Be My Princess

Francis first wondered if he was the only one to have noticed Angel's irises swiftly slide towards Kat's direction then back to his grandmother right before he uttered the title of his latest composition. But not sure whether he had truly seen what he thought he saw, he then doubted whether the event had actually occurred.

"Wow. The title sounds as deep as the composition itself." Charlotte commented. "You are very talented, Crown Prince."

"Wajikitanyi, Mrs Sama."

"How about we take a memorable picture of your visit to the palace?!" Isabella proposed as she pressed the button of the interphone placed on the side table and ordered for the royal photographer to be contacted.

"In that case, let's take the picture in the garden," Francis added. "I know it is Kat's favourite place in the entire estate."

Kat's lips lifted up in an awkward smile. Francis was serious in his statement, but his exclamation had caused all the Samas to look at her with implied teasing eyes.

"You're right, Francis." Isabella concurred. "Let's go find the best spot in the garden to take a picture."

At that, everyone proceeded to exit the open sitting room via the adjoining veranda and started to roam the vast garden in search of the perfect spot for the picture. The choice fell on an enchanting space centred with a beautifully built bower. The place was boarded by hedges of rose bushes that opened in arcades in the middle and were joined at their ends with topiaries shaped like lanterns.

The royal photographer, surprised to have been called for a photo-shoot without advance notice, rushed to the palace and arrived about 45 minutes after he had received the call. Kat was first surprised to see the photographer arrive with a full team and all his equipment just to take one picture, but she soon understood that Isabella did not plan on having just one picture taken.

For the group picture, the table in the bower was removed and the four chairs aligned for the four mothers to sit on while the youngsters stood behind them; Kat in-between Angel and Francis, Joseph and Rose next to Angel, and Michael next to Francis.

Kat was then asked to take a picture with each member of the royal family and her own family in the bower before everyone could have their own picture taken wherever they wanted.

"That's a lot of pictures," Kat commented after the photo-shoot session had ended.

"This is for memorabilia," Isabella explained before addressing the photographer. "Make sure to have all these pictures sent to the Sama family as well."

"Your family and you are wonderful people; and, if you ever choose to return to Likasi after these three months, I want at least to have these pictures in remembrance of your stay in our palace," Isabella added with endearment. "I can already tell you that the group photo will be hung on a wall in our private sitting room." She added. "And if the both of you fail to win her heart, that picture will hang as a constant reminder of what you made yourselves and your family miss out on." She concluded in a semi scolding tone at the address of her stunned grandsons.

Soon, the time had come for the Samas to depart, and Kat insisted on seeing them to the airport. More by formality than for security reasons, Angel commissioned Peter to accompany the maiden.

In the limousine driving them to Wenyi International Airport, the Samas kept making teasing comments on how much the queen mother and the queen seemed to have grown fond of Kat.

"I mean, we can all agree that she practically threatened the princes that she would make them regret it if they failed to win the heart of Kat," Michael commented.

A comment to which everyone else in the car agreed. But the more they kept joyfully commenting on the matter, the more Kat – though she kept smiling at the jokes – felt a growing uneasiness in her heart. It was more and more apparent to her as if a definite alliance had already formed between the royal family and hers.

Something somehow way stronger than the oath the late king had taken with her grandfather was coming to put real pressure on the decision she has already made to go back to Likasi at the end of Courtship Program. She could not help but think of how disappointed both the royal family and hers would be once they would come to the knowledge of that.

"Is something bothering you, Princess?"

Kat looked at her mother sitting right next to her. She really could not hide from her mother's inquisitive eyes.

Joseph, Rose and Michael had now moved to commenting on the beauty of the Royal Estate, so Charlotte was addressing her daughter in a confidential tone to avoid attracting their attention.

"I was just mulling over the fact that N'a Rwej and Mwad are definitely set on making me a member of the royal family. They also seemed to have loved you guys a lot…" Kat paused for a moment, trying to find her words. "What I mean to say is that I see how much they love us and how you too love them and I can't help but feel a bit pressured…"

Charlotte smiled in understanding. "Kat, I know that you really don't like to hurt or disappoint the people you hold dear in your heart. But the decision you have to take is directly linked to your future, and you cannot afford to base it on what you think will make others happy if it ends up making you unhappy.

I'm not saying that you should decide selfishly without a single care for other people's feelings, but you can't decide selflessly without a thought for your own feelings either. You need to make sure that your decision is in the best interest of both you and others. And if it hurts some at first, they'll eventually come to understand your heart, and move on."

Kat's expression lightened as she smiled. Talking to her mother was always a source of great help.

"Wajikitanyi, Maaku."

Back at the palace, Isabella was gladly exchanging with Sophie in the private sitting room. After the Samas had departed, Angel had immediately regained his study in the West Wing to go through some documents, and Josephine and Francis had wished to regain the East Wing as well; leaving the two women to return to the private sitting room alone for their usual afternoon tea time.

