When the princess and I returned to the castle, the Queen called for us immediately and I knew perfectly well why she had done so. The princess also had a slight idea since she rolled her eyes at the maid who came to notify us of the sudden summon.

I nudged her arm as I smiled at the maid politely. “Please inform the Queen that the princess will go to her immediately.”

The blonde princess scoffed as she opened up her chamber door and entered the room without a second to spare. I stood awkwardly outside the door since I didn’t know what to do. The maid had stopped us right when we were outside the princess’ door. I had to talk to the princess a little more as well.

“Why are you still standing there? Get inside and close the door.” I frowned at the question and command as I entered the room quickly. Doing as she had said, I felt more out of place as she went to sit down on her bed. “Do you think she wants to know how it went?”

Realizing that she was talking to me, I nodded my head. “Yes.”

“So do I tell her everything that we did today?” I nodded my head again as she looked at me with a frown. “Do we go through with the plan now?”

I knew what was bothering her since she looked hesitant in the carriage as well. It was surprising to see how she still didn’t want to call out her brother about his unfairness. I had chosen to believe her since she didn’t have any ulterior motives for any of her actions. My discussion with Oanez was going to have to wait while I got the princess this one little victory.

“We shouldn’t leave the Queen waiting.” I smiled at her for reassurance since she was frowning.

Slowly standing up from the bed with a sigh, she walked over to me. I could tell that she had something to say but whatever she had to say was interrupted since there was a knock on the door.

“Princess, the Queen is calling for you.” The voice was familiar and while I wondered who it could be, the princess already knew of it, as she frowned and stalked over to the door with clear hostility.

Strangely, it was the prince who was standing outside the door with a smirk on his face and Oanez stood right behind him. “How long should the Queen wait for you?”

Seeing that the prince was blatantly provoking the princess, I looked to Oanez for help. He gave me an apologetic look before stepping closer to the prince. “I believe, we shouldn’t leave the Queen waiting either, your Highness.”

“You were called as well?” The princess frowned and I knew that this was the perfect opportunity to execute our plan. The prince nodded pridefully. “I am responsible for the gardens and anything regarding it is discussed in my presence.”

That was all the prince said as he waved his hand dismissively before leaving us. Oanez looked at me apologetically once again and I could only sigh at his situation. He was a good person and yet he had to apologize for the prince’s erratic and unnecessary behavior.

“Will this work?” I heard the princess as she turned to me with a worried expression. Her concern was justified since I had never seen her speak up against the prince to the Queen. Well, I had never seen her speaking anything back to her parents or her brother. She was always someone who was a mystery, aside from how she refused to have anyone attend to her.

She was an anomaly and yet after getting to know her, I found her to be misunderstood more than being a peculiar person.

“I know you can do this.” I hesitated before placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I believe in you.”

It was strange how her eyes lit up with such insignificant words from someone she barely knew. It was like all her doubt had been cleared and she finally found the confidence to nod her head. “I can do this!” I smiled when she turned around immediately after that exclamation. She began to walk in the direction of the throne room when I heard her next words. “Come along now, Elena!”

My feet moved immediately as I followed, falling in step behind her. It was like she was an entirely new woman as I watched her chin tilted upwards and her shoulders squared. Perhaps, she just needed some words of encouragement.

........

It was as if the princess was summoned for interrogation and not called for a small chat. The King, Queen and prince were sitting on their thrones while the princess and I bowed our heads and remained standing in front of them, as if in punishment.

This felt like a questioning which didn’t go unnoticed by me since I also saw the royal advisors stood near the Queen’s throne. This was a test.

My head remained bowed as I heard the Queen’s voice at first. “What do you have to share about your day?” There was barely any affection in her tone, which bothered me, but when I heard the princess’ reply, it had me smiling.

“Elena and I picked fruits from a total of thirty trees, filling up a similar number of baskets.” She didn’t have to mention me, but it did make me feel seen even when the Queen’s next words offended me. “Who’s this Elena?”

I raised my head to answer but the princess was already answering for me, and with a clearly offended tone. “She’s my advisor who you appointed to me.” I widened my eyes when the Queen frowned but thankfully, the King was there to handle the situation as he smiled at the princess. “Our princess already cares for her advisor. She has, indeed, matured.”

The Queen scoffed as she waved her hand dismissively. Her action reminded me of the prince, and it bothered me how similar they both looked when doing that same action.

“Did you visit the orphanage as well?” The question was brought up by the prince, who looked down at the princess. Back in the gardens, I had an unwavering opinion of the prince, and I wanted to double-check the princess’ information with Oanez, but now I wasn’t so certain.

He had always been somewhat harsh towards the princess, but his intentions never felt malicious. However, this time, his eyes were filled with hostility, and I had the urge to shield the princess away from it.

“Yes, your Highness, I did visit the orphanage and it had me thinking of ways to help the children further.” My head lowered as I smiled at the princess going straight for our decided upon plan. “Oh. What did the princess think about?” It was the King’s voice, and I could tell that he was smiling even without looking at him. He was also the only one who spoke to the princess with a certain softness in his tone.

“I wanted to go to the gardens and help around with fruit picking each week. And...” I glanced at the princess who trailed off and found her looking at me as well. It was as if she just needed some kind of reassurance since she was turning back to the three royals with her head held high. “And I want to visit the orphanage on the same day with several fruit baskets.”

Immediately, there was a scoff, which I knew came from the prince since he was the only one who would have a problem with the princess’ simple request. “The gardens are under my jurisdiction and something like this needs my approval before being executed.”

“Which is why I am bringing this up in your presence, brother.” I lifted my head slightly to see the prince’s expression. His eyebrows were furrowed in clear rage.

The Queen brought the attention to herself as she spoke up with a frown. “Are you suggesting we donate the one thing that keeps our economy afloat?”

It was like everything I had told the princess, was happening. The Queen and prince’s concerns were valid, but they were also a disguise for a different reason. “I could buy the fruits for the children but as you already know, your Highness, I do not possess an income like the prince does. And there is so little I can do for the Kingdom’s benefit. My eyes have been opened from my past mistakes, and I truly want to help our citizens with the little bit I can offer now.”

The princess had shot two birds with one stone, and I watched as the prince frowned with displeasure while the Queen looked somewhat surprised. The king’s reaction had been the best as he bellowed with laughter. “The princess has truly matured in just a day!”

I disagreed since the princess was always this way. She just didn’t have someone to discuss her issues with before. Suddenly, I felt sympathy for the woman because of her situation. Perhaps this was also the reason why she ventured out of the castle all those times before, which was only seen as an act of rebellion and not a cry of acknowledgment. Her own family didn’t see her the way she truly was.

“Is this your way of asking for an income?” The Queen’s question had me raising my head, but the princess was quick to answer her question appropriately. “I only stated my situation, your Highness knows what's better for me.”