"Princess (y/n), we have arrived," Theodore's voice lulls me to the real world, a blissful escape from the nightmares that continue to plague my dreams.
I opened my eyes, the first thing hitting me was the brisk, cold air. Clutching the jacket closer to my body, I step out of the carriage, my bag in hand. After my mental meltdown, I had somehow managed to calm myself right before Theodore had awoken.
"Thank you, Theodore," I said earnestly. "Will I see you again? Where will you go?" I asked.
"My brother lives in the outskirts of this town, milady," he states. "I will stay with him for the time being."
I nod. "I wish you a safe departure. Thank you again, for everything."
"May your life prosper from here on out," he wishes me, before disembarking.
As he leaves, the guards approach.
"What business do you have with the royal family?" They question assertively, towering over me. Is this what it is like to have a strong military? We had a few guards but they did not ooze the same amount of authority that these guys did.
"I am Princess (y/n) (l/n), from the Kingdom of (l/n). I am here to speak to King Therasis. I have a letter he must read addressed from my father," I hush out gently, fearing that one of those blades would come down on me if I spoke too aggressively.
"Very well, you may follow me," he speaks gruffly, before turning around and walking ahead.
Quickly following behind, the silence begins to creep in. Arriving at two large, red doors, he knocks before speaking. "Your majesty, you have a visitor from the (l/n) kingdom."
At his words, the sound of footsteps could be heard nearing. The large doors open, and a man adorned in white with red and gold jewels and brooches steps out. His graying hair and wrinkles made me suspect he was around the same age as my father.
"Ah, Princess (y/n). I haven't seen you since your first birthday. How much you've grown in these years," he nods.
"What business do you have here? You are alone?" He questions, looking around, though nothing besides me remained in the empty halls.
"My father has sent a letter for you, your majesty," I bow. The kingdom of Therasis was easily three to four times more powerful than our own, and it felt wrong to talk so casually to him, despite knowing he was good friends with my parents.
"Please, come in," he beckons into his office. Sitting at one of the plush, red seats, I take the small, black box out of the bag and hand it to King Therasis.
"They told me to give this to you," I say, watching him open the box and pull out a letter.
His eyes scan the contents of the paper, and I absentmindedly look out the window. The air here was much colder than back home. After all, we did travel north for quite some distance, though I wasn't used to such frigidness.
"I see," King Therasis says as he folds the letter again, before scanning the rest of the box. Pulling out a mesh bag filled with gold coins, he sighs before looking at me with pity in his eyes.
"I am so sorry for your situation, Princess (y/n). Had I known this was going to happen, I would've sent my help," the King says remorsefully.
"I assure you, you will always have a home in my kingdom. Please rest assured that I will do my best to accommodate you as you navigate through your new life," he speaks solemnly.
"Thank you, your majesty," my voice was sincere. At least I wasn't going to be homeless. A weight lifted off my shoulders at that prospect.
"I will have a maid set up a room for you. In the meantime, please get some rest and we will discuss things tomorrow. You must be tired from the long journey here." He stands and calls for a maid.
I bow once more, before following the maid into an empty guest room. "Please make yourself comfortable, your highness. I will run a bath for you."
"Thank you, and please, call me (y/n)," I say earnestly. A bath sounded very, very nice after being on the road for nearly two whole days.
"...If you insist, Lady (y/n)." The maid gave off the same unease at the use of my name. I guess it wasn't common outside of my kingdom.
After she leaves, I quickly strip off the old dress I had on for the duration of my travels, and sink into the warm, aromatic water. An instant sigh of relief immediately leaves my body as I close my eyes and allow myself to relax. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Part of me still feels shell-shocked, like my mind hasn't truly comprehended what has happened. It felt as if the Earth has spun on its axis abruptly and turned my life upside down.
Where will I go from here? What should I do? I've barely existed outside of my own home, and now I am hundreds of miles away, all alone.
A headache began to form at the endless questions that popped up. A knock on the door quickly pulled me out of my stupor.
"I've left a spare change of clothes on the bed, Lady (y/n). Please let me know if there is anything else you require." The same maid spoke before the sound of her footsteps dwindled.
