Princess Claire

Chapter 1

We had been on my father's trip for half an hour, in a big carriage and for half an hour I couldn't breathe in my dress. The corset I was wearing was too tight under my chestnut (maroon) dress. I've wanted to complain before but I can't do that. Dad said it was a waste of time to complain, so I just tried to cope and sit up properly so that my stomach wouldn't get too tight.

"By the time we arrive, you know what to do first," he reminded.

I just nodded and didn't answer. I can't count how many times he reminded me of what I should do. Dad trained me in these things for almost a year because he said I was suited to it. We are going to the kingdom of my Atohollo where he is the right hand of the king who rules there. This is the first time I will leave my birth place, leaving my mother to be able to and to introduce me to the world I must know.

"Avery Claire Montellion."

He called my full name so I caught a glimpse of him.

"Are you listening?"

"Yes, I understand everything," I said and secretly clenched my fists.

"I'm fine like that," he smiled and he told me again about things I didn't care about.

I honestly did not grow up with my father and I only grown with my mother without him, I met him for the first time in a province far from the beautiful town of Atohollo. I was surprised that I had a father because my mother said when I was young he never came back to us because of work, in a distant place.

Last year he suddenly showed up and introduced himself as my father. I don't feel anything and especially the love of a father. For a year he taught me how to act as a woman who would suit the state of the wealthy. There I learned that he was the right-hand man of the king and his teacher. This means that he has a high position in the kingdom of Atohollo.

I had to go with her and I had to study as a princess. I had to follow him and he said I was born to be the wife of the next king of Atohollo, prince Aero.

"We're close," he exclaimed.

I glanced out the window of the carriage and saw from outside the people swarming around. The town is colorful and very noisy. Everyone was busy selling their wares and there were aristocrats touring the town. Shopping for new fabrics for their wearable clothing. Carriages also pass and turn left and right in the town. It is very far from the province where I grew up.

FIVE minutes later we arrived right in front of the palace. Someone opened the door for us and Dad came down first. I followed as I grabbed the skirt of my dress and carefully descended from there. I glanced at the soldiers waiting for us and some servants from the palace. Father walked closer to the group in the middle and front of the palace. The royal family and I just followed father.

The kingdom is surrounded by tall trees and there is a grove behind it. There are a variety of flowers scattered on the lawn that will grow. There is a small creek on the side. Very tall and very spacious the size of the palace with four towers.

The king smiled at us aged and his queen husband. Even in her old age the queen is still very beautiful. As far as I know this second wife and the whole prince is its mother. I caught a glimpse of the familiar face I had seen several times because of my father. He had no emotion and was staring at us seriously. While alive the smiles youngest prince Edward.

I automatically caught a glimpse of the two twin soldiers behind prince Aero. You can tell the difference between the two even though I don't know them yet. One was very serious, while the other was slightly smiling.

We stayed close to them and I still couldn't lose sight of the young soldier who was so serious. He stood up straight with his twin. He is very athletic in his black uniform and has silver designs on the dress. Her hair is perfectly combed, white and you can't see any dirt on her face. Her eyebrows are thick and her eyelashes are even longer than a woman like me. His lips were thin and his nose was pointed.

"Miss Claire."

I went back to reality when dad called me and there was mixed annoyance in his voice. The family just stared at me and waited for me.

"I'm sorry," then I bowed and paid my respects. I stood up straight. "I'm Avery Claire Montallion," I introduced myself to them. "Nice to meet you," and I smiled a little at them. I have to be perfect in their sight.

"Very beautiful young lady, we are also glad to meet you," said the queen.

"Thank you very much," I said to the queen.

"This is my son Aero and Edward," the king introduced his two sons.

Aero nodded without saying a word about his position and had no interest in me. Actually I have no interest in him either. I had no interest in any man but a soldier caught my attention. I don't know, it seems like I don't want to lose my eyes on him. I turned my attention back to them when Edward nodded.

"Welcome to the kingdom of Atohollo," he said. The difference between these two siblings is huge.

"Thank you very much," I said again.

One of the things that taught me was not to talk too much, especially when I don't care.

"Let's go in, we know it's a long trip and you're still from far away. Even before the food cools down," the king advised us.

We continued to go inside, father stood beside the king to talk about the territories and politicians of each kingdom nearby. As I followed, I still couldn't help but stare at the young soldier behind me and he followed his boss Aero.

I want to know his name.

"How was the trip?" Edward asked me a happy question so I lost my attention to the soldier but from time to time I glanced at him.

"Good."

