TWO-----AND THEY LEFT

"Let's go." Melva's voice sounded, pulling Maree out of her reverie.

"Huh? What?" Maree asked. Melva scoffed at this and threw her hands up.

"Maree, stop it! You've been standing here holding your suitcase and staring at this place. I know New York has a lot of memories for you but you really don't have to act this way. Hopefully, we'll be back soon!" Melva said as she tried to cheer her friend up.

"I know but I can't shake this feeling.... This might be the last time we see this place." Maree replied, sadly.

"Well, thank the Almighty that you've experienced having a boyfriend, kissing and so many other things." Melva retorted, sassily. Maree released a loud laugh at this and Melva smiled.

"Alright. I'm ready. Let's go." Maree said as she dragged her last suitcase out of the house with Melva following right behind her.

"Princess Maree!" The guard from earlier whose name Maree found out was Max, exclaimed. He rushed to her side and grabbed her suitcase from her hand. He looked at Melva for a while as if debating with his inner self. Maree and Melva exchanged looks as they waited for his next move.

"Main Maid of the Princess, shall I take your suitcase too?" He finally uttered. This statement made Maree giggle as she turned around and walked to the car.

"Thank you, Sir Max." Melva said with a slight smile. She dropped her bags and followed Maree to the car. They both sat in the backseat as they waited for Max to load their luggage into the car boot.

"Seems like this guard learns quick." Maree let out. Melva chuckled as she brought out her phone.

"Shall we begin our journey now, Princess Maree?" Max asked as he hopped into the driver's seat.

"Yes. Let's go." Maree ordered. As soon as the car engine roared to life, the two other cars (one in front, one at the back) began moving.

"Well, it seems like we're going back to Alvaria." Maree muttered. "And I wonder what the reason is for my mother to summon me."

★

The streets of Alvaria were filled with the curious faces of people as they stopped whatever they were doing to stare at the cars passing.

'Has Princess Maree returned?'

'Could it be her in the car?'

'Wait, the window is opening.'

Maree whined down her window and stuck her head out as she waved to her people. Immediately her head appeared from the widow, a loud uproar erupted from the people.

"Princess Maree!"

"She's back!"

Maree smiled and kept on waving at the people. As she was about to retract her head, she caught sight of a man staring intently at her. Immediately their gazes connected, she felt her heart beat pick up. She quickly whined the window up and rested her head on the car seat.

"Why did I feel this way?" She thought, quietly. She looked at Melva and found that she was sleeping.

"Melva? Mel?" She called out as she lightly tapped her forehead. Melva stirred slightly in her sleep and mumbled a bunch of nonsensical words.

"Wake up, fool. We're almost at the palace." Maree said as she continued tapping her. Melva sat up quickly and fixed her dress.

"Do I look sleepy?" Melva asked.

"No. You look just fine." Maree said, smiling. She turned and faced forward as she looked at the palace gates. "We're here. We're home."

"We are." Melva agreed as she looked around the Palace surroundings. They had entered the palace and were currently driving towards the palace entry.

"We're at the front now. You may leave the car now, Princess Maree." The guard said. Maree and Melva looked at each other as they each stepped out of the car.

"So it's really been seven years since we were here." Melva sighed.

"It has. And it looks like things have changed a lot. How about we go out and explore later? Maybe when we freshen up and are well rested." Maree suggested as they stood at the palace door.

"Alright." Melva agreed. They were about to raise their hands to knock on the door when it was suddenly pulled open.

"Princess Maree!" The maids greeted as they curtsied. Maree nodded at them and handed over her suitcase.

"Melva, give them yours too." She said as she walked into the Palace. The maids gazed at her as she left.

"Truly, Princess Maree has changed." One whispered.

"Yes, she's even more beautiful." A second whispered in agreement.

"And her attitude...." A third said with spite.

"Oh, shut up, Carol." One said. "I'm out." She continued as she picked up a suitcase and began going to Maree's room.

"Me too." The second said as she followed the first. Carol stood looking at her colleagues retreating back. Her dark brown eyes held a hint of wrath as she stared at them.

Maree walked up the stairs to her mother's room. She was about to knock when she heard a voice behind her,

"Princess Maree, welcome back home." Lena said, curtsying. Maree turned around and smiled at her. Lena was her mother's personal maid and caretaker.

"Thank you, Lena. Is my mother in?" Maree asked.

"She is but she says I should inform you to take your rest. She will meet you soon." Lena informed.

"Oh! Okay. I'll go now. Bye." Maree said as she turned to go to her own room. She walked to her room and pushed open the door. Maree stood for a while as she stared at her childhood room.

"Nothing changed." She whispered as she walked around. Maree threw her phone on her bed and she jumped beside it.

"I wonder if my diary is still here." She thought. She stood up and checked under her bed for the box. She pulled it out and opened it. Behold, in it was her beloved diary. Maree brought it out and opened it.

"30th December," she read out as she ambled to her bed. "My birthday is coming soon. I've heard many stories about the world and I wonder if mom would let me stay there. That'd be my birthday wish."

Maree smiled as she closed the diary. She yawned loudly and her eyelids drooped close.

★

Maree stepped out from the bathroom and opened her suitcase to find something to wear. She pulled out a jean short and hoodie. After dressing up, she put on little make up and walked to her door.

As she pulled open the door, she was met face to face with the old yet familiar face of someone.

"Mother!"

Elsewhere, in a place not too far from the palace, a man could be seen standing in front of another woman, his sister to be precise and his next words were rather shocking!

"I've found my mate."