"After meeting with the maiden's family, I can now understand her bright personality." The queen said.

"Indeed. And I think that her personality has had an effect on the crown prince as well. I was told that he willingly spent last night in the South Wing." Isabella added.

"He did. To be honest, I think that we have all been affected by her presence at the palace. I myself feel relatively different since the day she took me on a fun day out."

"Speaking of which, the clear difference I saw in the expression on your face when the two of you got back that evening has led me to realise how much I've come to neglect you with the passing years… And, since that day, I have been meaning to ask you this question: Are you happy?"

Sophie's smile vanished as she seemed in difficulty to provide a direct answer to the queen mother's question.

"Sophie, to me you are a daughter. And I would really like for you to be comfortable enough with me so you can openly speak to me when something troubles you."

Sophie placed the teacup back on its saucer then rested her hands, one on the other, on her laps.

"If I can be honest with you, Maaku, I will say that I hardly remember the last time I have felt genuinely happy…" She started. "If I have to be honest with myself, I will say that my wedding day and the day I gave birth to Angel are the only times where I remember to have truly felt happy since I entered the palace…

As a queen, I have been taught that my duty is to support and take care of my king, to give him an heir, to wisely nurture the heir until I can give him away to his wife, to always honour and uphold the image of the royal family and the Throne… But how to act when you realise that your husband's heart is actually set on another woman, or when you learn that he has broken his vow to remain faithful to you… I was never taught that."

Isabella reached for Sophie's hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I could never imagine that those events from twenty years ago are still weighing on your heart even now." She said in an empathic tone.

"I was raised knowing that the man my parents would choose for me to marry would grow to love me just as I grow to love him. I grew to love my king very soon in our marriage, but I've never truly felt his love back. I know that he cares about me, and I know that he will never go to another woman ever again. But I still feel a sort of emptiness in my heart…"

Queen Sophie chuckled bitterly then shook her head.

"At some point, I thought that diligently fulfilling all my queenly duties might fill up that void; but at the end of the day, I still feel lonely."

"How can my son be so diligent at meeting the needs of his subjects when he fails to even identify his own wife's…?" Isabella let out a sigh. "But how can I blame him when even I, who spend almost every day with you, was unable to see your grief."

Sophie retrieved one of her hands and patted her mother-in-law's. "Don't blame yourself, Maaku. I've always done my best not to let anyone see this weak side of me."

The queen mother was feeling that she had let her daughter-in-law down by failing to see something that a guest was able to pick up on after living at the palace for only two months, and it was in an attempt to remedy to the situation that she had encouraged her to open up. But if Isabella was feeling happy that Sophie was confiding in her, she was at the same time disheartened to realise that, unbeknownst to her, that woman she was holding so dear in her heart was carrying such a heavy burden in her heart… and for so many years at that. Her heart going out to the queen, she resolved to confront her son on the matter.

Over an hour later, when the two women's conversation had long diverted to other subjects, Kat walked into the private sitting room. After sending off her family, she was feeling like spending the rest of the day in her room; but she wanted to inform the elders of her return before turning in.

"Kat! Come join us." Isabella said immediately.

Kat took a seat in the chair next to the sofa the women were sitting in.

"Have you sent your family off?" Sophie asked.

"Yes, Mwad. I stayed there until the jet took off." Kat answered with half a smile.

"It seems like it was hard for you to see them leave," Isabella remarked.

"It was. Having them here made me realise how much I miss them." Kat explained.

"But I hope you still enjoyed having them over for the weekend." The queen enquired.

"Oh yes; very much. This reminds me that I have yet to thank Prince Francis for that."

Isabella and Sophie first looked at each other then back at Kat in puzzlement.

"Thank Prince Francis for what?" Sophie asked.

"Getting my family to come here for my birthday."

"Did he tell you that he was the one who did that?" Isabella enquired.

"No. But since he is the one whom I told about my birthday, I assumed that…" Kat paused for a moment, at her turn puzzled by the two royal ladies' reactions. "It wasn't Prince Francis?"

"No. The request to bring your family here was made by my son." Sophie explained.

"Crown Prince Angel?" Kat let out in bafflement. "How did he know that it was my birthday?"

"That he could have easily found out; remember that royal investigators did a thorough background check on your family before we approached you," Sophie replied.

"True." Kat conceded. "But how could he have known that I wanted my family with me for my birthday? I only told Prince Francis about that."

To that question, however, the royal ladies did not have an answer.

"That, I think Angel is the only one able to explain," Isabella replied.

Kat rummaged through her brain in search of a plausible explanation, but could not find any. Truly, only Angel was in position to bring light to that mystery.

Kat stood up. "I will take my leave now."

"Alright, Kat. I believe Crown Prince Angel is in his study at the moment." Sophie replied.

Kat smiled. The two women had easily guessed that she was intending to go look for the crown prince. So, without protest, she curtseyed before leaving the room.

Sophie smiled with endearment. "The maiden doesn't seem to realise the impact she has on our crown prince."

