Roland rubs the temples of his forehead tiredly, while you sat down infront of him in his study with your arms crossed not even caring looking to the side away from the king. Who looks at you a bit peeved, looking down at the note from the Headmistress that was sent home with you, this was the third time you had a note sent home, and it always said the samething.
Dear King Roland,
Princess Layla is a wonderful student, we enjoy having her here at the Academy. She is such a delight, a special one all her own, with her own inner strength. A gift that is starting to be used among other students. We have sent prior letters to you before on this matter, Princess Layla is becoming to rough with some of the students. Today she again assaulted another student it was during fencing, words where exchange between her another princess, which ended up in quarrel between the two. The other princess was not harmed, thanks to the intervention of the teacher. King Roland we do enjoy having Princess Layla with us. Please talk with her, we do not want to take such harsh consequences.
Thank you,
Headmistress Fauna, Flora and Merryweather.
A slight upsetting sigh escapes the king's lips he looks back at you, you return his look with a deadpan one. He could tell you felt you did no wrong, knowing well what your defense was as to why you went after the princess. Though your mother's child, he had to admit Queen Aurelia could keep her temperament in check a bit better than you. You where not his child, so he was trying to figure out a way to punish you in a sense. What could he do, he wanted to stay on your good side, out of love for your mother. Letting you get away many things, hoping his kindness towards you would open you up more to him. But he was starting to feel it was in vain at this point.
Clearing his throat he sits up firmly looking at you sternly, which unfazed you. He could tell, he knew you didn't really like going to school it showed every morning since you have been living here. But you went anyway, he knew it had to because of Sofia and at times Balieywick who had to get you to go.
Looking at the king, waiting to hear what he was going to say to you. Not like you cared anyway, you didn't care what you did to the other princess, she had it coming. Just thinking about it irritated you greatly. Not a fan of others taunting you or making certain remarks, so she had it coming you felt. It was being disrespectful in your eyes.
Roland clears his throat again, as he opens up his drawer, and pull out a envelope. The second your eyes caught the color of it, they became ecstatic. The scent of it, it was your mother's. The color of deep red was your mother's favorite color, on the outside it was addressed to you. Now bring your attention to the letter. You noticed it had not been opened just yet. Roland looks at you glued to your mother's letter. He could tell you where happy even if you tried to contain yourself.
Laying the letter upon his desk, he calls to you getting your attention, which you give him. He still kept his stern look upon his face as he looked at you.
"Princess Layla..."he starts"This is the third time you had a letter sent home from school. Now you've been going to school for sometime now, and I know it has not been fully easy for you settle in. But that is n-"
You cut him off as your eyes dart back to your mother's letter"Can I open it?"you asks him.
He looks at you a bit baffled, you look at him pleadingly. He had never seen this side of you before. Looking back at the letter, he could see starting to become antic. It had been sometime since you heard from your mother, and sometime since he heard from as well. Looking at the King awaiting him to allow you to open it. He couldn't help but allow his stern face to relax to it's normal kind face.
"Please King Roland, may I open it?"you politely ask him. Stunning the king again with how you where acting just now. He could tell the talk he had in his mind was at a halt, he slowly nods his head as he slides it to you, only for you snatch it up from his desk. You waste no time and open it. Reading it attentively, a small smile comes to your face.
Roland just watched you, you acted like a five year old. In every since of the word, gleefully. Your eyes grew wide with happiness as you read everything your mother wrote as if she where here right now with you. As you read her letter, Roland opens his drawer again, as he looks down at another dark red envelope address to him from your mother. He inhales her scent that lingered from it. A captivating smile comes across his lips. He just picture her here with him, her smile. Everything. Taking him back to when finally saw her after all these years. Touching the envelope it was so soft like velvet or moss. Just as soft as her hair and skin. He had read his letter from her, and what she put in there was just between the two of them. Looking over to you, you had finished reading. Holding the letter close to your heart, a warm smile comes across your lips.
It was as if your mother was hugging you, Roland got up quickly behind his desk. Seeing what looked like you needed comfort, just as he reached out to give it to you. You turn around to him with your proud look upon your face like always. Looking at the King, he looks right back. Clearing your throat, you bow your head to him.
"Thank you, King Roland. I shall contain myself more at school."you tell him.
"Umm...well than alright."Roland tells you, clearing his throat hoping this would be a good time to actually have some alone time with you and hopefully bond with you."So...what did your mother say?"
Looking at the letter quickly, then back at him"...That she loves me..."was all you told him. Slightly saddening the king. But he doesn't let it show.
"Well, that is good to hear."he tells you, getting down to your level on one knee, he places an affectionately hand on your shoulder. You give him a weird look, it was the same thing he did to you when you first came here. He smiles at you like a father"Princess Layla, no more letters sent home. I understand things are hard. But just try to see it, you'll be surprised how much you might like it. I just want you to be comfortable, this is also your home too. And you are apart of his family."he gives you a warm smile.
Standing back up, he walks over to the doors, you follow him with your mother's letter in hand. He opens it to let you"Well, then...I believe you have some homework that needs to be done."
Walking out of his study, down hall just as he was about to close the door you tell him something"My mother told me to be kind to you, because you are a kind person..."with that you run off down the hall.
Sofia was in her room doing homework, when a knock came to her door. Stopping the young princess goes to see who it is."Coming!"she tells them, just before she reached the door, you come in. Surprising, as you walk right by her, she shuts the door and follows you. Making your way to the middle of her room, looking around for no reason till she came.
