18 — First Lesson

Her tutor rushed to her side, bending his knee as he approached, holding his hands around her, ushering her to stand up without touching her as he glanced back at the queen dowager nervously.

Zahra quickly stepped back feeling flushed as she mistakenly submitted herself before her tutor.

She didn't like strangers touching her in any way and was glad he wasn't making any attempts to do so.

Letting out a nervous cough in an attempt to ease the tension, Professor Owen proceeded with his examination of the princess before him.

He stared at her intently giving Zahra the feeling that she was being placed under a microscope.

I didn't see what you typed babes

I didn't type anything just adding spaces so it's not cramped

Every little detail about her was being analyzed with great scrutiny.

Facing the queen dowager he gave his verdict, "Your Majesty, firstly we would need to start with proper etiquette while supplementing her studies with the history of both kingdoms and the major politics of all the countries around the globe. That as well as to see to her diet. Adding more lean meat and vegetables along with fruits while cutting back on carbohydrates. This is what you would call a ketogenic diet. While giving her various exercises to help keep her body in shape."

Zahra grimaced.

She didn't like the flaws of her body to be brought up in front of others. It wasn't like she hadn't tried to change her figure many times before. However, people from her school would constantly criticise her for her looks.

Slowly, she began to get used to it but it still hurt hearing those words. Not to mention the extra studying she would have to do, just listening to them, she could tell the amount of hours they were planning to drill these into her.

"I permit you to do what is needed to get her on the right track. Just make sure she has the bare minimum by the time of her royal debut" Queen Emera spoke as she stood up causing Professor Owen to bow sharply. "I'll get going then. I have a meeting to tend to," after saying so, Queen Emera exited the living room, leaving Zahra and Mister Owen in an awkward spot.

Her chubby figure was detested by those who were of the monarchy. They were always on the watch of the media and any sign of lethargy was looked upon with great disdain.

Despite this, however, one glance at her and anyone could tell she was beautiful and this was high praise coming from the man who mentored even the queen herself!

"Please take a seat, your highness." He indicated across from him. I shall explain to you what we will do first," Owen sat on his chair once Zahra had taken a seat.

"So, as you heard Her Majesty, she wants you to maintain a certain figure. You have the potential to increase your beauty a thousandfold. However, this would come at the cost of some of your snacks and adding in some workout. Will you be up for this Princess Zahra?" Owen asked Zahra.

"I don't want to cut down on my snacks. I'm ready to do whatever exercises you want," Zahra sternly opposed.

Owen sighed. This wasn't the answer he was hoping for. He knew she was headstrong but this was hindering his work which could cost them both a great deal.

"Your Highness... you need to cut them otherwise we can't help you out. I'm not saying to become skinny. I'm just asking you to obtain a moderate weight so no one can body shame you. You're a princess! You need to keep everything balanced!"

Zahra frowned, standing up abruptly, she quickly rushed to her bedroom. She didn't want to do any of this. She didn't want to be a princess. She couldn't understand why they were after her so badly.

"They have their spoiled princess, why are they after me?!" Zahra mumbled, sitting on her bed hugging her pillow feeling exhausted from all the stress of the palace.

"You're the one who decided to come back," Layla replied nonchalantly as she stood in front of Zahra's bedroom door leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, watching frustrated Zahra.

"Why are you here?!" Zahra yelled. Looking at her annoyed by the presence of yet another royal.

Layla stood there unfazed. She only gave a brief smirk before making a sign with her hand for someone to enter.

It was Layla's maid. She had a dark rectangular wooden box with gold inlays in her hand. She approached Zahra and handed it over to her.

"What's this?" Zahra asked, perplexed, holding the box in her hands and looking from the box to Layla.

"Open it."

Zahra opened the box, finding a phone inside.

"Why are you giving me this?" Zahra raised an eyebrow as she didn't trust Layla. She might be up to something. After all, why would she give her anything if it did not benefit her?

