05.

The annual meeting of all rulers was going to be held at Aldera this year. Perhaps that was why Otis was summoned by his uncle.

We'd started the journey at 8 o'clock. The stable boys had prepared our carriage the night before as per my mother's instructions.

Different emotions warred through me as I sat in the carriage. On one hand, I was excited. This was after all the first time I would leave the palace in the twenty one years of my life. On another hand, I was nervous. After my mother had slapped me, she hadn't said anything to me. Was she still angry? But then, she invited me to the annual rulers' meeting hence my confusion.

My mother joined me in our coach. She'd just finished seeing to the fact that our luggage was well secured in the coach behind us. The coach men who had been awaiting my mother's confirmation whipped the horses as soon as she'd taken her seat opposite me.

A tense silence filled the coach as the journey started and I sighed turning to the window. I forgot all about my mother as I stared outside. Taektum was beautiful. The paintings of the Kingdom that I'd seen in books were nothing compared to the actual beauty. Even my imagination couldn't compare. Everything was so green and lively from the trees, to the rocks, to some of the buildings.

I could see water from yesterday's rain dripping from the leaves of trees. I itched to go outside and touch it, feel it.

"The three days of space still haven't  given you enough time to realize your mistakes and apologise?" came my mother's voice from the other side.

I looked at her. From the gold crown that sat perfectly on her bun to her face which was bare of any makeup. She wore a fitted white gown adorned with sequins. Her posture perfect as always.

I didn't want to. Not after she'd slapped me. I could still feel the injury in my mouth from where I'd bitten myself from the force. But I lived in her house and so I played by her rules.

"I'm sorry." She continued to watch me like I hadn't said anything. I already felt drowsy from the motion. Leaning my head against the wall, I dozed off.

I awoke when I began to hear the cheers of people. I hated it whenever I slept in public places. I always felt groggy and embarrassed. Blinking twice, I looked outside and saw that the inhabitants of the kingdom's capital were outside watching and pointing.

I understood that today would look like a parade of sorts to them. The different rulers coming into their kingdom in different types and styles of carriages. Their best horses would be used to draw the windows. The middle class would marvel at their opulence.

From my watch, I saw that the time was 2 o'clock. Recalling what Otis had told me of his kingdom, it would take another hour to get to his home. I couldn't sleep again. I glanced at my mother who was now reading some papers with a thoughtful expression. She toyed with the emerald bracelet on her wrist that she never took off. She didn't look like she'd slept. Of coursel, she wouldn't.

"Mother, what happens at these meetings?" I asked figuring I'd at least know what would happen.

"The meetings are to oversee the welfare of Kingdoms. Their general condition from the state of security, to the health of their people so we can be warned of any diseases, their financial situation, the new inventions their people can create. If rulers also have any important announcements to share, they may do so at the meeting."

There was a slight change in her expression as she said that and I knew she had an announcement to make at the meeting. I didn't ask her though else she'd think I was prying. She'd have told me if she'd wanted to. I'd find out at the meeting anyway.

I was bored. Time seemed to move slowly. We'd the residential area some minutes ago and now I could see shops, farms and production sites. This was their industrial zone. It looked bare and polluted. Aldera was the home of fuels. I could see a mine behind some buildings. There was oil spillage in some areas as we passed. The pollution of these parts was why no trees grew here. At least no people lived near the pollution.

My mother made a sound of disapproval. "King Alan is supposed to recognise that this is road is not limited to their kingdom. This pollution will not impress anybody from outside their kingdom. Their own citizens most likely aren't even happy about it."  She wrote something down on the paper she held.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, we entered the Aldera palace. The guards hurried to open their gates for us directing the coachman to the stables where the horses would be kept. 

We went through the gardens from which I could understand why Otis would love the colour purple. If I'd grown up surrounded by the different shades of purple of the flowers here, I'd love it too. I grew up surrounded by the vibrant green of my home and I loved the colour now.

Staff of the palace were waiting at the entrance when we dropped. We were not the only ones arriving. Some of the staff looked tired probably from hauling the luggage of the different rulers since morning.

I saw Princess Elise step out of a coach while her parents stepped out of another. Their luggage was already being hauled off. She seemed to sense us because she reached up to whisper something in her husband's ear before turning in our direction. He gave her a peck also whispering something to her as he glanced at me. I smiled at the love between them praying I'd get that one day. As her husband walked off, Queen Adriana grabbed her daughter by the arm as she walked towards us.

"Queen Avantika," she turned to me also beaming. "Princess Althea. How do you do?"

I curtsied as my mother replied her.

"I couldn't help but notice your horses. One Akhal Teke horse and a white Hackney horse! Two extremely rare beauties!" Queen Elise exclaimed as she stroked the Akhal Teke lovingly. "I hope you don't mind."

My mother would obviously be pleased with herself. "Ah yes. These are from my collection of horses. I prefer the rarer breeds. I have a thing for uniqueness. I'd say I've collected quite a few and they've  breeded splendidly." She was gloating.

"Really? My husband and I have been trying to get them also. I too have a thing for uniqueness. Unfortunately, the ones we've gotten have been dying."

"Aurion isn't known as the best place for animals to live. The animals are also likely to die if they aren't being managed carefully."

Could you teach us how to manage them? And also sell us some of yours?" She asked looking very eager. Princess Arissa looked mortified- like she couldn't believe her was actually begging mine. mother

My mother smiled. "Perhaps after the meeting, we can discuss. If you'll excuse us, Althea and I have to freshen up."

"Oh okay. I guess I'll see you later." She was embarrassed. I felt bad for her. My mother had made her look unserious. She did that to everybody.

"... Told you not to talk to them. They're snobby." Princess Elise whispered furiously to her mother from behind us.

"Mother, was it necessary to embarrass her that way?" I questioned.

"That's how to treat people. You command respect from them that way. It's either you show them you're superior or they'll make you feel inferior." She shot me a look.

A man dressed in the purple colour of the palace came to us. "Queen Avantika, Princess Althea." He bowed at the waist. "I'm Phillip and I'll be showing you to your rooms. Your luggage has already been taken there." He turned leading us down the hallway.

The floor was covered with a brown rug running down the whole length of the hallway. Paintings of different rulers were hung up on the wall on either sides of us. A few statues were also placed here and there.

Turning to where I supposed was the guest wing, the man stopped about five doors later. "Your room, Princess Althea." He gestured to a room on the left.

"The meeting starts at  4 o'clock prompt. Don't be late. And don't get lost.", My mother said to me before continuing after Phillip.