2. Daniel’s Coronation Ceremony
THE day of Prince Daniel’s coronation ceremony soon arrived.
I stared at the gloomy-faced girl in the mirror, sighing deeply. I’d been sighing all day.
“Princess Annabel, don’t you like it?” Ellie was gazing at me in concern. She’d been helping me get dressed.
“It’s not that. It’s really nice. Thank you, Ellie. I just feel a bit tired from being in a strange place.”
I quickly composed myself and gave Ellie a smile.
In truth, Ellie had dressed me perfectly.
She’d chosen a lavender-purple chiffon dress with many layers and intricate lacework on the bodice. It was colorful and cute. The perfect dress for a princess.
The top half of my hair was pinned up and the bottom half had been curled. On the right side of my head, I had a hairpin with lavender-purple stones.
“It was a very long trip, wasn’t it? Prince Charles should be here to pick you up soon. Should I tell him you aren’t feeling well?”
“No, it’s okay. Sorry I worried you.”
I waved dismissively and turned my back to Ellie. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn’t feeling unwell that had me so despondent. I just didn’t want to participate in the dinner party that was about to be held.
We’d arrived in the Sunruta Kingdom two days ago as guests for Prince Daniel’s official Princely Coronation Ceremony. Since then, we’d been staying in guest quarters in the Sunruta Royal Palace. I’d been doing my best not to go out, so I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Daniel or Karina yet. But I couldn’t get out of attending this banquet.
It’s all right. This world and my old world are not the same.
Or so I kept telling myself as I clenched my shaking hands into fists. I reached up and rolled my Magic Stone between my fingers. It made me feel more relaxed, somehow. Gazing out the window, I could see the orange-colored sunset sky.
Is Ed gazing up at the sky right now too, thinking of me?
My nerves made me wish I could be with him more than ever, but a great physical distance separated us. Ed could use transportation magic, but no one could travel such great, international distances without using a really huge Magic Sigil.
All of a sudden, a loud knock on the door seemed to make the entire room shake.
“It must be your brother.”
I checked the clock and nodded at Ellie before calling out “Come in!” toward the closed door. It opened with a rasping sound.
As the door opened, I watched in the mirror. But someone unexpected entered, and my eyes widened in shock.
He stood behind me, nut-brown hair neatly tied back, eyes as blue as a frozen winter sky. He had a regal-looking nose and thin lips with tidy eyebrows. I could never have forgotten that face. It was…
“…Prince Daniel.”
“You know who I am! That pleases me very much.” Daniel smiled at me and started walking closer. I was still too frozen with shock to move. “Welcome to the Sunruta Kingdom, Princess Annabel. I am this country’s heir apparent, Daniel Burleque. What a pleasure it is to make your acquaintance.”
Daniel took my hand as I stood there paralyzed. He pressed a kiss to the back of it.
“Wh-Why…?”
Why was Daniel here? What was he doing?
Daniel chuckled, smiling at me as I continued to stand there, wide-eyed.
“I received permission from Prince Charles to escort you in his stead. He has gone to pick up Princess Karina instead.”
“…Oh…”
I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
I wish Charles would have told me about this arrangement beforehand.
Daniel watched me shrewdly, taking in my evasive expression. Finally, he spoke.
“Are you ready to go?”
“…Yes.”
Daniel suddenly tugged me by the hand he was still holding. I stumbled against him.
“Hello, Princess Annabel.”
As Daniel brought his face close to mine, I realized that I hadn’t even introduced myself yet. I was being very rude to the prince of our host kingdom.
And why was he holding me so close?
We’re not engaged. Back off!
In a panic, I reared backward, managing to create some distance.
“Hello, Prince Daniel! I am Annabel Nalia Gottenheim, princess of the kingdom of Najir. I apologize for my rudeness. I’m afraid that in all the excitement, I’ve seemingly lost my tongue.”
I lowered my head, grasping the folds of my dress in a curtsy.
“No worries,” he said from above me. “I heard from Prince Charles that this is your first time traveling outside your country. You must be very tired. I hope your quarters are comfortable?”
“Very comfortable, thank you.”
“That’s good. If you need anything, tell our royal maids immediately. I do hope that you will enjoy the banquet this evening.”
Daniel narrowed his ice-blue eyes. Then he held his hand out to me. I placed mine in his and he began escorting me out of the room.
“Oh! Dahlias…”
As we walked down the corridor, I couldn’t help noticing the vases of beautiful dahlias. My little gasp seemed to reach Daniel’s ears, and he too looked over at the pretty flowers with their big, round heads.
“You like these flowers, don’t you? I had them put up all over for the duration of your stay, hoping to make you feel at ease.”