The Shadow Princes Chapter Three

Chapter Three:

I squinted as the scorching heat stroke my eyes. Someone opened my curtains already.

“Good morning, princesa.” said a beautiful voice.

Ugh. I was hoping last night was only a dream, a nightmare.

“Erm…Yeah. Good morning. You slept here? ”

“No, my shift is only from 6:30 am ‘till 9:00 pm. Reinforcements come to take over.”

“Oh.”

“It’s a Saturday. Do you want to stay in or go outdoors?”

“Yes, I’m staying in. I have to study. Do you know where my father is? ”

“Yes, he left for a meeting with the other leaders. He left a message for you, though.”

“What’s that?”

“He said that he is to see you later at the party at proper formal attire.”

“Party? There’s a party? Where? ”

“In the castle. Today the twins’ birthday, remember? ”

Uh-oh. Ramon and Caesar’s birthday. “Oh, I forgot about that!”

I thought for a moment. It was exactly 8:00 now. I’d take a bath and dress up for thirty minutes, then I’d go out to buy the bats I‘ve been planning to buy for them. After that, I would study for the check-up test for Healing that I’d have before school starts. I needed to practice every day to pass that wretched test, but really… No need to panic.

Tyler just stood there as he watched me thinking of today’s plans. I figured that it would be impolite to snob him. I wasn’t exactly used to someone letting me know that they were watching me though not minding that I was seeing them watching me. “How about you? How would you study if you always keep looking out for me this coming school year?”

“I’d have to work with your schedule. When you study, I’ll study with you. ”

“What happens after my freshman year? You’ll be my guard? ”

“I’m not sure. My instructions were only for this year, none yet for the next.”

“I see.”

A knock came from the door and two maids came in. After acknowledging me, they went and fixed my bed as I went to my wardrobe, deciding what to wear for the party and for earlier today. I chose to wear my white skinny jeans and an elastic blue metallic shirt with a shiny silver necktie. That was Alessandra’s birthday gift for me when I was four, also one of my favorite shirts. It was elastic so as I grew, it still fit me because of some enchantment.

Then, when I was in near the bathroom door, I turned to face Tyler. He was still rooted on the same spot---at the foot of my bed.

“I’m going to take a bath. You go keep yourself busy so you won’t get bored just standing there. ”

He chuckled. “You’re too polite after last night. You don’t need to bother yourself with me. ”

Dazzled by his breath-taking grin and his harmonious chuckle, I said distractedly, “Um, yeah. Whatever. I’m gonna take a bath now. ”, and headed for the bathroom.

The doorknob in the door of the bathroom was gold. Real, wholesome, gold. So was the one on my bedroom’s door. The highlights of the mirror were also gold, so were the rest of the furniture. I had to admit that it was beautiful. My room was beautiful. The castle was beautiful. Fine, they were beautiful. But I was very willing to trade every piece of beautiful gold I had to just be a normal girl, who didn’t have to have the pressure to prove herself to anyone.

After my swift bath, shorter than predicted, (It only took me 15 minutes) I dressed up and realized that someone was talking outside of the bathroom, inside my room.

I recognized at once that extremely familiar voice. It was the voice that I grew up with. Razzi.

“I knew that those were the words that would affect her the most. Those were below the belt. But she’s under my care and I want to protect her. I need her to follow the orders and lessen her being too damn stubborn. I love her, you know? As if she was my own child. I know I’m not supposed to get attached to my employer, but I saw her grow up, and to not love her and to not have pity for her is just hard. I needed her to follow willingly and swiftly, no more fuss. It’s for her own good. ”

“Pity?”

He sighed. His words were now more hushed. “I have told you before, haven’t I? She is bothered when others see her as talent less. I don’t want her to doubt on herself. Others aren’t judging her fairly. She doesn’t know that I understand her. She has to continue believing that she has talent. It’s what would save her. She has to have confidence and faith. ”

Tyler chuckled again. “Well, she is beautiful. Maybe that would boost her confidence? She’s the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever laid on! How come you didn’t mention that my employer would look like that? ” I smiled, pushing my ears closer to the door. My heart started dancing energetically.

“Yes,” Razzi agreed. “Debatably the most beautiful among the Shadows. I’m not familiar about the other People, so I can’t say. ”

“Yes. I agree.”

“You know, I know that you’d find it really hard at first. She could be a pain sometimes. She could get really snobbish and impolite, but she’s so much more inside. She herself doesn’t know that, I guess. You just have to understand her when she acts … differently. After all, she is different, especially for the standards of a royalty. ”

“Okay, but something really intrigues me. Do you really think that her whole inheritance of the Ability is the Warrior Ability? ” Oh, so there were more people who knew than I expected.

