Chapter five: A new princess

The princess Langwidere came back furiously in her "cabinet". It was odd. She was the princess of Ev, and people dared disturb her when she was busy! And she wasn't an idler princess. She used to spend her whole days taking care of her appearance. It was the most important thing for a princess, wasn't it? She was a public figure, so she needed to be perfect for her people. Some ambassadors said a good princess has to be more serious, it meant to spend more time to make the count, or to check if the justice was respected in her estate, but they were ridiculous. The people wanted neither an accountant, nor a lawyer. They wanted a figure to admire. And she, princess Langwidere, was the right person. If she gave so much importance to her physique, it was for them. She was a good princess.

As princess Langwidere was thinking that, her thoughts fixed upon the little girl. She was cute. She could be an admirable princess, too. And what would the people think when they will see her, princess Langwidere, holding a little girl by the hand, maybe a penniless orphan? They would think she is a generous and mature princess. Well, she would do that. She would adopt the little girl.

-The Princess Langwidere wants to see you, the guard said to Strawberry Shortcake.

-Me? Why?

-Don't ask questions and follow me.

Strawberry stood up and, as she left the dungeon, Billina and Tik-Tok fell into step behind her. The guard blocked them.

-No. Only the girl, I said. You, you stay here.

Strawberry nodded and politely followed the guard. She was worried or her friends, but she didn't want to upset him: he could wreak revenge on them. The best thing to do was to obey… until they get a plan to escape. For the moment, they must be above suspicion.

The guard leaned her until Langwidere's apartment. He knocked at the door.

-Your Majesty, the girl is here, he said.

-Let her come in, Langwidere responded, and the guard pushed Strawberry in the room.

-Don't be scared, Langwidere said to comfort her. (She had changed her head and was in a better mood.)

-What do you want from me? Strawberry asked.

-Absolutely nothing… Do you still refuse to give me your head?

-I don't understand.

-Too bad. In brief, I would like to adopt you.

-Adopt me?! Strawberry cried.

She could hardly believe her ears. The princess wanted to adopt her! That meant she would be a princess, too… she would live in a castle, have servants and get everything she want…It was her dream. To the other side, she would have to live forever with a bad-tempered queen who absolutely wanted her head! And what about her friends in Strawberryland?

-So, what do you think? Langwidere insisted.

-I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I can't.

-You… what? Langwidere repeated (she didn't used to see people withstand her).

-I can't.

-You can't? Why? Langwidere asked. "Do you have a family? A home? Money?"

-I got neither of them… here.

-So, what don't you want to be my daughter? Lagwidere sighted.

-My life is not here. "I've got a home, and friends… elsewhere. They are waiting for me. It's why I can't stay with you."

Princess Langwidere stayed speechless a long moment. Strawberry Shortcake didn't dare to move. She wondered what would be her reaction. Would she scream on her? Would she brutalize her? Or would she put her down on the street?

Princess Langwidere breathed deeply.

-Well. I see. I think I ill-treated you, you and your friends, I say sorry for it.

-Never mind, Strawberry said, relieved.

-Let me offer you something to drink.

Princess Langwidere turned round and went to the other side of the room to serve two cups of tea. Taking advantage of Strawberry's lack of attention, she dragged a little flask of her bodice and poured its content in one of the cup.

-Drink this, she said, offering the trapped cup to Strawberry Shortcake.

Strawberry didn't need to be told twice and emptied the cup. Immediately after, her head stared to spin, her vision got scrambled, and, in spite of her effort, she fainted. But her fainting fit didn't last long. Two minutes after, she woke up. But…

-Where am I? Strawberry Shortcake weakly asked. "Who am I? What happened?"

-You don't remember anything? Princess Langwidere nicely asked.

Strawberry Shortcake piteousely shook her head.

-Well, you are my daughter, the heir to the throne, the princess Evy of Ev, and I'm your mother, the princess Langwidere.

Strawberry Shortcake smiled.

-Hello mommy, she said.

To be continued…