Princess Iris

Lord Aiden bows and the hall erupts in a clap. We all stand up as they head to their seats.

"Sometimes I feel Princess Esmeralda might fight Prince Williams for the throne of Cerphila," Lady Juliana says.

"She is very intimidating. Trust me, I know," Lady Zadie says.

"Esmeralda is just whole hearted. She gets very intense when she is passionate about something. She is just like that," Ri says.

"All Esmeralda has always wanted is to have her opinions heard where they matter. She also wants to safeguard the lives of our people," Princess Octavia says. "She is very impressive," I say.

"Prince Jeffery, we are ready for you," Duchess Charlotte says.

I couldn't help but smile. The butterflies in my stomach start to dance.

Prince Jeffery walks to the podium. He looks around the crowd like he's looking for someone and just then we make eye contact, and my heart starts beating fast. He holds my stir for a second. I feel the butterflies in my stomach all going up in flames. He begins his speech.

"That was very beautiful to see," Lady Juliana says.

I turn to Lady Juliana and she is looking ahead but I notice she is smiling; I smile and turn back to the speech.

Prince Jeffery's speech went smoothly and everyone including the Kings and Dukes claps for him. I stand on my feet and cheered him on as he talks down the podium to take his seat. He looks at me and smiled, and my heart skips a beat. When he finally takes his seat and I take my seat. I turn to talk to Ri to see if she noticed the smile Prince Jeffery gave me but she is staring up ahead with a confused expression on her face. "Ri, are you okay?" I ask.

She turns her eyes briefly at me and looks away again.

"Father has been staring at you since Prince Jeffery stepped on the podium.

I look up at father and I find him looking at me. I couldn't read the expression on his face. I look at King Archer and I find out that he is looking at me too. He turns to father and whispers something to him. I watch them conserve and nod at each other.

"Iris what did you do?" Ri asks.

"What? I did nothing and why will you assume I did something? We have been together all day," I say.

"Hmm, that's true and I even kept a watchful eye on you but I have never seen father look at you for this long. Even when you do something wrong," Ri says.

"Then what was that all about?" Princess Octavia asks.

"I have no idea," I say.

"It seemed like father was observing you and Prince Jeffery. Well, King Archer seemed to be doing the same," Ri says.

"Observing?" I ask.

"Yes Iris, observing," Ri sighs.

"Let's just get back to the presentation. Prince Leonard is already on the podium. It's probably nothing," Ri says.

I turn back to look at father, he isn't looking at me this time. He is listening to Prince Leonard's speech.

"From the information I gathered, it has shown that my people lack the skill and knowledge to perform their day-to-day activities. The new tools being developed to make labor easy are being discarded. They rather stick to the old fashion way of doing things. When I become King, I will decree that all advanced tools distributed to ease labor be returned to the palace and sold..."

Murmurs breakout throughout the hall

"Did he just say that?" I ask shocked.

"I believe he did Your Highness," Lady Juliana replies.

"That nincompoop," I say angrily.

"I think he already knows that," Princess Octavia says.

"...with all of that amount of money spent to ensure security and easy labor, you will agree with me that scraping out the Wager's Charity Fund is the best solution..."

The murmurs get louder with people whispering their disagreement with one another.

"Please everyone be quiet. Prince Leonard's speech is still going on. If you have any concerns, wait till he is done presenting," Duchess Ophelia says.

The murmurs still go on.

"You have to hand it to him; he sure knows how to entertain a crowd," Ri says.

"He is so doing it wrongly," Lady Juliana says.

"He needs the shut up," I say angrily

I feel Ri's hand on my mine trying to calm me down.

"Easy Iris, don't let emotions get the best of you," Ri says.

"If no one says anything now, am afraid we won't get the chance," Lady Zadie says.

Everyone turns to Lady Zadie who I noticed has been quiet.

"Why?"

"King Theodore is talking to Duchess Ophelia," Lady Zadie says

We all turn to King Theodore who seems to be in a heated discussion with Duchess Ophelia and her husband Duke of Marlington, Lord Hammond is by her side. I watch father tap King Theodore on the shoulder. They share a familiar look. Father says something to Lord Hammond and he bows.

"That doesn't look good," Lady Lucinda says.

"...to ensure the safety of goods distributed between the four great kingdoms and against pirates, we will cut off trade and shut down shipment to the eastern regions."

Everyone one gasps

"He didn't," Ri interjects

I feel the girls turning and looking at me, I feel their eyes on me.

