Chapter III: Doubts and Worries

S E L A D O N  A G E  E L E V E N

"I promise I won't run away again..." Seladon bowed her head in shame, avoiding looking into the gaze of her father, running away from any social gatherings and royal events became a rather nasty habit for dear Seladon. A habit she had to seize.

"That's good to hear, and I hope you follow through with that promise." Her father let out a breathless sigh, standing tall with perfect posture, it was as if he were trying to seem all high and mighty for his daughter, in an attempt to put himself in the limelight, make himself look like a key father figure in her eyes. After all, for a King and a father, it was important to look strong in your daughter's perspective, right?

"You're growing up Seladon," her father placed his index finger under her chin, lifting her head up slightly so their eyes could meet, "you can't be a kid forever, growing up is something we all have to go through, no matter how boring it is." he rolled his eyes slightly, Seladon laughed silently about her father's straight forward perspective of being an adult.

Nodding her head slowly in acknowledgment Seladon let out a small sigh, "I know," she moved her head backward, her father's index finger slipping off her chin, allowing the young princess to advert her eyes to something else.

But she didn't, her eyes remained boring into the Kings, "I will try my best to not disappoint you, mother and the kingdom," Seladon gave a meek smile before wrapping her arms around her father's torso, "thank you, papa."

Pulling away from the embrace in what seemed to be a mere minute, the young girl spun on her heel, "We have an audience with the royal family of Lotia today, don't we?" She spoke, back facing her father, her facial expression fell, she didn't look happy, and she knew it, which is why she didn't dare show her face to her father, she didn't want him to know how unhappy the plans of her engagement made her.

"Yes, I'm surprised you remembered, her father remained in position, he couldn't help but wonder why his daughter's tone of voice wasn't as happy as it usually was and it bothered him, he wanted to find out the triggers to her sadness and hack it apart with a machete, "we're set to leave in three hours."

"Of course, I remembered! How could I forget something so important?" She shut her eyes slowly as reality dawned upon her, she was to get married at age eighteen unless she could convince the two kingdoms to cancel the engagement, a hard thing to do but Seladon hoped that her kingdom was on her side, after all, her parents were the ones in charge, right...?

"I'll get ready right away! Thank you again, Papa!" With that she left, leaving her father standing in the corridor, his index fingers massaging his temples gently as his eyes met with the clean flooring, "Is it because...?" He wondered and pondered to himself, questioning what may be the cause to his daughters appearing sadness.

The King was a little dense, unlike his wife who had already pinpointed the cause of their daughter's sadness, Rayner didn't have the logical brain cell; therefore he came to every other conclusion except the true one.

He left the corridor, still in thought, as he walked toward the throne room to meet up with his wife, maybe he'd share his theories with her.

-Time skip-

Seladon let out a sigh as she crept out of the bath, placing both feet on the soft, bathroom mat which collected the drops of water falling from her body, she just stood still, her consciences were at war with each other, part of her wanted to run away again, and the other part was responsible, spouting reasonable and convincing words as to why she shouldn't run away.

Shaking her head to rid her thoughts, Seladon reached for the towel which was hanging up on the racks embedded into the wall, "Papa is right... I am growing up, I'm eleven now, I can't keep acting like a three-year-old." Wrapping the towel around herself Seladon eyed the pastel yellow gown which was hanging on the doorknob, another sigh slipped her lips as she removed the gown from the coat hanger, putting on her undergarments and the gown, although there was only one problem.

She couldn't zip up the back.

"Cursed dress!" She flailed her arms about, the dress was rather long, reaching her ankles if she were any shorter than she was she would be stepping on her million-dollar clothing, "I just need to--" In an attempt to zip her dress up herself, too ashamed about asking for help as she had shooed her 'servants' away earlier, stating she was a big girl and could bathe and dress herself.

Seladon cringed and let out a small squeak as her arm had stretched to its full capacities and gave a loud and semi-painful crack.

"OW! Son of a--" She had to stop herself, eyes widening as she covered her mouth, she was about to mimic the words she had heard her father say when he had accidentally set his beard aflame.

"I didn't swear much then so let's not make it a habit now, especially at this age..." Seladon had vague memories of her past life, she didn't remember everything, just sprinkles here and there which came back ever so slowly.

Giving up on independence and royal life, the young girl stomped her way out of the bathroom, startling a servant who lingered outside the door, waiting for her.

'How long was she there for and how much did she hear?' Seladon's eyes were wide as were the servants. "I can explain."

"You can't zip up your dress?" her ears flickered in semi annoyance as a light pink hue dusted the princess's cheeks, but she didn't speak, not wanting to admit that she still needed someone to help and assist her and she also didn't want to lie as her position was rather prominent.

The older elf, had large brown eyes, short curly hair and wore a dusty yet elegant dress, it had always amazed Seladon how her mother and Father cared about their workers, giving them quality clothing, food and bedrooms, "Here, turn around, let me help you, dear."

