Princess Iris
CHAPTER 41

A WEEK LATER

"Are those all the suitcases?" Mother asks

"Yes, Your Majesty," Veronica answers.

"That can't be it. I counted eight suitcases in Iris's chamber and out here I am counting seven," Mother says.

"I will rush up and check again Your majesty," Veronica says as she hurries off.

I watch mother as she turns her attention to the servants loading my bags into the coach. Mother has been on her toes since we came back from Cerphila. I won't blame her; Queen Fiona inviting me to Divimon for a few weeks took her by surprise. Mother made me take classes with her on the history of Divimon and its culture. Some day's father had to rescue me.

I smile remembering their back-and-forth bricking.

"How many men and horses will be in front?" Father asks.

"Six Your Majesty," Sir Arnold replies.

"Hmm, six in front and 10 behind? I don't like that, even them all. Add four more men and horses to the front," Father says.

Father is also here, going through security details with Sir Arnold who is now my official knight guard. I take my eyes off mother and look up to the skies.

I didn't know what to think or say when Queen Fiona invited me to Divimon. Well, I always knew I was going to have to go to Divimon one day but I didn't think it will be so soon. These few weeks in Divimon are going to be the longest days

of my life and for some reason, I can't stop thinking about King Archer, Queen Fiona, Prince Jeffery, and King Frederick, and what the Kingdom of Divimon will expect of me. On days like this, I wish Ri was still alive. She always knew what to say to help me feel better. But right now, I am all alone. I have to figure out these all by myself.

My mind goes back to the conversation I had with King Leonard. I find myself getting distracted anytime I think of him. I can't help but think of the warmth I felt that day.

"What was that all about? I have never felt like that before, so why now?" I ask myself as my hand goes to my chest.

And the discussion we had that day. It still rings in my head.

FLASHBACK

Your people? Don't tell me you are doing this because of your people," King Leonard says

"You, you happened Iris," King Leonard says

REALITY

"What did he mean by that? I ask myself

Just then I feel a hand on my shoulder; I turn and find mother and father smiling at me. That means it's time to go.

"It's not too late to change your mind Iris dear, your father and I will understand," Mother says.

I smile at mother

"It's too late to back out mother. Besides, I want to do this," I say.

"I honestly don't understand what Fiona was thinking not telling me about this first. And it won't matter how many letters she sends to me apologizing, I am still not happy with her," Mother says angrily. "It's alright love. What is done is done. We both know Fiona isn't one to run anything by anyone," Father says.

"It's fine mother, I am ok with the way things turned out. Besides I was always going to visit Divimon one day. We talked about it remember?" I say feeling more anxious.

"Is everything alright sweetheart? Something seems to be bothering you," Father says.

I look at him and I see the concern on his face. So, I breathe in and out.

"I am just a bit scared. I don't want to mess this up," I say thinking about King Leonard.

"Do you remember when you were little, during Princess Isabelle's eighth birthday, your sister and the other princesses were having a tea party and you joined the princes to learn how to wield a sword? Prince Frederick insulted you; you were offended and you challenged him to a fight. Because it was your first time wielding a sword and you got yourself injured," Father says.

"Yes, father I remember and I have a scar on my wrist to always remember that day. I also remember you been very angry at me," I say with a low tone.

Father sighs

"I shouldn't have been angry with you Iris. That was wrong of me. When Queen Henrietta asked you why you didn't stop trying, you said 'you don't quit. you knew it will a difficult task but you refused to back down, especially from a challenge.' I didn't tell you or show it to you but I was very proud of you. It was at that moment I knew just how strong you were and I knew that one day, the kingdom of Filamonda will be in good hands. So, my dear Iris, do you still feel that way?" Father asks.

"Wait, what do you mean the Kingdom of Filamonda will be in good hands?" I ask.

"You were always going to rule Filamonda. Your mother and I decided to give the throne to you," Father says.

I look at him surprised.

"You were always going to give the throne to me? But Ri... Ri... on our birthday, you..."

"Ri was only supposed to marry Prince Jeffery. She was not going to be Queen, you were and Ri always said the role fits you," Mother says.

FLASHBACK

"Well, I was just thinking who father is going to choose to take the throne," I say.

"Well, that's easy, you of course," Ri says.

"What! What do you mean me? What happened to you?" I ask.