"Hey, Layla...what are you doing here?"she asks wondering why you had come to her room. Normally it is the other way around when she would go to your room. When she remember you had to talk with her father"Oh, no...how did it go with dad?"
"...It was fine...nothing really."you tell her like it was nothing, looking around again as if to make sure no one was around. You finally look at her, taking out your mother's letter."I have received a letter from my mother."she looks at it, then back at you. When she noticed you looking different. A blissful smile was on your face. She had never seen it before on you, she wasn't bothered by, infact she was happy herself.
"Really? That's wonderful, did you read it?"she asks happily interested.
"...Not all of it..."you confess to her.
"Why?"
"...I couldn't..."
"Why not?"
"..."
"Is it something bad?"
You shake your head no."No...I just didn't."
"...Do you want me to read it for you?"she offers, holding out her hand.
You look at it, then at her she smiles at you"...No, I can do that myself."you unfold the letter and start to read it, Sofia rolls her eyes at your strong front. As she waited, you read everything that your mother wrote. Sofia noticed you went from happy to unpleasant then a mixture of emotions. Once you finished, you fold the letter back up.
"What did it say?"Sofia caustically asks, seeing the mixture of emotions written over you."...Layla?"
"...She said that she misses me...and hopes I am doing well as well not causing to much a fuse."you start to tell her."Also..."you grip the paper tightly, Sofia sees this she reaches out to touch you. You look unsure at the concerned princess.
Outside Sofia's room James was walking by, when heard Sofia talking. Stopping at her room door, his curiosity took over and he places his ear to her already pried open door. Barely able to make out what was being said, he did hear though your name. His eyes lite up, she was talking to you. A smile comes across the young prince's face. Surely he would hear something with the two of you talking, and he was hoping it would be about him. Leaning in closer he slowly opens the door just a bit more to get better hearing.
So fixated on the conversation that he did not notice his mother Miranda behind him until she tapped him on his shoulders. Startling the young pre-teen. He turns around quickly busted.
"James, what are you doing?"the Queen inquires to her son.
Stammering over his words not really sure what to say"Well...ummm, you see I was walking by...Sof...I just so happen...their talking..."as he fumbles over his words, Sofia opens her door surprised to find James there asking why he was, you where as well. But it turned to a irate one towards the prince.
Who now caught in between three females all wondering the samething. Wishing he wasn't stuck in this situation. Looking at each one of them, though when his eyes landed upon you, he gave you sympathetic look as if non-verbally telling you something. Taking you slightly off guard. Turning back to his mother, he puts his hands up in defense. As he slowly moves back, once out he says his good-byes and leaves.
"Umm...ok."Sofia confused by her brother's actions, she then turns to her mother who also had the same look upon her face."Hi, mom."she calls to the Queen, who turns to her daughter."Did you need me?"
"Oh, yes I was coming to get the both of you. I was wondering if the two of you along with Amber, would like to have a day together this weekend? Just us girls and no one else."she asks the two princess.
"That sounds like a lot of fun. I would love too."Sofia excitedly agrees, her mother smiles at her, she then looks to you.
"What do you say Princess Layla?"Queen Miranda asks you.
You look at her, then towards Sofia, a day with just females? You have spent your time with females before though it was more so in training, and what they where talking about, you knew for sure was not training at all. Before you could say anything Sofia answers for you."She would love to mom."
"Great then, it's settle this weekend will be just the four of us. I can't wait."Queen Miranda enthusiastically says, she goes and hugs her daughter while she waves by to you taking her leave.
"Must I go?"you asks Sofia. The princess looks at you lightheartedly, as she shrugs her shoulders.
"Come on Layla, it will be fun. Besides maybe you and Amber can...find some common ground."she tells you positively.
You looks grimly"..."as you walk away from her.
Making it to your room, seeing no one was around, you go inside. Just as you shut your door, someone comes and knocks on it. Groaning to yourself, wishing they would go away. But they didn't as they knock again and few more times. Before you finally caved in, opening your door you find James there.
He looks at you with his smile as if trying to remain collected. But he was doing a horrible job on his part."Hi Princess Layla..."before he could say anything you shut the door in face. He just smiles slightly thrown off by your reaction, but he knocks again and again. Until you open the door. He could see you where not pleased by his presence. But he was happy to see you, he kept his smile upon him. When it faded back to the same sympathetic one.
"Princess Layla..."what he did next caught you off guard, only something Sofia would do to you. He hugged you. Your eyes widen at this."I kinda over heard what you and Sof were talking about. Sorry to hear that..."he tells you. Realizing two things one, he over heard it and two. He was touching you, quickly you release yourself from his grasp and push him away from you. Snarling at him.
"You should learn to mind your own."you tell him, with that you stomp back into your room upset, and slam the door on him once again.
The young prince looks at your door again sympathetically, when Sofia saw him. She calls to her older brother making her way to him.
"James, what are you doing?"shes him, looking at your door.
"...Nothing."he lies to her returning back to his normal fun loving self. Sofia looks at him a confused, before she could say anything he leaves but stops."Hey Sof..."
The young princess looks to him, his back was to her, but she could tell by the sound of his voice it was something important that was weighing on him."What is James?"
"Do you think you can do me a favor?"he asks her.
"Sure what is it?"
"...Tomorrow at school...you know what never mind."he tells her lightly, as he laughs it off like it was nothing. Waving to her, he leaves."See ya."
Sofia cox an eyebrow at her indifferent older brother, looking back at your door then where James went. She was starting to wondering what just happened. Going to you door, she knocks on it announcing herself as she entered.
