Page 23 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Dad pretends like everything is as usual. “Princess Azadeh.” He shows her a dazzling smile that looks more creepy than anything else, and approaches the princess. Man, I almost feel bad for him, for his inability to look good while smiling.
The princess is covered by a huge blanket or cape that hides her away from our eyes. I can only see her face. If she is scared, she doesn’t let it show. She gets up politely to greet him. Her posture is regal and strong, but also on guard. “King Gillean.” She lowers her head.
Dad accidentally steps on her ridiculously huge cape. When the princess moves slightly the cape gets stuck beneath his feet. “Oh,” she exclaims, as the cape is landing on the ground.
“I apologize!” Dad blurts out, overdramatically so.
I can’t believe it, Caelan grumbles.And I’m the one who made a horrible first impression?
The sly old man, I realize. Princess Azadeh is of mesmerizing beauty. She is tall with caramel skin and long, dark-brown hair that cascades down her back in waves.He is definitely hoping for one of us to be starry-eyed. When I look at Endellion, I realize one of us really is.
The sly old man did well, it seems.
“Please, I apologize, Princess,” Dad picks her cape up and hands it to her.
“It’s alright.” Azadeh smiles nervously. “I’ve warmed up enough.”
Dad smiles at her, and this time I can see the genuineness in his eyes. “Welcome to the Kingdom of Eternal Ice, Princess. We are all honored to have you here.”
For a moment, relief flashes in her eyes, but her regal and stoic expression is back soon, and she nods solemnly. “It’s an honor to be here, King Gillean,” she says.
“You don’t need to be so formal,” Dad says casually. “I hope we will become friends. I want you to feel at home here. So, whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask for it. I will make sure my sons and daughters show you around as much as you want. And Gamma Royan will make sure to protect you.” He pauses. “General Shayan, of course, and your friend here – Simin, was it?”
The young girl at Princess Azadeh’s side nods shyly.
“They are welcome to stay.”
The princess looks surprised, and for a moment, the hint of a smile curls her lips. “Thank you.”
Endellion seems to wake up from his trance as he approaches the princess. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Endellion,” he says. “These two men are my brothers, Caelan and Flinn.” He smiles. “We are triplets.”
“Really?” The princess blinks and I can see some honest curiosity in her eyes.
“Triplets are rare,” Dad says proudly.
“Or rather weird,” I add with a grin.
“Creepy,” Caelan adds.
“Unnatural,” Endellion laments.
“At least, that’s what they used to say in school,” I say. “Until one of us would beat them up.”
“Don’t listen to these dumb people,” Dad grumbles. “I stick with what I say: It’s a miracle.”
“I agree,” Azadeh says, to my surprise. “Three healthy babies born to one mother at the same time, it is a beautiful miracle.”
“Do you have siblings, Princess?” I ask as we all sit down around the table.
“Yes,” she says. “A whole bunch of them.”
“Then it must be lively in the palace,” I say.
Something sad flashes in her eyes, but it’s soon replaced by her regal expression. “I’m very close to my older brother,” she explains. “But I don’t know all of my siblings, to be honest.”
Part of me is amazed by the strength and control she displays. She is a true royal by the way she carries herself, but at the same time I can’t shake off that lingering sadness I get from her. Dad was right, she is going to be tough to crack. Maybe I can take her out once, with Alana. A night of celebration and party is probably something she hasn’t encountered yet.
“Ah, Quinn,” Dad raises his head when his beta comes in, followed by Gamma Ita and the general who was at Azadeh’s side. “The fact that you are here means that we are soon getting served something to eat.”
