Duty and Freedom????
By Beckylove
Chapter 9
~nearing Shelagh~
“my princess, soldiers from Shelagh kingdom are around”, Jade, her handmaid told her.
kayla bowed.
” My princess, I think they are here to escort you to Shelagh tomorrow”, Kayla said.j
“Escort me? is it usually done like that? But soldiers from Erite did not come for Shirley then”, Cheryl expressed.
” Princess Shirley got married to a prince. Your own husband is a king. Of course you will be shown respect “, Kayla said.j
Princess cheryl ” Oh!”
It seems she still hadn’t woken up to reality. She still didn’t know that her life will change drastically.
?
The carriage is ready. A retinue of 10 palace maids, four palace guards and few soldiers are ready. The warriors are on horses while the rest will trek. The five soldiers from Shelagh are on their horses.
The palace maids and guard will go back when they got to the outskirt of hu-gh while the warriors on horse will follow her to Shelagh.
Princess Cheryl came out fully dressed. She look pretty. Jade styled her hair well. Jade and Kayla entered the carriage with the princess and sat on the ground.
“The breeze is blowing gently. Shall I open the windows so my princess can enjoy the view?”, Kayla asked.
Cheryl beamed.
” yes. let’s open the window”, She said.
“Shall we move my princess?”, one of Shelagh soldiers asked.
” Yes”, Cheryl said.
As the carriage moved, Cheryl had complicated emotions. This is the first time she will be travelling far. She also didn’t know what to expect at Shelagh. After all she is going to a strange land where she is not familiar with anybody.
She hoped to have fun. She also hope that the journey will not be too tiring.
After travelling for 90 minutes, they got to the outskirt of hu-gh. The palace maids and guards went back and bid farewell to the princess.
Twenty minutes later, they got to Poufe the neighbouring kingdom and the only kingdom in the east Cheryl had ever visited.
Next to Poufe is Primal kingdom. The kingdom is spacious. Most of the houses are ranches. They are few houses around.
Soon she slept off and when she woke up, the carriage had stopped.
“Why?”, She asked Kayla.
” My princess, they stopped to eat. Do you want to eat now?”, Kayla asked.
“Yes. I’m hungry”, Princess Cheryl said.
After the food, the journey started again. Jade was telling stories. At sunset, they started a camp.
A soldier from Shelagh informed her ” By midday tomorrow, we would get to Shelagh”
Princess Cheryl nodded.
?
“Is the food ready?”, Queen Aimee asked as she entered the Royal kitchen.
” All done, your majesty”, The Chief in the kitchen said.
“How about the snacks? Are you sure they are tasteful?”, She asked again.
” What about the juice? Are you sure the Orange sque-ezed are fresh? ”
“What else is there?”, She asked as she walked out if the kitchen.
It’s noon. She should be here soon. She walked into the hall and saw the maids , wiping the floors.
She was very satisfied.
Her daughter in law will surely like this reception. The Queen smiled as she entered the king’s Chamber.
The king just returned from the great hall. He just finished meeting Shelagh court members.
He sigh when he saw how excited his mother is.
” We are not even married yet. She is only coming for courting week”, he said hinting that he might not be satisfied with her and will discharge her after seven days.
The queen pouted.
“You wouldn’t dump her will you?”, She asked him.
He didn’t answer and she continued.
” During my time, I’m so exhausted coming from Fronse kingdom. I arrive in the evening and the king’s mistress welcomed me since the queen had pas-sed away. Then your father is still a prince and we’ve not seen each other before. I went to the hall to greet the King and met your father in the Hall. The king introduced me to him_I mean your father. He smiled at me….”
“Stop talking about father”, King Alexander snapped.
Queen Aimee swallowed and pouted.
Murphy came in and bowed to them and said
” Your Majesty, the princess of hu-gh is here”,
Queen Aimee face brightened up.
“My daughter in law is here. I will go and welcome her. Wait for us in the throne room”, She said and walk out.
King Alexander close his eyes.
‘The lady is here’
Duty and Freedom
By Beckylove
Chapter 10
~Inferiority complex~
Princess Cheryl was wowed when she entered Shelagh palace. The gate opened and her carriage drove in.
The palace is neat and spacious.
She likes what she is seeing.
“I must say. This place is beautiful”, Jade said.
” And there is enough space to have fun”, Kayla said.
Princess Cheryl smiled.
