Princess Diaries

Chapter 2:

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, just the twisted plot.

"Love cures people- both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it…"

The rain was falling when the royal and sleek jet of the country Lily landed on Odaiba National Airport. Dozens of reporters and cameramen were anxiously waiting for their descent, uncaring if the rain pounded on the top of their umbrellas. The few bodyguards had gotten out first, making sure that the surrounding perimeter was safe for the queen and princess to pass through. They didn't have any protection against the rain so they were soaking wet. Two burly bodyguards were standing on either side of the jet's only entrance and exit while a stewardess waited with an umbrella for the royal family.

Inside, Naome was fussing with Mimi's clothes, her hair, if she was feeling all right, and etc. Mimi was getting quite miffed with her mother's unneeded attention and sighed. "Mommy, can you please stop fussing?" Mimi slightly hissed. Naome looked at her daughter with hurt written in her eyes and Mimi softened her strained voice. "Really mommy, I am fine and more than ready to leave this plane and go out into the world!"

Naome bit her lip as if she was going to say something but just nodded. Mimi smiled gratefully. They latched hands and walked to the jet's door, stepping out into the cold and rainy day. The stewardess with the umbrella immediately stepped ahead and thrust forward the big umbrella so that the queen and princess were under its protective shield. The pitter-patter of the rain against the umbrella was silenced to Mimi by the loud questions of the reporters as they made their way to the airport. Even with the help of the bodyguards, Mimi still felt the overcrowding of the reporters and bystanders as they hurriedly walked forward.

However, Mimi didn't get a chance to take a good look around because her bodyguard's large bodies blocked her view and it was raining heavily and the flashes from the cameras blinded her.

"Whew! What a crowd!" Mimi commented with a grin as she and her mother slipped into the black limo waiting for them under the pouring rain. Her mother crawled deeper into the limo, her fingers digging into the plush, velvet seat and gave an anxious sigh. Queen Naome hated large crowds, which is a very big disadvantage because she is the matriarch of a wonderful country and will always be surrounded by large masses. This almost-phobia happened when they were attending a parade in honor of the king's birthday and Mimi was just about three years old at that time. The people were swarming around them and Mimi suddenly got lost in the throng of spectators and the queen had gone ballistic with worry and gnawing fear. 

Finally, they found Mimi unharmed and unscathed at the back of the big crowd, talking to a stray cat. After that incident, Naome has been afraid of great throngs and as much as possible only attends sophisticated gala's where she is assured nothing threatening will happen, unless you count the occasional mean gossip of the ladies and lords.

The doors closed and the limo started to drive away. Mimi looked over her shoulder and more flashes of lights could be seen dimly through the car's windows. But as the limo picked up speed, the flashes disappeared, a sure sign that they have left behind the persistent reporters and their pesky cameramen.

Mimi turned to her mother who was drinking a glass of cold water given to her from their constant shield, Darien, from the mini-bar inside the limo. "Can I have a coke, Darien-kun?" Mimi asked sweetly, flashing the placid hulk of a man a persuasive smile. "Coke, Mimi, dear? Isn't it too early for soft drink?" Naome immediately piped up, using her I'm-your-mother-and-want-the-best-for-you-so-no-argument voice. Mimi nodded. "Um, yes, mommy, coke, please? Can't I have one? Besides, it's almost lunch so it's okay" Mimi looked at her with puppy-dog eyes, turning on her only-child powers. Her mother still looked a little reluctant and Mimi pouted, using her secret weapon. "Daddy would always say yes," she said with a whine in her voice.

Immediately, a can of ice-cold coke appeared in front of Mimi and she took it gratefully, a triumphant smile at the corners of her lips. Naome was smiling brightly at her daughter, not a hint of unwillingness on her face. "If you want another one, darling, just tell Darien, all right?" she said motherly, smiling gently. Darien, who was sitting alone on the opposite seat grunted quietly, and it sounded suspiciously like a hidden snicker.

