02: Best of Friends

2 weeks later…

I was putting on my tiara when I heard several knocks on my window, the knocks sound quite familiar to me.

Wait those knocks!

Those knocks are our secret code!

What is he doing here?

Don't tell me his boredom strikes again? So, he wanted some usual adventure.

I opened my window and I saw Zairo's face. He smiled at me before sitting at the windowsill. He's wearing our green friendship shirt and black sweatpants. I noticed the small star badge pinned on his shirt and I got the message.

He smirked at me when I looked at him.

"Zairo. What in the world do you think you're doing?" I asked whispering half shouting

"Hey, Pam, in for a little thrill?" he asked and leaned like an endorser in some famous commercial which made me roll my eyes.

He often acts like some sort of charming playboy prince, which is why I'm no longer surprised that noble women from different kingdoms are fantasizing over him.

"What do you think, Zairo? When have I backed out?" I asked sarcastically as he entered my room and sat on my bed.

He's really acting casual like it's nothing when he's here and that's what makes me nervous sometimes because once we get caught it's game over for our plans.

"But what the heck were you thinking? You know how dangerous this is." I scolded him

"But I'm here. Unscathed and safe, there's nothing for you to worry about." He said and sighed

"Well, whatever. Wait here. I'll just change my clothes." I said and ran to my closet and changed

"Violet and lime." I heard him say so I checked my drawer for it

I wore my black cotton jeans, Green off-shoulder shirt with the word 'ZaTrice' like the shirt Zairo is wearing I change to my violet and lime boots.

After I get ready, I brought my sling bag that also has a logo the same with the shirt. I opened the window and sat on the sill so that I can close it, then I carefully climbed down the vines around the tower. Zairo went ahead so that incase I fall he can catch me, his word not mine.

As if I'd really fall when in fact, I've been doing this for about five years now. He isn't the one who taught me, though.

When I reached the ground, I ran alongside Zairo until we reached the Valley of Laughter, a place where only laughter can echo. I don't know why that is though.

We called it Valley of Laughter but we don't really know what it's called.

Down on the valley was a medium sized house it is hydro powered with solar energy and has trees surrounding it. There was a tunnel to reach that house. It was our hangout when I wasn't at the palace I would be here. This is our safe haven.

We went through the tunnel and reached the house.

Zairo and I are the only ones who have the key to it because it's key was the badge pinned on our shirts and bags.

We have dozens of the same shirt but in different colors. Zairo and I made it personally, I design it, and he makes it possible to exist. That's how our relationship works. As we entered, my stomach started to grumble and I heard Zairo chuckled

"Zachary Ivan, are you laughing at me?" I asked him with a raised brow

"No, I'm not, Patrice Avery Mae Jillianne. I'll start cooking now, your highness." He jokingly replied with a slight bow

"You should, because I was only about to go to breakfast when I ran away with you." I said riding his joke

This always happen when we're both here, it's the usual scenario: teasing, joking and complimenting each other while one of us is cooking. Not because I'm a princess, I am ignorant when it comes to household chores and the same goes to him.

"Let me guess. You didn't eat breakfast too, am I right?" I asked him while we're eating

He averted his gaze and it made my brows furrow. This guy.

"I wasn't able to, Patrice. There was no cooked food yet." He answered averting this gaze from me. He must've remembered that I hate that.

"Really, Zairo, who do you think you're trying to fool? A palace with almost hundreds of servants has no food cooked yet to serve their first prince?" I asked him and he went beside me and hugged me from the side

"I know. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to fool you, okay?" he said in a soft tender manner

"Zairo, you have to take care of yourself too." I reminded him

"I know. I won't do it again." He said apologetically

"I heard that many times, Zairo." I said and crossed my arms

"Fine. Fine. I'll try not to do it again, Patrice." He said and I removed his hug from me

"If only I can go to your palace like you do with mine, I'll definitely check you personally." I said and he pinched my cheeks before we continued eating

"Luckily, you can't." he said so I raised my brow and a mischievous smile formed on my lips

"Oh, yeah? You're not backing out of the plan, are you?" I taunted him

"No, of course not." He said and shook his head

"We've been planning this for a decade now, it can't go wrong now, right?" I said and he smiled

"Of course, but you know, we really don't need to do it if the circumstances were different. But sad to say, our kingdoms are enemies for many millennia while we're friends since we were seven." He said and sighed

"That's why we're planning for peace, right? We can do this together, Zairo." I reminded him with a smile and he nodded while smiling

"Remember our first encounter the time when you fall and you land exactly in my arm?" he changed the topic and we both laughed reminiscing it.