"Because I feel bad for you, elder sister," Layla sarcastically said, approaching Zahra.

"I'll teach you how it's used since you never had a phone. I'm sure the only phone you ever used was the public phone," Layla mocked.

Zahra ignored Layla's comments and concentrated on the screen in front of her. She always wanted one however Aziel couldn't afford to give her one.

"Or maybe, he didn't want to give me one at all," Zahra thought.

Layla took a few minutes to explain the basics to Zahra, taking the phone from her hands.

"Oh, this is for texting. You can send messages—" Layla stopped, and smirked evilly.

"But you can't read, can you?" She scoffed, making a face of false sympathy.

Enraged, Zahra took the phone from Layla's hands and walked out of her bedroom, rushing downstairs.

She didn't expect Owen to still be sitting in the study; however, she was glad that he decided to stay.

"I want to learn. I will do everything, just teach me," Zahra spoke, determined to improve her situation.

Owen, pleased with her determination, stood up with a smile on his face and bowed before her.

"It will be my pleasure to help you, Your Highness," he bowed graciously to her.

***

Even after an hour of teaching, Zahra couldn't manage to properly remember the characters used for each letter.

The maids had arranged a table and chair for Zahra to be able to study peacefully.

Owen suggested moving to her room, however Zahra refused. She wanted to show everyone who passed by that she was working hard as they didn't believe she would succeed from day one.

"What do we have here?" A manly voice asked, walking into the palace.

Zahra glared at the man entering the living room.

"Why are you here?" She raised an eyebrow.

Yuden smiled and walked into the study, ignoring Zahra's intense gaze.

"Good day Professor Owen," Yuden spoke, catching Owen's attention who was focused on reading his book.

"Pardon, Your Highness!" He quickly stood straight and bowed, greeting the crown prince. "I'm sorry, I was so focused..." He apologized.

"It's alright." Holding out his hand signalling that the professor should be at ease. "I was wondering, perhaps I could lend you a hand in teaching Princess Zahra?" He took a seat beside Zahra.

Although Yuden questioned Owen, the latter knew he didn't have a choice but to accept. How dare he refuse the crown prince?

"Get outta here!" Zahra rolled her eyes, pushing Yuden away from her.

"Princess," Yuden spoke, his voice turning tender. "I'm trying to help you."

"No one asked!" Zahra rolled her eyes. She was having none of his antics today.

"I know, but don't you want to become a proper princess as soon as possible and be free to go out whenever you want? To be able to meet whoever you want?" Yuden asked, knowing full well it would push Zahra to do better.

Zahra quickly changed her mind as soon as she saw how she could use him to her advantage.

"But, don't you have other stuff to do? How are you always here, wasting your time?" Zahra asked, realizing Yuden was being around more often than a normal crown prince should be.

"That's... well his majesty has returned so, I'm just having more free time," Yuden said. "Although, Rei is helping me out a little bit," he mumbled.

"Then, let's start." Yuden smiled.

She wrote a few letters. When Yuden's gaze fell on the paper on the table, he burst into laughter.

"Did you grow up with a typewriter and quill pen or something? Because your writing has a classic charm to it."

Zahra, puffed her cheeks, glaring at him.

Yuden coughed, regaining his seriousness.

"Look, it's not that hard. What happened to you? When we were younger, you would excel at everything. Anyhow. You just need to keep in mind that each character comes from its original form. [...]"

Yuden continued explaining each of his mother language's basic calligraphy, taking his time to ensure she got every bit of what he was teaching her.

Although Zahra couldn't memorize all of it, she was confident to be able to learn them by heart with a little practice.

"I hope that helped, princess," Yuden stood up. "I need to get going. I have a meeting with his majesty, King Zayn. I came an hour earlier to meet you, however, I'm glad I could help you although we didn't have time to talk about other things," Yuden stepped forward.

"Yuden!" Zahra finally called him out by his name.