PALACE GROUNDS

Robert was sure he had heard from the royal maidservants that Gabriella had not been seen around the palace grounds for at least four hours after sunrise when he went to search for her in one of the concert halls erected within the expansive palace courtyard to deliver an urgent message from the serene highness that required her presence. Robert was certain that he only learned of her return to the palace when he was told of her arrival in the sweltering afternoon. However, he didn't have the ideal opportunity to see her chamber, which was situated in the east wing of the palace building, until he had to wait until he had resolved all issues with the palace press director. Robert eventually found himself walking through the east wing's hallways, which led to the heiress's rooms, after a protracted trek to the eastern portion of the expansive palace. Even though it was a little awkward to have to go through the same corridor again in one day, he didn't mind because this area of the palace was typically blissfully silent and continued toward the heiress's chamber.

He knocked three times on the door of the heiress's chamber as soon as he arrived, just as he had done several hours earlier, to make sure the royal maid's report that she was in her private quarters was genuine.

"Come inside now." Gabriella heard the knock on the door and answered immediately from within. Unsure if he was invading, Robert entered Gabriella's room and saw her nearly dressed in one of her sophisticated red suits and pants. He discovered her seated in a corner of the bed, trying to put on one of her golden earrings, which she was having trouble doing.

“Am I interrupting?” Robert asked easing his posture as he stood aloof behind her.

“Not at all.” Gabriella replied still battling to fix the earrings while looking away from the face of the intruder who was quite transfixed and perplexed as to why she was struggling to fix a single earring but he knew what he came for and wasn’t going to distract himself with unnecessary chatter although at first, he had to make sure he knows what Gabriella was up to all dressed up elegantly in an obvious apparel that she was heading out.

Are you headed somewhere?” Robert asked curiously despite knowing the obvious.

“Obviously, I am.” She replied faintly, trying to hide her irritation.

“I see.” He replied, thinking on how to begin with interrogating about her whereabouts.

“I figured you have something to say to me, isn’t that right, Robert?” she asked unexpectedly which caught Robert slightly off guard.

“To be sincere, your grace, I do have a word to speak to you about.” He said not minding the fact that he was facing her back.”

“Go ahead and speak but please try not too formal when speaking.” She said after perceiving Robert’s formality in his statement. She had always disliked the formal, nominal manners of behavior expected of her in the palace grounds, especially those related to being a royal princess, which she had to put up with in order to carry out many of her ceremonial duties alongside her father. She also had to put up with the manners expected of the maidservants, guards, and her father's personal secretary when they addressed them on matters of great importance that resolved around the manner in which things were being operated in the prince's palace. Although she had never been a fan of the intense formality of the court within the sovereign house and wished her father had approved a less formal approach, she was aware that the royal family was routinely treated with the highest formal respect and that all officers, especially her father's personal secretary, were trained to follow the palace's protocol. When Robert or the maidservants needed to speak with her, it was one thing she had to put up with. Even she had to get used to the formal, sporadic meetings of the royal guards, whose language was never casual when she encountered them at official court functions.

"I appreciate your patience with my manners and I will make sure to be less formal in explaining my intentions." Robert said further unwilling to concede to the princess's request.

"Just go ahead and say it." Gabriella said with utter frustration. As a result, the earrings she had been trying to fix on her ears, fell from her hand and she let out a deep groan. Robert was taken aback by this and watched her bend down to pick up the earring before she sat back on the bed.

"Pardon me for the delay, your grace. I'll try to be brief."

"Yes, please." She replied returning back to sit down on the bed after finding the missing earring.

"I've noticed that you were absent from the palace the entire morning…."

"And?" she asked, knowing what Robert actually had in mind to say.

"And it has come to my discovery that you snuck out to fulfill one of your greatest wild adventures." He explained further. At once, Gabriella stopped what she was doing and turned to face Robert.

"By wild adventures, you mean…?" Gabriella asked pretending not to know what Robert actually meant.

"Princess, you know exactly what I mean." He replied and stopped talking despite perceiving that Gabriella was slightly infuriated by his statement.

"Are you referring to my own free time in partaking in a music concert a wild adventure or is there a misconception here?" She desperately inquired.

"Trust me, I mean no harm by stating my honest opinion about your recent disappearances which has gotten frequent."

"But yet unnoticed." She rejoined.

"Until now", Robert retorted, "I'm sure you are aware that your father would be furious if he finds out about this charade."

"Robert, you can't be serious. My music career has never been a topic to talk about."

"Oh, yes, it hasn't but what happened today rightly questions how you set your priorities." Robert replied, unfazed by Gabriella's stare which quickly transformed to that of curiosity rather than a face of contempt.

"Tell me, did I miss something?" she inquired, suspecting Robert knew more than his unusual reproaches.

"Of course, your grace, a brief press conference was held in the palace ground this morning and your father wanted you to be part of that conference but you were unavailable." Robert explained and Gabriella returned his stare with a guilty look. "His serene highness had to invite the Chief of Staff to speak in your stead."

He explained further and Gabriella was speechless.

"I hope he wasn't mad that I wasn't present when he needed me although it was the first time."

"I'm not sure but your father was greatly annoyed of your disappearance."

"Of course, he must be infuriated right now, anything else?"

"He also requested an audience with you as soon as he returns back."

"As expected of him." She whispered to herself. "I'll make sure I go see him when he comes back."

"Then I'll be on my way. If you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving your room now."

Robert said politely and left Gabriella wondering on what to do without saying another word.