6.

On the next day, December woke up late and she had to rush to school tp avoid being late as they have an important exam for her first subject.

Maria look at the running figure until it fade away in her view. Sighing, she took the spare key of the girl's room and decided to pack her things.

Looking at the tidy room, she smiled sadly as she remembered what happened the night before.

***

"I am here to take my daughter back, Ms. Maria," King Augustus repeated when he noticed that the woman did not answer.

"Your majesty…"

The king sighed and put the frame back to its place. He sat down on a chair and motioned for the woman to also sit down.

"My daughter was separated for us when she was young. She was kidnapped," the king started to narrate what had happened.

"By the time we found where she was taken, she was gone. All we saw was a pool of blood…"

The king vividly remembered the scene like it was happening before him. There is something that sparkled in the pool of blood. When he picked it up, he staggered back and the strength have left his body.

The necklace is the one he and his wife gave to their precious daughter.

"We thought that she died that night," the king whispered.

Maria also remembered that night. She have just arrived at the dormitory to help her brother in taking care of it when she spotted a girl. The girl was crying and covered in blood which made Maria terrified.

She knew right there and then that the girl was not ordinary. But she have never thought that the girl she took in her care the princess of her country.

"We wouldn't have been able to find her if my other daughter heard the maid talking about December. When we confirmed that it is really my daughter, I came here immediately to take her back."

Maria understood that December, who she had considered her daughter will be taken away from her. It made her sad, but she knew that she couldn't do anything about it. She need to bring December back to her family.

"I understand, your majesty," Maria stood and bowed at him.

King Augustus stood up and did something Maria did not expect to do.

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter," he said bowing down.

Maria panicked and waved her hands, "You don't have to bow down to this humble servant, your majesty."

The king smiled and answered, "Bowing down is nothing in comparison of having my daughter back. As a form of my gratitude, I will grant you a request that is within my capability and one that does go against the law."

Maria was stupefied for a while and sighed while shaking her head.

"I do not have any wishes, you majesty. But will you please grant me to have one last day with the princess?"

The king did not expected such a simple request from the woman who took care of his child. While looking at the woman, he realized that his child grew up in good hands.

"Then, I will pick my daughter tomorrow night. I will be leaving now."

Maria bowed as the king entered the car waiting for him outside the building.

***

"Oh, you made it in time!" Jean walked to December after their first subject.

"Barely made it in time. I almost forgot that we have an exam today. I stayed up late talking with Maria," December tidied her things and look at her friend. "I don't think I can pass."

"What an insult! If you do not pass, certainly I will not be able to pass too!"

December laugh at the exaggerated response of Jean. "But I wasn't able to study and prepare for this exam!"

"Even so. You will just suffer a little but can still pass. Who are you trying to deceive?"

December just shook her head and looked at her hand phone. She does not have the luxury of buying herself a smart phone but she made sure that she will have a means of communication with the people around her.

Jean observed her friend who is engrossed with what she is typing on her phone. She had been friends with December since they were first year in high school. She have known that her friend is very smart and have a bright future ahead of her.

"Have you ever wondered if your parents looked for you, December?" Jean could not help but ask which made the other girl to look at her.

After a moment, December answered, "I don't know, and I don't care anymore. It their decision to look for me or not."

"But what if they show up in front of you one day? What will yo do?"

December looked up and gave it a serious thought. What will I do… if they showed up?

But will they even show up?

Just as she was about to answer her friend, their next subject teacher arrived and the rest of the day have passed with the question still in her mind.