Princess Iris
CHAPTER 26

I stare at Juliana and Prince Williams's picture for a while before I finally turn to the page to read the news. They are to wed the following month in Cerphila. I continue reading the news as Mrs. Paula serves my food. "Mrs. Paula." "Yes, Your Highness."

"What is this I am reading about, Duchess Juliana getting married to Prince William?" I ask.

"Oh Princess Iris, I heard they have been seeing each other for the past two years but in secret. The Duchess and the Prince made their intentions known during his sister's Princess Octavia birthday ball early this year but they had the local papers keep quiet about it until the wedding date was fixed. I also heard they invited the four kingdoms including the German royals, Italian royals, and many more. It seems it is going to be a big deal" Mrs. Paula says.

I look back at the newspaper. It seems everyone is moving on with their lives. From Esmeralda getting married to Octavia getting engaged, and even Zadie getting married. There is a rumor of the new German King asking for Isabelle's hand, Catherine is engaged to King Frederick and now Juliana is getting married to Williams. Everyone is indeed moving on.

"Will Her Highness be attending?" Mrs. Paula asks.

I look back at Mrs. Paula and warmly smile at her.

"I don't know Mrs. Paula," I say with a sigh.

"I thought you said this is the year you finally leave this place and go outside," Mrs. Paula says.

"Yes, and I did mean it. I haven't been outside these walls for six years now. I have given it a lot of thought and I think it's time, you know?"

"Of course Your Highness. Only you know when it's right to meet the outside world again. Whatever decision you make I will be there if you need me," Mrs. Paula says.

"Thank you, Mrs. Paula," I say.

"Oh and Mrs. Paula," I call.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I don't know if you will permit but I would love to take today off from training and take Grenade for a walk," I say.

"Still sore from my yesterday's training?" Mrs. Paula asks.

"Yes, my shoulders are sore," I say.

"That's why I told you it is very important to keep a leveled stance when fighting with a sword. If one part of your body is off balance, the rest is compromised," Mrs. Paula says. I nod at her and she smiles.

"It's alright Your Highness, you can take today off practice and rest. I will head out into the kingdom and gather supplies I will need for supper while you take a ride with Grenade." "Thank you," I say picking up an apple to eat.

As Mrs. Paula goes about her work in the kitchen. I look at the newspaper again. After Ri's burial, everyone from class wrote to me except King Leonard now, not that I was surprised. I never wrote back to them either, I just wanted to be left alone. They visited often but I never went out to see them. Juliana and Prince Jeffery were resilient; they both wrote every week and visited every month. But I never wrote back or went out to see them. After a year, they both stopped writing or visiting, everyone else did. They probably understood I wasn't going to reciprocate.

As Mrs. Paula serves my food, I turn to yesterday's newspaper sitting at a corner and read the caption "PIRATES" unlike the previous years, pirates have become bolder. Tampering with supplies and attacking parole ships. Things seem to have gotten worse when father's personal sailship was attacked. Luckily, he wasn't on board. The ship was headed to Octavalia for King Theodore's burial, father changed his mind at the last minute to wait for mother who was ill at the time. Since I moved to the East wind, I have never thought of losing my parents but after the incident, the reality that I could lose them really heat me hard. That is why I made up my mind to leave this place. It's time I helped and did something after these pirates.

I put down the paper to start eating my breakfast. After eating I thank Mrs. Paula for the food, I take out an apple from the basket and head out into the forest to look for Grenade. I get to my usual spot and blow a whistle with my mouth. Just then I hear the rush of her hoofs and her neighs running to me. When Grenade reaches me, she does her normal routine of going around me before bringing her face for me to pet.

"Good morning, Grenade," I say petting her. "How was your night?" I ask.

She gently uses her nose on my face and neighs.

"I will take that as fine."

I reach for my trouser pocket and bring out the apple, when she sees it, she jumps and goes back which makes me laugh.

"Are you ready?" I ask.

Grenade stays put watching my hand. I throw the apple at her and she catches it with her teeth and chews on it. I clap, cheering for her. I walk to the corner of a tree and take out her saddle and belts. I saddle her up and climb her. "So where do we go today? The mountain?" I ask Grenade.

