Chapter three: CHANGES

{NARRATOR}

 “Miss Nalla! Please come back here!” one of the maids called out to the running girl

“Don’t want to!” she continued running

She ran only with white night gown covering her, she didn’t want to wear a gown and attend some royal party

“And now the Princess of Webtine Kingdom!” she ran past the princess of the said kingdom and accidentally or purposely stepped on her gown causing her to fall

“My bad!” then she ran again, fortunately, no one recognized her because her hair was covering half of her face and she looked crazy. But a certain someone did, recognized her.

“Oh dear Lord, please call Alisha”

“Yes my prince” then the butler rushed to search for the said girl

Nalla continued to run, while laughing hard

“Oh goodness gracious! Miss Nalla! Please stop running!” a maid that she passed by called out

“No thanks!” again, she ran

“Miss Alisha, kindly—“

“Stop Nalla? Got it” Alisha said as she walked out her room and went to the route where she was sure Nalla will run through

“NALLA STOP!!!” she screamed as loud as she could, she stood in front of the now shocked girl

“O-okay” Nalla was too afraid to offend Alisha; she loved her best friend so much

“There, so, can you please get dressed? The party will soon start” Alisha pleased as pleasing as she could, and because the other one can never say no, she just nodded

“Great! Don’t worry, I’ll be the one fixing you” then she pulled her best friend to her room and applied make up on her

“Hey, quit the brush” Nalla said irritatingly

“Done! Now, let’s get you a gown” and Nalla groaned in irritation

After almost an hour of picking the perfect gown, they both agreed on a simple gown, a white and gold one

“You look perfect” Alisha said amazed with the appearance of her best friend

“No, you do” then they both laughed

After the wait, they arrived at the palace hall

“Welcome dears, you both look great” the queen praised them

“Thank you my queen” they both bowed

They both wondered around the hall, searching for the two men

“Well, good day ladies” Gerald elegantly greeted, then they laughed

“You two look great” then Axcel smiled

“Why thank you, your majesty”

Both men asked the two ladies for a dance

After the party, the ‘games’ started, royal games, of course

“And the representative from Vanderune Kingdom, Miss Nalla Stones!”

The game is sword fight

People clapped their hands and cheered

The mechanics are: each player will attach a rose on their upper right part chest; the one who is able to cut the opponent’s rose will be the winner

They bowed and started, the opponent was first to attack

But Nalla was able to duck and slide herself to the opposite direction

She took that chance to attack from behind; she moved her right arm at the side of the opponent and cut the flower. And that ended the match.

Cheers were heard from the crowd

“That was amazing! The Vanderune Kingdom wins!”

Nalla raised her sword showing victory

{QUEEN CRISTINE}

I am very proud of Nalla, even though her interest is very different.

“Now the next competition is, flower arrangement” Alisha will compete her.

She picked a golden glass low vase. She picked white pebbles. The flowers she picked are white tulips, gold and red roses, white and yellow spring flowers, and many more with the colors red, yellow, white, and gold.

When she was finished it turned out really wonderful, the crowd stared at her work in awe

“Amazing…” I whispered

“Time is over! Judges, please do the work”

After a few minutes, they finally agreed with their decision and announced the winner

“The winner is, Vanderune Kingdom!” as expected

 When everything was over, people from different kingdoms went back to their countries.

When I was finished bidding goodbye at the door, I spotted Nalla outside at the palace garden. It seems like she was looking for something, or someone

I went to her

“Dear, is there a problem?”

“O-oh, there is nothing my queen” she’s lying

“Who are you looking for?”

“U-ummmm, I-I was l-looking for t-the W-winsore k-kingdom, my queen” she stated while looking down

“I understand dear, but you shouldn’t expect our enemies to step on our kingdom. They can do bad things”

“Yes, my queen, I understand as well” then she left

This is very hard. Knowing that they have different ways they want to cross. How can they protect if they cannot be alike? My plans should be done, I hope it will turn out right.

“Oh my dear love, why do you have to leave so soon? And my dearest treasures, why do you have to leave me as well?” this time, I couldn’t stop my tears anymore

I went back inside the palace; I headed in the throne room.

I am still crying. Also wondering how am I called queen even though I’m so weak. Nalla and Alisha are even stronger than me.

“My queen, please don’t think about them too much, your tears are falling again” I heard someone said from behind, it was Damian

“D-Damian” I turned around and wiped my tears

“How long do you plan to keep this going?” Axcel suddenly appeared, he was sitting on his throne all along

“Until one of them is crowned” I answered head held high

“Which is most certainly going to be Alisha” Damain and Axcel said at the same time

“I guess you’re both right, and Axcel, please always guard and guide Nalla”

“Yes, my queen” this life is dangerous, especially for someone like Nalla, someone full of desire.

Just like my dear…

We ended our conversation; I headed outside the veranda to see the night sky

What if I just give it all up?

What if I sacrifice…no

I cannot do such foolish thing

Never.

Not a while later I heard laughs from the garden below me; it was Alisha and Nalla happily talking under the moon.

Many has changed, Nalla has grown careless but still aware of the life she’s moving in. Alisha has grown up so right like a very well trained princess, or even, like a queen.

Nalla, she needs to be guard all the time, she might decide on something without thinking about it. She might end up like…like…

“My queen, its cold out here, please go inside and take your rest” Damian appeared behind me

“Ah yes, I will follow”

Three years, of course many have changed.