Chapter 2

THE conversation in front of the table ended about an hour and a half. I have not summoned the king for the important thing they will not stop. I was just there to listen, I didn't talk to them much and I would rather they not notice me. I will only speak 'when they ask me and I have to answer.

I was just embarrassed every time my father would make me proud of the royal family. From the Prince Aero's stares you can tell him that he doesn't want us there. After lunch, they immediately took me to my room. Dad says we will last a few months or more because of his project with the king.

"Thank you very much," I said to the maid who brought me to my room. As well as two twin soldiers who carried three oversized boxes that I carried for my belongings, clothes and shoes.

They carefully lay down on the floor. I glanced at the size of the room, there was a large cabinet and it was even taller than 'kin'. There is a door to the terrace that is slightly open so the cold breeze enters from outside. There is another door into the bathroom, with a glass table attached to a large box -shaped chair. There is a round table and two chairs near the bed. On either side of the bed are small cabinets attached.

"Do you need anything?"

I was confronted when the young heavenly soldier asked me. I glanced at her twin again, I wanted to hear her voice and she didn't pay attention to me but I might think what they thought I would talk about it rather than her.

I looked back at the waiting soldier. "Nothing, what's your name?" I asked him, "Are you twins?"

"Yes, we are twins; he came out earlier than me."

He pointed at his brother so I caught a glimpse of his serious face. Our eyes don't even meet.

"I am Santino and this is my twin Sebastian. We are zealous and personal soldiers of Prince Aero. " He added.

I just nodded. "Thank you very much again. You can leave me now. "

"I'll follow," Santino said before they both bowed to his brother and left.

When they finally got out of the room and they closed the door. That's when our eyes met the young soldier Sebastian. We stared at each other for a few seconds before he finally closed it. In a few seconds of staring at us, my heart suddenly started beating faster as if it was alive.

I took a deep breath, I immediately quickly removed the ribbon from my dress and I also slowly took a deep breath when my dress came loose. But as I took off my clothes I still couldn't help but imagine how he would stare at me.

He is very mysterious.

I DON'T know if I'm going to be thankful that I can somehow rest or still not because I can't even be able to rest or sleep in my bed. She was soft and comfortable but something was bothering me so I couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried.

It was midnight and three hours had passed since dinner had ended earlier with them again. I wasn't very quiet. Prince Aero was not included in the dinner so I didn't see his two twin soldiers, especially Sebastian.

The sky is dark and so is my room. When I opened my eyes I first saw the ceiling. The moonlight enters slightly from outside the 'king's room. I got up and left my bed. I took off my white robe and did not hesitate to leave my room.

I don't know much about the kingdom yet and it's up to me to get lost or where I go. I was barefoot so my feet could feel the cold of the floor. The hallway was very bright and I walked to the right while hugging myself.

I did not know where my feet took me but I did not get lost, I did not encounter anything in the hallway or the soldiers until I finally reached the outside of the palace, in its very garden full of small flowers pink and felt the tickling little grass at 'king's feet.

I stopped in the middle and sat down on the lawn. A few seconds before I thought of lying down on the grass. No one can see me here so it's okay. I looked at the perfect shape of the moon, inevitably sad and remembering mother. Earlier in the room I couldn't seem to breathe and it looked like a very tight corset.

Out here I feel like I'm freely breathing the breeze I need. "How is mom?" I asked myself.

He is unlikely to be alone now in our house, where I used to live. His brothers only visited him once in a nearby town and we were far from the city. I am an only child and I know no one will help him especially when he is old. Dad said after his mission he would also take me back to mom, for now I have to go with him and I really have to follow him.

I closed my eyes and felt the surroundings.

"What are you doing out here?"

I was startled and my eyes widened. When I opened my eyes, I first saw the familiar young man looking at me. I immediately stood up and faced him. He was still seriously staring at 'me. While I was very nervous about his sudden arrival. For the first time I heard his voice. He was still wearing his black uniform.

"You can't go out at this time, young lady," he added.

I was speechless and stared at him shyly.

"Are you all right?"

"Ah ye-yes, why?"

"Go back to your room before your father catches you and scolds you."

"But I can't sleep."

"It's better for you to spend some rest in your room, I'll take you." He added.

This time I myself am still ashamed of him I will consider my position higher than him.

"Follow me," that he walked first.

I did nothing not follow him. I hurried to keep up with him as I bit my lower lip. Even before we could finally enter the palace I immediately grabbed his hand but he held it as if I had a disgusting pain. He looked at 'me and his facial expression still didn't change.

