My Royal Best Friend

Touring Solandia

Nathalia POV

I woke up early at six in the morning, but I still feel sleepy.

I will need a strong coffee today.

After getting a cold shower, to wake up my nerves, I chose to wear a sleeveless pink and blue checkered cotton dress to be covered with a plain gray cardigan, with matching blue pumps. It’s almost the start of summer, but the breeze is still a little bit cold. I will be introduced to a lot of people today, so I want to look nice. I wore my hair up in a messy bun and put on a little make-up.

Yesterday, when Mathilda toured me around the palace and introduced me to the staff, my feet got tired of all the walking. The palace is so huge. And to think that only two royals live here. The King and his grandson, the Prince.

There are only three floors, however the palace had incorporated high ceiling into the design. So, for a three-storey building, it looks tall. The first floor has the kitchen and the dining area, the offices and function rooms, a small museum and library, and the grand hall, where they celebrate their functions. My ‘clinic’ is also stationed at the first floor. It has three small beds and a table with computer. I was to check the items that I would need, so they could buy them. The second floor houses several bedrooms. The third floor houses the bedroom of the Royals. But only two are occupied at the moment. Mathilda had mentioned that before, the palace had so many Royals living in it. However, the present king only has one child and one grandchild.

“Good thing that the Prince stayed. It was a long time that it was only the King who lived here. It was so lonely.”

At the back of the palace stands three small buildings, which is the staff house, the garage, and the fitness center.

“The fitness center was built ten years ago before the Prince got here. He was said to be an athlete, so the King had this built for his precious grandson. A gym with an Olympic size swimming pool.”

There in the middle is the pool with bleachers on the side. I remember when I used to go to Jerry’s trainings and meets. The gym is located at a separate room, after the shower area.

I shook my head and had decided not to reminisce any longer. I went down to meet Mathilda and the other staff for breakfast. I had a great time getting to know them. They were a great bunch. All of them seems nice. A few were rowdy, but sweet. There were some who just nod and smile.

“Good morning! How’s your sleep, dear?” Mathilda is like the mother-figure of all. I figured out that she’s the head of the household staff. She manages the drivers, the gardeners and maintenance staff, kitchen and cleaning staff.

“Good morning, too! I will be needing a good cup of strong coffee, Mathilda. Will be right back.”

“And where are you going?”

“Uhm, kitchen? To make coffee?”

“You sit here. Someone will get it for you.”

“It’s okay. I live alone at home, so I’m used to getting and doing things on my own.”

“Hush, dear. Just sit down and relax. The food will come out any moment.”

One by one, the staff, including Lucas, came in to have breakfast. The kitchen staff had started to bring out the food, too. Bread and rolls with different kinds of jam, yoghurt, and a lot of fruit slices.

Wow! Too healthy for my taste! Don’t they eat bacon here? But the strawberry jam looks good.

I got my coffee after a few minutes and it tastes so heavenly for a sleep-deprived me. The tea Mathilda gave me last night did not actually helped at all, but I do not want to let her know.

“Are you good to go? Lucas is already getting the car for us.” Mathilda asked as gulped the last of my coffee.

“I’m ready when you are.” I already have my small shoulder bag with me. I popped two mints to take the taste and smell of coffee from my breath.

From the palace, we went first to the East Town. I was expecting a small provincial town, like the one in the movie ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and I was correct. But I think this town is more organized than the one seen in the movie. The roads are paved. Trees are still abundant everywhere. Mathilda said most of the meat products, chicken and pork, that are sold in the market are from here, while the fish and vegetables are from the West Town.

Lucas parked outside that looked like an elegant Town Hall. It is like a smaller version of the palace. When people saw us get out of the car, little kids had started to go around me.

“Wow! You look like a princess!”

“You’re so beautiful!”

“Are you a princess?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not a princess.” They are all cute, but they are too many.

I didn’t know what to do next, until Mathilda and Lucas saved me from the children. I didn’t get this much attention in my entire life. We went inside the building and then we were ushered to a sitting room. An elderly man came forward and greeted us. Mathilda bowed down and I copied her. She introduced him as the Duke of East Town.

“This is Nathalia, the palace nurse. She has arrived yesterday to serve the King and the Prince.”

“We look forward to be seeing you often, Nurse Nathalia. Please feel free to visit our town anytime.”

“Thank you, kind Sir.” They are all formal, so I just imitated them.

“Mathilda, I don’t know why I should be meeting royalties. I thought we will just go around from one place to another inside the car.”

“The country is just small, Nathalia. It will do you good to know the people around here and for them to get to know you. Who knows, today might be your lucky day to meet your future husband.” She did a little happy dance, to which Lucas and I laughed at.

“Come on, we should get going. Lucas, to West Town next.”

West Town is different in some ways. Of course, the big serene lake is to be seen there, with the mountains as the backdrop.

“I think I’m loving this place already. This view is like a scene out of a picture.” I said to Mathilda.

