11 The Princess of Scire

Crestienne Filia

"Her Highness, Princess Crestienne Filia!"

And with that, they all bow down as if I am a Ruler! Of course, what else can I do? I have to smile back at all of them. I must give my people some coins as a blessing of some sort. I have to give short waves. I have to acknowledge the bows the nobles give to me out of respect. I need to walk up straight and lead my train of household into my quarters.

What just happened? Well, a meeting with the nobles just happened. All the nobles residing at court must hear about the latest laws, contracts, or deals our kingdom had imposed. For today, it's nothing more but a trade deal with our fellow kingdom, Crustallus. Just the boring stuff. They give us wool; we give them the technology to give us more wool. It's obviously a mutualistic deal, but it is Scire that always wants to get the upper hand when it comes to its deals.

What say do I have? None. No one listens to the youngest of the Filia family anyway, let alone a girl. The hell with being a girl. I'm just a figure anyway. Still, I can say my people love me. I think that counts for something.

After thousands of steps we just had to take from the grand hall of the palace up to my quarters, I feel my foot aching. Who the hell invented heels anyway? This is barbaric. Anyway, it was worth it. My chamber guards open my doors for me, and here I am back at my household. My ladies-in-waiting just go back to their routine of preparing the rooms. Cleaning. Dusting. Pretending to do "work".

The hell with this nonsense. I enter my private chambers unceremoniously. I kick the heels away, tear the gown from my body, remove the plaits from my hair, and done! I'm practically a normal being in my petticoats and loose platinum blonde hair. I toss myself on my bed, and nobody gives a shit. I'm the princess of this quarters. No one can say what I can't and can do, except. . .

"Princess! This is no way to act!"

Right. My governess, Lady Glacie. She's one of mother's original lady-in-waiting. Now, she's like my mother (or more like the king). In her horror, she picks up the shoes, the gown, and the hair ties I tossed arbitrarily around my chambers. Well, I see no dismay in her face anyway. She's used to it. I just don't like rules, ok? Anyway, it's the last day of the week. There are no classes, so why should I be bound to the same rules I have every day?

"Princess, if you must do your act of rebellion, please do it in an orderly manner. Don't just toss your things here, there, everywhere. You are the Princess of Scire, and you must – "

"Be an example. Be a role model. Act my position, I get it!"

I just had to cut her off. I keep hearing those same nags every day. I don't like rules. Who gives a shit about that anyway? Well, I can't let her suffer for my rebellious ways anyway. I help her pick up the mess that I made. I'm still a princess. I know when I go too far.

"Why are you here anyway," I ask her frankly.

My household knows that I like to be alone. I have enough work for my age. By day, I slip my way out of this wretched palace to go to school. Real school. Not a tutor session with the worst in Scire. By night, I sign several documents that I barely even read. It's pre-approved anyway. I'm just a figure that's signing this and that to put it into motion. If, for some reason, I don't like to sign the document (either because it's too lame, too useless, or just won't benefit Scire), the noble that wanted me to sign this will just talk me into signing it.

Anyway, Lady Glacie being here means something is up.

"I have a note," she says simply.

"From who?"

She takes a note folded in quarters and gave it to me. I'd recognize this paper from a mile away – the scholar's paper. The Amasio paper. Romain. I unfolded the paper to read what he said.

Want to hang out? Same place. Same time.

Of course. My answer is yes. I enter my wardrobe and took out some clothes that would disguise who I am. I put on a stripped tank top covered by a brown blazer. The beige skirt goes below the knee. Finally, the shoes! Goodbye, shitty heels! Hello, boots! I put on a brown scarf around my neck because it's going to be cold out tonight. Lastly, the piece-de-resistance! A black wig. Yes. I can't let anyone see my flowing platinum hair. It has been my signature – the Scirese princess has platinum blonde hair that can be seen from a mile away. To top it all up, let's don that specs to hide who I am. There. I'm practically another person.

I pick up my backpack, and ready to go. "I'm taking a walk, Lady Glacie. Cover me from his majesty."

I expect more nags, and there it goes. "Your highness, you must return in time. We would not want to be caught. We were almost discovered by the king. Please, return in time."

With an easy smile, I walk out of the door and turn back to say my words. "Don't worry. I'll be back. For now, I shall be Lettice Tacticum."