Princess Iris
CHAPTER 35

"The last ship just arrived Your Highness," Sir Jonathan says.

"How many causalities this time around, Sir Jonathan?" I ask "None Your Highness," Sir Jonathan answers.

"That's a relieve," I say and turn to Doctor Gabriel.

"It seems we have just 11 casualties with few injuries," I say.

"Yes, Your Highness and as I said earlier you don't need to stay, I have everything under control," Doctor Gabriel says.

When Duke Richard's letter arrived early this morning informing me of what happened. Under my command, two ships sailed out to the Eastern Sea to recover injured knights. Luckily nobody was injured badly and only a few knights were injured. According to one of the knights the contingency plan worked as planned. The pirates took the bait and they were able to take full control of the eastern sea. The shipments were able to sail with no attack from the pirates and Duke Richard is safe.

"Your Highness the ball," one of the knights says.

"Yes of course," I say.

"Doctor Gabriel, if you need anything don't hesitate to call the castle," I say.

"Of course, Your Highness," doctor Gabriel says.

We rode back to the castle as fast as we could. By the time I made it back to the castle the sun has gone down.

"Welcome back Your Majesty," Constantine says.

"Thank you, Constantine."

"We got a message from your parents, they wanted to know how everything is going," Constantine says.

"Tell them everything is fine and I will be in Cerphila in a few hours," I say.

Welcome back Your Majesty," Caroline says as I enter the castle.

"Thank you, Caroline," I say.

"Your Majesty, your bath is ready," Veronica says.

"Thank you very much, Veronica," I say following her up the stairs. "My dress?"

"Lady Fab had it delivered an hour ago," Veronica says.

"Constantine?" I call.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Constantine says.

"I want you to gather everyone in the castle. Have them meet me in front of the castle in two hours. I have an announcement to make," I say. "Of course, Your Majesty," Constantine says with a bow.

TWO HOURS LATER

"Your Majesty we are done," Bridgette says.

I take a look at myself in the mirror and I love the way I look.

"You ladies outdid yourselves. I love everything about the dress and the way I look," I say.

Just then knock is heard.

"Elizabeth please will you answer the door," I say.

Elizabeth quickly rushes the

"Your Majesty, everyone in the castle is outside waiting for you as you requested," Elizabeth says.

"Ok, it's time to leave," I say.

Bridgette walks in front of me, holding perfume in her hand. She sprays it on my cloth as I turn around for her.

"Thank you, Bridgette," I say.

The girls help me lift the back of the gown as I exit the room. When I get outside, I find the whole castle waiting for me. Constantine joins me at the stairs and helps me down the stairs. "Constantine. How many escorts?" I ask.

"We have twenty knights and ten horses in front, the same behind, one extra coach carrying your supplies. And as you instructed, Grenade is the lead horse on your coach," Constantine says. "Paulina, will you see to it that my spare coat is parked," I say.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Paulina says with a curtsey and runs off.

"I have an announcement to make Constantine, gather everyone including the knights," I say.

"Your Majesty."

I turn to Veronica who is carrying my crown on a pillow. I walk to her and take the crown from the pillow. I breathe in and out and turn to Bridgette who is holding a mirror. I place the crown on my head and adjust it until it seats well. Mother never stopped going off on how important it is for me wear my crown.

"It is part of your heritage and your identity. A crown signifies that you are proud to carry out the duties and responsibilities that comes with being a ruler and most importantly it signifies your authority," Mother says.

"I guess I have to start wearing my crown from now on. I have to start getting use to it. I am a Queen and the ruler of Filamonda," I say to myself.

"You look very beautiful Your Majesty," Veronica says.

I look at Veronica and smile at her.

"Your Majesty, you need to head out soon before the sun sets. The roads are worse at night," Constantine says.

"Alright, I guess it's time for my speech then," I say.

I walk to my coach and turn to everyone. I turn to Constantine and nod at him. Constantine claps his hand to get everyone's attention.

"I want to thank you for giving me your time. I also want to personally say thank you to you all for your time, hard work, and dedication throughout these years. Especially for looking after the castle and my parents while I was away. Bridgette and Constantine told me how you all worked diligently to keep the castle together. So, I want to say thank you, thank you all very much," I say.

"You are welcome Your Majesty," A male servant says.

"This is our home too. So, we will anything to protect it," A female servant says.

"You don't need to say thank you, Your Majesty. We all love our job and we are honored to serve you,” A female servant says.

"It's a relief hearing you all love what you do. I know the rumor has been going around and today I want to confirm it. I am the new ruler of Filamonda, I am its Queen and I am your Queen, although I succeeded my father and took the throne a couple of weeks back. I hear your whispers and your worries about the pirates invading Filamonda. Today we won a battle against the pirates and we were able to ship out supplies to some kingdoms," I say.

Just then all start cheering and clapping. I watch them for some time smiling. I turn to Constantine and he silences them.

We won the battle today but the war is far from over. I will not rest until peace is secured to the four kingdoms and as far as the seas. Relate these messages to everyone you know that I, Queen Iris will not stop fighting until our enemies are no more, I swear on my name," I say raising my right hand.

The whole castle erupts and starts clapping. Just then Constantine walks toward me with two knights and helps me down the coach.

"Your Majesty this is Sir Arnold and Sir Andrew, they will be in charge of your security," Constantine says.

"Your majesty," They both say with a bow.

"Sir Arnold, Sir Andrew it is my pleasure to meet you both," I say.

Just then Paulina runs to me.

"I have packed your extra coat, Your Majesty. Is there anything I can assist you with?" Paulina asks.

"Thank you very much, Paulina, that will be all," I say.

Just then a knight runs toward us and bows at me. He turns to Sir Andrew to whisper to him. Sir Andrew nods at him and the knight walks away.

"Your Majesty we are ready to leave," Sir Andrew says.

"Of course," I say.

Sir Arnold helps me into the coach.

"Constantine, if you hear anything from Duke Richard do not hesitate to send a message," I say.

"I will do that Your Majesty and have a safe trip," Constantine says.

Sir Arnold closes the coach door gently.

"Coachman, I am ready."

The coach starts moving as we head to Cerphila.

I seem to have lost count of how many times I have removed and worn my gloves. I can't seem to stop shaking. This is going to be my first appearance in 6 years. Will my friends recognize me? Will I recognize them? Will Juliana talk to me? What of Octavia, Esmeralda, or Zadie, will any of them want anything to do with me after how I treated them? Isabelle? Prince Jeffery... I can't seem to get these thoughts off my head.

"It's times like this that I need you Ri." I look through the window at the skies above me. "This is going to be a long day," I say to myself.

Since we left Filamonda territory and entered Cerphila, I gave orders for us to ride at top speed. The roads are solid now and we need to be at the castle before the ball is over. "Your Majesty, the castle," The coachman says.

I quickly move to the window and draw the curtain to one side. The castle comes into view. Cerphila is well known for the fireflies that surround the castle at night. It is always a sight to behold. The last time I visited the castle was six years ago and seeing it now, it never ceases to amaze me. I watch as the fireflies dance in the air and surround the castle. They use the moonlight to their advantage to showcase their light. I always feel calm watching the fireflies.