Chapter 3: The Surprise
"Announcing the arrival of the Kouku Royal Family!"
Court musicians who were lined up to salute guests began blowing their trumpets to welcome dignitaries. The carriage door was pulled open by a pageboy who assisted the royalty in alighting from the vehicle. The two-hour ride had already exhausted the princess and she wished to sleep more than she wished to dance. She never liked fancy gatherings anyway. They bored her tremendously. Yet she forced herself to rise from her comfortable seat and stepped out off the carriage when she saw her father furrowed his brow.
Despite being there many times during her childhood, the princess couldn't help but still gawk at the grandness of her best friend's palace. Both Kaminari and Kouku were flourishing kingdoms but the former was relatively wealthier and stronger in military power. The princess felt her heart beating fast as they climbed the stairs towards the large mahogany doors of the palace grand hall. Orchestra music was emanating from inside which meant that the ball had already started.
The doors slowly opened on cue and she was momentarily blinded by the golden lights from the expensive chandeliers hanging inside the hall. When her vision had quite adjusted, she noticed that everybody had paused to witness their grand entrance. Everyone's eyes were on them. The orchestra had ceased playing to add to the solemnity of their arrival. The King and Queen of Kaminari who were resting in their thrones at the far center of the hall stood up to welcome them with open arms. The prince's seat was still empty.
"Oh look at you now, my princess. You're not a little girl anymore," the queen of Kaminari kissed her cheek after greeting her mother. She curtsied in response and left the adults to themselves while they had their conversation.
The orchestra resumed their playing and invited the guests for a dance with their lively music. The princess was caught in the flurry of skirts as the women pulled their partners to the center of the hall and began to skip and twirl. She was getting dizzy with the energy and vigor around her that the room began to spin. In addition, her shoes were killing her as she was not accustomed to wearing high heels as a fine princess should. She felt her legs shaking in sheer exhaustion and was about to fall down to her knees when a strong pair of arms caught her halfway.
"It's been a long time." The prince of Kaminari grinned at her.
She snubbed him and began to walk towards one of the opened doors leading to the balcony.
"Hey, wait up!" he followed her outside.
The princess kicked her shoes off and sat on the stony balustrade. She was slightly relieved with the sight of thousands of stars above her. She thought her annoyance would subside until she felt the prince's warm presence when he reluctantly sat beside her.
"You have never changed, have you?" he chuckled. He did not get any response.
"It's cold here, we should go inside."
There was still no response.
The prince sighed. He knew it. His friend did mean to impose her threat. "I'm sorry for leaving. It was father's decision."
"Don't be. Your father's order comes first," mumbled the blond girl without glancing at him.
The prince let out a slight smile. Her speaking to him again was a sign that reconciliation must be under way. "So… do you forgive me?"
She finally faced him, "Oh yes, in fact I have prepared a welcome gift for you."
The bewildered prince tried to dock as she raised her hand but it was too late. He did not expect to receive again one of his friend's heavy slaps.
"What was that for?" he screamed in anger.
"That's for not hearing a word from you for the last three years."
The prince rubbed his red left cheek and lowered his gaze. He was guilty of it and he knew he deserved it. "It's because the head master is strict with our correspondence outside the academy. You see, the heirs of most kingdoms even those who are in mutual enmity are attending the same school. It was to avoid leaking secrets or plotting against enemy kingdoms."
The princess breathed deeply. After some time she let out a sigh then mumbled, "I understand. It's just that… well, I think I missed you."
"You think? Why not admit that you did miss me?"
"Argh! You haven't changed as much did you? You're still the same stuck up prince I knew."
The boy smirked and was about to say something when his nanny appeared by the door.
"So there you are. We've been looking for you two. His Highness is about to make an announcement that you do not want to miss. Come now children."
They both grunted and followed the nanny towards the grand hall.
When they re-entered the hall, everybody was facing towards their direction, clapping their hands and congratulating them at the same time.
The princess reached for her friend's left arm for support and asked in a whisper with a hint of confusion, "What's going on?"
The prince ignored her and looked a bit shock as well.
King Yuan of Kaminari's voice resounded amidst the applause of the people, "Dear friends and guests, I thank you all for attending the engagement party of my heir, Prince Ren Tao of Kaminari and his future wife, Princess Anna Kyouyama of Kouku."
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