Nadine

45. Money

The next morning...

"Oh it was so nice to sleep in a bed again Mary. No one should ride that long in a carriage."

"I remember the 4 hour trips I joined you for. Those were torture. I could not imagine 50 hours."

"It was not fun."

"How was it with Dipak and Tre together for that long?"

"There really is nothing between me and either of them now. They are the advisors and I am the princess."

Mary smirks as she gets off my stool and starts messing with the water. "What kind of dress do you want today or what are you doing today?"

"I don't know. My dad is putting a training schedule together. I don't know what that will be like. I would like to go back to work but not today... Let's go to the market later. We can shop a bit. I'll take one of the nurse dresses. I need money though. I need to go see daddy."

"So... Princess dress for now. Switch to medical later? Sound good little miss?"

"Yes, perfect thank you."

Mary starts getting me all fancy. "I have missed this."

"Really Mary?"

"Yes miss. I love all of our talks through the years. I get to do your hair and watch you grow up, right in front of me. All the beautiful gowns I've gotten to see you in. I especially like the talks though. I really did miss you."

"I really did miss you too." I give her a hug. "It's been so long since I've had one of these on. I almost forgot how uncomfortable and heavy they are."

We both start laughing.

"I'll put some breakfast for you in the dining room, little miss."

"I'll be right down."

I sit down at my table after she leaves. My bowl. The jewelry I've collected over the years. Some shells. The necklace and bracelet with green stones. I reach out and touch them. That was so long ago. We were so close then. Now we are strangers.

"How are you this morning?"

"Hi momma. I didn't hear you come in." I stop touching my stuff. "I was headed down to breakfast."

"I'll join you." She takes my arm.

"I'm sorry I ran like that momma. I had to go."

"I know my baby. I'm just glad you found your way back."

I give her a hug. "And I found that new style of dress too. That made it all worth it."

She laughs. "Yes those are nice."

After breakfast I go up to daddy's office.

"Princess Nadine for the King sir." A guard yells beside daddy's door.

"Enter."

Daddy, Frode, and Dipak are around his desk. "Hello daddy, advisors."

"Hi my princess." Daddy smiles at me. I can't help but smile back. He is so happy I'm here again.

"Princess." Frode attempts to stand up but just throws papers everywhere instead.

I signal for them all to stay seated.

Dipak sits back. "What can we do for you princess?"

"I" I stare at the floor for a bit. "Well" I look at the desk. "And" I look at Dipak and he raises his eyebrows. "I" I look at Frode. He's not paying any attention to me. Back to Dipak. "I don't have any money advisor."

Daddy starts laughing. "Why would you need money my princess?"

I stare at the floor. "I want to go to the market for a bit. I liked shopping while I was out."

"You can take advisor Dipak. He's not doing anything but holding down that chair anyways. He will..."

"Sir." Dipak interrupts him and stares at him.

"Oh fine fine. As long as you stay in our village. At least the guards are there. How much do you want?" He opens a drawer on his desk.

He pulls some out. I hold my hands out and he puts some money in them. I keep my hands out and he keeps putting a little more in every few seconds. I'm watching my hands fill up.

My trance is broke by Frode. "What in the world would you need that much money for at the market princess?"

I pull my hands back. "Thank you daddy advisors bye." I say it fast and go for the door very quickly.

"Guards bring her back." Awww.

I come back with the money still in my hands. "Yes sirs?"

I stare at them and they stare at me for a minute.

Dipak finally finds some words. "Princess, do you know how to use money?"

I glance at the money in my hands. I shrug my shoulders and try to think of my next words. They all keep staring at me. "I buy stuff with it Advisor Dipak."

He smiles at me.

Frode lowers his eyebrows. "Give me 6 lots princess."

I stare at the money for a second. Then I sit it down on the desk and give him 6 pieces of money.

He looks at my dad and then back to the money in his hand. "Miculai... We seemed to have forgotten something."

"I see that."

"Well sir I wasn't doing anything other than holding down this chair anyway. Come to the conference table, princess. I will teach you."