Rowena quickly rushed back to Leia and took something from the nanny. She proudly presented to her father a small artwork painting that she did for him in a rush. Both Leia and Emma, her nannies, saved enough money to afford her some art materials.
It was a scribble of King Draco with his sword, fighting a dragon.
"Oh, how cute," Lord Bolton said with a chuckle as he eyed the rather simple painting. He eyed the young girl with interest and mused aloud. "It is not possible to have everything, but at least your child is indeed quite beautiful."
King Draco found the man's words as an offensive thing. He stared at the artwork in his daughter's hands and slowly accepted it with a fake smile. "My child has only been dabbling with painting, but worry not, she will be remarkable."
Rowena looked up at her father and her long eyelashes fluttered adorably when she heard the compliment from the man she had been longing for her whole life. All the efforts she made to make this simple painting were worth it.
"Thank you, Rowena," King Draco nodded. He gave the painting to his butler to keep. "It is a nice gift."
Leia who stood beside the princess felt strange that the king complimented his daughter's gift but his smile didn't reach his eyes. However, she didn't show her feelings on her face. She thought maybe the king just needed more time to warm up to Rowena.
As she expected the guests and the king himself were impressed by the little girl's beauty. Leia hoped this would be the start of a good life for the poor princess.
However, Leia was wrong.
After the celebration and party, King Draco dismissed Rowena's current nannies and replaced them with proper women who could teach the little princess properly. Leia only had one day to pack and she and Emma were immediately sent back to their village, never to see Rowena again.
***
After the party, King Draco started taking things into his own hands. He realized it was not too late for Rowena to live up to her full potential. Therefore, she needed to be raised and educated by smart women, not poor nannies from the village.
This child was not going to disappoint him. The king immediately hired teachers and experts to turn his daughter into what he deemed to be a perfect princess that could win the hearts of gods and men alike.
"Lord Bolton was mistaken when he said that it is not possible to have everything." King Draco remarked to himself when he came to meet with his daughter. His little Rowena was going to be more than just a beautiful face.
King Draco knew that simply having a beautiful face was not enough. Even if his daughter had the most beautiful face in all realms, including Cretea, she shouldn't be stupid or unable to hold a proper conversation.
"Father, Father!" Rowena's eyes were red as she ran up to him.
King Draco looked down at the sobbing girl and frowned. "What are you crying for, Rowena?"
"Why isn't Leia and Emma coming back here?" Rowena wept. "Who are these two new people who claim to be my nannies? I don't want them, Father. Please bring my old nannies back."
King Draco's gaze narrowed. "Wipe your tears and do not snivel like a dog, Rowena."
Rowena suddenly froze at her father's harsh tone. It was unlike his demeanor during the party and she was unused to it. However, the young girl slowly wiped her tears and tried not to cry.
She didn't want to upset him.
"Lady Elizabeth and Lady Mary will be your new nannies and they will be here to teach you on how to be a proper princess," King Draco said. "Your old nannies are now working for the castle in other responsibilities where they belong."
"Can I see them again, Father?"
"No." King Draco said flatly. "You must learn how not to depend on anyone else, Rowena. You should not be looking for those people, do you understand? I hope that you do not disappoint me."
Rowena hesitated but slowly nodded. "I won't."
"Good," King Draco said. "I will be moving you out of this tower and will be giving you your new quarters in the East Wing of the castle. Listen to your nannies and teachers. I will come to see you at another time."
Rowena's eyes widened. "You will be leaving already, Father?"
She felt her heart was filled with sadness and couldn't help but show it on her face. However, Draco didn't seem to notice it.
"I will be checking regularly to see how your studies are, Rowena." King Draco informed his daughter. "I am expecting excellent results. Understood?"
Leia and Emma told her to be a good girl and listen to her father. She could do that and make her father proud and happy.
Rowena could only nod. "Yes, father."
"Good." King Draco looked at Rowena intently and was happy to see she was obedient. "For now, I will leave you to be with your nannies. Goodbye."
Rowena watched her father leave even though it hadn't even been ten minutes of being with each other. However, compared to not seeing him for seven years, those ten minutes were precious to her.
She stood motionless in her place until her father's back view disappeared from sight.
Her two new nannies walked toward her. They were Lady Elizabeth Marsh and Lady Mary Rochester. Both came from such good families and were two of the most educated women in the capital.
"We will not be presenting your schedule, Your Highness," Lady Elizabeth sharply said. She looked at Rowena up and down and couldn't help but feel intimidated by such a beautiful-looking child.
It made her feel old and she didn't like that. However, if there was a chance for them to get closer to the King, it was something that would be an achievement for her. Lady Mary looked at her with a discriminating look.
Once they were done with Rowena, this rough diamond was going to sparkle whether she liked it or not.
