Chapter 3

*The Unexpected Visitor*

I lay in bed, surrounded by the opulent furnishings of my bedchamber, fast asleep. But my peaceful slumber was shattered by a loud noise outside my door. I sat up with a start, my heart racing.

"Marie!!" I exclaimed, throwing off the covers. "What's going on? Why is there a commotion outside?" I shouted, but my loyal maid didn't respond.

The noise persisted, and I grew more agitated by the second. I tossed aside the velvet drapes and strode to the door, flinging it open myself.

Marie stood outside, looking frazzled. "I'm so sorry, Princess," she apologized. "It's because Prince Leon is here."

I felt a jolt of surprise. My cousin, Prince Leon? What was he doing here?

I turned to Marie, demanding answers. "What's going on, Marie? Why is My cousin, Prince Leon here?"

But before Marie could respond, a familiar voice spoke up from behind her.

"Hello, can't you see me?" Prince Leon said, his voice low and smooth.

I spun around, and my eyes widened in shock. Prince Leon stood in the doorway, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"W-WHAT THE...?!" I stuttered, trying to compose myself. "Leo, what the hell are you doing here in the middle of the night?" I asked, still trying to process the surprise visit.

Prince Leon chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Middle of the night? Princess Zyra, I think you're still sleepy. It's already morning," he said with a smile, correcting me.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized my mistake.

I couldn’t believe myself that I slept so late. "Oh, um, excuse me," I stuttered, trying to compose myself. "Thank you for correcting me, but it seems you couldn’t wait outside and instead barged into my bedchamber!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my tone light despite my growing annoyance.

Prince Leon chuckled. "Haha, cuz, aren’t I your cousin? So isn’t it unfair for you to scold me using etiquette?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I countered, my voice rising. "So, just because you’re my cousin, you think you can be disrespectful? Does that mean I should lack etiquette?"

Before Prince Leon could respond, Marie interrupted, her voice urgent. "Princess, there’s an urgent matter that requires your attention."

I quickly excused myself, saying, "I apologize, Prince Leon, but I need to attend to my appearance. Please, give me a moment."

Prince Leon nodded and smiled. "Of course, cuz. I’ll wait for you in the throne room."

As Prince Leon left, I let out a sigh of relief. I quickly washed up and got dressed, my mind racing with the sudden turn of events. Marie helped me with my hair and makeup, and soon I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Here, highnesses, the princess is here, Your Majesty. Before the doors opened, I heard laughter—the laughter that I never heard, not until today.

"Your Majesty, the king," I curtsied, greeting my father.

My father, who looked at me for a second, suddenly looked back at Leo. I suddenly thought, Haha, I never saw him so happy like this before. He gave me cold shoulders, but now he seems happy with my cousin, just the two of them, like father and son. I suddenly felt happy but bitter.

"Um, I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but Princess Zyra is here," Marie respectfully interrupted.

"Oh, Princess Zyra is here?" the king asked, smiling.

I felt happiness; he smiled while calling me. Haha, I didn’t know. The king added.

My smile suddenly faded away. I should not expect.

"Uncle! Haha, don’t joke like that in front of Zyra," Leo explained, laughing.

I interrupted, my voice firm. "Prince Leon, you should not speak to His Majesty without using his title. And you should address me by my title as a princess of this country and the sole heir to the throne."

But I was just joking, Leo explained.

"Even so, it’s not proper for a prince to speak to the king or the future queen in such a manner," I countered.

Before I could finish, my father suddenly shouted at me. "Princess Zyra! Don’t talk to Leo like that!"

I flinched, taken aback by my father’s sudden outburst. "But, Your Majesty, I was just trying to correct Prince Leon’s behavior."

My father’s expression turned cold. "You should address me as the king, not father. And you should not scold Prince Leon in such a manner."

I bowed my head, feeling a surge of shame and anger. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I will keep it in mind."

The king nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Now, Zyra, do you have any complaints?"

I shook my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. "No, Your Majesty."

The king nodded again. "Very well. You may leave now.."

I curtsied, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Yes, Your Majesty."

As I left the throne room, I said to myself, I said I was the future queen, so why can’t I control my tears and myself? How can I be the perfect queen he expects?

——————POV

Bedchamber

I was reading a book when I heard a knock on my door. "Marie," I called out.

"Yes, Your Highness," Marie replied.

"Marie, someone is knocking on the door. Go check it," I ordered.

Marie quickly got up and opened the door. "Oh, Your Majesty," she curtsied.

I quickly turned around, surprised to see my father standing in the doorway. "Father—no, Your Majesty," I corrected myself. "Why did you come to my chambers? Do you need something?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

My father’s expression was stern. "I came to remind you that you will be staying at the School doorms for Heirs.

"But, Your Majesty..." I protested, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "I'm might be the heir to the throne, but I'm still the third most powerful princess! I just can’t stay a school doormat."

"You're just staying there temporarily because your cousin doesn't have any available rooms," my father said.

"But, Your Majesty, it's unfair for me," I protested. "I'm the Crown Princess, soon to be Queen. Staying there simply because of my cousin's circumstances isn't a valid reason for me to be treated this way. Am I merely a crown princess in name only?"

My father's response was cold and calculated. "You are not just the crown princess by name. You are the heir and the future queen. And remember, you are not my daughter but the sole heir to the throne."

"But, Your Majesty, hear me out," I began, but before I could finish, His Majesty cut me off, shouting, "Crown Princess Zyra!". I flinched, struggling to keep my composure. "I'm here to let you know, not asking you . And "I don’t need your permission. I’m the king."

He added, his voice firm, "Keep your self-control, or I might see you with failures." With that, my father left.

"Princess Zyra," Marie whispered , tears welling up in my eyes. "I don’t know what’s in the king’s mind, but letting you stay at the school doormat for heirs might create a big commotion because it’s likely a sign that you are no longer needed."

"Marie, just pack my things," I instructed my maid, trying to hold back my emotions. "We can’t defy His Majesty."

"Yes, Crown Princess Zyra," Marie replied, her voice soft and respectful.

As Marie left, I couldn’t help but let myself cry. I don’t know if I can hold it forever, but I will try to hold on. The only thing that holds me this far is what His Majesty told me – that I should hold myself up if the day came that Father needs to be cold to me so that the curse will stop.

I believe Father, and that’s why I’m holding on to that. But I don’t know if it’s because of the curse or maybe Father totally turned cold to me. I just hope that it was because he wanted to protect me and not to punish me.

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