CHAPTER 5

A Walk to Remember

After a night of too many questions, a peaceful dreamless sleep, and a busy early morning, Charissa was dressed and ready to head to town in a peach wrap floral midi dress, a pair of comfortable wedges, and a hat for the sunny day. She also took a small sling bag to keep her essential things.

Charissa wanted to stick with comfortable jeans and a jersey tank but Will, her best friend from second grade, had always insisted to send clothes in the mail that she would have never considered wearing before the whole royal ordeal started. Now, she's thankful for all of it.

A butler informed her that the car was waiting for them, security detail following them later. Charissa was grateful that she was reminded of that just to assure her paranoid self that she'll be safe.

She was waiting by the door for their guests when she decided to call Callyx who thankfully picked up.

"Hello, sis! How's our visitor? What are you planning to do today? Details, sis, details!" Callyx chided from the other line.

Charissa scowled, "Come home early! We discussed something from last night's dinner which was a little unexpected. Atria's here for something else. They're looking for a candidate for their princess to marry." She scolded him, a hand by her hips. "They're looking for you? Yeah, I think."

"Clearly that evening went well! You're doing a good job doing royal work." Callyx laughed from the other line. "Given time, you might be the next heir and not me."

"Don't say that! I don't want the throne! When are mom and dad coming home?" Charissa asked, shaking her head for a moment. "That sounds so weird saying out loud."

"You'll get used to it. They'll be home day after tomorrow and I'll be home in a few hours, alright?" Callyx sighed at the other line which worried the red head.

"Cal, what's up?" She asked. "Don't you want to meet the ambassadress? She's awfully nice but...too many questions."

Cal chuckled, "I'll meet with them as soon as I could. I just worry about you. Their princess needs a wife or a husband that they can rule with, not a candidate to be an heir from another kingdom."

Charissa took a moment to reply. "Wait. So you're telling me they're not here for you?"

Her brother sighed, his tone turning serious. "Charissa, you're the only candidate for that in Cedhia. In fact, I'm not surprised if other kingdoms, houses, or celebrities scamper over your hand."

This made Charissa pale like she was about to faint. "You mean Cedhia holds that much power? And fame?" She inquired. "Cal, I don't like this..."

"Yes. We hold resources to various natural resources, tech, and many more. Have you not been listening in your history classes lately?" Callyx asked her. "You'll be okay, sis! Just be yourself while following Royal Protocol of course!"

Charissa took a deep breath as she saw the ambassadress walk towards their direction, dressed casually in jeans, an off shoulder ruffle top, and sandals, sun glasses and a leather sling bag.

Sir Alexander trailed behind her in a dress shirt, slacks, and toms. He looked less uptight than last night and that was a good thing if they were going out.

"Yes but I fall asleep. I have to go Cal, take care on the road." Charissa hastily replied. "We'll talk more once you arrive home."

"You too, sis." Cal ended the call immediately which Charissa was not glad about.

The ambassadress looked good in those clothes and she looked overdressed but it was appropriate for the sunny spring weather. Besides, Will would flip when he sees her wearing a proper dress for once.

"Good morning, Lady Elina...Sir Alexander." Charissa greeted with a little smile. The raven haired ambassadress and Sire Alexander bowed lightly to greet her. "Ready for a day out?"

"Milady, I'll be staying here for now. Have fun, Ladies." Sir Alexander smiled at them. Charissa can tell that he's like a big brother type. Sir Maximus would probably get along with him. If not, that would be a funny sight for Lady Charissa.

"Don't you want to see the city, Sir Alex?" Charissa asked. "It's beautiful this time of year." She added.

Sir Alexander laughed. "It'll be an honor, milady. But I have things to discuss with Prince Callyx upon his arrival." He said, smiling kindly to her.

Charissa felt deflated. Being with Lady Elina might tire her out as she wasn't comfortable with her so pleasing a guest won't be as easy as she think. Even if they are going for a walk in the city, many might not like her or throw tomatoes or eggs even.

"It's alright. You have many other guards around to keep an eye on you and Lady Elina. Rest assured your majesty." That said, even if they were well guarded, she really wasn't ready.

"What could go wrong?" Lady Elina asked.

Charissa could think of a million things that could go wrong.

They headed off to town in a limo and she insisted that she doesn't need the security detail but the Royal Adviser insisted that they take a few men to keep an eye on them.

In the car, Charissa did all everything to avoid further conversation with the ambassadress because she was thinking about what Cal told her. Should she confront Lady Elina about it?

