As promised, Barnes woke me up when the wheels touched the ground. Hair ruffled, pantsuit looking like I'd been wearing it for a week straight and eyes thick I got off the plane. Before I stepped out a stylist tried to fix it, but some parts of my look were too far gone to be salvaged.
Even though we were awaited by a professional (somewhat stereotypical) crew of security agents, Barnes stayed very close to me. As usual still keeping a respectable distance.
A big, black, incredibly expensive looking car (which I couldn't name, even though many people would probably know what kind of car it was) was waiting for us – or me, to be exact. Two little flags fluttered in the wind – one star-spangled, and one deep purple, with a pretty little golden ship; the official flag of Marerra.
While entering it – with the help of Barnes – I pretended to be not quite impressed with our welcoming committee. A crinkled nose and raised eyebrows was what they got from me.
Once inside the car I let the haughtily air go. 'Well, Barnes, did that look royal?'
'I can't say it didn't, highness.'
'Good.' Yawning I stretched. 'Because they were all looking at me like I am some annoying child. They may think they have the perfect poker-face, but it actually was quite obvious.' Despite trying to look like it didn't affect me at all, the annoyance was clearly audible in my voice.
'They just don't understand your country, highness.'
I stopped rubbing my eyes and looked up. 'Do you? It just… it just occurred to me that you're American too.'
Barnes looked me thoughtfully in the eyes. 'I have seen the love of your people with my own eyes. I have read the reports on the welfare and wellbeing of your kingdom. It isn't the system that's good or bad, it's the people that run it.'
'I…' a broad smile appeared on my face. 'Thank you, thank you for that. I'm going to keep that one in mind.'
'You're welcome.'
A short silence in which I peeked through the window, secretly exited I finally got to visit America. A sudden realisation made me look at my guard again.
'Speaking about you coming from America; don't you have… people to visit? I mean, you're spending an awful lot of time with me… shouldn't you have, like, your personal time?'
Barnes shifted in his seat.
'Everyone I might visit is quite busy lately. I would only be in the way.'
Did that make me feel better or worse about myself? I wasn't quite sure.
At first – when we had only just left the little, private airport behind us - there was not much to see besides trees and grass. However, when we left the woods behind us, and we made our way through the city, I had something to look at. People were stopping to look at our convoy, intrigued by the sight of the big cars. None of them had any idea of who was in it probably. But that I was "of importance", that they knew – the security measures made that very clear.
Finally, we reached the gates of the White House, and the procession came to a halt. Like always, Barnes came out of the car first, helping me not make a fool of myself by tripping. Frightened, I didn't dare turn around and see the people look through the gates, so I just kept looking ahead. It was also quite difficult to not stare at this famous building. Had I been someone else, I had probably asked someone to take a picture of me.
'We are very honoured to have you hear, Princess.'
A regular looking woman in her mid-forties, with dyed, dark brown hair and a nice (though not incredibly intelligent looking) face was waiting for me on top of the steps leading to the house.
'It is my honour, Miss Johnson,' I replied smiling. 'I am very flattered to be invited to your home.'
'O, dear,' the woman – who was still, to me, a complete stranger – wrapped her arm around me like I was some child with a scraped knee, 'when I heard you were all alone in that palace, I knew I had to bring you here.'
Stunned. I was downright stunned. Did she not realise I was about to have theoretical absolute power – on paper only, of course. I would never claim to be an absolute monarch… the minister's council did most of the governing. Still, I had come here to earn the respect of the people, not to be belittled.
'Not alone, not quite,' I said, awkwardly. Quickly I glanced back at Barnes, who was walking behind me, and mouthed: "What the…?". 'There are actually quite a lot of people working in the palace at a daily basis. Janson… uhm, our' (should I say advisor? That was his official Marerran title… but I had a feeling they wouldn't understand his importance if I called him a mere advisor) 'prime-minister, he works in the palace. And let us not forget about all the guar-'
'That's not what I meant, sweetie. I meant people, real people.'
Now I was really wondering what these security guards of her were. Aliens? Or perhaps clones… that would explain their oddly similar looks.
'I, uhm, I… I love your home,' I stuttered, when she lead me into the main hall. It took a lot of effort not to add: it's very… white.
'Thank you. Well, for now I will lead you to your room, but tonight we will have dinner together. I thought it would be nice if it were a bit fancy, wouldn't it?'
Her face open, eyes wide, bright smile and bouncing slightly she looked at me.
'O, yes, fancy, I- that seems like… fun… Miss Johnson.'
'I thought so too. Come, come, just a couple more stairs. Look, here're your rooms. Your luggage will be brought up in a minute. Just relax, make yourself feel at home. And I just hope you will have a nice stay!' she smiled broadly, showing incredibly white teeth.
'I- thank you, Miss Johnson. Thank you.'
Couldn't she stop smiling? Didn't it hurt, such a bright smile? My face hurt. When she'd left, I quickly withdrew to the bedroom part of "my" rooms, and planted myself face-first into the pillows – which were, to be honest, actually really fluffy.
'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….' I groaned. 'I. Am. Going. To. Die.'
'You're not, highness. That's what I'm here for,' Barnes replied calmly. I heard him go around the room, probably checking for security breaches or whatever.
'Yes, I am! I don't know if you've noticed, but I am terrible with people. Especially when they try to be all motherly. I don't know her! How could she possibly think-'
A soft hand on my shoulder interrupted my rant.
'Highness, you are making this very hard on yourself.'
I rolled over, and sat up. My legs dangled over the edge of the bouncy bed.
'I know… it's just… they've taught me so much from the beginning. I had (and actually still have) the best teachers one could imagine… I can read ancient Greek and Latin, which are both dead languages. They taught me how the human mind an psychology work… Yet they didn't really teach me how to interact with humans. I have no clue how to converse with human beings!'
'You can converse with me, highness.'
'But I won't start a World War if I accidentally insult you!'
'Neither will you start a war here.' I rolled my eyes sceptically, but relaxed a bit. 'Though I do not doubt you could if you wanted to, highness.'
I grinned, and snickered. 'Thank you. I appreciate the faith.' I leaned forwards and freed myself from those tight shoes. 'But now,' I announced, 'I shall sleep!'
I basically threw myself down on the bed, not bothering with my hair or clothes. Tonight I would be wearing something else, I knew. All I cared about was sleeping.
Soft footsteps removed themselves from me. Without opening my eyes, I muttered: 'please wake me when I've got to change.'
'I will, highness.'