"Indeed." Isabella concurred with a chuckle.

"Maaku, am I being selfish to wish that the maiden would choose none other than my son?"

Isabella looked at the queen with understanding eyes. "It's true that, as wise elders, we are required to keep an impartial stance in this whole matter. But it's totally normal for a mother to wish the best for her son. So I won't say that you are being selfish to think that way."

Kat reached the West Wing and was happily greeted by the maids who hadn't seen her since the morning of the day before.

She inquired about the crown prince and walked up to Angel's bedroom as soon as the maids confirmed that he was indeed there. At the door, she came to a halt and breathed in and out to gather some courage. She had resolved to avoid the crown prince but was still finding herself having to face him. But no matter how upset she could try to be about it, she knew deep down that she was actually happy to have a good excuse that allowed her to spend some time alone with him.

At the first knock, Kat heard an invitation to come in and opened the door. She scanned the room until she spotted the crown prince sitting behind his desk through the study's open door.

Angel lifted his eyes as soon as Kat entered the study. "Changadim Kat?" He let out in surprise as he quickly stood up. "Is there a problem?" He asked while he invited her to take a seat.

Kat examined the man standing before her. His usually well-groomed chin-long hair was a bit tousled but, somehow, still enhancing the manliness of his rectangular face. Suddenly, Kat felt that she needed to find a quick way to distract her mind before she gave in to the growing to urge to pass her fingers into his black wavy locks.

"Have you ever entertained a guest in your life?" Kat asked with a raised eyebrow while sitting down.

Angel sat back down. "I'm sorry?"

"Why do you always imply that there is a problem when someone comes to see you?"

Angel did not even try to hide his eagerness to go back to work. "Why are you here?"

"And there you go again! It's like you've never had people who come to you just for the sake of seeing you; so, you always lean on the side of problem when someone requests an audience with you. Are you sure that the Forest Palace is the only place where you don't entertain guests?"

Angel breathed out in exasperation and looked back at the papers on his desk. "In case you haven't noticed it, I'm rather busy at the moment."

"Whenever aren't you?" Kat let out, unrelenting. "I mean, do you even have a life aside from work? I'm starting to think that you were so upset to be set on dates with me because you would have preferred to have those days to work instead. Very soon, you'll be the one forced to take a rest when you collapse from overwork."

Angel looked back at the young woman with a stoic expression. "Did you come here to pick a fight with me?" He asked calmly.

"No. But it seems like the only way one can get to converse with you."

Angel was now losing his patience. "Changadim Kat…"

"Alright, alright…" Kat interrupted while raising her hands in a sign of capitulation. "I actually came here to thank you," She said on a more serious note. "Having my family with me for my birthday was my dearest wish… No other gift would have been able to compete with that."

And in an instant, Kat's expression of gratitude swept away Angel's irritation with the force of a wave sweeping litter off the shore. Losing all his feistiness, the crown prince suddenly found himself short of words.

"You're welcome…" He managed to reply after a few seconds.

"But how did you know that I wanted to have my family with me for my birthday? I only told Prince Francis about it."

Angel simply shrugged and looked back at his papers. "Happy accident…"

Kat slightly frowned. Angel was obviously trying to hide something behind his nonchalant attitude; hence, an idea that had seemed farfetched to her at first was now trailing its way back into her mind.

"Did you have someone follow Francis and me on our dates?"

Angel looked back up at her again with a surprised but at the same time amused expression. Normally, he should be offended by such an allegation; but, oddly, he was finding Kat's way of thinking rather entertaining.

"What exactly do you take me for?" He asked with a slight smile.

"Then why don't you want to tell me the truth?" Kat insisted.

But Angel only looked at her without answering.

"Why do I even bother to ask?" Kat said as if to herself as she stood up. "I'll leave you to your work."

Angel looked at the pouty young woman walking away with mirth floating in his eyes. The truth of the way he had come to find out what the maiden wanted for her birthday was something he preferred not tell her because it related to an event which he was certain she did not want to be reminded of.

Angel's thoughts travelled back to the moment he had imprisoned Kat in a tight grip while he was checking the WhatsApp message she had just received on her phone. His memory was still fresh of the last part of the chat that had appeared on the screen, following messages where Kat had described the different aspects of the celebration ball to her little brother.

[Michael - Wow. A birthday party at the palace seems amazing. Do you think they'll do the same for yours?]

[It's great indeed. But I'd still prefer to be with you guys instead.]

[Michael - Do you think they can allow you to come home for your birthday?]

[Not sure. With everything that has happened, reporters keep a constant eye on whatever relates to ours and the royal family. I don't want our fun family time to turn into a news exclusive.

I can't believe that I won't be able to celebrate my birthday with my family this year.]

[Michael - Yeah. It's really a shame that you will be the first one ever to miss a Sama Family Birthday Tradition because you're at the palace. I hope whatever they do for you there will be able to make up for it.]