Rissa looked out the window, thinking of the next move but before she did, the car stopped and the driver opened the door for her. The flashes of lights from cameras welcomed her. It made her freeze, knowing immediately that they were looking for her flaw. Any flaw they can make of her.

"Lady Charissa! Over here!" One reporter called. Another said the same, all of them shoving and wanting to get something from her but thankfully, guards have blocked the unwanted crowd before they got too close.

She did her best to gracefully slide out of the car, trying to maintain her composure instead of looking like a dear in the headlights.

Lady Elina joined her quickly, smiling and waving gracefully at them. "Breathe, milady. And smile." She quickly advised, staying close to her.

Charissa did her best as told, waving at them. One reporter curiously came close and asked, "How do you find the royal life? What are your plans once crowned as princess? Will you take the throne after your brother?" She asked, pointing the microphone at her.

She quickly had a script in mind, something that Sir Maximus had told her before when she was having lessons. Answer with a solid statement.

When she started her lessons a few days after her first visit at the palace, she was told of the major wardrobe change she needs, the proper way to greet the king and the queen, manners to be observed around the palace and how to react to the media who ambush them for questions. Charissa did her best in those lessons but she hated them. Especially Sir Maximus and his chosen tutors.

Charissa smiled and replied, "It's a life not easy to adjust to. I plan to help a lot in the kingdom when I'm crowned like our King has done. And no, Prince Callyx is worthy of the throne and I support him. I have no doubt he'll be a great king but that is still long after." She replied.

Another reporter asked, "When will be the ball to welcome the ambassadress of Atria, Lady Charissa? Will media coverage be allowed?"

Charissa noticed that this is quite a serious question for every reporter. She didn't know that they'll be throwing a ball but Callyx doesn't really tell her many things about the events in the palace. One moment she's just reading, the next she's panicking to look for a proper dress for a "Well, please contact the palace secretary to tell you the details and have a good day." She calmly replied.

The guards stopped everyone else right there and held them back so Lady Elina slipped out of their presence smoothly, letting Rissa breath. She has had a lot of interviews for school paper but being in front of all those cameras does make her panic.

Rissa did her best to adjust to the whole ruckus, the lights, cameras and people wanting in her life but she just can't. It's just been weeks, heck days since she came to the conclusion that she's really stuck to this life. Not that it was bad; it's just one she didn't want.

Her perfect life was to live in a peaceful rural area as a writer, away from the messy business of the cities but she instead got the complete opposite.

"Hey." Lady Elina placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her awake from her daydream. "How about we get out of here and you show me the good spots around. Worry about work later." Elina urged.

Of course she was right. Dwelling at the matters of the palace and royal work will kill her at this point. Charissa took a deep breath and instead put on a smile to cheer herself up. "You're right~ Come on, I know a place for coffee."

A small walk from the car, they went in to a café with a rustic feel to it, the whole place smelling like rich freshly roasted coffee. "This is the best coffee house to get that taste of Cedhia's top produce coffee." She introduced, walking to the counter.

Lady Elina turned around to take a look, a small smile on her lips as she saw the charm and wonder of the place, appreciating the subtle things like the view of the city, the industrial lighting, the art on the wall, and the comfy chairs and tables that people seem to enjoy. Charissa's kind of place seems to be the homey type.

The redhead got them two of their house specialties and had them for to go. Elina wondered why was that which Rissa simply answered with, "More to see."

After receiving and paying for their coffee, Rissa led them to a large park by a lake which took a little walk but Elina was observing the city. It was really modern but she can see history still present with the rustic old buildings, huge gardens that hold a lot of flowers, flourishing musicians singing folk songs, old breweries and many more. It was like stepping between two eras at the same time.

Rissa decided for them to sit at a bench by the water, under a willow tree. It's one of Rissa's favorite spots to read and be alone. It was quiet, peaceful and beautiful place to be in under a good sunny day.

Elina sat back and relaxed as the redhead did, admiring the sight in front of them.

"This is the Willow Lake. My mom always brought me here for picnics. We'd read a lot of books, she'd show me a lot of plants, and even let me play on the ice at winter." She said, fondly smiling out to the lot. "It's nothing fancy but it's a slice of Cedhia. There are a lot more places around the kingdom like this but this is the nearest one that you might like."

Elina was sure that it was a warm memory to be thinking of but to Rissa, it was the memory of the vast quiet before the storm. All those years...

"How about you, Charissa? What do you like?"

The red haired girl stayed silent, her eyes closed. She wanted things back. She didn't want this complicated royal life.

"That answer is mine to keep."