That was so embarrassing, he teased me that every time we see each other and a day won't end without him teasing me and reminding me about it when we were kids. I mean I know it's funny but it's embarrassing actually.

"Zai, when is your coronation?" I asked him while helping him put the dishes to the dishwasher.

"A week after my 18th birthday, of course." He replied while fixing it to work

"Zairo. I'm serious. I already know that. I mean is when exactly?" I clarified

"It's in a week. Why?" he replied and we walked toward the living room.

"Nothing, I'm just curious. Well we both know what that means." I said meaningfully and we both laughed while flopping down the couch.

I forget my title and status whenever we're here. It just feels so homey for me.

"You sound like an evil villainess." He teased so I smacked his head lightly

"Hey! That's too much. You called me evil and a villainess." I reprimanded but he just chuckled

"Why not? You are cunning and full of mischiefs." He continued teasing me so I hit him with a pillow

"How about you when is your coronation?" he asked and stood up to avoid being hit with the pillow I'm holding.

This guy's probably already thinking of something to tease me with involving my coronation.

Speaking of Coronation…

What date is it today again?

Hearts 11… 12… 14?

Oh my gosh!

I stood up immediately and took my sling bag from hanging on the wall.

"Holy shit!" I cussed and he shot me a warning look

"Watch your language, Pam." He warned me but it was none of my concern now because of what could happen if Mother finds out that I'm not inside the palace.

"Oh my gosh! Zairo, I have to get back, Mother's going to kill me if I don't." I said frantically

I'm definitely sure Mother is fuming mad right now and if I don't get back quick, the guards would search for me. And I'm so dead if the last part happens.

"Why?" he asked me while putting the food in the fridge

"My coronation is this afternoon and it's already 9:30 a.m." I said

"What? And you came with me?" he asked unbelievingly

I know. It's my fault I forgot that it's my coronation day.

"Sorry, Zai, promise I'll find a way to make it up to you tonight." I promised him but he just smiled at me and ruffled my hair

"It's alright, Patrice. I understand." He said and we went out

"But how about those food?" I asked him

"Really, Patrice? You we're worried earlier that the Queen might kill you but now you're worried about the food?" he asked chuckling

"Hey! I'm serious." I said and took my sling bag

"Trust me. I have a plan. Besides, I'm staying here for a while." He said and made sure that all the windows and doors and any possible entrances are locked.

"Okay, let's go." I said and we went out of the house.

We locked the house and ran to the tunnel then through the shortcut that leads to the forest near my tower bedroom. I bade Zai good-bye and climbed to my tower.

I changed clothing and then I wore my coronation outfit. It made my fair complexion and brown hair with Golden streaks stand out a beautiful gown.

I was busy trying to hatch plans on how to sneak during night when my cousin entered my room.

"Hello, Avery. It's been a while, hasn't it?" She greeted me and kissed my cheek

"Hey, Trinity Ezra, long time no see." I answered back and I could sense her irritation because I spoke so informally.

Right. Ezra's one of the noble women who perfected the act of being formal at all times.

"Just call me Ezra." She replied shortly and sat on my bedside

"Okay. Whatever you say, Ezra. What are you doing here anyway? How did you get in?" I asked her

"You left your door open." She said as if it's the most obvious thing in the world

"And I came here to congratulate you, my dear cousin. Why are you sad by the way?" she asked while looking at me.

I'm not sad but that gave me an idea.

"Oh Thanks. I'm fine. It's nothing I will just miss going around the castles unguarded and…"my voice trailed off while thinking of other possible reasons to be sad even though it's not actually true

"And what? Wait let me rephrase that and who?" she gave me a teasing smile that made my forehead knot

She doesn't think I have a boyfriend like her, does she?

"And creating new designs for clothes. Like this." I said showing the dress that isn't one of our collections.

"I'm finding it hard to believe that, Avery. I would believe if you said you have a boyfriend because you could still do that within the palace walls." She reminded me

I knew it. She was thinking that I have lover.

"I can but I'd be busy by then so I might not be able to have time to do it." I said and then she excused herself

Awhile after Ezra left, I heard several knocks and I recognized it as our knock code.

Wait.

I checked my windows on both study room and my bedroom but Zairo isn't there so where the heck did that came from?

I slowly opened the door because it's where the knocking sound is coming from.

I was surprised to see Zairo when I opened the door.

"Zairo?" I asked in disbelief

"Surprise?" he asked with a smile

I pulled him in while looking outside if anyone saw him.

"What are you doing here? You can get in trouble, you know?" I told him and all he did was laugh at me

Oh my goodness.