“Yes, that seems to be the most possible theory. I’m a little scared, if you ask me. ”

“Scared? If she’s capable with Warrior Skills, then there are more chances of her protecting herself. ”

“She’s stubborn. She’d not only want to protect herself. She’d want to help. You know…before, when she went to the lake when she was just a young toddler, I was able to speak with a Mind Ability Person. He said that Ariana thinks she only wants to fight because she has to prove herself. It’s probably because she has never proved herself. But deep inside, her heart wants to fight because she wants to have some value and contribution for her people. She doesn’t realize that. ”

I was getting pale. So many news and shocking revelations. I never expected Razzi know this much. I couldn’t take this anymore. Too shocking. I barged into my room, trying and succeeding in pretending I didn’t hear them.

“Oh, hello, Razzi. Didn’t know you were here. ” I said cheerfully.

“Good morning, Princesa.” he said formally, exceptionally different from the hushed voice he used in order to speak with his nephew.

“Princesa Alessandra and the young masters are eating. Are you to join them? ”

I bit my lip. I wanted to chat with my siblings, but I needed a gift for them.

As if reading my mind, Tyler said, “You know, you could just give the gift later during the party that would also be appropriate.”

“Yeah, that fits.”

“I’ll be with you two shortly. Tyler, you are to have breakfast with them.”

“What?!” he asked, aghast. A trace of pink was forming on his cheeks. Intimidated with dining with the royal family, no doubt.

“You should start practicing being her friend. Remember? ”

“Yes, but---” He was protesting. Ha-ha. That would be so useless with Razzi. I knew that by heart. And I was right, because Razzi simply went out of the room and headed to the unknown.

“Oh, come on!” I said, tugging on his shoulder. “I won’t bite you! I’d prefer the taste of the bacon, thanks for the offer, though. And the twins and Alessandra would also prefer the bacon. I couldn’t blame them. ”

He chuckled. “Your derision is charismatic, Princess.”

“It’s Ariana.”

“Sure, sure.”

“And really…we won’t make dining with the royal family hard for you.”

He smiled. “Well, thank you, then, if that’s the case.”

“I’m hungry. Let’s go! ” I said, grabbing him by the collar and running downstairs, past the paintings and the vast windows, towards the vast, spiral staircase, and into the kitchen. I could hear him laughing behind me.

“Oh, hello, Ariana.” said Alessandra, already filling her plate with bacon and eggs. The sunlight went through the window; striking her face and making her look as if she were shimmering.

She looked like my mother---wavy, black hair, tiny, curvy, lips, and a very tall and thin frame. Her skin had a lighter touch than mine, and was also very clear. Her eyes were light brown, matching her only slightly tanned complexion.

You could never tell that she was my sister, because even physically, we looked different. I had straight ebony-black hair, dark brown eyes, sun-kissed skin (even though I didn’t go to people-inhabited beaches) and, my shoulders were broad.

The window gave a view of the garden and the roses. They caught my eye and I was astounded by their beauty. I liked roses.

“Morning, Alessandra. Where are the birthday celebrants?” I asked, turning away from the window.

She rolled her eyes. “You know they always LOVE to sleep in.” Then, she turned to Tyler. "Good morning, Tyler. How are you doing? "

"I'm fine, thank you, Princess."

"Alessandra, please, Tyler.”

"Alright then, Alessandra.”

"Have a seat. The bacon's great. "

Tyler and I looked at each other and smiled.

"Did I say something?” Alessandra wanted to know.

I shook my head. “No, no. Come on, Tyler. I’m starving. ”

The bacon, as I expected, was great. I was enjoying my meal perfectly when Tyler suddenly asked Alessandra, “How about you? Where are your guards? ”

Alessandra, being the most matured one, simply smiled. “That’s another story.”

“Another story?” I asked, taken aback.

“Yes. See, Ariana, you’re the only one with a guard such as Tyler. ”

She paused to let the message sink in, watching me guardedly as I gaped back at her in shock.

“Why?!” I managed to mouth, shaking, furious. I was the one who hated being too conspicuous the most!

“Well…for some reason, your need for a guard is the most amongst all of us. Don’t ask why.”

“Why?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know I’m not going to answer that.”

“Fine, then…who said that I’m more likely to get caught?”

She hesitated and then looked away from me.

“Oh, come on, Alessandra!”

“Fine! The royal advisers and the Council voted! ”

I gawked. “Of course! They thought I was more likely to get caught because I didn’t have Abilities. ”

“Nope. That’s not it. That’s only part of the reason.”

I racked my head for answers. “Oh, yea, because I’m the black sheep, so I’m more likely going to mess stuff up and damage the results of the war.”

“I’m neither clarifying that, nor denying it.” It seemed to me that she was still hiding something, but that didn’t matter for now.

“Argh. You don’t have to. ”

“Don’t be so glum, chum. It’s the twins’ birthday.”

“Fine.”

“Plus…” she started in an almost inaudible whisper.

“What?” I snapped.

“I have guards, too. Only they are…invisible”, she said, resigned.

