Princess Iris
CHAPTER 31

I make my way back to the east wind. As the guards open the entrance door, I look up at the portrait of Queen Guinevere. I can't help but wonder what all of these means. It's not like anyone saw this coming. The gates finally open and make my way back to my room. After I finally pick what to wear, I ring up Mrs. Paula. She helps me into my gown and helps me with my hair. I admire myself in the mirror.

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

"You are welcome Your Majesty," Mrs. Paula says curtsying.

I turn to her surprised.

"Very few workers in the Palace were entrusted with the information. Your parents told me because of the relationship between Queen Daniella, your Nana, and me and also because I am your caretaker. They wanted to be sure you were briefed properly if anything would have happened to them while you were still here," Mrs. Paula says.

"So that's what they meant when they said they had thought it all out?" I ask.

"I believe so Your Majesty," Mrs. Paula answers.

I finally nod at her.

"War is stirring up Mrs. Paula and it is my duty as Queen to stop it and protect my people. I will do whatever it takes to make sure my people are safe," I say as I reach the door.

"Of course, Your Majesty. I wouldn't expect anything less," Mrs. Paula says.

I nod at her as she curtsies.

By the time I reach the door of the castle, mother is waiting there for me. she smiles warmly at me as I walk toward her.

"The weather is crazy out there and just as I suspected you aren't wearing any warm clothes so here's my warm coat," Mother says throwing the coat over me and securing it over my shoulders. "Mother..."

"Oh, hush now," Mother says.

I smile at her and she warmly takes my face in her hands.

"Have fun," Mother says.

When I reached outside two coaches are waiting for me and of course, the ladies are there waiting for me. There is Bridgette, Caroline, Elizabeth, Veronica, and Paulina and they are talking among themselves. when they see me walking down the stairs, they all stop talking and immediately had their heads bowed as I reach them.

"Ladies," I say.

They all raise their heads and I notice the emotions on their faces. They are all holding back their tears.

"Your Highness," they all chorus together curtsying.

"Your Highness? I guess they are not aware yet," I say to myself.

I turn to Bridgette who looks like she will soon explode. I smile at her.

"You know Bridgette, it is ok to cry," I say. "I won't tell anyone," I added smiling.

She finally lets out a laugh and everyone follows her laughing. I smile at them

"Oh, Your Highness, we missed you so much," Bridgette says.

"I missed you, ladies, too. Sorry, it took me this long to come out," I say.

"It's all fine Your Highness, we understand," Caroline says.

I turn to Veronica who is looking at me with tears down her cheeks.

"Veronica," I call.

"Yes, Your Highness," She answers with a curtsey.

"You will be joining Bridgette as my Head Maid. I trust you to join her in keeping everything that pertains to me in order. Can I trust you with these activities?" I ask.

"Yes, yes Your Majesty," Veronica says cleaning her eyes.

I smile at her and turn to everyone.

"From this day forth I have resumed my duty to the crown and to the people. I will no longer stay held up in my chambers. I have spent the last six years locked up in my room, I have neglected my duties and today I will resume them by visiting my people. That is why I asked Constantine to gather you all here. A lot has changed in the last six years according to father and mother. So, I trust you ladies to navigate me through the kingdom and put me up to speed with what has changed while I was away. Can I trust you ladies with this?" I ask

"Yes, Your Highness," they all chorus.

I smile at them

"Bridgette, Veronica, the rest is up to you," I say.

I walk to the coach and the coachman opens it for me as I enter inside and take my seat. I hear Bridgette and Veronica brief the ladies on what to do and expect and how to go about things. Five minutes later, Bridgette and Veronica join me in my coach and the other ladies ride in the one behind.

Our journey begins as we make our way into the kingdom. Because of how slippery the roads are slippery due to the cold; the coach has to go as slowly and carefully as possible to avoid accidents. Since the journey is going to take a little while, I tell Bridgette and Veronica about my status change which should remain a secret. The shock on their faces is priceless. I also go ahead to tell them about my first public appearance. They both start going off on what gown I will wear, my hairstyle, etc. I listen to them as they throw their ideas around. I accept a few ideas and reject a few ideas.

"But Your Highness, I mean Your Majesty, isn't it dangerous for you to travel alone without any protection?" Veronica asks.

"There is no need for you to worry, father already sent out guards to the kingdom to keep an eye on things before we get there. So, we are not traveling without no protection. I didn't want us to draw much attention to ourselves," I say. "We understand Your Majesty," Veronica says.

We finally reach the kingdom and just as I thought, we didn't draw much attention to ourselves. Our coaches are like every random coach on the streets. The ladies start to show me the few changes that happened in the last six years. I noticed there are more houses on the hills and it seems there are more stone rocks piled up at the base of the hill, also more trees are leading to the town garden. I observe everything and I can't believe how much has changed in the last six years I locked myself in the castle.

Not long we reach the heart of the kingdom, called the Grand Square. I remember I use to play ball with the town kids whenever Mother came to visit the orphanage homes and just then I notice a statue of a woman in the middle of the Grand Square. But I can't seem to make out what it is from the distance.

"Coachman!" I call.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Maintain the route you are in and get in closer to that statue. I want to see who it is," I say.

"Of course, Your Highness," the coachman says.

I turn to Bridgette and find her giving Veronica a look.

"It's there something I should know?" I ask.

"No, Your Majesty," Veronica says.

As we draw near to the grand square, I can't help but notice Bridgette and Veronica are quiet. I look at them both and their faces look worried.

"What has gotten into them? Does it have anything to do with the..."

I stop midway when I see the statue, it is Ri. A statue of Ri in Grand Square.

"Coachman, stop here," I say.

The coach comes to a stop and I hurriedly open the door

"Your Majesty wait, Your Majesty..."

I don't stop running until I reach the statue. I can't stop looking at the statue and there are statues of butterflies flying underneath the feet of the statue of Ri. I can't help but notice the crown on her hair and just then the sun's rays hit the crown and it gives out a shining light. I chuckle and finally, I look down at the words written on a stone "PRINCESS ADRIANNA OF FILAMONDA, A DAZZLING LIGHT WE WILL NEVER FORGET". I can't help the tears that stream down my eyes. I don't know how long I stand there looking at the statue until I start hearing small voices behind me.

"Nobody goes any further. That is an order," A voice says behind me.

I turn to see what is going on behind me and I find the royal guards holding back a large crowd of people from entering the Grand Square. When the crowd sees me, they all start gasping and whispering to themselves.

"It's the Princess."

"Are you sure?"

"I thought she disappeared"

"You can tell she's the one by those eyes"

"The Princess has returned." The crowd starts saying.

Bridgette and the ladies run to me.

"I am sorry Your Highness; it is my fault. They heard me when I called out to you," Bridgette says.

"It's alright, Bridgette. It is not your fault, it is mine for running out like that," I say.

Just then a man steps forward, the guards' bow to him and allow him to pass. I watch him as he walks to me. I quickly recognize him, Duke Rowland. He is in charge of the people's affairs and he reports directly to father. When he reaches me, he bows.

"Your Highness," Duke Rowland says.

"Duke Rowland," I say.

I offer him my hand and he kisses it.

"It's been a long time," Duke Rowland says.

"I see these few years have been good to you," I say.

He smiles at me.

"May I?" Duke Rowland says gesturing to the crowd.

Understanding what he means, I nod at him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Princess of Filamonda and heir to the throne of Filamonda, Her Royal Highness, Princess Iris."

Just then the crowd erupts and everyone starts cheering.