"Finished!" she exclaimed, gently closing her book shut. She stood up from her usual reading spot and put the book back on the shelf where she had found it.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "You may come in." she said standing on her tippy toes trying to reach another book. The door quickly swung open and a young girl poked her head around the corner. She looked no older than Jen herself.
"Sorry to barge in like this princess-"
"Oh, it's no problem at all Meredith" she interupted rudely, grabbing her book and sitting back in her spot. Jen often did that. In fact, she got kind of annoyed when someone called her 'princess' or 'your highness'.
"-But the...queen has requested your presence in the c-courtyard." she continued. Her voice sounded off.
Jen looked up from her book and at her maid's face. For the first time, she couldn't help but notice something was up with her today. She looked worried. "Alright," Jen said setting her book aside and standing back up. "It's probably just another lecture."
The princess egressed her bedroom and slowly walked down the massive hallway it was on. The hallway had a high ceiling with several chandeliers hanging from it. One side of the hallway were a few huge stained glass windows, made to resemble the kingdom's crest on each one. On the other side stood three bedroom doors. The first door at the very end of the hallway was Jen's bedroom, the second was her seven year old sister's room, and the third would soon be her new baby sister's nursery. She walked pass the third bedroom, through a large corridor that would be confusing to most people, the thone room, via the courtyard.
The courtyard had always been one of Jen's favorite spots in the palace to sit down and think, but lately she hadn't had much time to do that. It felt like forever since she last set foot in it. It was beautiful. In each corner were a few rose bushes surrounding the oak trees.
One tree had a swing hanging from it that Jen's little sister loved to play with 24/7 when she was younger.
Under another was a small picnic table, where Jen would help with her homework.
And in the middle of the area was a big gorgeous fountain. Sitting on the ledge behind it was a woman wearing a long flowy dress with a big tiara.
"You wanted to see me mother?" she asked sitting down next to her on the ledge of the fountain. "Your father and I are expecting guests tomorrow," the queen said. "I'd like you to be there so I could introduce you."
"Um, do I have to?" the princess responded. "Like it or not Jenevieve, you are the future of this kingdom. You must start representing it."
"I know, I know, but I have this, thing..." she said.
"And is this thing more important than making a good impression on another kingdom?"
Well yes kind of the princess thought.
"You can't just sit and read in that library of yours all day, Jen. I'll have Meredith bring you your dress and also-" the queen stopped in the middle of her sentence.
"Can you please try not to be late this time, Jen?"