She just neighs at me.

"The mountain it is," I say and we ride off.

THE CASTLE

KING MATTHEW, KING ARCHER, AND QUEEN MARIAH

A knock is heard.

"Yes, come in," King Matthew says.

King Matthew is in his study room going through some papers.

Constantine comes in, closing the door behind him.

"Ah Constantine, just the man I wanted to see. I have looked into the shipment report for the last three months and we are still running low on coal for the winter. Have this sent to Duke Edmund, I want him to properly check what is causing the shortage and he should get back to me as soon as possible," King Matthew says.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Constantine replies.

"Look at this," King Matthew says holding up a paper to the light. "The irons shipped to the Kingdom of Porthingham were attacked by Pirates. All the irons were either stolen or destroyed. Curse those Pirates, if I ever get my hands on them, I will send them back to the hell from whence they came," King Matthew says.

"I am sure you will, Sire. I must inform His Majesty that His Majesty, King Archer has arrived and is requesting to speak to you immediately," Constantine says.

King Matthew looks from the paper in his hand at Constantine.

"Archer is around?"

"Yes Your Majesty."

"Hell, that man, traveling in this time. With the unsafe sea and slippery roads, god that man is suicidal," King Matthew says taking his coat and heading for the door. Constantine follows right behind him.

King Matthew walks into his private sailor with Constantine behind him. He finds King Archer by the fireplace.

"Archer, you suicidal bastard, what brings you to my kingdom at this cold and dangerous time of the year"? King Matthew says hugging his best friend.

"I am sorry Matthew; I know the roads are usually slippery and dangerous at this time especially with the sea being unsafe but I to risk it. I have an urgent matter I needed to discuss with you. It couldn't wait," King Archer says.

"It's Alright Archer. Come let's have a sit. Tell me of this important matter that couldn't wait," says King Matthew.

Both kings have a seat by the fireplace.

"Matthew I am at my end. Two nights ago, our weekly supply of metals was..."

The door suddenly opens to reveal Queen Mariah and a maid entering with a tray of hot tea.

"Good evening, Archer. I prepared some hot tea, after your long journey I know you must be feeling cold and tired. Put the tray on the table, Beth," says Queen Mariah.

"Yes Your Majesty," Elizabeth says.

Elizabeth gently places the tray on the table.

"That will be all Beth, thank you," Queen Mariah says.

Elizabeth curtsies and makes her way out of the room.

Queen Mariah quickly pours some tea for King Archer and serves him.

"Thank you so much, Mariah. You are too kind," King Archer says.

"You are welcome," Queen Mariah replies.

King Archer sips his hot tea.

"I am surprised Fiona let you travel in this weather," Queen Mariah says

"I didn't tell her I was coming here," King Archer says

"You can't be serious," Queen Mariah says.

King Archer takes a sip of the tea and sighs while looking into the cup of the tea.

"Archer..." King Matthew says urging him on as he feels King Archer is starting to stall.

"As earlier said, our week's supply of metal was stolen two nights ago on the sea by pirates, Matthew. This has been happening for months now. I can't take it anymore. These raids need to stop Matthew; they need to stop. Frederick is already getting overwhelmed. I pity the young lad. He just turned two years in his reign."

King Matthew sighs.

"Poor lad, the Irons shipped to Porthingham last week never got there. Those low-life pirates took everything," King Matthew says.

"At this rate, we won't be making any money at winter's end and you know what that means," King Archer says.

"It won't get to that Archer, I hope so," King Matthew says.

"Frederick has all the knights stretched thin across the sea borders to make sure those pirates don't near my territory but somehow they always manage to infiltrate my ships," King Archer says.

"Yes, I know how you feel. Everyone's hands are tied, from Donatello fighting bandits stealing their food supplies to Leonard fighting the Kingdom of Serptarons over territory issues; I don't know what to say. These past few years have been tough," King Matthew says.

King Matthew looks at King Archer whom he noticed has been quietly looking at his cup of tea.