< One Year Later >
Rowena once thought that her life at that lonely and dark tower was so small and restrictive. She didn't know that being part of the castle and performing the duties of a princess was so suffocating.
Sometimes… she actually missed her old life. However, when that happened, she would scold herself for not being grateful and dismissed the thought.
Leia and Emma taught her better.
Now, Rowena was already taught how to look beautiful, stand in a proper posture, and dine like she was always eating with the king. It was because her father, King Draco, was very busy and only took her to functions and events.
The worst thing of them all was her nannies did not allow her to eat sweets.
"You will get fat and that will be horrific." Lady Elizabeth sternly said. "You are already chubby and you need to learn how to diet and maintain a proper figure once you are older."
"There is no greater opportunity than to begin now."
Rowena hated it so much. It was the first time that Rowena was able to eat delicious food, but now they were forbidding her to do it? These nannies were not her father! She could do what she liked and wanted.
If there was anything that she actually wanted to be, she wanted to be like her father. When Rowena was allowed to watch her father participate in tournaments, jousts, fencing, and other competitions, King Draco excelled.
Her father was magnificent and she really wished she could do those things too.
For now, though, Rowena really wanted to eat something like cupcakes, cakes, or delicious pies. Nobody could stop her at this point.
"Leia!" Rowena beamed happily when she saw the older woman working in the kitchen.
"Your Highness!" Leia's eyes widened when she saw how her old ward had grown up.
She missed her severely. After being sent back to her village, Leia stayed there for several months and tried to do farm jobs. However, the long drought made the farmers in her village lose their crops and she was forced to look for a new job.
When an opportunity arose for her to get a new job in the royal kitchen, she took it in a heartbeat, hoping that she could see the little princess again. And today, her wish came true when Rowena sneaked into the kitchen to get some cakes.
"What are you doing here, Your Highness? Did you sneak out from your instructors?" Leia's eyes glanced at the door worriedly.
"I am allowed to go wherever I want now, Leia." Rowena pouted.
"…I am not sure if I can believe it, Your Highness," Leia said. She knew that the young girl was being handled by strict ladies. So it meant that Rowena had escaped one way or another.
Unfortunately, the young child didn't seem all that worried. Rowena pointed at the beautiful stack of cupcakes. "I want some of those please."
"Your Highness…"
"Just one please?" Rowena begged. "I won't eat much and I will go run around so I will not be fat."
Leia didn't have the heart to say no to her beloved ward and finally gave Rowena a cupcake.
How could these people not want to make the child be happy? Just once wouldn't hurt, she thought to herself.
"Please make sure to wipe your mouth and wash your hands properly, Your Highness," Leia said with a smile.
"I know, Leia." Rowena smiled before she scarfed down her cupcake. "You taught me that."
The older woman's expression softened. "Yes, I did."
"Can you please see me again, Leia?" Rowena begged her after she finished eating her cupcake. "I miss you so much and want to talk with you again."
"I do not know, Your Highness." Leia uneasily said. She missed her so much, but she was happy if she could watch Rowena from afar and know the little girl was doing fine.
Rowena pouted and started leaving. "Let us meet in my old room, Leia! I will sneak out to see you."
Leia bit her lip. She really wanted to say yes, but she didn't want to make promises that she couldn't keep.
"I…" she swallowed. "I will do my best, Your Highness."
Rowena gave Leia a tight hug and wiped the tears from her own eyes. "Thank you. Bye for now, Leia."
She knew that Lady Elizabeth and Lady Mary were going to return soon, so she quickly left.
Neither the child nor the former nanny had noticed the small smear of frosting on her dress.
***
When Rowena returned to her new room, she quickly found Lady Elizabeth and Lady Mary waiting for her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to remember all of the books she had read.
"Where did you go, Your Highness?" Lady Mary asked.
"When a princess enters the room, is it not standard for ladies to greet Her Highness?" Rowena said. "I remember that from our lessons on Courtly Manners."
"What?!" Lady Mary's expression shifted to anger. Meanwhile, Lady Elizabeth's brows only furrowed at the young girl's act. It was clear what was happening right now, the princess was now fighting back.
Rowena faked a smile. "Lady Mary Rochester and Lady Elizabeth Marsh have taught me well on everything that needs to be learned by a proper lady. I simply wish to put your teachings into practice and act appropriately now like a true princess."
"Even so, do you think this is how a young girl should treat her elders?" Lady Mary narrowed her eyes on her. "Princess or not, you should still learn how to respect your elders and especially your teachers."
"Respect will be given to those who have earned it," Rowena said. "I remember Lady Elizabeth saying that, Lady Mary. Are you telling me that what she said is wrong and you're contradicting her words?"
Mary and Elizabeth exchanged glances. They didn't expect this eight-year-old princess could talk back to them like this.
Rowena stared at them and crossed her arms on her chest.
