CHAPTER FOUR

THE NEXT DAY

Anastasia stood in front of the Princess's room, arms akimbo as the guards denied her a entrance. She told them that she was the new vocal coach but all they did was to laugh at her. She's been there for about ten minutes and it's pissing her off.

"You have to let me in. I have an appointment. I'm not lying."

"That's exactly what a lier would say. I don't know about you but we were given an order from the princess to let no one come into her room."

Anna groaned and turned away from the two guards. Is the princess not aware of this? Prince Kai would have told her right? Anastasia looked down to her new dress and she smiled. A parcel was delivered to her this early morning and it contained a new dress, a pair of slippers and a pair of shoes. She knew behind doubt that it was from Prince Kai. The dress fitted her perfectly and the shoes were her size. How did he know? Kai just keeps impressing Anna.

Anna turned back to the guards and clasped her hands together, "She's in right? Just tell her that her music teacher is here and...

"What is going on here?"

Anastasia turned her head to the direction of the voice and she gasped when she saw Princess Courtney with Prince Kai. She bowed immediately and greeted them. Courtney was confused of what was happening. Who is this girl? Why is she in front of my room?

"What's happening? Who is she?" Courtney demanded. Prince Kai stepped in and said,

"I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you. Remember the time I told you I'd get a vocal coach? Here she is."

"Her? But...I think I've seen her before. Oh! I remember, the maid cleaning the halls that day. How is she a vocal coach?" Courtney asked with raised brow.

"She's good at singing and that's all that matters."

"But...

"Shhh, enough talking now, Courtney. The both of you should go to the music room and begin your lesson."

Anna widened her eyes at Kai and he smiled,

"Go on."

"I'm sorry if I was a little bit rude to you. I was just surprised you were the one." Princess Courtney said as soon as they got into the massive music room.

"It's okay, your highness. Who am I to get angry?"

Anastasia took a good look round where she was and she was mesmerized. The room was so beautiful. A big shelf circled the room and it was stacked with various books. Music instruments arranged at different places. The place reminded her of her mother.

"So...shall we start?"

Courtney sat and tapped beside her, signaling Anna to come sit beside her. Anna gave a small bow and sat beside her.

"So where exactly is your weakness?" Anna asked and Courtney hummed thoughtfully.

"Everywhere, I guess. I can't hit a high note and my breath control is so bad. Oh! And I cannot play any single instrument. The only one I can try playing is the piano and I'm not very good at it. What about you? Do you know how to play any instrument?"

"Well...

Anna looked around and found a guant harp on a stool. She stood up and went to where it was,

"I can play the harp."

"Really? Play something for me, please."

Anna smiled and placed her hand on the strings of the harp. She played some notes and Courtney was getting impressed already. Anna began to play the song her mother used to play for her when she was a baby to put her to sleep. The song was "Nightingale"

As she played the song on the harp, she sang along with it. Courtney's mouth hanged open in the air as Anna sang on. She sounded so angelic. Courtney has never heard anyone sing so beautifully.

It was at this time that Prince Kai was passing by. He heard the beautiful tune from the music room so he stayed to listen to it. "Anastasia." He muttered as he listened on. It was so soothing and lovely.

"Wow! That was amazing!" He heard Courtney scream from inside. She even managed to impress Courtney.

"Sing another one! Sing another!" Courtney squealed and Kai chuckled. Looks like his sister just got a new favourite person. Kai was about to step into the music room when a guard called his attention.

"Sire, you're needed at the council."

"I'll be there."

He'll see her later. Right now, duty calls.

"You are so good, Anna. Where did you learn how to sing like that?"

"Well," Anna went back to sit. "My mother was the head choir at our community church. She also taught music whenever children came to her for music lessons. My voice was not bad on its own but my mother helped me improve. She also taught me how to play the harp and piano."

"Wow. She sounds so cool. I'd like to meet her one day. Where is she?"

Anastasia's face fell and Courtney gasped, "Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to...

"No, it's fine."

"How did it happen? Can I ask? Or am I being too nosy?"

"You're not, your highness. My mother and father were on thier way back from a long trip and a storm met them on the way. Their boat capsized and they both died."

"That's so sad. It just be really hard, huh?"

"It is but I'm managing. Gosh! I'm here to teach you music and I'm boring you with my sad story."

"No no. You're not. Actually, you're the most fun music teacher I've ever had. Others were really boring and too old."

"Don't let them hear that."

"What can they do to me? I'm the Princess of this kingdom for God's sake."

Anna laughed at Courtney's cuteness. She didn't expect her to be this fun.

============

"So... you're coming tomorrow too, right?" Courtney asked as they both exited the room.

"Yes, of course."