"...against the pirates. The new weapons will be distributed to each kingdom. And to ensure that we never run out of weapons, trees will be cut down..." "You darting beast," I yell.

The whole hall becomes quiet and everyone turns and looks at me.

"Iris don't..."

"No Ri, someone has to say something," I say dragging my hand from hers.

"Ah as usual the cavalry," Prince Leonard teases.

I turn just in time to see him smirk.

"You infuriating swine," I curse.

I turn to Lady Juliana and Lady Zadie; they stand and let me pass.

"How dare you stand right there and disrespect your people," I say as I make my way to the podium.

"I didn't disrespect my people."

"Yes, you did. You just told us how you take away cheap labor from them."

"I just stated facts and from the way I see it, it is the truth. That is something I will make no apologies for especially to the likes of you," Prince Leonard says.

I look at him shocked.

"Did he just refer to us, women?" I say to myself.

"You are just as pigheaded as your sister. You don't care about anyone but yourself. Your people are what makes you a king but you rather have them stay ignorant than educate them," I say. I hear Ri's voice "Yes, yes go, Iris."

I turn to Ri and she is on her feet cheering for me. I hear a throat being cleared and I turn to Prince Leonard who has an irritated face.

"What goes on in my Kingdom is no one's concern but..."

"That you are wrong, Leonard." I watch his eyes look at me shocked. I have never called him without his title.

"What goes on in your kingdom is very much everyone's concern. You are talking about cutting down more trees..."

"Which are to be used to fashion weapons..."

"We can do without more weapons. More weapons mean we are preparing for war and that is one thing we all don't need."

"That is reality, there is a war brewing and it is coming to our doorsteps soon. More weapons mean security and that is what I intend to accomplish," Prince Leonard says.

"Fine Prince Leonard, we make more weapons, how does that ensure the safety of our people?" I ask

"We will make more weapons and teach the people how to fight," King Leonard says.

"No Prince Leonard that is no accomplishment. What you are doing is inflicting fear on your people and fear can never be trusted, it will destroy your kingdom," I say. "Since when did the likes of you care about what goes on in the parliament?"

I groan at him

"I like to think I am more brilliant and resourceful in the obvious area that you lack and I can't wait to teach you," I say.

"Alright, thank you so much, Prince Leonard, for that wonderful speech, and thank you Princess Iris for your contributions and concerns," Duchess Charlotte says.

Duchess Charlotte continues talking and I turn to father for the first time since I started my debate with Prince Leonard and he is looking at me. He finally nods at me and I smile at him and make my way back to my seat. Ri pulls me into a tight hug

"That was amazing Iris, who knew you had it in you," Ri praises.

"Yes Iris, that was brilliant," Princess Esmeralda praises. "You were like a one-man army Princess Iris," Lady Zadie says. "Thank you so much ladies, I am glad you all approve," I say. "Can I have everyone's attention?"

We all turn to Princess Isabelle who is standing on the podium.

"With the permission of my Father, His Royal Majesty, King Theodore of Octavalia, I invite you all to my 16th birthday ball which is set to take place in three days. What other way to celebrate the end of a school year if not with a dashing ball? My card invitations are currently going around. All Princesses and young Duchesses are invited to my famous enchanted flower garden tea party. The dress code is pink and we will..."

Lady Juliana hands me the invitation card. The card has my name on it with glitter.

"Princes and young Dukes will be entertained by my brother, Prince Leonard. There will be sword fighting, horse riding, and so much more."

"Did she just say horse riding?" I say excitedly.

"Don't get any ideas, Iris," Ri says.

"Already too late for that," I say.

Ri sighs.

Just then we hear a loud sound. We all turn to the noise and find King Theodore and Prince Leonard in a corner. It seems his father slapped him. Unconsciously I walk forward and Princess Esmeralda stops me with her hand. I turn and look at her.

"Esmeralda?"

"I won't recommend you going over there, Iris. You will only it worse," Princess Esmeralda says.

I turn back to the scene and Princess Isabelle runs to the scene and says something to King Theodore. He turns and looks at everyone. Just then Prince Leonard walks out from his father and out of the hall. Prince Fredericks chases after him. "Did I, did I..."

"No it wasn't your fault," Princess Esmeralda says.

"Iris, we need to go," Ri says.

I continue starting at the exit Prince Leonard took. The warmth is my heart feels very hot. I take my hand to my heart and I feel light pain in my heart.

"Come on, let's get to the coach. Father is probably waiting for us," Ri says dragging me with her.

We bid goodbye to everyone and head out to join father on the coach.