. Your mother and father have missed you beyond measure. They have been looking forward to this day with far more excitement than you’ve been dreading it.” Having him put things in to that perspective make things a little easier.

“And what if they’re disappointed?” My voice wavers. Valentino stops, unwinding his arm from mine. He faces me, his hands on either of my shoulders.

“There is nothing they could be disappointed about. You have learned everything you could before coming. Your parents, the ones who adopted you, prepared you in every way possible except for this moment. Smile, curtsy at all the right times, and welcome them into your life. That is all they wish for.”

I lean in just a little closer. “I don’t know anything about being royal. I don’t know when to curtsy or when to smile or when to speak. I don’t even know how to address my parents.” He puts his forehead to mine.

“Don’t try to be someone you’re not ready to be. They are aware you have no training in being a princess. Smile upon seeing them—show them you’re happy to be here. Curtsy upon entering the room, when standing before them, and when you are dismissed. As for addressing them, do what you’ve always done.” He steps back and loops my arm around his again.

We arrive at two very large wooden doors. Each guard moves from their post and opens the door. Inside the room are throngs of people. The royal court, here to welcome home the lost princess. I feel more lost now than I ever did before.

The room gasps as they see the doors opening. And in the moment I need him most, Valentino steps away from me. I don’t know where he goes or why he leaves but I dread this, knowing I am going in alone. He isn’t coming with me.

“Her Highness, Princess Shanice Calaria of Umare.” A trumpet is blown and the room all stands as I enter. One by one as I pass, the people they bow. I follow the red carpet and turn past the people to face the dais. There in golden seats at the end of the room, sitting before large glass windows, are the king and queen.

I continue walking and people continue bowing. I shake with every step, terrified that at any moment something is going to go wrong. But I keep walking until I stand three stairs away from my parents. I curtsy and keep my head low, unsure of what to do next.

“The princess, my daughter, is home!” the king shouts before closing the last three steps before us and wrapping his arms around me. The crowd cheers. The queen more elegantly steps down, and she too wraps her arms around me. I look up at each of their faces, and in them I can see my own features. My mother’s peridot eyes, my father’s button nose—mine is a smaller version—and they both have the same red fiery hair.

“Welcome home, Shanice,” she whispers into my hair, her head leaning on mine. I can feel her tears as she cries tears of joy.

I want to say something. I know I
should
say something but words are lost to me right now. I’m overwhelmed by this welcome, with all the people and the clothes I’m wearing, and the fact that Valentino left me.

The king steps back and allows the queen to wrap her arms completely around me. I let her. “Tonight we celebrate! Let there be feasting and dancing and entertainment!” the king announces. I bite my lip and hold back all the things I can’t say.

I don’t want to feast and dance. Dancing … I guess my parents didn’t teach me everything because I definitely do not know how to dance.

“Has Edda taken good care of you? Are you comfortable here?” Mother—something hard to call this woman—takes my hands in hers and steps back to get a good look at me.

“Yes.” I nod.

“Come. We must give you the full tour. We want to know everything about you. We have seventeen years to catch up on.” She smiles at me. The king—Father—takes my other hand and they lead me past the people who have already begun in the festivities, drinking and eating and dancing.

Every person is bowing as we pass but my parents don’t stop or slow down. They keep walking. The doors open as they approach, and Valentino is nowhere in sight. I hold back everything I want to say and allow them to give me a tour of the entire castle—everything from the dungeons to the kitchen to their rooms. I’m informed that I have quarters—not a room—and the halls are in fact called corridors. They show me the library and the ballroom, and they tell me that we were just in the great hall.