"Happy birthday, Snow Princess." He said and hugged me before kissing my forehead

I appreciate his sweet gesture but he could have waited in the house. I thought he forgot that today is my birthday, not that it's obvious since it's also my coronation day.

"Thank you, Zai. I appreciate your effort of coming here to greet me personally but I wouldn't like you to get in trouble." I told him and he chuckled

"Worry not, Princess. I won't be in trouble, because as of now I'll be the new queen's personal guard." He said while smiling

I was so happy with what I heard so I hugged him and we both almost – no scratch that we both fell on the bed.

He chuckled lightly then he said he have to go because the ceremony is about to begin and all the new queen's possible guards should be there by then.

A few minutes later, I went to the throne room and walked through the aisle's red carpet with my mother at my side.

While walking my mother whispered to my ear, "Next time I do this I'll be sending you to your husband." I frowned at her but she smiled at me.

I have no plan of having a husband yet because I'm still planning to fix the feud between Astraea and Arcadia, getting Holland as our ally too, I'm also thinking of expanding our territories to help those that are outside the kingdoms.

"Mother. I'm not planning for that yet." I told her but she shook her head and assisted me to the throne.

When I reached the throne, I sat on it and mother transferred her crown to my head.

"We present our new queen, Queen Patrice Avery Mae Jillianne Astraea. All hail!" the priest said and everyone became a wave of bowing heads.

I looked at Zairo who's standing at the end of the room and he smiled at me before bowing. I slightly curtsied before they all raised their heads.

The banquet began and I was just there sitting on the table designated for the royal family, I roamed my eyes and I saw my mother and Ezra talking to noble families. I can't understand why Ezra is even here, my aunt isn't here but maybe Ezra is her representative.

"Bored?" I was startled when somebody placed a plate of sweets in front of me

"Thanks, Zairo." I said and took a bite from the chocolate cake and

He pinched my cheeks before leaving which made my eyes widened. I looked around and everyone is busy with his or her own talks and conversations so no one saw what he just did.

"Why aren't you joining the fun, your highness?" a general approached me with his son and I immediately knew what's going to happen next

"I'm not good with conversations, General." I said

"This is my son, Wendell, I'm sure you'd get along. He's the type who makes many friends and everyone in his class idolizes him." The general said and the guy flashed a smile. Basing on his son's looks, this guy's a very self-conceited person, not being judgmental or anything, he just give off that kind of vibe.

"I hope so. I don't plan on having my people turn their back against me." I replied giving hints that I'm not interested but the general isn't paying attention

"He can be your ally and partner." He said but I smiled and shook my head

"I'm doing good, General. I have no interest on having romantic acquaintance." I decline

"I'll leave you two in company, your highness." He said and left his son standing in front of me

"You're so beautiful, your highness. Shall I call you Queen Avery or should I call you – I'm fine with Queen Avery. I need to get accustomed to it." I cut him off

I knew what he was going to say next, it would be along the words such as love, different endearments and mine. I think I should thank Zairo for immunizing me with those cringe pick up line or else I would've shown that I'm cringed with it.

"So, Queen Avery, what keeps you busy?" he asked

"Reading books and staying in the library." I lied to turn him off

I heard someone chuckling and I saw that it was Zairo, who had just passed the table with Stephen and Kyle.

"What else?" he insisted

"Sewing, braiding my hair, sleeping." I replied and looked at Zairo who's currently acting as if he's listening to the two who's discussing something

He raised his eyebrow at me with a ghost smile on his face, I signaled him to help me get out of the situation

"Nothing extra ordinary?" the guy asked again

"Sewing three fabrics into one?" I asked

"You're hobbies are quite monotonous, Queen Avery, do you mind me teaching you – Excuse me, but the Queen Avery must be tired and would like to sleep." Zairo cut what the Wendell-guy was saying

Wow. I think I had just heard Zairo speak formally again.

"What? Oh okay." He seemed to be intimidated with how formal Zairo is.

After all, he's a general's son and doesn't hold any position yet unlike the guy who had just cut him off.

"We're serious, boy. Look at the time." Kyle added and pointed at the huge clock

It's already 11PM, that's why Zairo told me I should sleep. It's my limitation.

The general's son left while mumbling.

"Thank you for your help." I thanked them and they seem quite surprised apart from Zairo who smiled and shook his head

"I really should take a rest." I said and stood up

I went to my Mother and told her I want to sleep, she agreed without further questions but Zairo told me I should socialized a little more so I did.

I socialized with everyone and gave them smiles and compliments until everybody left. Mother was a bit surprised when she saw me and I got confused when I saw Ezra beside her.