Once upon a Princess (Atypical Series #1)||✔️

26. Can I get a refund?

ALEXA

Friday 24th August

The very next day I was boarding our private plane to Yurin.

Father insisted that since I was the Crown Princess-future heir of the throne, I was to accompany him on most of the meetings and negotiations.

I thought he honestly just wanted to see me suffer.

"Your highness," One of father's foot-men greeted as he helped me mount the steps.

"Oh c'mon Ricardo, just because I'm the CP now doesn't mean I lost my independence," I poked his arm playfully.

Ricardo snuck a peek behind him to see if father was nearby before he leaned in to whisper, "If only your father would think like that. It'd make my job much easier."

"Where is he?"

He shrugged, causing a lock of dark hair to flop into his eye.
"Last I saw him, he was speaking to Princess Isabelle. Didn't look too pretty."

At the mention of my twin, my stomach turned with guilt.
Just the day before our birthday I had promised, that I'd never leave her side again, and here I was leaving for another country for who knows how long.

At least when I went to tell her goodbye, she seemed okay about it; considering I had no choice since father had ordered that I went with him.

"Poor Belle, father's going to act pretty bitchy with her from now on," I commented as I finally sat down and buckled in.

Ricardo's gaze flitted briefly between the seat beside me and outside the jet, as if wondering if he should take the chance to sit.

He decided to stay outside.

"I think it was pretty brave of her. She believes in you, I hope you make her proud."

I rolled my eyes, "Wow. No pressure."

His full lips upturned into a smile as he was going to reply when I heard someone clear their throat from behind Ricardo.

Ricardo rolled his eyes briefly before painting a nonchalant expression on his face and stepping aside for my father to pass.

"Good morning your majesty," He greeted with a slight bow as father breezed past him.

Father sat in the seat opposite mine and buckled in.

He rose a brow at Ricardo, "I take it that our luggage is already on board? "

Ricardo nodded, "Yes sir, yours and Princess Alexandria's luggage are already secured. We'd be ready for take off in ten minutes."

Father simply turned his attention to out the window and Ricardo rolled his eyes again before closing the door.

"So..." I prompted.

He didn't turn towards me, but by the stiffening of his body, that told me that he was listening.

"How come I'm tagging along?"

"You're the crown princess, it's time you learn the ropes."

He said it so neutrally and without contempt or distaste that I squinted my eyes at him in confusion.

"You don't trust me at the palace without you there... don't you?"

He lifted and lowered a shoulder, his eyes still trained on something outside the window.
"Well that as well, but I figured that there's no other way for you to get hands on experience than you shadowing me as we visit our fellow royals for meetings."