3 3. Hide-and-Seek

"Greetings, Your Highness." A tall man with red hair looked at Catherine, Ria, and Josephine in awe, who descended from the carriage they were riding. They are truly beautiful and captivating. With her bright unusual silver hair and purple eyes, Sir Konnor immediately recognized that she is the princess from another kingdom. He moved closer to the princess and bowed.

"I am Konnor Maraboli, the King's personal adviser. I was told that you will be arriving today before lunchtime." He looked at his pocket watch to see that it was already past 2 o'clock.

"Well, there has been–" Catherine trailed off as they entered the Grand Hall. The room was large enough to fit at least five hundred people, and three golden chandeliers with teardrop crystals hang from the high ceiling. Servants bowed and greeted Sir Konnor as they passed by.

"Some anomalies on the way to the palace." She continued, at the same time, they headed to the grand staircase. It was an imperial stairs that were covered in white and gold with a highly detailed design of spirals. Ria and Josephine followed closely to the two as they continued their conversation. They arrived at a white massive door that was decorated with golden roses and vines making a delicate pattern.

"I must say, the king must be very extravagant person, looking at the interior of his palace," Catherine commented trying to get something from the adviser about her betrothed. Sir Konnor chuckled politely and replied to the princess's statement.

"Indeed, the previous king lavishly used the people's money to built this place."

"Is that so?" Catherine retorted. Sir Konnor opened the massive doors and let the women enter first. It was a big room with three large windows near the enormous bed that could accommodate five people.

"Well then, Your Highness. This will be your chambers from today onwards. I believe that you have been tired from your journey. You may take your rest and we will bring you all the necessities that you need and if ever that you need anything from the servants, just ring this bell and they will come running." Sir Konnor explained and pointed to the thick fabric connected to a bell beside her bed.

"Dinner will be served in your chamber. Also, the rooms for the ladies is just beside this room. I apologize that I cannot escort you to your chambers, however, I will be sending some servants to help you adjust to this place." Sir Konnor continued. 

"I understand. Thank you for your service." Josephine replied. Sir Konnor bowed and left them in the room.

"I CANNOT believe your husband-to-be didn't even show up to meet you. And what did he say?! Your dinner will be served in your chambers?!" The always composed and quiet Ria exclaimed. She cannot fathom that their treasured princess is being treated this way. It's as if she was taken as a prisoner.

"Maybe I should just drown him or set him on fire! Should I? Just say the word." Ria retorted and started waving her fingers summoning fire and water, simultaneously. Josephine grabbed Ria's fingers and the elements disappeared into thin air. Josephine used her air element to vanish Ria's power.

"You must remember that we should try not to use our elements. If, and only if, our lives are in danger that we use it, understand?" Josephine scolded and looked at the two girls sternly.

"Promise me." She asked with pleading eyes. Josephine knew that nothing good will happened to them when they hurt humans. Catherine and Ria nodded.

"But it is rather disrespectful for your betrothed not to show up." 

"It's fine. I'm a bit tired, as well. At least, I do not have to act all graceful and friendly to that son-of-a-king." Catherine slump on the enormous bed. Josephine started removing her hair accessories so she could rest well. Catherine murmured her thanks before drifting into her slumber. Josephine and Ria went to their separate rooms and rested, as well, for this day made them run out of energy.

Sir Konnor headed to the king's private office to inform the king of their arrival. He knocked twice and opened the door to be greeted by a busy king immersed in his work.

"Your Majesty, Princess Catherine from the Bohr Kingdom arrived in her chambers." Sir Konnor reported to the King.

"Is that all?" The King asked, uninterestedly, as he continues to bury himself with the paper works piled up in his desk. He has so much to do that he couldn't be bothered by the arrival of a princess from a country he never knew even existed before his late grandfather's will. 

"But you should, at least, see her. Especially, now that your engagement is closely approaching." Sir Konnor reminded the King.

"Have you made the announcement yet?" 

"The invitation will be delivered two days from now and the engagement is four days from now." Sir Konnor answered. The King nodded and continued his work. 

"By the way, her hair really is silver and she had eyes that could kill. Do you think your grandfather wasn't lying when he said people from their kingdom are enchanters?" Sir Konnor move closer and whispered the last sentence.

"Do you really believe that mad man's words? The only reason I accepted that old man's will so that I could ascend to the throne." The King shook his head in disbelief from the words his adviser uttered.

"But she had silver hair! SILVER! AND PURPLE EYES!" Sir Konnor yelled. 

"I have black hair and yellow eyes. Do I have powers?" The king retorted. He was starting to get irritated with his adviser with his ridiculous assertion.

"Oh, so it must be like a sign of royalty like yours." He declared in excitement. 

"Get out." He coldly stated which made his adviser froze from where he was standing. Slowly, Sir Konnor exited the door of the King's office. A few minutes passed and Sir Konnor's head popped behind the door.

"I almost forgot. What are you going to do about Clementine?" The king looked at his adviser and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Everyone in the kingdom was sure that you would marry Clementine. You do know that their family housed two generations of queens, right?" Sir Konnor stood straight in front of the king waiting for his reply.

"So what?" Sir Konnor sighed, what was I expecting? He thought. Sir Konnor exited the room for the second time and made his way to the kitchen to ask the servants to deliver the meals of the princess in her chambers. He knew that this wasn't going to be an easy ride. 

