Forgotten

-Chapter 9-

I awoke me that morning by Ina shaking me violently. I groggily opened my tired eyes and swatted her away. She huffed impatiently, blowing a strand of plum hair obstructing the view of her teal orbs. Her perfect heart shaped lips that were always tinted a rose pink pursed in concentration as she grabbed a piece of my frizzy morning hair and inspected it in silence. She just huffed before stepping back and staring at me. I just stared back, not caring that half my face was smooshed into the pillow and a trail of drool was dried where my mouth had rested.

"Tragic." She muttered, almost so silent I couldn't hear. "As a help-droid, my number one priority is to help humans. Especially my human friends." Ina paused for a moment to reprocess what she just said. "Friend." She corrected. If her entire brain wasn't made up of control panels and wiring I would've thought she was disappointed. I rolled my eyes, "You're lucky to have me."

She only beamed a perfect smile in response. "Yes I am! You are currently my favorite person. But James Holland is a close second." She pointed out and I just rolled my eyes again, this time with a smile on my face. Ina's eyes soon focused on the beautiful dress hanging on my closet door. It must've taken her central processor a minute to compute because she just stood there a moment, her mouth ajar. "Wow. I've never seen something so beautiful in my entire life. I wish I was a princess." She exclaimed as she grabbed the soft fabric and bunched it up in her slender fingers.

I finally sat up and got out of bed. My whole body ached from the stress of the past couple days and I stretched my arms out wide. My neck popped as I craned it back and forth before the cracking of all ten knuckles sent a subtle relief through my sore body. I walked over to Ina and reached out to touch the dress myself. "I still need to thank Sofia. It's a truly beautiful gift..." I murmured. Ina gave me a strange look, "Sofia? Like the guard lady?"

I nodded, still entranced by the gown. "Isn't she like super gorgeous. I bet Leo already got his hands on her," Ina's nose scrunched in disgust at his name, "as in the Leo who's so very mean." I held back a laugh. Ina's childlike innocence made me enjoy her presence that much more. Considering that childlike innocence was nothing I ever experienced. I remembered the little servant girl. She didn't get that luxury either. I was going to kill Leo, and take over as Queen of both kingdoms, finally creating peace between both monarchies.

It could be like when my grandparents were ruling. Boats used to pass between each kingdom. Trade was very common and Gaidens and Facians would mix and mingle with no problems. But ever since Marco and my father came into power, havoc has broken loose. There were fights, murders, kidnapping, massacres of Gaiden-Facian children. All the while, I was only a little girl. Watching my kingdom fall apart and my parents doing nothing about it.

I hadn't realized how long I was zoned out for until Ina snapped her fingers in front of my face. "I'm sorry I just... want to save my people. They need me." I glanced up at Ina, my eyes full of desperation. "And if that means I have to kill Leo, so be it."

A couple hours had passed and Ina was doing the finishing touches on my dramatic updo. "What even is this dinner anyway?" I asked, not knowing if Ina knew the answer. She took a moment to search her software before answering, "It appears to be a dinner with the neighboring Kingdoms Pergan and Wux. The dress is formal and some agreements and transactions are to be made between Kingdoms." Her automated answer made me shiver. I hated when she went all robot. "I heard of those kingdoms vaguely but my parents were never ones to make allies."

"Your parents sound awful." Ina inquired as she jammed a Bobby pin into my hair, stabbing my scalp. I jolted. "I'm sorry your highness. I'm just so excited for you. You look beautiful." I glanced in the mirror in front of me and saw the familiar green eyes and dirty blonde hair. Ina's comforting voice warmed my heart and for once in my life, I did feel beautiful.

"Ina, how many times do I have to tell you, call me Athena." Ina palmed her forehead and made a noise that I think was a sigh. "I'm sorry. It's protocol." She shrugged and for a moment I could hear the hum of technology working inside her perfectly sculpted body. I just laughed when I heard a knock on the door.

It's been a hot second since I've seen Leo and I shuddered at seeing him again. But I wouldn't let him see that he intimidated me. I walked over to the doors, the dress swishing around my legs. I opened the door, cautiously. There he was.

Of course he looked perfect. Like a God sculpted out of pure perfection. The silk white button up he had on hugged his body perfectly and a sash of Gaiden colors draped across his left shoulder and across his muscular chest. His usually unruly dark hair was gelled back completely, his face freshly shaved.

"You clean up well, princess." He said, a flirtatious tone to his deep voice. My chest heaved with nerves but I hid it well. "I hardly even recognize you without your... wolf-like manner." I said smugly. He rolled his eyes and glanced over my shoulder, his eyes landing on a trembling Ina. She bowed timidly. "Your majesty." She said slowly and carefully.

Leo gave me a weary look. "Why is there a help-droid in your room. Wearing your clothes." His eyebrow quirked up and amongst the rush to get ready for the dinner I forgot Ina had tried on one of my new gowns the palace's seamstress had made since my arrival. "We are the same size and I need that dress tailored and since I'll be away, I thought it best if she wore it while it gets tailored." Leo's suspicion only seemed to be growing.

"Why don't you just get it tailored tomorrow?" He asked, a playful smile spreading across his face. He almost looked... cute. "I want to wear it tomorrow." I said very sternly. He just chuckled, "Mhm. Now shoulders straight and keep the stubbornness at bay, trouble. We've got some kings and queens to impress."

-AUTHORS NOTE-
-thanks for reading!!!
-sooo I know we are moving slowly but there's always the calm before the storm
-see ya soon ;)