Father (2)

King Augustus could only sigh to himself when he saw the relief on his daughter's face. Although he do not agree to let the girl spend more time outside the palace, he could not refuse her request knowing that he and his wife owe this daughter a lot.

"Uhm, did you come here alone? I mean… in secret, you majesty?" December curiously ask when she noticed that the whole neighborhood is the same as any other day.

If the king did not went here in secret, the neighborhood must be blocked and the media should have known. That is why she wants to confirm her suspicion from the king, her father, himself.

The king smiled and nodded. "Yes. I do not want to let those who tried to harm you know that we found you. Thus, I can only come here in secrecy though your mother wants to come as well."

December nodded and remembered that she did not even treat the king of anything as a host with Maria. Just as she thought of it, a plate of fruits and tea were served by Maria.

"Please do have some, your majesty," Maria said without lifting her head as a form of respect.

"Thank you, Ms. Maria. Please do not be so formal with me. I am only here as December's father and not as a king," King Augustus said, but did not moved to eat nor drink.

Knowing that the king was being cautious of the food and drink served, December poured herself and the king a cup of tea and took a sip of it.

King Augustus was surprised with his daughter's action. He have already developed the habit of not tasting anything outside the palace that is not tasted first by his subordinate so when he saw what December did, he could not help but chuckle and also took a sip of the tea. He was quite surprised that the tea was of good quality and suited his taste.

"This tea was gifted to me by one of my friend when he came back from a vacation. We usually do not drink it since we are really not used to drinking teas," December explained and took a slice of peeled apple from the plate.

The king nodded and finished his tea. He could not really stay out for too long or the palace people will notice. Standing up, he patted December's shoulder.

"I should be going. I cannot stay out for too long or the people from the palace will notice. I intended to only bring you back home, but since you requested to remain here till your school ends, I shall obliged. But I will contact you again when I have the time, and maybe you will be able to meet your mother," King Augustus said.

December stood up and nodded with a polite smile. "Then I will give you my cellphone number so you can still contact me." She took a piece of paper and wrote down her number.

Taking the paper from his daughter's hand he cannot help but stare at the girl's little face. 'She really looks like her mother. I hope that she can be with us again sooner.'

December walked the king to his car and watch the low profile car drive out of their neighborhood. Sighing, she suddenly felt drained. All she wanted to do is just to sleep.

"December dear. Let's us sleep," Maria called her with a smile.

She looked at the woman who have raised her. Now she understood why Maria took her out and became very generous to her.

"Maria, you can just simply tell me directly if something like this happened again. I am not petty, you know," December teased and yawned. "Well, I will be going back to my room. Good thing that the people here in the dorm are all asleep or it will be so complicated to keep this a secret."

Maria chuckled and was relieved that she can still spend some time with the girl she raised like a daughter. "Yes, I ask told them that the curfew tonight is much early, but only for today. Now go and sleep. You should also think of how to spend your remaining time here to the fullest."

December nodded and kissed her cheeks.

As soon as she got to her room, she lied down on her bed and fell asleep immediately.

***

The next day, she went to school like nothing major happened in her life. However, she knows that she need to tell her best friend about her new identity.

"Jean, would you like to go back with me at the dorm? I want to tell you something" December asked when the bell rang to indicate the end of their day at school.

Jean was a bit shocked that December took the initiative to ask her. She knew her best friend well. December will not proactively be asking her to go with her if the girl does not have anything important to tell her that needs privacy. She nodded and smiled at December. "Okay."

They walked silently through and December is trying to figure out how to break the news to her friend. It's not like she can just simply say "I am a legit princess and the king came to tell me he is my father!" That makes her awkward so she is getting frustrated on how to spill the beans.

Jean, on the other hand notice that her friend in deep thought and seems to be struggling. She decided to wait for her friend to start to speak instead of asking her immediately.

However, December still did not speak even after they have arrived in the girl's room.

"So, what is so important that you want to talk about in private?" Jean ask as she could not take her friend's silence anymore.

December look at Jean and made up her mind.

"I found out who my parents are," she declared and Jean became excited all of a sudden.

With sparkling eyes, she ask, "Who? Who? Is it someone rich? Or from a decent family? Do you have siblings? Where do they live? Will you be coming home with them?"

December was a bit helpless when she saw her friend's excitement. 'How am I supposed to explain everything to her?'

Sighing she explained as simply as she could. "Last night, I saw my father. He wants me to go back home with him, but I am not really comfortable to leave with him. Besides, I cannot just leave my life here. So I ask him to give me until school ends to spend my time with Maria and my friends before going back with him."

Jean nodded and asked, "So, who is your father?"

December hesitated for a bit but still chose to tell her the truth.

"It's the king. King Augustus Castor Pierre."