Princess Iris

Just then coaches start to slow down as we approach the gate of the castle and finally, we arrive at the castle. It is dark already but I hope we are not too late for the big event. "I am sorry Your Majesty, we were not able to arrive at the castle before sunset" Sir Andrew says.

"Oh, it's fine Sir Andrew, the music is still playing which means we were still able to make it in time," I say.

Sir Arnold helps me out of the coach as I make my way up the stairs and into the castle with him and Sir Andrew escorting me.

"I need to be announced before I enter the ballroom," I say.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Sir Arnold says.

Sir Arnold nods at Sir Andrew, Sir Andrew enters the ballroom and after five minutes he comes out again.

"The ballroom is packed and busy. Almost everyone is dancing. King Matthew and Queen Mariah are with the other kings and queens," Sir Andrew says.

"Sir Andrew, I need you to tell my father and mother that I have arrived," I say.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sir Arnold says with a bow and leaves.

When he leaves, I feel my anxiety level rising. The moment is almost upon me.

"I can do this. I need to do this for my future and the future of Filamonda," I say to myself.

"Sir Arnold, it's time for my processing," I say to him.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sir Arnold says as he offers me his arm and I take it. We make our way to the back of the processing podium and up the stairs.

Sir Arnold leaves me and talks to the announcer at the podium. The announcer turns to me and bows and I nod at him. I watch him signal to his colleagues and finally, he signals to the musicians. I close my eyes and slowly breathe in and out.

I open my eyes when the music stops and the whole ballroom is quiet. Just then the trumpets start blowing. I quickly adjust my crown and walk to the podium. I turn to Sir Arnold, he bows to me and I smile at him. The whole ballroom turns its attention to the podium; everyone is looking my way.

"Introducing the newly crowned Queen of Filamonda, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Iris of Filamonda," the announcer says and just then the trumpet sounds again as I make my way down the stairs.

I watch the men bow and the women curtsey, I search through the crowd, and just then my eyes meet his, Prince's Jeffery. I stop in my track and we look at each other, I quickly collect myself and make my way down the stairs and I find father at the end of the stairs waiting for me. I smile at him.

"Father," I say curtseying.

"Iris," Father says with a peck on my cheeks. "You look tensed."

"Taking everything in at ones took me by surprise," I say.

"I bet you were not expecting all that attention," Father says.

"Who knew after six years, I will still hate being stared at," I say. "Then why don't we start with a smaller crowd," Father says.

"That I am willing to try," I say.

Just then mother joins us.

"Mother," I say kissing her cheeks.

"Oh honey, you heard us worried," Mother says kissing my cheeks.

"I know mother but I am here now," I say.

"Of course, you are," Mother says.

"Congratulations sweetheart, I got Constantine's message. With this victory, that means we will be able..."

"Oh, hush now Matthew. This is a ball and not one of your meetings. Let the girl be," Mother says interrupting father.

"Of course, honey," Father says.

I smile at them.

Father takes us to meet the former rulers of the three kingdoms, King Archer and King Donatello, joined by a few foreign kings.

"Gentlemen I like you to meet my daughter, the new ruler of Filamonda, Queen Iris," Father introduces.

"Your Majesties," I say curtseying.

Father introduces me to the Italian King, his son is betrothed, Octavia. Also, the German King whose son I am told is to be married to Isabelle.

I examine the prince for a while, he is handsome, he speaks well, and has that proud look Isabelle gives me when I do something embarrassing.

"Well, this should be interesting. Isabelle loves to tame them herself," I say to myself.

The rest of the introduction goes on smoothly.

"It is a pleasure to see you again," King Theodore says.

"The apple didn't fall far from the tree Matthew. Your daughter is a striking image of you," King Archer says.

"That is very true," Father says.

"I have to say, you remind me of someone. Like I have seen this face before," King Archer says.

I look at him surprised not knowing what to say. I quickly turn to mother for help.

"Drop it, Archer," Mother says with her warning tone.

"Of course, she reminds you of someone Archer, my mother," Father says.

"Yes, I guess that is it," King Archer says.

"So, tell us Your Majesty how do you see the new role? Anything you notice?" King Donatello asks.

I smile warmly at him, glad that the subject has changed.

"Well, I can see where father's grey hairs came from," I say

The men start laughing away.

"That is a true observation," King Donatello says.

"You should be proud Matthew, Filamonda is in capable hands," King Lloyd, the German King says.

"If you gentlemen will excuse us, the ladies are dying to meet Iris," Mother says.

"Of course, honey, don't let us keep you waiting," Father says.

"Your Majesties,” I say with a curtsey as I excuse myself and mother drags me along with her.

"C'mon honey, let me take you to meet the ladies," Mother says.

"Of course, mother, I will love to say hello to the dowager queens," I say.

I can feel eyes on me as I let mother takes me to her little group. Just then I feel the stare of a familiar eye and my heart starts to feel warm. I quickly turn to the position of the stare but I find no one there. I turn my attention back to mother. "Ladies, I believe you all remember my daughter, Iris," Mother says.

"Your Majesties," I say curtseying.

"Yes of course we do," Queen Marilyn says as she hugs me.

"It's good to see you again Iris," Queen Marilyn says.

"It's good to see you too, Your Majesty," I say smiling.

"You look as stunning as ever," Queen Henrietta says.

"Now I understand why a certain person was not her usual self today," Queen Fiona says. Queen Fiona is the Dowager Queen of Divimon and Prince Jeffery's mother.

"Oh, hush now Fiona," Mother says.

"It's true, I should have guessed you being united with your daughter had something to do with it," Queen Fiona says.

"Or when Queen Annabelle won the shimmering hair contest and you didn't make your famous comment," Queen Henrietta says.

"That should have given it away," Queen Annabelle says.

The dowager queens laugh as they continue with their conversation teasing mother and mother defending herself. I can't help but smile. It is so nice to see my mother have fun. I start to feel the stares digging at the back of my head and it is very piercing. I close my eyes and breathe in and out. I finally find the courage to look around me and at the far end of the ballroom, my eyes clash with Juliana's.

She is standing with a few people I can't recognize. We keep staring at ourselves

"She asked about you, you know."

I turn to mother.

"What?" I ask.

"Juliana, she asked about you," Mother says again.

"She did?" I ask.

Mother smiles and nods at me.

"Now why don't you leave we old women to our gossip and you go talk to your friend," Mother says.

"You don't mind?" I ask.

"Run along. You need to be your friends. I believe they have missed you as much as you have missed them," Mother says.

I smile at mother and she winks at me.

"Your Majesties, if you will please excuse me," I say with a curtsey.

"Of course," they all chorus.

I turn back to Juliana and she is still looking at me. I start walking towards her as she quickly drops her drink and excuses herself from the group.