Princess Iris
CHAPTER 38

"A lot has been happening, even among ourselves. Everyone is trying hard to keep the kingdoms in place. With Williams getting threats from the Serbian Hunters to King Frederick's army being spread thing around Divimon borders to keep the pirates out and King Leonard trying to restore peace, I don't know how long we can keep this up," Duchess Juliana says.

"Poor King Leonard is probably running out of patience," Duchess Lucinda says.

"The good news now is that with you back Leonard can finally get off everyone's back for ones," Princess Isabelle says.

I turn to Princess Isabelle in time to watch Princess Octavia signal to her to be quiet.

"What's going on? What is wrong with Leonard?" I ask.

I notice they are all looking guilty.

"They are hiding something and it has something to do with Leonard," I say to myself.

"Why do you all get flustered up when Isabelle mentions Leonard?" I ask.

They all look between themselves.

"It's nothing Iris, you don't need to worry about anything," Princess Octavia says.

Just then the music changes.

"Oh the music has changed," Queen Esmeralda says.

"Time for us to dance," Princess Isabelle says and turns to me. "We are not done discussing. We will continue after this is done," Princess Isabelle says with a proud tone.

I smile at her and nod. Everyone starts dispersing leaving Zadie and Juliana with me.

"Your Majesty, I know there is more you are not telling us but..."

"It's fine Zadie," I say.

"How gullible do you think we are..."

""

Duchess Zadie stops talking all of a sudden. I look at her worried.

"Zadie?" I say.

She is looking at something behind me. I look at Juliana who is also looking behind. Just then his perfume reaches my nose and my heart skips a beat.

"Your Majesty," the voice says.

I look at Juliana who looks at me and finally nods to confirm my suspicion. I slowly turn to the voice and there stood Prince Jeffery. I finally got the chance to see him up close. He is more handsome than the last time I saw him. He looks like King Archer but in his way, and he rocks that manly chin bone like it was meant for him. He smelled like freshly cut wood. He seems taller and broader.

"Will Her Majesty like to dance with me?" Prince Jeffery says bowing and offering me his hand.

I look around me and spot mother who is looking at me and smiling. She finally nods at me and I look back at Prince Jeffery whose eyes are piercing into my soul.

"Of course, Your Highness," I say curtseying. I put my right hand in his hand. "I will love to dance with you," I say.

When we approach the dance floor, I start to get anxious. My palms start to sweat under the glows.

"Curse these gloves. I don't know why I let Bridgette talk me into wearing one," I say to myself.

We finally reach the dance floor; I turn to him as he gently draws me to him. I feel his hands go to my waist and I rest my hand on his chest as we dance. I look away from his eyes and try to look somewhere else.

"Say something to him," I say to myself. "I cannot be quiet forever. I mean he has tried to reach out to me and I have been quiet. Why am I so bad at this? What would Ri do? She always knew what to do and what to say in situations like this. Why am I so hopeless?"

I close my eyes and try to breathe in and out.

"Are you ok, Your Majesty?"

I look up at him and he is looking down at me with worry and kindness in his eyes.

"Yes, I am fine and please call me Iris," I say.

He smiles at me and I smile back.

"Pardon me asking, I was wondering if you got my letter. I didn't receive any reply so..."

"Oh yes, I received your letter. I am sorry I didn't reply. I just..." I pause thinking of what to say. "I... I didn't what to say," I say.

"I understand," Prince Jeffery says.

"You do?" I ask

"Yes, I do. I mean you do not what to know how many letters I tore until I got it right," Prince Jeffery says chuckling.

I laugh with him.

After a moment of silence

"I am very glad to see you again Iris," Prince Jeffery says.

I look up at him and I can tell how sincere his words are.

I smile at him.

"I am glad to see you too," I say.

Just then someone clears their throat behind me. I turn to see my father.

"Your Majesty," Prince Jeffery bows at my dad.

"Prince Jeffery," Father acknowledges. "I am sorry to cut your reunion short but I will love the chance to dance with my daughter," Father says.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Prince Jeffery says.

Prince Jeffery turns to me; he takes my hand in his and gently kisses it.

"I will see you soon Your Majesty."

I blush at him as he bows and leaves. I couldn't help but watch as he blends into the crowd.

"I see my daughter is smitten as ever," Father says taking me into his arms as we dance.

"He is still as I remember him but he has changed a lot like a lot," I say with a hint of excitement.

I watch my father raise his eyebrows at me. I quickly felt embarrassed.

"I am sorry father. I forgot I am not supposed to be talking about such things. I don't know what..."

Father starts laughing.

"Oh no, Iris. I think you got me wrong. It's just since you moved into your grandmother's castle you have been rather uptight and serious. You hardly let yourself get loose. So, it was nice to see you being... you know you, the old you," Father says.

I smile at him.

"I guess habits don't die easily," I say.

He smiles at me.

"I almost forgot, I spoke to Archer and the others about your today's victory on the pirates," Father says.

"You did? Why will you do that?" I ask.

"Because sweetheart, you can't do it alone. We need all the help we can get if we want to win this war. Filamonda might be able to secure a victory on its own but at what cost? We need to ask for help," Father says.

"I get where you are coming from father, truly I do but don't you think telling the other kingdoms about our plans is too soon? I mean all of these were just trials. I wasn't certain it was going to work," I say.

"Iris, I had my doubt too about your plans but you refused to back down and you did it. You won one battle all kingdoms have been to struggling to win. When I told the other kings they were shocked and they want to hear all about your victory," Father says.

"Really, what did they say?" I ask.

"Well, you can imagine the shock on Archer's face. The Donatello wants to know how you came up with the plan," Father says.

"They want to have a meeting with me?" I ask.

"Yes, but after the ball. You will wait in your room. I will send a guard to come to get you," Father says.

"The ball is ending soon," I say.

"Yes, I know. That is why I stole you from the prince. Join the others but remember I will come to get you," Father says.

"Yes father," I say.

Just then the music comes to an end. Father and I go our separate ways. I meet up with Queen Esmeralda and the others. Time flows away as Prince Williams and Duchess Juliana are introduced to us as the new successors of the Kingdom of Cerphila. They are to ascend the throne in the coming month.