“I know you’d love it here. But you would even love this place more because of their famous hot chocolate.”

We got inside a quaint coffee shop. Lucas following behind us.

“I know you just got coffee, but you wouldn’t pass on tasting their hot chocolate here. It might be summer soon, but get it while the breeze is still cold.”

“Sure. I’ll have the hot chocolate.”

We all ordered hot chocolates, then chat a little bit. I’ve learned that Lucas is from the West Town and used to be a palace guard, until he was recruited to be a palace driver-s***h-bodyguard to any staff going out of the palace on official duty. He already has a girlfriend from the same town, too. His childhood sweetheart.

“Aaaww… That is so sweet, Lucas! Maybe later we can go and meet her.”

“There’s no need. She’s already here.” Lucas said blushing.

And right then and there, a woman came carrying our hot chocolates.

“Three hot chocolates! One for the motherly Mathilda, one for the stunning palace nurse, and another one for the hottest boyfriend in town.”

Oh! She’s the girlfriend! Lucky Lucas!

“Hi, I’m Betty. Thank you for visiting our little coffee shop.”

“Nice meeting you, Betty. I’m Nathalia. Why don’t you sit with us for a while? I’m sure you would want to have some time with Lucas.”

“Nah. I’m good. We’ll see each other tonight anyway. And I still have work. Enjoy your hot chocolates!” She waved at us and then leaned over the table to give Lucas a kiss on the lips.

No, they are not ashamed to display their affection to each other. And I am getting green with envy, hiding it behind the big mug of hot chocolate.

We went back to the car again after the coffee shop. Lucas just drove around, while Mathilda pointed to me the different landmarks at the town – the schools, the shoe repair shop, the seamstress, the tailor shop, and the best bakery in the country.

“We won’t be meeting the head of the town?” I asked Mathilda teasingly. To my surprised, she frowned.

“Nah. It’s nearly lunch time. We still have to go to the city.”

I shrugged my shoulders and just looked at the majestic view outside my window.

When we got to the city, we went to the plaza first to get our lunch. Mathilda said they serve food there and we could sample a little bit of everything.

Tents were set-up and table and chairs could be found near the center, where a small stage was formed.

I didn’t know what to get, so Mathilda decided and bought all our food and we carried them to one table. I sampled all of them and I love each food item. There’s a taste of Italy and Greece in their food.

“I think I need to exercise all that I ate from yesterday and today. I’m going to blow up.”

“We can look at the accessories on the other side.” Up we went. I browsed all the stalls, but nothing has caught my eye. Until I came to a halt to one selling books. I saw a book with a title ‘All About The Royal Kingdom of Solandia’.

Mathilda came up behind me and whispered, “ You can read about Solandia in the library.”

I nodded and we went around again. After a while, Mathilda stopped at a stall selling wine.

“If you want to get knocked up later, you may want to have some of this. We don’t have stock of this anymore back at the palace. I should remind the chef about it.”

I bought a bottle and after that we went back to the car. Mathilda just pointed to me the landmarks.

“You have lots of chance to visit them anyway.” She said.

We passed by the university and it is said to be one of the best in the world. According to Mathilda anyway. We also passed by the hospital. And then I thought that I should visit soon.

We almost returned to the palace, when Mathilda remembered that we should go to the small town or village where the family members of the staff live. We just drove past the place, as they only look like a big apartment complex. But small businesses have also sprouted in some areas.

Same as yesterday, when we got back to the palace, Lucas parked at the side entrance. Staff do not use the front door, unless to open it for visitors.

“You can rest and freshen up first before you meet Prince Jerald and King Jeremiah. Don’t worry, they are nice enough. But be very careful not to break any rules, as they are not that forgiving, especially the prince.”

“Rules?”

“The usual and all of them unwritten. For example, when you go out, you should let your superior know where you are going and what time you are expected to come back. That’s like your house rule, right? Do not speak when you are not spoken to. You are not allowed to question them. Things like that. Don’t worry yourself too much. They are just like any boss.”

We are currently in the kitchen. I got a glass, the cheap one anyway, to use for my wine later. Mathilda got hold of the bottle. She said she would accompany me to my room, while she tells me more about the prince and the king.

We were about to go up the stairs, when we heard loud footsteps coming from the front hall.

“Mathilda?”

“Prince Jerald! Come, quick!” We stationed ourselves at the bottom of the staircase. Mathilda bowed her head low, so I copied her.

“Oh, there you are, Mathilda. Can someone bring me some snacks in my office please?” Mathilda curtsied, so I did, too.

His voice. It may be long ago…

“Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness.”

“Oh, we have a new staff?”

It can’t be.

“She’s the palace nurse, Prince Jerald.”

“Right. I forgot about that. You mentioned that to me yesterday.”

I cannot be wrong.

“Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness.” I curtsied again and then raised my head to look at him.

The next sounds heard are my gasp and the breaking of glass.