"In what way am I qualified to rule a kingdom? You on the other hand are more than qualified. Besides the people of Filamonda know you more than they know me," Ri says.

"Of course, they know me. I am in front of every newspaper for one scandal or the other and I have made a lot of mistakes," I say. "You on the hand are more collected, gentle, organized, and strong. Me? I am just clumsy. There is nothing special about me."

"You worry about nothing," Ri says.

REALITY

"She knew, she always knew. Ri was always one step ahead of me. If only I had done things differently. This time I will be the Queen I need to be," I say to myself. "You are right father, I never back down from a challenge, I might be scared but it never stops me," I say.

"Father steps forward and takes my hand in his; I look up at him as I feel his hands shaking in mine. Just then he puts something in my hand and kisses my head.

"If you ever need anything, remember I am just a horse ride away," Father says as he hugs me.

I can't help the emotion that tries to escape. I reciprocate and hug him tight. When he releases me, mother comes up to me and kisses my cheeks. I smile at her and kiss her back.

Father helps me into the coach. Just then it starts moving, I turn my back to look through the window, and I watch my parents hold each other. My mother starts waving when she sees me looking at them. I wave back at them until they are out of sight. I look at what father gave me wrapped in linen cloth. I open it and its Ri's necklace; she always wore it on special occasions. I guess father wanted her close to me on my journey. I smile and put it on.

"Thank you, father," I whisper.

The journey to Divimon took us two days but we finally arrived. As we pass through the town; the first thing I notice is the posters everywhere with my face on them, each announcing my arrival. Just then every citizen in Divimon comes out of their house when they recognize my coach, they all start cheering and clapping. The ladies are throwing beautiful iris flowers at the coaches and on the ground. I smile and wave at them. The little children chase after the coaches laughing and playing. As we pass, everyone bows and curtsies at my coach and I wave to them.

We finally reach the castle to find everyone in the castle outside awaiting my arrival. My coach stops at the stairs and Sir Arnold comes down and waits by the coach door waiting for my orders to open the coach door and present me. I peck through the window and look up the vast and long stairs, I see King Archer and Queen Fiona of Divimon, Prince Frederick, and of course the sight I was hoping I won't have to see, Prince Jeffery. He looks very tall, his body is very structured, and his black hair makes him look very handsome. I sit back and breathe in and out to control my nerves.

"I can do this, I can do this," I say to myself with my has on Ri's necklace.

"Sir Arnold," I call.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sir Arnold answers.

"You may proceed," I say.

"Presenting Her Royal Majesty, Queen Iris of Filamonda," Sir Arnold says opening the door, he takes my hand and helps me down the coach. I hear cheers and claps everywhere. I look up the stairs and find the castle guards on the stairs. As I make my way up the stairs, they all bow. I reach the large podium and meet King Archer, Queen Fiona, King Frederick, and Prince Jeffery.

"Your Majesties," I say curtseying.

When I look up, I find them all looking at me and smiling. Just then Queen Fiona clears her throat. King Archer finally jerks from his stare; he turns to King Frederick and nods his head. King Frederick steps forward, takes my hand, and kisses it. "It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Kingdom of Divimon, Queen Iris."

"The pleasure is all mine, Your Majesty," I say.

I turn to Prince Jeffery; he smiles and winks at me. I smile back at him. Just then Queen Fiona rushes to me and hugs me instead.

"You are welcome my dear, it's so nice to see you again," Queen Fiona says.

"Thank you for inviting me," I say as she releases me.

"You look so beautiful," she says warmly touching my cheeks.

I smile at her as she takes my arm and leads me through the door. I turn and look at Prince Jeffery, he smiles and nods at me. I smile back at him and allow Queen Fiona to lead me into the castle.

"I know you have been to the castle so many times but a lot has changed since you were last here, so why don't I show you around?" Queen Fiona says.

"Of Course, Your Majesty," I say.

We go on a stroll through the castle as she shows me everywhere. She's overly excited I note. I have never noticed this side of her before. I try my best to remember most things as she explains them to me. "And this is the new drawing room for my women's club," Queen Fiona says.

"It's very lovely," I say as I admire the paintwork on the walls.

"This will become yours very soon. I know you will put the room to good use very soon," Queen Fiona says.

"I already have a few ideas about the room," I say.

"I just knew you and I would get along very well," Queen Fiona says.

I chuckle