Anna was about to go back to her duties when Courtney stopped her, "You've not eaten, right?"

"Um..no, your highness, but I'll...

"Then come with me!"

Without warning, she pulled Anna along with her to who knows where. They kept turning and turning until they reached thier destination.

"Wait...oh my! You know I can't be here." Anna yelled I'm a whisper as she looked around where they were. They were in the Prince's private garden. Why would Courtney bring her here exactly?

"You worry too much. Just come."

Anna got pulled by Courtney again and they walked a few distances forward.

"Hey, bro!" Courtney called Kai, who was sitting on a swinging bench, completely immersed in the book in his hands. Kai raised up his head and he furrowed his brows when he saw Anna behind Courtney.

"What are you doing here?" Kai asked.

"What do you mean? I come here everytime."

Anna clasped her hands together uneasily. She knew her presence was uncomfortable for Prince Kai. This is his private garden for Christ's sake! She shouldn't be here.

"Princess Courtney, I'll be on my way now...

"Stop! You can't just leave. Kai, is her presence irritating you?"

Kai smiled and shook his head. "Not really."

"Then it's settled. We're here to eat. Do you have any snacks?"

"Some maids brought a picnic basket just now. You might find something there."

Courtney nodded and took Anna's hand again. They got to where the basket was and they sat on the wide laid down blanket. Courtney opened the basket and squealed at the sight of snacks and foods arranged in the basket. Anna helped to arrange the plates on the blanket and stretched a spoon to Courtney.

"Here."

Courtney collected the spoon and pushed a plate of cookies to Anna. "You have to eat too."

Anna bowed in appreciation and took a bite out of one of the cookies. The crunch, the sweet taste of the chocolate and the fantastic aroma of the cookie blew Anna's mind. She couldn't control her emotions so she squealed out loud in excitement.

"Oh my ghaaaad!!!"

Anna dipped another cookie in her mouth, then another, then another. She ate them with her eyes rolled to the back in enjoyment and her eyes closed. She has completely forgotten that she was in the presence of Courtney. She opened her eyes and made to take another one when she saw Prince Kai staring at her in amusement. Her eyes went to Courtney and she felt embarrassed when she saw that Courtney was trying hard not to laugh. Anna swallowed the chewed cookie in her mouth and wiped her mouth with the back of her palm.

"I'm sorry for my animalistic behavior."

"Animalistic? That's exactly how I eat. I'm.just trying to behave myself because I'm with you." Courtney said and Anna smiled.

"It's true. She's worse than this. She eats like a pig that has been starved for over a year."

"That's not true! I'm not really like that, Anna, don't believe him."

"I'm telling the truth though."

"Cut it out, Kai."

Anna couldn't help her smile as she watched the royal siblings bicker. They might be royalty but they're like any other siblings out there.

The three of them had a nice time having lunch together. Courtney made Anna promise to spend more time with her tomorrow because she doesn't want her to leave. Anna was her only friend.

"Every detail of it! Now!" Ivory screamed as Anna walked into the bedroom. Ivory and gossip are like sisters.

"No welcome, no 'What do you wanna eat, Anna?' The first thing you ask me is gist?"

"Welcome, what do you wanna eat? Now tell me how it went!"

Anna balanced well on her bed and began her story, "It was the best teaching experience. Princess Courtney is such a wonderful student and...

"Blah blah blah! What about the prince?"

"Ivory, I went there to tutor Princess Courtney, not Prince Kai."

"But still! They are both living at the Royal grounds."

"But different apartment. Ivory, when will your obsession with the prince go away?"

"Whatever. Just tell me, did you see him? Or better still, meet him?"

Anna paused for a while and grinned. "Yes."

"Arrrghhh!!"

"Aish! Keep it down the both of you. What the heck? Not everyone is idle and useless like you guys so keep it down!"

Anna rolled her eyes and sighed. She she goes again. That was Prudent. The girl that finds every opportunity to get on Anna's nerves. Anna doesn't know why but Prudent has always hated her since she became a maid at the palace. Anna doesn't pay attention to her but Ivory gets really mad when Prudent tries to get on Anna's nerves.

"Hey! You should be the one to mind your own business. Your name wasn't mentioned here and last time I checked, the others in this room aren't complaining. Even if you wanna complain, don't scream at us like a stray dog. Apply some sense into it!"

"Ivory, just ignore her."

Anna tried calm her friend down. Prudent eyed the both of them and stumped out of the room. Ivory groaned in anger as she boxed the air.

"You don't have to get so angry, Ivory."

"And you don't have to be calm all the time. Gosh! I feel like punching that girl in the face but I won't let her ruin my mood. So, where were we before that pest interrupted?"

Anna chuckled and shook her head. Ivory, always a drama queen.