Mimi opened her coke and took a deep gulp, feeling the tingly sensation one got in drinking soda in her stomach. "Sure, mommy, I will. Anyway, what hotel are we staying in?" she changed the topic, glancing out the window to see the rain still falling, casting a murky look about the buildings they passed by.

"We're not going to a hotel, darling, the house your father was building here in Odaiba, remember that one, is already finished and we'll be spending our days here there" Naome explained, excitement in her voice at the prospect of parties at their new home and seeing to it that furniture's fit the rooms it is in.

"Really? That house that had daddy awake for a week because of all the building?" Naome nodded with a smirk, remembering how her husband had gone berserk when he thought that the house in Japan wasn't going to well and how touched she was when he finally confessed that it was supposed to be their honeymoon gift. She nearly cried buckets, but held herself and gave him instead a passionate kiss.

Mimi smiled inwardly at her mother's expression, knowing that her parent's anniversary was close. She wouldn't forget something as important as the day her parent's were married. She must think of something special to give them, but she can think about that later. There was still two weeks before their big day.

Silence reined inside the limo, with mother and daughter lost in their own thoughts and Darien being as rigid as a rock as usual. Mimi had drank her soda and threw it away while Naome was taking her time in sipping her water, not even noticing that it was losing its coldness.

Glancing at everything they passed by, Mimi began to think about her odd sickness and how it has - and still will - change her life. Even if the unbearable headache had dulled into the occasional migraine, the high fever had yet to come back and her blood coughing had ceased, though obviously the break is just temporary, Mimi knew that she was still very sick. She even had a nagging feeling that she could die if her illness doesn't get cured. But the strange thing is that Mimi doesn't feel the least bit tired anymore. On the contrary, she feels robust with restless energy as she fidget in her seat.  

**Weird** Mimi thought as she moved in her seat again, this time to cup her chin on her hand, her elbow perched on the arm rest.

Naome noticed from the corner of her eyes Mimi restlessly moved and quickly interpreted it to be a bad sign. She turned in her seat hurriedly, her heart pounding with anxiety. "Mimi, darling, are you all right? You seem so restless," she asked worriedly, scanning her daughter's face. Mimi's cheeks were high with color and she had a healthy glow to her, but Naome, because of her concern, thought of the exact opposite. To her, Mimi lacked color and her skin glowed a sickly pallor. "We could immediately go to Dr. Taro's clinic and get you checked up."

Mimi faced her mother with a perplexed expression, noting the apprehension in her mother's blue eyes. A soundless sigh escaped her lips. "Mommy, I know that you're worried about me, but trust me, I'm perfectly fine. I'm feeling so fine that I am wondering if I am sick to begin with!"

"Are you sure? You could be delirious from your illness and that is what making you say all of those things."

Her mother was so importunate. "I don't think I'm delirious mommy, I see you just all right." She turned to Darien. "Do you think I look sick, Darien-kun?"

Darien, his beady green eyes amused behind his dark sunglasses, looked placidly at the mother and daughter who was looking back at him expectantly. "Maybe, Hime-chan, you look a little pale" he answered in a nonplused tone, hiding the hint of amusement in his deep voice. Mimi glared at Darien while Naome nodded her agreement.

"Yes, yes, darling, you look a little pale."

Very peeved now, Mimi crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at both her mother and bodyguard. "Do you know what would make me feel better, mommy?"

Naome nodded eagerly. "Tell me, darling, and I'll get it for you."

With a sweet smile, Mimi answered. "Silence."

Naome looked confused for a moment, before her eyes widened in surprise and a rueful smile lit her face. "Ah, silence? Well, I guess I can give that."

Mimi smiled genuinely and went back to staring into space. Her mother shook her head to herself. "Silence" she mumbled under her breath, wondering why her fun-loving daughter wanted quietness, of all things. "Silence" she repeated again.

Darien once more grunted in his seat, and it still sounded suspiciously like a snicker.

Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! I love them all, really I do. Please continue on reading my story and giving me great feedbacks. And if you have to flame me, well, I'll still accept them, but please be discreet, k? THANK YOU!!!