Three days had passed since the princess arrived in the kingdom and she has not seen him, even a strand of the king's hair. The palace was busy preparing for the engagement for tomorrow and yet she has not even gotten a glimpse of her betrothed's face.

'He must be ugly. All holed up in his office. And presumptuous.' Catherine uttered to herself. She looked at the garden that was visible to her big windows. She smiled to herself as she remembered that she used some of her powers to make the garden in full bloom, even when Josephine told her not to. As a result, the garden she tended to became one of the most beautiful gardens in the palace. The flowers bloomed as it will never wilt, were in different colors surrounding the human-sized birdcage that was white and gold with one delicate table and three elegant chairs, where the princess and her ladies have their tea time. At night, the flowers glowed radiantly that looked as if it were stars that fell from the sky.  

Catherine has already explored the west side of the kingdom with the help of the servants and the king's adviser, Sir Konnor. It was a beautiful palace but the gardens on the west side were lacking and dull so she helped the workers and taught them a special way to care for the plants. In just a short time, Catherine already stole the hearts of the servants of the palace, with her kindness and beauty. Josephine and Ria were happy that the Princess was adapting quickly to life in the kingdom. 

"Josephine. Ria." She called as she continued to gaze at the garden.

"Yes, Your Highness?" 

"The weather outside seemed great. Would like to have some tea with me?" She looked at the two and smiled sweetly. Josephine and Ria returned her smile and made their way to the garden. Josephine summoned a couple of servants to bring them tea in the garden. Catherine wore an off-shoulder, long sleeves champagne dress embroidered with flower sequins of silver. In the four days, she stayed in the palace, it was the most simple dress she wore because she knew that she wouldn't meet his so-called betrothed. Catherine wanted to show his husband-to-be an elegant woman who wouldn't just submit to his commands and has her own opinion. Why would she bother to wear elegant clothes that were heavy and hard to walk in and breathe in when his betrothed wouldn't be there to see her elegance? They arrived at the human-sized birdcage and settled down. A small girl arrived with the tea sets and some canapé to be paired with their tea.

"A lovely morning, Your Highness, my ladies. Your silver hair still shines like the moonlight." She curtsied and prepare the tea. She poured tea for the princess and the ladies.

"Why, thank you, Maria. Also for the tea." Catherine raised her teacup and smiled. Maria was one of the servants who helps the princess adjust to her daily life in the palace and admired the princess for her kind heart and beauty. Maria stood quietly near the princess as she listens to their heart-warming conversation.

"How are you adjusting to the palace, Your Highness?" Ria started and sipped her tea.

"Better than I initially thought. How about you? You must've missed your sister and the kingdom." Ria looked away and stared at the flowers. She did miss home, but it also hurt her. Catherine reached Ria's hand and tried to comfort her. She knew something was up.

"So-" Catherine trailed off, debating whether to ask or not. In the end, curiosity won.

"Why did you really come with me? I've been meaning to ask you this since the day we arrived here, I just couldn't find the right timing. AND, don't tell me that you want to see what this kingdom has to offer and what-knot gibberish. I know you better than that." Catherine eyed her and Ria chuckled softly.

"You really do know me." Ria shook her head and sipped her tea. Josephine silently listens to the two girls talk.

"You also told me that you like my brother." Catherine examined her face, and guilt rushed to her system when she saw the sadness in Ria's eyes. Ria smiled and started telling her what happened and what made her come to an unfamiliar kingdom. She has been keeping everything to herself, she felt like she would explode.

"On the night of your coming-of-age ceremony, I saw Prince Kirin and Airis having a good time before your father's announcement. I thought it was normal because we all grew up together, but Prince Kirin-" Ria breathe before continuing.

"He..."

"He looked at her like she was the heavens that descended. I know that because that is how I looked at him. I neglected it because I thought it was one-sided. The next morning, I decided to visit you with my sister but she was already gone so I went ahead. I was passing by the gardens when I heard Prince Kirin's voice, he was asking someone to publicize their relationship. He wanted to marry her, Cath." Catherine stood up and hugged her friend. She knew Ria needed that and she knew that Ria has liked his brother for some time now. Also, Catherine knew that Ria decided to gather her courage and confess to Prince Kirin. She let go of Ria and she continued.

"I wanted to see for myself who the girl was, so I peeked and it was Airis. She looked so delighted and I never saw her like that ever since our parents passed away. They looked so good together, I just had to back out. And here I am, with our lovely princess." Ria smiled and wiped some of the tears that escaped her eyes. She never intended to cry in front of the princess.

"Oh, Ria." Catherine whimpered and caress Ria's hand. She didn't know what to say because the two girls were her friends and she can't just pick sides. Ria coughed and tried to change the topic.

"Enough about my tragic love story, what about you? What are you planning to do, now that tomorrow's the engagement party and you haven't even seen your groom." Catherine sensed that Ria doesn't want to talk about it any longer, she answered truthfully to divert Ria's attention.

"Oh, don't get me started. I spent the last three days trying to get a glimpse of that man. Is he some kind of a beast that needs to hibernate every now and then. I was just unlucky that I came during the time. I mean, I asked some of the servants and they didn't say anything to me about him." Catherine rumbled and ate some strawberry tart. Ria couldn't help but chuckle at the princess's assumption of the king. Josephine shook her head in amusement. The princess really has a creative imagination, she thought. 

"Do you think he looks hideous that he's scared of people seeing him?" Catherine continued and laughed. She can't believe she's saying all these things in his own palace.

"I don't think my wife-to-be should be the first one to judge me."