"Can I stay here first, even for a while, I'm just not really used to it, I'm still starting to live here and you know what that means, right?"

Chapter 3

I CANNOT read the emotion on his face. I don't know how he reacted to my request. I want to know what's on his mind so I can just ask him. As I stared into his deep and mysterious pairs of eyes I seemed to be drowning.

"But you can't, young lady."

"If I can't, can you just accompany me first, even for a moment or if you don't want to, can you just leave me first and think that you haven't seen me. I just want to rest and I won't report you in case they catch me, " I told him.

He did not speak and just bowed before he turned around. He walked away from 'me which surprised me. I winced slightly, I still wanted to stop him but I couldn't, I thought men would be worried but he was weird at all and he really left me here alone.

But it's okay that he didn't pretend. All I know is the soldiers in the palace do more work than the soldier outside. I'll just understand him and think it didn't happen tonight. I went back to my seat and sat down. I stared at my small creek where the moon reflected from the dark sky.

I was a little surprised when I felt someone put it on my shoulder and when I touched it. It was a thick cloth that looked like a dress on its slippery surface and I saw that it was a familiar uniform upper garment. I felt the presence of the person next to me and saw Sebastian standing on the right, next to me. Seriously overlooking the small creek.

"I will give you what you want, as a soldier I need to ensure your safety," he said seriously. He was no longer wearing his top uniform because he had already given it to 'me to relieve the cold I was feeling.

He was wearing only a white dress with long sleeves. I couldn't help but smile.

"You can sit down, aren't you tired?"

"No ---"

Even before he finished what he was going to say, I pulled his pants so that he could sit next to me, I stared at him and he frowned at me. I'm probably wondering why I did that.

I just shrugged and let him go.

"Thank you very much, Sebastian," I told him then turned my gaze back to the creek.

"Nothing, young lady."

I woke up to the sound of a bell in the tower, signalling that it was eight o'clock in the morning. I immediately got up and left the 'king bed. I put on my clothes and just as there was a knock on the door. I wiped my face with the cloth of my dress before I opened whoever was outside.

I immediately saw the well -dressed father and smiling at me. There were two maids behind him carrying food. I didn't invite him when he and the two of them came in. They put the food on the round table before my father and I left.

"Good morning, Claire, how was your first night at the palace?" he was happy to ask.

"It's okay," I replied sparingly to him.

"I'm fine," he sat down in front of the round chair.

I was waiting for him to ask me about night but no. I just watched him take some bread and eat it. I smiled at the inquirer, that soldier still knew how to keep a secret. He drove me last night, when I came to my room I was suddenly tired and fell asleep.

"Why are you happy?"

I went back to reality and I couldn't help but be surprised while staring at him. I immediately closed my mouth and sat on the end of my bed opposite my table where he was.

"Nothing."

"I'm leaving now and I have to leave you here," he said.

"Where are you going?"

"In my important place where I have a lot to take care of, I will be gone for two weeks or a month and I will also return when I finish work," he suddenly became serious and I just stared at him.

"I know first what we talked about. Why are you here today, you need to get close to the prince, to the eldest ---"

"Prince Aero?"

"That's right, the prince who is the heir to the king's throne. You need to make him fall in love with you especially since the king and queen want you. You need to train yourself in the palace because when you are set as a princess, you can get out of your mother's poverty and you can make her live in this palace. When you marry her and she becomes king, you will be queen. " He explained.

But none of the ones he mentioned hit just one, about the 'king's mother. I went with him and followed his plan because of mother. I don't want to be a princess, I also don't want that 'prince' and even more so I don't want to be the queen of a big kingdom. Not once did all that enter my mind.

"Do we understand each other? By the time I get back here, there should be progress on our plan," he smiled and said.

I wanted to tell him he was wrong, he just planned and we didn't.

"Do you understand me?"

"Yes," I nodded at the same time.

"I'm fine, have breakfast, I'll serve you," he pointed at the food on the table. "There is a soldier assigned to guard you, he can't leave you especially in case you leave the palace and he is the one I will be angry with in case something bad happens to you."

I wish Sebastian would be with me but that's for the prince.

We both glanced at the door when there was a knock.

"Looks like he's already there," he said together.

I also stood and watched my father approach the door. When he opened it I could see little of the face except the familiar uniform of a soldier in the palace. When it came in my heart suddenly went crazy, I didn't expect him anymore. Our gazes met and I remained stoned to where I stood. He bowed and paid homage to 'me.

"Good morning, young lady," he greeted me.