Princess Iris
CHAPTER 20

A gentle hand on my shoulder brings me back from my thoughts. I turn to Constantine who is smiling down at me. "Constantine, it is only you."

"Yes, Your Highness. You looked lost in thoughts from afar. A penny for your thoughts?" Constantine asks.

I smile at him.

"It's nothing Constantine, just thinking of Nana."

A heavy thunder blows as I stiffen.

"Ah, I see you mean the late Queen Dowager. The harp must have brought back memories."

"I miss her," I say.

"Of course, Your Highness, we all do miss her. Queen Dowager was a mother to all. I remember the role she played in my life when I lost my mother," Constantine says.

"I am so sorry Constantine," I say.

"It is fine Your Highness. That happened a long time ago and I am over it now," Constantine says.

"Tell me about it. I mean tell me how Nana helped you through your grief?" I ask

"About 29 years ago, I was a boy and was just brought to the castle to learn from my father and one day to take over from him as the royal butler. The Queen Dowager was a guest in the castle, under the protection of your great grandfather

to study at Royal Academy. She looked after me and always made sure I never felt lonely. When my mother died, the Queen Dowager would make tea for me and deliver it to my room herself. During my training, she would play her harp and it always smoothens me. Your grandmother made sure I was happy and that I saw the castle as home," Constantine says. "That does sound like Nana," I say.

I turn to look for Ri and I find her with the girls all laughing and Princess Isabelle looks very relaxed. I smile at the scene.

"I wonder what is going on there?" Constantine asks.

I turn to Constantine and follow his stare until I see Prince Leonard, Prince Jeffery, Prince Frederick, and other princes. They seem to be a commotion over there. Just then I watch Prince Leonard attempt to attack Prince Jeffery but he is blocked and pushed back by Prince Williams. Prince Frederick is pushing Prince Jeffery on the chest and seems to be in a heated argument with him.

Prince Jeffery pushes his brother out of the way and lunches at Prince Leonard. Prince Leonard does a move and pins Prince Jeffery under him.

"What do they think they are doing?" I say to myself

I look around and I notice people have started to notice the commotion.

"I really what to think what would happen if father and mother hear of this, worse King Theodore," I say to myself.

"Constantine," I call.

"Of course Your Highness," Constantine says with a bow and heads over to the commotion.

"What is going on over there?"

I turn to Ri who appears by my side. The other Princesses and Ladies join her.

"I have no idea. But Constantine is going to deal with it," I say.

"What happened? What could have caused the fight?" Princess Octavia asks.

"It's the rain, I hate when it's rain. It always stirs up emotions," Princess Catherine.

"Oh no Leonard, he just started getting better," Princess Isabelle says.

"Is something wrong with Leonard?" I ask.

"It's complicated Iris. You won't understand," Princess Isabelle says.

We watch Constantine bow when he reaches them. They all turn their attention to him. I don't know what he says to them but shock registers on their faces and then it heats me. "Ri, father, the other kings," I say.

"Don't worry they didn't see anything. Lady Juliana is keeping them entertained," Iris says.

I turn to look for father and I find him with the other kings. Lady Juliana seems to be entertaining them with her ballet skills. I turn back to Constantine. After watching them for a while, I can't help but admire the way Constantine is handling the issue. I can't help but respect him.

"You know I always forget your Butler comes from a very long line of Butlers," Princess Esmeralda says.

"Yes, and I heard he is from one of those old and prestigious families who swore their loyalty to the throne," Lady Lucinda says.

Constantine must have said something to them because they all look in our direction. My eye makes contact with Prince Leonard and for the first time I see many emotions going on in them but I can't make out which is it. I look at Prince Jeffery who is looking at me with hurt in his eyes. I smile at him and he smiles back. Just then, Prince Leonard breaks out of Prince Williams's hold and gives Prince Jeffery a stare I can't seem to make out. He turns from the crowd and walks away.

"If you will excuse me, ladies," Princess Isabelle says and runs after her brother.

I can't help but watch Princess Isabelle chase after her brother and catches up to him. She turns him to look at her. I watch both brother and sister talk for a while. He says something to her and walks away. Princess Isabelle stands there for a while before chasing after him and they exit the ballroom.

"That was uneventful," Princess Esmeralda says.

I can't help but worry about Prince Leonard as I look at the ballroom door. I look back at the boys and Constantine is walking back to us.

"Your Highnesses," Constantine says and bows.

"Constantine, is everything under control?" Ri asks.

"Yes Your Highness, nothing I couldn't handle."

"Prince Jeffery is headed here," Lady Zadie says.

"Alright ladies let's go rescue Juliana," Ri says.

Immediately they all follow Ri and head toward Juliana.

I turn back to the ballroom door and look at it one more time.

"What is wrong with me? I can't see to stop worrying about Prince Leonard," I say to myself.

"Your Highness," Prince Jeffery says with a bow.

I turn to Prince Jeffery who is looking deliciously handsome in his outfit.

"Your Highness," I say with a curtsey.

We both smile at each other. I turn to Constantine and nod at him. He nods back with a bow and leaves.

"I have never seen such a bond between a princess and a butler before," Prince Jeffery says.

"What can I say, Constantine is very loyal and you of all should know how hard it is to find loyal butlers these days," I say.

"Indeed Princess Iris. You are right," Prince Jeffery says.

I stare at him for a while.

"What was that all about? Between you and Leonard. What were you both thinking fighting in a place like this?" I ask

Prince Jeffery's smile disappears for just a second. His hand goes through his hair. He looks behind him like he is uneasy and finally looks at me.

"What is wrong Jeffery?" I ask.

"It isn't something for you to bother about Iris. Leonard and I have our differences and sometimes those differences clash. It isn't something that hasn't happened before," Prince Jeffery says.

I look at him feeling not convinced by what he said.

"From what I saw earlier, it looked deeper than that," I say.

I stare at Prince Jeffery, observing him. He seems uneasy and scared. Before I could ask he starts talking.

"Listen, Iris, while you were sick a lot has been happening. Certain decisions were made and part of those decisions caused the fight between Leonard and I," Prince Jeffery says.

"What are you talking about? What decisions were made, by whom?" I ask.

"My father and your father came up with a way to deal with the pirate problem and..."

"That sounds good Jeffery. If they found a way to deal with the pirates, then that means they will announce it to everyone today right?" I ask.

"Yes," Prince Jeffery says almost in a whisper.

I look at him for a while.

"Why does he him seem uneasy?" I say to myself

"You don't look too happy about this plan."

"Princess Iris, I want you to know..."

Prince Jeffery is interrupted by the trumpets. I turn in time to see mother and father heading towards the podium.

"It's time for the inheritance," I say