I was dozing off during breakfast and my Mom seemed to notice. "Ruthy, dear? Are you alright?" She asked. Everyone then stopped eating and looked at me. I stopped halfway from swallowing when their eyes were on me. "I'm fine, Mom. I just didn't get a good sleep last night." I notice Thomas grin who was now in front of me by the table. I rolled my eyes at him. "Is your wound still bothering you?" Dad asked with concern in his voice. I hate it when I stress my Father out. I don't want to be a nuisance to him especially when he's handling so many things right now. I held my chest softly. "Not really. I think the stitches just tighten from time to time. It means it’s healing right?" Dad exhaled and smiled at me. "Yes dear. I'm glad to hear you're healing. So don't go around being energetic and all for a while, alright?" I nodded then peeked at Thomas who's grin now disappeared. All through-out breakfast, he was quiet. The Wilh

"In two days time, we can visit the new bakery you built for Noah, dear," Dad said as he placed the books back on the shelves. We just finished our afternoon lessons. This time, it was about the people's characteristics. He taught me how to communicate with the people and how to earn their trust. He said that what matters most to the people is our relationship with them and how we see them as humans. I gathered the papers on my table then handed it to him. "That's nice. I can't believe it's already done." "You said you didn't want it to be too grand or too simple, so the engineers really did their best this time." Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "King Andriego?" We turned and saw Queen Josephine by the door. I stood and curtsied. "Yes, Queen Josephine?" Dad answered as he straightened his coat. "If I may so, I would like to request for something," She started. "Of course. What is it?" She took a deep br

When we reached the gate, Angelo and Saint were wearing their black suits. My eyes sparkled at Angelo. I guess my love for him won't easily fade even when he's ignoring me. I gave them a two-finger salute. "Ruthy!" Althea called as she waves her fan. She was wearing a yellow high-waist dress with a white scarf on her neck. Simple and colorful outfits really suit her despite her age- not that I'm saying she's old or anything. "We will be taking the train today since the bakery is located near your Uncle's house in the South-East, right?" Dad told Noah. "Yes, Your Majesty," Noah answered as we sat in the carriage with Angelo and Saint outside odn their horses.  The train station wasn't far from our palace. We had our own train that we can take anytime of the day. I sat at the window side of the train and Althea was beside me. "Is the bakery filled yet?" Althea asked. I giggled. "Maybe. Don't tell me you're going to take some food?"

I’ve always felt that I was being held in a cage, like I was being controlled. I thought that being a princess means being forced to make decisions I didn’t want. I was wrong. I was completely free. I was powerful, I was strong, I was royal. Right now, I have to make the right decision, the best decision. Mom stood carefully by the door, hugging herself. I sharply inhaled, afraid of what she’s going to say next. I kept fidgeting my fingers behind me, thinking of what I should say in a nickle of time. Am I going to be banished? Am I going to be exiled? “Ruthy, are you okay?” Mom quietly asked. I looked up. I gasped and ran to her. I embraced my Mother tightly and buried my face on her shoulder. Suddenly, I feel relaxed. The moment my Mother asked me how I felt, everything that was pulling me down disappeared. I was a fool. This is my Mother- my Mother who loves me with all her soul, my Mother who would do everything for me, the Queen who would save her princes

Lunch came by like a race circuit. Dad was going on with the possible wedding that they think will be happening and King Ricardo even sided with him. Mom and Queen Josephine were just supporting them and agreeing with the plausible statements they say. At the table, Thomas and I only exchanged looks while Althea kept teasing and asking me questions if it was really happening soon. I honestly couldn’t answer any of them. I didn’t want to pretend and deny it to myself anymore, but it was a matter of love or duty that I will be choosing. If I choose to fight for the love I want, I might have to sacrifice my duty for it. To fight for my selfish decision will cost me all the things I already had. If I choose my duty, then it will be a selfless act, but not the love that I wanted. Harsh, isn’t it? To be in this kind of society and world, sacrifices should be made and feelings should be set aside. The country matters more than your own accords. Lately, there really is nothing else to celeb