The Runaway Princess

~Chapter 28~

After my conversation with Anthony, we both walk back to the palace with him having to greet a late arrival and with me going back to my room. A few people try to talk to me but I quickly reply that I have to go back and fix my appearance. I rush to my room and change into the blue dress. Since Nina isn't here and there are people waiting for me I just pull a brush through my hair and stick a blue brooch on the side.

Not the prettiest look but it's elegant nonetheless. I head downstairs and my eyes search the place for someone I can greet. My eyes widen as I see two people I haven't seen for very long.

I walk towards them, ignoring the multiple men and women calling me to have a chat.

The woman spots me and freezes in the middle of talking to her husband. Her husband, wondering why she paused turns to where she's looking and sees me as well. A few emotions seem to be playing on their faces, confusion, guilt and sympathy. As I get closer, they seem to look more and more nervous.

I smile at them and they obviously seem taken aback by my action. "Sir Jordan and Lady Bethany, I'm so glad you were able to come." Sir Jordan is the first to break out of his trance. "We thank you for the invitation. It's been so long since I last saw you, but you are still beautiful as I expected." It's nice to see that we can be civil with each other, considering their son tried killing both Anthony and I.

"Thank you Sir, I hope you feel welcome here like you used to." The two adults exchange glances. They realise that things have been worked out. "I'm happy to know we are welcome." Lady Bethany finally speaks. I exchange one last smile. "I would love to continue our conversation but I'm afraid there are some others that wish to talk to me. I hope you enjoy the time you stay here." They curtsy and bow, as do I before I turn around and walk to another guest.

I never thought I would see them, let alone talk to them again. I hope we can start over though, they are a nice couple. Before I can talk to Lady Miriam someone pulls my arm and drags me to the side of the room. "Why were you talking to them?" I cross my arms over my chest and look away. "I don't understand why you're so mad. Sure, their son might have done some horrible things to us, but that doesn't mean we can't try to fix things. I'm not sure about you but I would like to keep our friends not lose them." I try to pull away but Thomas tightens his grip.

"I didn't say that. What I was implying is why were you able to talk to them after everything Christoph has done? Do I need to remind you that he tried to kill you and your brother?" I shake my head.

"You don't get it do you? We fixed things between us. I forgave him, Anthony forgave him, why don't you?" I'm finally able to pull my arm free and I trudge back to the crowd without giving him a second glance.

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I let myself fall onto my bed without changing. After a few minutes of talking and catching up, I couldn't stand being in the same room as Thomas. The whole time I could feel his gaze upon me. Why can't he accept the fact that Christoph is nothing to me now? As much as I hate to say it, none of us will see him again. I sigh and put my pillow over my face.

How does Thomas always manage to get on my nerves?

It's probably one of his hobbies anyway.

I groan into the pillow, as if it would magically make Thomas stop intervening.

I don't realise that someone has entered until they speak.

"Why do you look so glum Lex?" I roll my head to the right and see Anthony. "Thomas was acting overprotective for no reason. He interrogated me on why I was speaking to Christoph's parents." He stays quiet, probably agreeing with Thomas. "He was just trying to protect you."

I roll my eyes and sit up. "Him? Protect me?" Did Anthony just forget how he treated me?

"I know what you're thinking, but maybe this isn't so bad. It may sound strange that he wants to protect you after what he's done_" "Exactly, why should I believe he will protect me?" Anthony sighs and locks his piercing blue eyes with mine. "Look, I can't make you believe he will, but what I can guarantee is that he will try. He has done horrible things I know but don't shape him out from those actions. Think of the present and future, not the past."

"Since when did you start speaking so wisely?" I was always the brighter one; Anthony was always the one who asked unnecessary questions.

He smiles and puffs out his chest slightly. "I was always wise; you were just too busy to notice." He sits down next to me. "You've been speaking to me a lot more nowadays." The smile slips off his face. "You're the only family I have now, but you're right, I should talk to Nicholas and Thomas more." He stands up and walks to the door. Just before he leaves he turns around. "Just give him a chance to prove himself. Don't keep blocking him." He leaves the room, enclosing me with the two white doors.

I sigh. Anthony was actually making sense when everything else doesn't.

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I wake up early so I can get prepared myself. I rummage through my rows of dresses when I find a dark turquoise floor length dress. It has only one shoulder with a gem encrusted belt at the waist. It is beautiful to say the least. To match it I wear the same colour high heels. I walk over to my jewellery table and find the necklace I was looking for. It is a white gold chain that holds a turquoise coloured tree pendant. My father told me that it was called the tree of life. Clasping it around my neck, I leave my wardrobe and brush my hair. I decide to leave it in its natural form, straight at the top and wavy at the ends.

I exit the room and go downstairs to check on the preparations for Anthony's coronation. I find Anthony in the throne room staring at the seat that will be his shortly. He looks nervous to put it simply.

I walk up next to him. "It will be fine." I reassure him. "I know it will, but that isn't what's scaring me. What's scaring me is that I have to live up to this great expectation that I have to be as great a King as our father. You and I both know I can't do that." I reach for his shaking hands. "That isn't true Anthony. You will be a great King. Our parents believed in you, and so do I." He smiles at me. "Thanks Alexia." I let go of his hand and stare at the thrones my parents once sat.

"They would be proud if they were here." He nods but doesn't look so sure. He turns to me again and I can see the tears brim his blue eyes. "I miss them Alexia. Mother left without us being able to say goodbye and father died right before our eyes." I see the sadness come back to him. All the feelings I've been pushing away make their way back to me. "I miss them too Anthony. No matter how much time passes, we will always miss them. Nothing will ever change that." I hug him and feel him slightly sob into me. "Why did they have to go?" I shake my head. Anthony was always closer to them. I never had that much of a close relationship with anyone in my family.

"Because some people are jealous of our parent's lives and they can't accept the fact that they have supreme power while they can't." He sighs and I wipe away his tears. "Come on your highness, your coronation is soon."