2 The Heirloom

Harrah's eyes glued into that jewelry box lying on the floor.

"Princess?" Ms. Cathy's voice made her senses back in the present.

"Just put it back in the dresser," she commanded.

Her maid picks up the jewelry box and places carefully on top of the dresser.

Harrah walks outside to her veranda and seated in one of the chairs and begin eating her meals. It was now noon but the sun kissing softly into her skin. The weather is great, she can't complain today.

"Where's mom and dad?" she asked.

"I heard, the Grand Duke and the Grand Princess requesting for a lunch sent to their bedroom," Ms. Cathy answered.

"I see, hmm..." Harrah smiled. Her parents deserve some slack time.

The sky is clear and so blue, the cool air touching her cheeks, tickles a little. She's thinking what to do today. Everyone still exhausted, she knew that, and so she is considerate to let them take a break.

"After I finish eating, let's go to the pavilion and read some books," she said.

Her maids' gasps and looking at each other, they can't stop to giggle in excitement. 

Ms. Cathy glance at them, they stop squealing, then Ms. Cathy wink. They cover their mouth and tittering in silent.

Their princess allows them to read a book along with her in the pavilion. They brought snacks of sweets, teas and lots of books.

Harrahina Windsor-Landenberg is a crowned princess of the British Monarchy as she was the first child of the 5th Heir to the British Throne of the Royal Family. Her parents wearing the title of a Grand Duke and Grand Princess of Zurich as her father is from the Swiss Noble.

The maids place the teacups and pastries on the roundtable, their princess lying comfortably in that round sofa in the middle of the pavilion. 

Her chambermaids including Ms. Cathy seated on the floor where pillows scattered around, and read silently.

The trees sway gracefully from the rhythm of the wind. The birds singing along and the sweet smell of the roses lingering under their nostril.

After three hours of reading, Harrah fell asleep and when she wakes up, she already lying on her own bed.

"Princess, are you alright?" asked Ms. Cathy who seated in a chair close to her bed. "Do you need something?"

Harrah sits up and replied, "Yes please, kindly get me a glass of water."

Her dama gets her a glass of water and gives it to her.

"How long I've been sleeping?" she asked.

"You've been sleeping for five hours, Princess Harrah," Ms. Cathy replied. "Do you want me to bring your supper? Or I'll order to prepare them--"

Ms. Cathy did not finish her words when the bedroom door opens and Albert entered the room in a rush.

"Princess! I heard something happens to you this afternoon?" Albert Spencer, an Ambassador as representative of the Swiss government to the United Nations. He rushed to join her on her bed.

"Hey, I thought you already flew back in New York with Catriona?" Harrah asks with a teasing tone.

Albert smiled. "There is something I need to takes care first before am going back in the US."

"I see. Ah, Ms. Cathy please prepare a dinner for us in the dining hall."

Her dama bows then leave.

"So, what really happens today?" Albert asks her once again.

"It's nothing, probably I am just tired," she replied lazily. "Nothing to worry."

"Okay, I just wanna make sure before am going back to the UN Headquarter," Albert stares at her intently.

"What's the matter? Is something wrong in my face Ambassador Albert Spencer?" she asked teasingly.

Albert shakes his head and laugh, "Nothing, I'm just worried for real."

She stares at him for a moment, it's true and it only makes her wonders what Albert knows that she doesn't? Her family seems to hide a lot of things. 

Is something happens while am sleeping? She thought.

After having dinner, she and Albert drinking tea in the library. They talk for an hour before they both decided to go to their bedroom. Albert has his own bedroom since he often visiting the family when he was a teenager.

Harrah went to her wardrobe and change her clothes into pajamas. She sits in front of the dresser and combs her hair. 

She then remembered about the jewelry box her dad made for her 15th birthday but it will just open when she turns 18. She doesn't understand.

She picks up the box to check what's inside... It is truly open now she's 18, she's been trying to open it these passing years but she fails.

Nervously, Harrah opens the box, she takes out what contain inside. It was a twin dragon sword necklace. There's more inside, a red birthday card. She takes the card and read what's written inside. She runs outside rushing to her father's secret room after reading it.

*****

Happy Birthday, Princess! 

Upon reading this, only means your 18th birthday finally has arrived.

I am writing this full of anticipation. I am not certain of this day, if I was still with you, with your mom and with your two little brothers.

I am frightened I no longer exist in your world.

Take this Twin Dragon Sword necklace and show it to Bart or Oliver, whoever has a duty today, they will let you pass. 

Did you remember the riddles I used to play with you?

Yes, the answer along with your birthday... that's the password in my secret room. 

Go and open the room. All your silent questions, it is about time to answer them, not only that, there's more...

When you entered the secret room, you will find a book. You can read it, but the contents of that book will reveal itself inside you. Also, you will find something on the last page.

Take the Dragon Sword pendant.

And oh, before I forgot... this twin dragon sword necklace is given to me by my grandmother who passes to her from our ancestors for 3000 years.

You will know more soon.

Love,

Dad

***

Harrah breathed heavily, she's sweating from running the stairs, her dad's secret room was on top of this castle.

"Princess Harrah, it is almost midnight," Oliver stopped her, "Do you need something? I will call the butler--"

"No. I am here for this," She shows the necklace to the two guards.

Oliver and Klaus glance at each other, then they step aside in the middle of the hallway and bows at her. 

Harrah's heart beating so fast. Her steps are shaking towards the secret room. Yes, she's shaking in excitément with fear.

She is now in front of the door... she types the password and the room opens.

She steps inside and what she saw shocks her a lot.

The room filled with paintings hanging all over the walls and every corner.

But the paintings, it has drawn the places she never been before or seen anything like from this world... nor the faces of the people in the paintings.

Harrah just then remembered about her dreams passing year, especially the one from this morning. They are exactly what she dreamed.