At the Palace
Pranpriya's POV
"Where could she be?" I tried not to giggle as I hide inside my closet.
"We must see her or else the queen will scold us." one of the servants said.
"How can a princess act like this!" the other servant frustratedly asked.
I just covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing. Then I heard footsteps leaving my room.
Finally clear!
I went out of the closet and peeked at the outside door.
I saw a lot of servants and guards in panic of finding me. They are really worried.
But I will not show myself yet.
I need to leave this place
I need to leave this palace.
I need to see him.
My dearest friend.
Finally I was able to sneak out of the palace. And head to our secret place. My friend and I's secret place.
A smile creeped on my lips when I saw him under the tree lying on the grass with closed eyes.
I tiptoed to him hoping that I can surprise him but when I was already near,
"What took you so long Pranpriya?" he said with eyes closed.
"Hmp! How can you know I'm here already?" I pouted.
"I didn't have a big eyes to not see everything." he said then he sat down and finally looked at me.
He observed me from head to toe. And I got conscious.
It's funny how a 9 year old like me will get concious around him.
But who won't be?
When a perfect looking boy like him is studying your features like this.
"Tell me, did the queen already found out why you're always sneaking out like this?" he asked worriedly.
"No, she doesn't know yet. I plan not to tell her about you" I said and he frowned.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because she doesn't want me to have friends." I looked down shyly.
My grandmother has always told me not to be friends with other people especially if they're not from the royal family. My friend right here is not from a royal family. He is from a simple one. And I know my queen grandmother will scold me for that.
"I know she just don't want you to be friends with normal people like me." he said with his sad eyes.
I bit my lip because what he said is true.
"I'm sorry.. But nothing will change right? We're still friends?" I said as I sat down beside him.
"Yeah of course. You will still be my precious princess" he said as he tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Tomorrow is my 10th birthday. I want you to be there. We will be having a grand celebration in the palace!" I said excitedly.
"Are you sure I can go? What if your grandmother finds out?" he asked.
"It's okay, a lot of people will go. They won't notice you." I said.
"Okay! I will go. By the way, thank you so much" he said.
"For what?" I asked.
"For being my friend even though I'm just an ordinary boy but you still befriended me."
"You're not just an ordinary boy. You are very special." I said and he smiled.
"By the way, I have something for you." he said and he pulled something from his pocket. He showed me a silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant.
"Turn around." he said and I turned. He gently placed the necklace on my chest and he locked it on the back.
"Thank you so much!" I said while holding the pendant which rests on my chest.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"I love it!" I said nodding.
"I'm glad you like it. That pendant is my heart and I'm giving it to you." he said and I smiled widely.
Then he leaned to my face slowly.
He slowly kissed my cheeks and it made my heart warm.
I know I'm still young but what I feel for him is different. He is so special to me.
He's genuinely kind. Unlike others who will just pretend to like me because I'm a princess.
I held my cheek which he kissed.
"We will see each other again" he said.
"Promise?" I offered my pinky finger.
"Promise!" he showed his boxy smile as he twist our pinkies together.
I was very happy that day.
That was my 9 year old self promising to see him again and so I waited.
On my 10th birthday I waited for him.
But he never came.
I looked for him on our secret meeting place but he was not there.
I looked for him everywhere, but not a shadow of him showed.
I waited for him on every birthday celebration I had.
I have a perfect life. A luxurious one.
I can eat whatever I want. I can have whatever I want.
But I have no friends.
He was my only friend.
But he broke his promise.
This day, is my 19th birthday, only one year left and I will be taking over the the country.
My grandmother who is now getting weaker planned to have me sit on her throne as a queen when I turned 20. She has taught me everything on how to rule the country and I gained all the knowledge I need for that.
I want to be a queen. But I also want to be a girl who has friends.
I never had any friends. He was my only friend but he's gone without even saying goodbye.
I have a cousin with the same age as mine but she doesn't like me.
I can feel that she hates me and I don't know why.
"Princess, the party will start. Your presence is requested by the queen." I nod at the servant and she bowed her head.
I head out of my room wearing this itchy ball gown as I try to walk elegantly just like how my teacher taught me.
Be elegant all the time.
I slowly walked down the staircase.
Everyone's attention was now focused on me as my name was announced.
I saw my queen grandmother smiling at me but I also noticed my Aunt Sarah and my cousin Eunha's scowling faces.
'Yeah, I know you're not happy, I'm not happy too' I said myself.
Everyone clapped their hands as I walked down.
"Happy birthday my princess!" my grandmother greeted me.
"Thank you so much!" I said as I hug her.
"Happy birthday cousin" Eunha greeted and I just smiled.
"Happy birthday Pranpriya!" Aunt Sarah gave me a small peck on the cheek but I know her too well.
I know they both despise me but I don't know the reason why.
All I know is out of all the people here on this palace, the only person who loves me and cares for me genuinely is my grandmother.
My Aunt who married my Uncle Robert hates me so much. Back then, I heard one of the servant said that she hates me because I will take over the throne instead of her daughter Eunha.
My grandma picked me simply because Eunha is just Uncle Robert's step daughter. Therefore she has no claim to the throne. My grandmother has only two children which is my mother and uncle Robert. But they both died.
My father left me when I was just a baby because my grandmother doesn't want him to marry my mother.
He was just an ordinary citizen and so she made my mother and father broke apart which caused my mother's depression and so she finally committed suicide.
I was left with nothing but my grandmother, my aunt Sarah and my cousin Eunha.
People may think I'm rich but they don't know I'm poor. Poor from love and I long so much for it.
Though I wanted to be a queen to help my country, I also wanted to live a normal life where I can have friends, I can talk to just anyone and I can dance.
Yes. Dancing is my guilty pleasure. When no one is around, I will dance nonstop. I had to keep it a secret tho because my grandma will surely hate it.
She doesn't want me to do unlady-like things.
"Pranpriya, come here." My grandmother called.
"Yes grandmother?" I asked.
"I would like you to meet Mario. He is the son of the Prime Minister." she said.
I looked at the man and he smiled. He took my hand and gently kissed it.
He looks good but not as handsome as him.
"Nice to meet you" he said
"Nice to meet you too." I answered.
"I didn't know Prime Minister Chayut has a son?" I asked. I haven't seen him before even though I always see the prime minister and his wife.
"Because he was studying abroad and he just came back" Grandmother explained.
"I see." I muttered. I'm nervous about this. I can tell my grandmother is up to something and I think I'm not gonna like it.
"Pranpriya my dear, Mario Chayut here will be your husband when you take over the crown." she casually said like it's not a big deal.
My eyes flew wide open as I look at her.
"Is this a joke? I asked her.
I can't believe this. This is really insane! I look at Mario but he seemed to be not shocked at the announcement. He must have known about this.
"This is not a joke Pranpriya. I'll explain everything to you later but for now, go and entertain some of the guests. She said and she walked away.
"See you later Princess" Mario said and he left me.
I was frozen on my spot unable to think clearly.
I will marry him? I don't even know him.
How I wish he was here. He's the only one I wanted to be with.
If I could only travel to Korea. I know he's there. I know he's also waiting for me just like I wait for him.
I wish my life was different. It would have been simplier. But happier.
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Author's Note
Hi guys! How are you all. I miss writing and I plan to start writing again.
I hope you'll support this story just like how you supported the other one. Thank you so much!!! 💋