08: True Leader

I am in my room combing my hair the next morning.

"Goodness gracious, Avery." Ezra exclaimed when she saw me

"Your mother is so worried about you." she said

"You both said the same thing." I said

"Who?" she asked

"Knight Zairo." I answered and continued to brush my long hair

"I knew it. You spent the times you disappeared with him." Ezra said and smiled teasingly

"I did not. He wasn't there either." I said

"Oh cousin, you should show up to your mother. Aunt Katrina is so worried about you." she said and I nodded

We went to the throne room and Mother was there looking busy.

"Queen Katrina, Princess Avery is here." My cousin said

"Avery? Where have you been?" she asked me

"I've been wandering around the kingdom, Mother." I said

"And without your guards?" Mother asked gasping

"Queen Katrina she had her near guard escorts her there." Ezra said

"You know about it?" Mother asked Ezra

"I told her, Mother. You were too busy, I can't disturb you." I said saving Ezra

"Where is he then?" mother asked

"He is still in his home, Mother. He said he will return the day after tomorrow." I answered. Mother told me to follow her so I followed her.

We went to the room behind the throne and I sat down.

"Why did you run away?" Mother asked

"I didn't." I answered calmly

"Avery, why did you run away?" mother asked

"I told you, I didn't. I am still inside our kingdom." I said

"Avery... Did someone kidnap you? I'm sorry my child. Who did it? Is it Arcadia?" Mother said

"Mother, I already told you, I didn't run away nor was I kidnapped." I said in an irritated manner and stood up

Rude as it may seem but my mother is being irrational. This is why I didn't allow Zairo to come to me yesterday. I can't risk him.

"I will take my leave." I said and went out.

I am a risky princess. I do thing princesses don't and act the way princesses and queens don't. I went to the garden and calmed myself. This place used to be my sanctuary before I became friends with Zairo

"Princess," Knight Therese said and stood beside me

"Why can't my mother understand?" I asked

"She is just worried about you, your majesty." she said

"But she's being irrational. She always finds ways to blame Arcadia." I said and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Maybe in that point your mother is wrong but worrying for her child, it'll never be." she said

"Thank you, Knight Therese." I said

"I know how it feels like, Princess. I went through that when my mother doesn't want me to be a palace guard." She said

She escorted me until I reached my room.

Tomorrow is Zairo's coronation and birthday. Tomorrow is the formal coronation but everyone already knows that he's the new King.

I made a gift for him. It is a simple bracelet out of beads with his name spelled on it.

I also made embroidery on a T-shirt with his name. I placed those things inside a scented box. I hope he likes it.

After that, I hid it in my walk in closet and went out.

Knight Therese and Knight Maia are trailing behind me as usual. I hate it when I am being followed that's why I like being at home rather than being here in the palace.

"Your majesty, would you mind if I ask why Knight Zairo isn't back from his off yet?" Knight Maia asked

"Knight Zairo's birthday is tomorrow so I allowed him to leave for a week." I answered

"Didn't he tell you?" I asked

"No, your highness." They answered. I went to the garden and sat on the grass.

"Your highness, you shouldn't." Knight Maia said

"It's alright, Knight Maia." I assured her

"But your highness, it is dirty." Knight Maia said

"It's alright. Knight Zairo allows me when he's on guard." I said and they both smiled at me

"Do you like Knight Zairo, Princess?" Knight Therese asked and I shook my head while chuckling

"Yes, she does." Ezra said and sat beside me

"No, I don't." I answered and glared at Ezra

"But you like him to be with you. Always." Ezra teased

"Trinity Ezra, stop it. I don't have special feelings for Knight Zairo." I said seriously

"Alright then." Ezra surrendered

"Hey, Pam." Zairo greeted

"Hey, Zairo." I greeted back

"How is it going there?" He asked

"Is there something wrong, your highness?" Knight Therese asked

"Nothing. I am just thinking." I answered

'Nothing unusual, Knight Therese and Knight Maia just kept on asking me if I have feelings for you.' I replied

"And what did you answer?" he asked

"I said no. But Ezra she teases me endlessly ever since we came back from your kingdom, both with your king version and with your knight version." I answered

"Well, see you soon, Pam." He said

"See you, and Zai, meet me tomorrow Afternoon at home." I told him

"Alright. See you." He said and the connection disappeared.

"You're thinking of him?" Ezra asked

"No." I answered

I was talking to him.

"I didn't mention any name though." she said maliciously and I rolled my eyes

"I already knew who you're referring to, Ezra." I said

"Your highnesses, it is almost lunch time. Would you like us to bring your food here?" Knight Therese and Knight Maia asked us

"Yes and please add some for you and call Knight Stephen and Sir Charles then bring some picnic blanket, please. Let's have a picnic." I said and they both bowed

"You were thinking of Knight Zairo earlier, weren't you?" Ezra opened the topic again

"Again, I'm telling you that I am not." I denied

"Ezra, Avery." Mother said and we both stood up.

"Mother," I said

"Why are you both sitting on the dirty ground?" Mother asked

"We were going to have a picnic, with my guards. I already asked them to bring a picnic blanket." I said

"Alright then, Avery you have a meeting with the council later. Your presence is expected and a must." Mother said and she left

Knight Therese, Knight Maia, Knight Stephen and Sir Charles came and placed a big picnic blanket on the grass.

We ate in lunch, though my guards are quite intimidated since we are princesses they still act casual and talk to us in a formal way.

"I'm sure Zairo would want to do this too." Sir Charles said

"Probably, that guy loves picnics." I muttered softly

"What was that, Avery?" Ezra asked with a teasing smile

"I said, probably." I answered

"Avery knows Zairo so much." Ezra teased

"Really, your highness, why is that?" Knight Therese asked

"Knight Zairo is always with me since he is my near guard." I said

"Is that really just the reason?" Mother said and appeared behind me

"Mother," I said in surprise

"Your highness, Queen Katrina." my guards said and stood up.

"No, stay seated. Avery, I am asking you." Mother said

"Yes, that's the only reason." I answered and stared at her eyes

Mother stared at me.

"You're almost late for the council meeting." Mother said

I almost forgot about that.

"Forgive me, Mother." I said and she started walking back

"I have to go. You can continue eating." I said and followed my mother

Mother could be strict at times.

"What this you do this time, Princess Avery? Running away and disappearing for a day so un-princess like." The highest council member said

"I didn't run away. I roamed around the kingdom so I can know my kingdom better. That is what a true leader does right? Know their kingdom to know what they need." I said proudly

"The Princess has a point but still she must have at least told us." a council member said

"I didn't inform you because you are all busy." I defended

We continued discussing several problems and issues that our kingdom is facing.