Princess Iris
CHAPTER 30

Just then I start to understand what father just said. I slowly drop my spoon and look at father.

"Are you trying to say the portrait I just saw hanging on by the east wind is actually Queen Guinevere, Queen Guinevere? The first Queen of Filamonda?" I ask surprised. "Did you ever remember seating for a portrait?" Mother asks.

Just then it hits me.

"I have never done a portrait of myself after I turned 16," I say to myself. "She looks... I look..."

"Just like her, we know honey," Mother says. "When I saw you yesterday, I was surprised. I thought you were an imposter until I saw your eyes. I always wondered why your eyes were always like that. Well, now I know. Queen Guinevere's eyes were green; you being a direct descendant of her inherited the color of her eyes. Although that to me still doesn't explain why you have a striking resemblance to her."

"When your mother came back from seeing you, she told me what she saw. I thought it was because she hasn't seen you in six years that's why she thought you looked exactly like Queen Guinevere until you walked into the hall, I couldn't believe my eyes," Father says.

SILENCE STRETCHES

"You know she was nicknamed "The Pirate Queen", Mother says.

"Do you think that has anything to do with me looking like her?" I ask.

"Hmm, it's days like this I wished my mother was still alive. She was a Historian. Mother knew deep secrets about many kingdoms that no one knew. I bet she had the answers to the questions you have," Father says.

"From what we were taught in school, Queen Guinevere stood out for her intellectual and war excellence. There was a lot of bad stuff going on in the old days. PIRATES, it always started with the pirates. They ruled back then both on sea and land. People suffered, and many were oppressed. She saw how people were suffering and took a stand when no one else could. She disguised herself as a man and worked under the Pirate King. She learned their secret, came back home, formed the resistance and well you know how that played out," Mother says.

"The resistance?" I ask.

"Queen Guinevere's bravery gave birth to the peaceful era we have been experiencing for years now. Well right up till now. The history books said she had a very strong personality, and never backed down from a challenge. Hmm, that kind of sounds like..."

"Me?" I say interrupting father.

He looks at me with a smile and I smile back.

"Hmm, it seems a lot has started to make sense between you and Queen Guinevere," Father says.

"Have you sent words to King Archer?" I ask

Father sighs

"I was going to make it wait for a while, to allow you to settle down with the idea and get used to your surroundings," Father says.

"And how long is take going to take?" I ask.

"I don't know, it's up to you," Father says.

"As much as I want to take my time to settle in, we don't have that time," I say.

I watch my parents reach for each other as they share a familiar look

"What?" I ask.

They both look at me and father takes mother's hand and kisses it.

"Speaking of settling in, your father and I are retired," Mother says.

"Retired?" I ask.

"Yes," Mother says.

"How? When?"

"Last year," Father says.

"Last year? Are you sure? I didn't see it in any of the newspapers," I say.

"It is a decision we took together. The other three kingdoms were aware but we wanted it to remain as quiet as possible, for as long as it took," Mother says.

I absorb mother's words. I look down at the plate in front of me.

"You were waiting for me. What if I never came out?" I ask.

"We were willing to wait for as long as it took. We will continue to rule the kingdom because the people need us. We were prepared for anything," Mother says.

"But what if any of you died before I was ready? I am not sure if I am ready now but still..."

"I knew my daughter wasn't going to stay cooked up in the east wind forever. With danger lurking at every corner, I knew you would come out," Father says with a smile and I smile back at him.

"Don't you worry honey, I and your father are here if you ever need us," Mother says.

"Thank you, mother," I say.

Just then the servants arrive and start taking away the dishes. I can't help but think about what would have happened if I had never come out of the west wind castle. If the pirates got stronger and attacked Filamonda, they would kill Mother and Father. And if I was not there to defend the crown and my people, Filamonda will fall into chaos.

"Honey are you okay?" Mother asks.

"Yes mother, I was just thinking about what to do next," I say.

"Well since you are ascending the throne immediately, I think the first thing you should do is to meet the people and we need to find a way to introduce your new title to the other kingdoms," Mother says.

