Princess Iris

Bridgette and the girls are everywhere. Bridgette and Elizabeth are doing the finishing touches to my gown, Paulina is making my hair, Juliette is arranging my bed, and Caroline is taking my clothes for laundry. She returns later with freshly

ironed clothes. "Thank you, Caroline," I say.

She smiles at me and curtsies. She turns to Bridgette who tells her where to put the clothes.

My hand goes to my chest. I have been having slight pain there before bed last night and this morning when I woke up. It seems to only occur when I think of Ri. The last time this occurred was before Nana died. I look at myself in the mirror and then a knock comes on my door. I stand up to answer the door.

"Your Highness let me..."

"I will get the door, Bridgette. You have a lot on your plate."

"Yes, Your Highness," Bridgette says.

I answer the door and find Constantine at the door with a white box in his hand.

"Constantine."

"Your Highness, Happy Birthday," Constantine says with a bow.

"Thank you very much, Constantine. It's good to see you." I say.

"Likewise, Your Highness and as promised," Constantine says stretching his hands to me.

I look at the box and smile at him and take it from him.

"Oh thank you so much, Constantine. The box is lovely, I love it," I say.

"I am glad you approve. Bridgette suggested the color. Why don't you open it and see if you approve of the tiara as well?"

I nod at him and look at the box. I carefully take off the cover of the box and a gold beautiful tiara comes into view.

"Oh my God Constantine," I say.

I pick the tiara out of the box. I admire the butterflies and the crystals as they balance the color. It is the most beautiful tiara I have seen. I put the tiara back in the box and cover it.

"I love it, Constantine. Thank you very much."

He curtsies.

"I am happy you approve of the tiara as well. I best be taking my leave before His Majesty looks for me," Constantine says and turns to leave. "Oh, before I forget your highness," Constantine says. He puts his hand in his jacket pocket and brings out a gold ribbon bow.

"For the box, I heard you can do no wrong with a perfectly wrapped box."

I laugh and take the ribbon from him.

"And this came in for you," Constantine says.

I look at the letter in his hand and I look at him. I take it from him.

I open the folded letter.

"I hope you love your early birthday present. Queen Mariah won't have approved so with the help of Ackley and Constantine we were able to sneak her into the castle. P.S.: She is sorry for throwing off her back.

Leonard and Jeffery

"Prince Leonard and Prince Jeffery, together?" I say to myself.

I try to figure out what Leonard means and then it hits me. My eye goes up to Constantine.

"They didn't."

"Princess Iris, they did," Constantine says.

"Grenade is here, in the castle?" I ask.

He nods at me.

"But how did they..."

"His Majesty, King Matthew, acquired new horses from Italy; they arrived last night so it was easy to sneak Grenade in without being noticed."

I smile thinking of Prince Jeffery. He does care about me.

"Thank you, Constantine," I say.

"My pleasure Princess Iris," Constantine says with a bow and walks away.

I walk to my dressing mirror and set the box down. The first bell is heard, and it signals that the guests have started to arrive. I turn to my maids. "Alright, girls it's time to get ready for the ball."

In no time Bridgette starts telling them what to do.

A FEW HOURS LATER

I watch Paulina through the mirror as she does the last packing of my hair.

"There you go, Your Highness."

I admire my hair in the mirror.

"Thank you so much, Paulina. You did a wonderful job. My hair is pretty," I say.

She curtsies and walks away. I look at the white box on the table.

"I wonder if I should give Ri the present now or before our processing. She will be so angry she didn't think of getting me a present. For one I am glad I hold the upper hand here," I say to myself. I smile at the box.

"Your Highness."

I turn to Elizabeth and Caroline holding my gown in their hands.

"We are ready."

"Hold on ladies, you will have to excuse me, I need to give my sister her birthday present. I will be back in a moment," I say.

"Yes, Your Highness," They chorus.

I take the present from the table, making my way to the door, I turn to Bridgette.

"Bridgette, I will love to wear the perfume Nana gave me on my 13th birthday," I say.

"Of course my princess, I will have it ready before you return," Bridgette says.

I smile at her as I make my way out the door.

"Your Highness," The guards at the door post bow.

"Why hello gentlemen," I greet as they bow. "There will be no need to follow me. I am going to my sister's room. You can take a break; I will ask Bridgette to notify you when I am ready," I say. "Thank you very much, Your Highness," One of the guards says.

I turn and walk down the big hall. I couldn't help but think what Ri's reaction will be when she sees the present I got for her. I bet she will happy and disappointed at the same time. I smile thinking of her complaining she didn't have the idea first. As I reach Ri's room door I hear voices. I look behind to see if there is anyone there but there is no one. I turn back and notice the voice coming from Ri's room. I take quiet steps to the door. I was just about to knock when I recognize the voice to be mother's voice.

"I told the jeweler something expensive and that also screams perfect and he sent this down?" Mother says with disappointment in her voice.

I look at the door and notice it is slightly open so I decide to peck and eavesdrop on their conversation.

Ri groans.

"Mother, I told you I love the tiara it matches my gown perfectly, well almost perfectly," Ri says eyeing the tiara.

"Hush now, have your seat so that I could make your hair."

"Yes mother," Ri says.

I watch as mother makes Ri's hair, humming to a tune. I watch as she skillfully does her hair and finishes.

"Here you go, Adrianna. Don't you love it?"

"Yes, mother it's very beautiful. I look pretty." Ri says, admiring herself in the mirror and giggling.

I watch as mother laughs and hugs Ri. I can't remember her ever being this happy with me. I know her smile, but it's never with or for me. Ri goes back to the mirror admiring herself.

"Oh mother, you have to make Iris's too. She will look way more perfect than me in this hairstyle," Ri says.

Mother sits on Ri's bed. She doesn't say anything for a while. She looks lost in her thoughts.

Mother?" Ri calls.

She looks at Ri and finally smiles.

"Of course, I will head over to her room once I am done here."

"Mother, are you okay?" Ri asks.

"Of course I am. Now let's look at that tiara again, we will have to pick another one from the jewelry room if it doesn't fit your gown," Mother says.

I move away from the door as they continue their conversation. My hand quickly goes to my chest as the pain returns. I quickly make my way down the hall. I hold unto the wall as the pain intensifies. My breathing changes as I try to keep up with the pain. Almost immediately it calms down as I walk back to my room.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

I look at Bridgette who looks worried. I finally nod at her.

"Yes, I am, just feeling a little fatigue that's all," I say.

"I still strongly advise that you finish your food. I could ask Chef Oscar to make some..."

"Bridgette."

She keeps quiet and looks at me. I look at the other girls and they all look worried.

"I am fine. You don't need to be worried about me," I say.

I walk to my dressing mirror and set the box down on the table.

"Your Highness, Princess Adrianna didn't like the gift?" Bridgette asks.

I turn to answer but I am interrupted by the bell.

"Alright ladies, that's the final bell. Let's speed things up," I say.

They all start running around almost immediately with Bridgette telling them what to do.