Alessandra and the others had a propensity to tell me the truth because they knew me. Whenever I was intrigued or curious, I kind of…searched for answers and then created mayhem.

“Explain.”

She made a face and rolled the emerald on her ring. The moment her finger touched the stone, 4 men surrounded her, all smiling at me as I watched with fury and envy.

“So you don’t get tailed around …and I do?!”

She shrugged. “They’re very talented transporters, and they are unique. However, at times, it is better to always have someone along, because there are dangers that happen so fast, even before you could touch a ring or whatever. There are certain senses that we do not have those guards were trained to have. It is always better to have one by your side. But enough of these talks. Who is your date? ”

I was supposed to argue about me being tailed, but her last sentence shut me up, like she was planning it to.

“Date? We have to have one?! ”

“Don’t you even read the schedules and themes for parties?”

“No, perceptibly.”

“Well, for this party you need one.”

“Great. Perfect. ”

“Who are you taking?”

She smiled surreptitiously. “Philip Brooks.”

“The son of the business tycoon?!”

“Yes.”

“Oh, great. More reasons for the people to criticize me. The talent less one can’t even find her a date, and look at her sister! ”, I said mockingly in a high-pitched voice.

“You’re the princess. You could find a date in no time. .. And speaking of time, I have to go…Bye, Ariana. Behave yourself. ”

“I always do.”

Then, she left the kitchen, carrying her sports bag.

I turned to Tyler. He smiled once again. “I have a favor to ask of you, if I’m not asking for too much.”

“Yes, what’s that?”

He smiled once more. “There is a party later, for your brothers. I was hoping to take you as my date. ”

It took me a second to process that, and when I finally did, I said, “Oh. Alright, then. Problem solved. ” I was trying to keep myself from smiling.

He bowed. “Thank you, Ariana.”

I laughed, finishing my breakfast.

After breakfast, I prepared the gift.

After preparing the gift, I dashed towards my father’s study where I was told to meet him and the Philosopher. I knew that asking for Philosophers to check what someone’s Ability was uncommon. Usually, your Abilities were obvious.

I sat on one of the chairs while Tyler stood by the door, still looking at me. It made me uncomfortable.

I stood up from the chair and started pacing around in the room.

I didn’t see my father. Instead, an old man entered, followed by another old man who looked strangely and freakily just like Einstein.

He was part of the Council.

“I am Ettar, one of the Council members. This is the Philosopher, Mr. Fargon.”

I shook both of their hands and nodded.

Ettar bowed and said as headed for the door, “I shall leave now. Servants are outside if you need anything. Good day, Mr. Fargon. Good day, Princess.”

Ettar shut the door hurriedly and left me alone with Tyler and Mr. Fargon.

“Let’s get started, shall we, Princess?”

I nodded.

“Okay, give me your right arm.”

I held it out and he examined my arms with his shaking fingers. Tyler paced around the room silently. I noticed that he also had one of those ear thingies. Oh, yeah. Earpiece.

Mr. Fargon was muttering to himself. “Odd…oh, this is new…oh…how odd….”

He stopped examining me and turned to Tyler. “Call the King. Tell him it’s urgent.”

I froze. If someone demanded the King’s presence, it really meant that it was urgent. Why? Was it because I inherited the Warrior Abilities full? Was that the urgent news?

Tyler nodded and spoke into the earpiece.

Before I could even become more worried, my father appeared out of thin air. Transporting was dangerous and did bad things to the Transporter’s health. This sense of urgency worried me even more.

“Yes, Mr. Fargon?”

“You said that this girl inherited the WA full?”

“Yes, I just wanted to clarify.”

“Well, you’re wrong.”

I gasped. There go my dreams. “Impossible!” I hissed.

Everyone turned to stare at me. “That’s impossible. I am a Warrior. Full.” I said forcefully.

Mr. Fargon bowed sympathetically. “I checked. I can’t be sure of what your other Abilities are, but I am certain that you did not inherit WA full. Only half.”

“Couldn’t you find out?” father asked.

Mr. Fargon shook his head. My Potential is not 100 %. I have limitations. A lot of us have. I could only tell how dominant your Abilities are, but I can’t tell what your Abilities are. And don’t bother trying to find someone else to do that. I’m not trying to brag, but as a Philosopher, my Potential is one of the highest. I doubt it that you would find someone better than me at this area. I’m sorry. You did not inherit the WA full. Good day to all of you.”

He bowed and headed for the door.

“Thank you for your services, Mr. Fargon.”, father called.

I was still too shocked to be courteous.

“Well,” father said as I continued to just stare at the door. “Deal’s a deal. Sorry, honey. You’re not staying and you’re going to put more effort in Healing.”

I sighed heavily, or more like moaned hysterically. “Yes, father.”

He beamed. “That’s good. You’d find your other Ability someday. Don’t pressure yourself, honey. Good bye now.”