Chapter 22: The gift

Jack and his father sat across each other in the garden. A huge smile can be seen on their faces as the hit their glass together in toast.
" Cheers to our victory" The king said and they both laugh hysterically.
" I told you the princess is going to accept you but you didn't listen. Now that you played your card don't you see how easy it was?" The king said raising his brows at prince Jack and Jack just smile at him.
" Her birthday is in few days time I really can't wait to be presented as the prince of Alvanor" Prince Jack said gulping down his wine and his father nod his head at him.
" And then Alvanor will be ours. Their riches, their servants and their soldiers will all be ours" The king said dreamingly and Jack have him a thumb up.
They discussed for a while untill the king was called away to over see some of the people's matters.
Jack quickly use the opportunity to go to Alvanor and see the princess. He took two of his royal guards along with him and when he got to Alvanor, the maids went to let the princess know he is around.
Diana who was in her room sleeping lazily asked the maid to tell him she is sleeping and don't want to be disturbed but jack insist on seeing the princess.
Diana send the maids away and take a nap of about an hour before going to the garden to meet prince Jack.
Jack who was sitting under an oak tree in the garden rose to his feet when he saw the princess approaching him.
He asked his gaurds to leave him for a while and they Obidiently went to a corner not far away.
" Princess Diana" Jack called and immediately held the princess hand and give it a peck and a look of irritation appeared on Diana's face.
She wipe the back of her hand with her dress and look at jack with straight face as if telling him not to do that again.
" What brings you here prince Jack?" Diana asked plucking a flower which she placed under her nose and breathe in its sweetness.
" I'm here to see her majesty. I missed her beautiful face that radiates like the son" prince Jack said with a smile on his face and Diana must admit he is a sweet talker. He knows how to talk women into falling in love with him.
" So have you heard the rumor about the princess of Alvanor?" Diana asked purposely to know if the rumors have spread outside Alvanor.
" Of course I do but I don't believe that" Prince Jack reply and Diana feel a sting on her chest. She was expecting him to say no but now that he said yes, she knew the rumor have spread far like a wild fire and it won't be easy to off it. She knows prince Jack is only saying he don't believe it because he doesn't want her to change her mind towards him.
Jack heard about the princess going to the wood to meet men and bus father asked him to take advantage of it which he is doing now.
" You know what princess, no matter what they say, I will always stand by you. You're the light of my soul. I will stand by you in good times and in bad times. I will stay by your side when others leave" prince Jack said with a serious expression and Diana almost fell for his words but then she remember men cannot be trusted especially men like prince Jack.
" Thank you Prince Jack " Diana said with a slight smile and prince Jack placed his hands on his chest. He was happy the princess was thankful for his words.
They talked for sometime and Diana retire to her chamber while prince Jack go back to his province feeling so Happy.
Diana got to her room and change her clothes into her armor clothes. She packed her hair into a ponytail before walking out of the room with a bow in her hand. She looks just like an archer. When she got to the field, she shot an arrow at the tree in the middle of the field and it hits it exactly at the point she aim it at and a smile appear on her face.
She shot another arrow again and she missed and frustrated look appear on her face. She shot all the arrows with some missing and some hitting her target well.
She sat down on the field and pant heavily. The royal cancel has sent the scroll to her and you wouldn't believe what was written in it.
She is to make her meal by herself and prepare her bath by herself. Clean her room and do all her chores by herself.
And then she is to run from Alvanor to the next province on foot and run back before sunset.
She didn't see that as a punishment tho, she see them as things she would have done if she was those girl who are not royalty.
She walked back to her Chambers when the cloud turns dark and run her bath by herself without the assistant of any of her maid. This is what she has always wanted but she don't find it easy to add those petals and fragrance to her bath before bathing.
She was about to wear her clothes when her mother barge into her room like a nasty woman. Diana was surprised at her actions and she quickly stand up straight to face her mother who wore an angry look on her face.
" Mother" she called
" What did you do to my maid?" Queen Hector asked and princess Diana roll her eyes at her question
She thought her mother barge into her room because of something serious but never knew she barge in because of that stupid maid of hers who doesn't respect her as the princess and talk ill of her.
" I put her in her place" Diana reply and turned to continue applying ointment on her skin.
" If you want to see her, she is in the royal prison enjoying her stay there." Diana added.
" What right do you have to put my maid in detention without my consent?" Queen Hector asked and Diana raised her brows slightly before turning to face her again.
" Because I'm the princess" Diana reply and turn her back on her again.
Queen Hector storm out of the room and went straight to the royal prison where she asked the soldiers to let Hera free. She wonder what has come over Diana for the past few days. She doesn't talks to her with respect and act mighty and superior all the time.
Days rolls by and there was still no sign of Irene. Diana's birthday came quickly and the palace was all buzzing with people. The maids were seen walking around doing one thing or the other while Diana was still asleep in her room. She woke up to the sound of the trumpet which signify her birthday and a smile appeared on her face. Not a sweet smile and not a bad smile. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and exhale deeply.
She thought she was going to feel different when she turned sixteen but everything was still the same except for the joy of adding another year. Her sixteenth means another begining and she wonder what and how her journey will look like from now henceforth.
She received so many birthday wishes and her father comes to her room himself to wish her a happy birthday and also remember her what her new age comes with as a princess.
" Hope you have a sweet birthday as sweet as you" His father added and Diana smiled sweetly at him.
" Thanks father" Diana beamed with her emerald eyes glittering.
The king brought out a pendant in the form of heart from a box and wear it around her neck. Diana admire the pendant on her chest and find it so beautiful. It fits her skin perfectly and it has the same color as her eyes.
" I love this father. This is the best birthday gift ever" she said giving her father a warm embrace.
" Always keep it with you. This is the sacred pendant of the royal family. Only the heir to the throne can wear it and I'm giving it to you today because you're old enough to keep it safe" the king said and Diana place her hand on the pendant with a lot of emotions on her face.
' This is the best gift ever' she thought to herself.