"I believe your mother is right. Introducing yourself to The People should be the first thing you should do. Let them know you are here to stay and you will be there for them. The other ones can come later," Father says. "Wow, is this really happening?" I ask as my breathing gets elevated.

"Are you ok honey? Do you need some time?" Mother asks.

"I don't know. I just found out I am probably an incarnate of a historian queen, my parents are retired and I am to be the ruler of Filamonda, the queen of Filamonda. I don't know, these all feel too much and I can't breathe," I say using my hand to fan myself.

For the first time since I sat down, I look at the chair Ri always seats. A lot of emotions start rushing into me at once and tears drop down my cheeks.

"Honey look at me, honey I need you to look at me," Mother says.

I turn to mother, her hand is on the table, it's open to me. I turn to father and his hand is on the table too, outstretched, opened to me. This a trick Ri does for me anything I start to get overwhelmed and my breathing gets elevated. It always helps to calm me down. As I struggle with my breathing, I reach for their hands and put my hands in theirs. I close my eyes and feel the warmth of their hands. I start to calm down as my breathing gets under control.

I finally open my eyes and my parents are both smiling at me. I smile at them. It seems they were very observant of Ri's technique of calming me down.

"Alright I will meet the people but that will have to be today. There is a lot to be done and I have to start now," I say.

"Are you sure honey? It's totally fine if you" Mother asks.

"I am sure mother, but I want to do it as quietly and simply as possible. So, I will visit Joventen since it is the closest to the castle. I want to have as much time as possible with my people before outside demands start to need me," I say. "Spoken like a true leader," Mother says with a smile.

"If it is quiet and simple you want, that can be arranged. Constantine," Father calls.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Constantine answers.

As Father instructs Constantine on what to do, I look at the newspaper at his left. I see Duchess Juliana and King William are on the front page again. Their engagement party will be on the sixth day of next week. That is seven days from now. "Has the invitation from the Kingdom of Cerphila been accepted?" I ask interrupting father's discussion with Constantine.

"Yes, I believe the wedding will be next month but the engagement party is a week from now," Mother says. "Oh, I don't understand why Marilyn will let those kids pick such a date. Doesn't anyone remember how bad the roads over here are?" Mother laments.

"Don't worry sweetheart, we just need to travel slowly. We will be fine," Father assures mother.

"Why did you ask about the invitation honey?" Mother asks.

"I will be making my first public appearance at the engagement party," I say.

"Are you sure? If you are going to make such a big appearance then everyone is going to find out you are the new ruler of Filamonda, the Queen of Filamonda," Father says.

"I know mother. The sooner everyone knows, the sooner I can gain my status and work with King Frederick in dealing with this pirate problem. If I am going to marry Prince Jeffery I need to learn to stand on my own," I say. "Spoken like a true queen. I couldn't be prouder," Mother says.

"I believe you are a Queen by true inheritance, we have not had one in a long time," Mother says.

"I don't understand," I say.

"The only way a princess can be recognized as a queen is by marriage but you are the first princess in a long time who has become a queen by true inheritance," Mother says.

"In that case, your mother and I will go ahead of you to the engagement party, one day perhaps, to avoid being announced," Father says.

"That is a lovely idea," Mother says.

"Ok, I believe everything is ready," I say standing up.

"Wait," Mother says. "You can't go to see the people on your own. Someone has to go with you."

"Your mother is right, a lot has changed in the town in six years," Father says.

I think about it for a while and turn to Constantine.

"Constantine, gather the ladies, tell them I require their assistance. Have them meet me in front of the castle in an hour," I say.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Constantine says.

I look at him surprised, the new title felt odd and weird but I smiled at Constantine.

"Oh, and I want Veronica to join them too," I say.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Constantine says with a bow and turns to leave.

"Wait," I say.

Constantine stops and turns to me; I walk up to him and hug him. I release him afterward and I watch him fight his emotions. He finally bows and leaves. I turn back to Father and Mother and curtsey as I make my way out of the dining hall.