Nodding slowly Seladon did as she was told, turning around and allowing the middle-aged female to zip up her dress, "There! All done, now your mother had requested me to inform you after your bath that she is awaiting your presence in her bedroom."

'Mother wants to see me? Hopefully, its to inform me that the meeting is cancelled-- no Seladon don't think like that! You've postponed and ran away from meeting him for years, It's time to stop.' She shook her head to rid her thoughts, once she was back, in reality, she gave the older elf a small smile and a nod, thanking her for her help and information. With that, she tiptoed barefoot to find her mother.

"You called for me?" Entering her parent's bedroom, shutting the door slowly and quietly behind her Seladon lifted up her gown slightly, so she didn't step on it and trip over as she walked toward the elven Queen who sat at her duchess, looking at herself in the mirror, "Yes, come here my dear." She patted her lap, indicating Seladon to take a seat.

And that the young elf did, she climbed up on her mother's lap, taking a seat. Hence, her back was against her mother's not so flat chest, Seladon's eyes glued to the mirror which had captured their frames, she peeled her eyes away from herself and looked at her mother's reflection, showing common courtesy to look at the person who was talking to you.

"Your father had mentioned you seemed a little troubled, may we share a little chat?"

'Of course, this was the reason mother wanted to speak with me,' Seladon sighed lightly, 'what did father say to her? I mean, he may be a little thick-headed, but he's not entirely dense if he said the right thing I'm sure to get in trouble, aren't I?' She shook her head once more, 'No, stop it, this is mother we're talking about, no matter what father said to her, she'll never get me in trouble, yes she may feel disappointed in me, but I'm sure that's about it.'

"It's the engagement, isn't it?" Her mother's silky, smooth voice questioned, her tone wasn't overly high or low, meaning she was neutral about the topic, much to Seladon's satisfaction the young princess had come to a conclusion that she wasn't getting into trouble.

"...Yes." Seladon answered truthfully, closing her eyes loosely and letting a small sigh slip form her small lips, lying wasn't something the young princess was fond of, especially to her mother as she were the one who she felt cared for her most in this fantasy world, her father being a close second but nothing could break the bond which Seladon had shared with her mother. The bond the two shared was stronger than steel to the point where the Queen could read her offspring like an open book.

Seladon knew it was best to never lie to her mother because chances are, the truth was already known to her.

The said princess opened her eyes slowly upon feeling slight tension atop of her head, she looked at both herself and her mother who was gently massaging her hair with a comb, "If it is looks you're worried about, trust me," The Queen gently patted her daughter's hair, combing the damp strands neatly in place, "in this mirror, I see a beautiful young lady and the young earl of Lotia would have to agree."

'But we've never seen each other before so that obviously can't be true...' Seladon shook her head and looked at herself in the mirror, her face pale but clean, her blonde hair no longer a damp birds nest but neatly brushed and hanging over her left shoulder, her small, baby blue eyes wandered from herself and landed on her mother's reflection, looking deeply into her emerald green eyes, a trait she had wished to inherit from her mother; instead she were blessed with her father's blue orbs.

"It's not looks that I'm worried about."

It was Angelita's turn to sigh, she picked up a hair tie and began to gently weave Seladon's hair together in a loose braid, "I know my sweet," she looked down at her daughter who remained seated on her lap, "If you're still thinking about breaking the engagement," she spoke slowly and softly, assuring Seladon, what she was saying was indeed an option she could take, "hold onto that thought, and I will try my best to help you when you're of age."

tieing up the last of Seladon's now braided hair Angelita puckered her lips and leant down to rest them atop of the princess's head, "If by then it's still what you really want I'll do it for you just promise me something," removing her lips from Seladon's head she looked back into the mirror to look into her daughters reflecting eyes, "promise me you won't do anything reckless."

"I promise mama!" Seladon smiled widely, she was over the moon that someone had her back and that someone was the most important person to have her back, after all, nobody could beat a mother's love and support for her child, "Thank you for always having my back." Seladon shifted position, turning herself around, so her front was against her mother's, taking her new position to her advantage Seladon wrapped her arms around Angelita's torso, embracing her into a hug.

It had always surprised Angelita, that despite her young age and fits of immaturity, her daughter had held a maturity to her. To the Queen, it was unique, something only her little Seladon could have.

"Now, let's go get your father, we're to be escorted to the kingdom of Lotia by one." Checking the clock with her baby blue eyes Seladon made a mental note that it was currently twelve-thirty in the early afternoon, she had half an hour left, the time she had left would wisely be used to hype herself up or practice speaking and acting approvingly to royal needs. Instead, she spent that time pacing around the garden, worrying about her meeting with the young prince of Lotia.

"Seladon, the carriage is here, let's go." Holding the hand of her mother as she was escorted into a beautiful, golden and creme coloured carriage, pulled by two beautiful white stallions Seladon took in a deep breath of air, 'Let's do this.'