“You’re my soul mate, kayla”, She said.
Then the carriage stopped. She comported herself and squared her shoulders.
” My princess, we’ve arrived. The king’s mother is here to receive you”, a soldier from Shelagh said.
“Oh”, She mouthed.
The door opened.
Kayla and Jade jumped out first then princess Cheryl stepped out of the carriage gracefully.
Queen Aimee smiled.
She love this lady at first sight.
She started towards the princess and met her halfway.
Princess Cheryl curtsied.
“I greet you your majesty”,
The queen smiled and was satisfied.
” Welcome to Shelagh beautiful one” Princess Cheryl bowed slightly smiling.
“You’re Cheryl?”, the queen asked.
” Yes, your majesty”, Cheryl replied.
She was taking aback when the queen suddenly hu-gged her.
“Nice to meet you sweetie”, the older woman said.
Cheryl smiled widely.
‘Shirley, you hold on to mistress Karen. Here is a nice, kindhearted mother for me.’
” Are you okay with me calling you sweetie”, Queen Aimee asked.
“Yes. It:s okay my queen”, Cheryl said.
” Come on. The king is waiting “,queen Aimee said leading the way.
The throne room itself is very big. There are sculptures here and there. Several paintings are hung on the wall. It is such a magnificent building.
Then she saw him.
King Alexander.
But something is strange. The expression on his face is not what she expected.
Isn’t he suppose to be smiling?
The King she saw during Shirley’s wedding seem to be warm and relaxed. But the face she is looking at now is cold and expressionless.
She Curtsied.
” Long live your majesty. I wish you good health and peace throu-ghout your reign “, She said.
” Welcome”,is all he said.
‘What? Is this really the king that attended Shirley’s wedding?’
“You must be tired after the long journey. Let’s eat so that you will take a nap”, he said and stood up.
They followed behind him. They pas-sed a hallway and finally got to the palace dining room.
Shelagh is great in architecture.
The three of them say down. The food was already served and someone was introducing the foods on the table.
The person then pour orange jui-ce in all their glas-ses. Princess Cheryl felt like puking when she saw this act.
Hope she os not expected to drink this?
She quickly throw a glance to Kayla. Kayla was about to speak when the queen said.
” I hope you like this delicacies. Also take note of orange drink. It’s the king’s favourite drink”, the queen saud smiling.
‘Favourite? But I dislike it ‘
But now she had to drink it since it’s been mentioned that it is the king’s favourite. Why orange juice? Apple jui-ce is even more expensive! Watermelon juice, pineapple juice, Cherry juice, lemon juice, they are just so many of them. Why does it have to be orange.
Orange is Shirley’s favourite for goodness sake!
How is she suppose to drink what Shirley likes most and What her mother love preparing because Shirley likes it.
Their mother will always pour the largest amount for Shirley and we give her just small portion even when she knew she liked it too. There are times she will make orange jui-ce and will bring it to Shirley’s chamber without giving her any.
Cheryl stopped drinking orange jui-ce since she was fifteen and she is not planning on drinking it again.
She started eating. She can just ignore the jui-ce without anyone notice. She ys not going to drink it.
Some minutes into eating silently, She heard a voice said.
“Cheers on your arrival, princess Cheryl”,
Princess Cheryl look up to be sure of the voice she heard. King Alexander but that not the problem. He is holding the glas-s of orange juice!
Queen Aimee raise her own cu-p of jui-ce and she did that too. And the king took a sip of the juice. Queen Aimee drank the jui-ce too and they both watched her. Then she smiled and took a sip. Queen Aimee continue eating. But King Alexander is still looking at her so she swallowed the juice.
She drank Shirley’s favourite juice, the allergy she gave herself. Shirley will feel smug if she heard that she drank orange juice!
” You should rest after the meal and look around in the evening. “, Queen Aimee said.
” Okay , your Majesty”, Cheryl replied.
“Try calling me mother”, Queen Aimee said.
So soon.
Princess Cheryl smiled and said.
“Yes,mother”
The queen beamed. Hearing a young las-s like Cheryl calling her mom make her feel she is still young.
“You remind me of Amelia,the princess”, Queen Aimee said
Cheryl just smile.
She took the cu-p of orange jui-ce to her mouth again and took a sip.
Now that she thinks about it, orange jui-ce tastes so good.
Since King Alexander likes it, she can also start liking it
Tbc