"Thank you..." I called out, though I doubt she heard. Sinking back into the bath, I took extra care to wash my skin, wanting to scrub away the sins of my past.
———
The next morning, I step out into the hallway, walking the same route until I come across the same large, red doors. Giving a gentle knock, I wait until I hear a response.
"Come in." I hear King Therasis' voice.
"Your majesty, I'm here to discuss...everything?" I question. There was so much to discuss, I don't even know what label could be slapped on it.
"Of course, please make yourself comfortable." I sit on the plush chair once more, feeling much better and less gross. I mentally cringe at how I must've looked upon my arrival.
"So...let us discuss the major things. First and foremost, as I've stated, you are welcome to stay in our castle if you'd prefer. I can have a spare room converted to your primary room. You will be able to keep your title as nobility, though it may be hard for others to recognize your title as Princess, since you are not technically my daughter. You are also legally of age; therefore, adoption and legal rights aren't necessary, since you are an adult. Until then, you can decide whether or not you would like to be addressed as a Princess of Therasis."
I ponder his statement. "I think...I think I'd like to keep my title as Princess of (l/n). I know I'm technically not a princess anymore, and the (l/n) Kingdom no longer exists; but for the sake of my mother and father, I would like to keep the title for as long as I can." Ah, that's right. I am a nobody now. But, that doesn't mean much to me. It doesn't define who I am at my core.
"Very well. I will honor that to my best," the King hums approvingly.
"Will there be any work for me to do, so I can prove my appreciation and repay you for your kindness?" I ask. Taking in someone stripped of their title and allowing them to stay in the castle was no ordinary favor, and I needed to prove that I am worthy of this kindness.
The King furrows his eyebrows at that. "What do you mean?"
I can't help but furrow my eyebrows back at him, puzzled. "How else would I repay you for taking me in?"
This King's eyebrows shoot up at this, before he laughs. "Ah, I see. You feel indebted to me because I took you in. Well...if you insist, I guess I have one thing I could use help on," he trails off.
I perk up at this. It must be something important if he is asking for assistance!
———
This was not what I had in mind...
"Did you think I was so lonely that you've brought a random girl to be my friend?!" Balled up fists began to punch at the King's bicep.
"Eliza, be more appropriate in front of our guest," King Therasis swats her off. The sight was interesting to say the least.
"I'll have you know I am quite fine and not lonely at all!" She puffs. Her fiery red hair definitely matched her...exuberance.
"I never said you were lonely, you brought that up on your own," the King pushed her by her forehead, messing up her hair. I could've sworn I saw steam coming out of her ears by this point.
"This is Eliza Therasis, my only child, if you couldn't tell," King Therasis mutters the last part under his breath, ignoring the growing ball of fury beside him.
Turning to Eliza, I smile warmly, hoping I wouldn't be the next victim of a vicious attack. "Nice to meet you, Princess Eliza. I am Princess (y/n), from the Kingdom of (L/n)."
Eliza visibly calms herself by my greeting. Clearing her throat, she looks a bit abashed now, most likely from her outburst. "Pleasure to meet you too, Princess (y/n). Wait...Kingdom of (l/n)...?"
King Therasis clears his throat, interrupting her question. "(Y/n)'s home kingdom was invaded and overtaken, and she is the only surviving member of their royal family. So, I expect you to be hospitable and compassionate, Eliza." His voice is stern at that last part.
Her face turns redder than her hair, before she quickly bows her head deeply. "I am so sorry! Please excuse my ignorance!"
I am surprised by her sudden shift in attitude and awkwardly chuckle. "It's okay, I understand. Our kingdom wasn't very well-known and we were quite secluded, so not many people knew of us." I wave off her shame.
Lifting her head back up, relief washes over her face before both of our attention snaps back to the king. "Eliza, (y/n) will be staying with us for the time being. Please show her around and get her accustomed." She nods at that.
Before he leaves, I realize something. "Your majesty, what about my task?" The scene before me nearly made me forget why I followed his majesty here.
"Your task? Keep her busy so she will stop disturbing my peace." The door shuts.
"HEY!!!" Eliza's voice echoes off the walls.