Royals in Toledo

Chapter 13

We didn't talk while we were on our way to the carnival. Maya said that the venue was just a twenty-minute drive from our apartment. Aside from the background music, the three people at the back are busy with their phones.

I also want to use my phone, but I feel shy about it in front of Aaron. He is the one driving, and he's not allowed to use the phone while driving. I should have sat at the back and ignored him when he called me earlier. Maya ended up taking my spot.

Finally, we arrived at the carnival. Aaron parked the car under the shade of a tree. We all went out, and I saw a lot of people. There was someone at the gate selling tickets. The surroundings were colorful and there were many different rides. I heard people were also cheering when they won at the games.

"What do you want to do? Play games or ride the attractions?" Aaron asked me.

"Have you been here before?" I asked him.

"Once or twice."

I didn't notice that Maya had already gone with Carlos. I'm always left with Aaron. I don't know if they are plotting against me or if it's just a coincidence.

"I think I'll just walk around for now and observe."

"Guys! Hurry up!" Lionel called us, elbowing Carlos.

I spotted Maya giving a token to the game attendant. She was given twelve balls to hit six distant clowns. When they get hit, they stand up again, so it's about knocking down as many as possible. There's a machine to track the scores. Carlos and Lionel joined in on the fun while we just watched, since there were no more spots. They were laughing and having a great time playing with the kids. The surroundings were noisy, and the music was loud, but it didn't bother me. I can't believe I did not get to do this when I was younger.

"Oh my God! I can't believe that kid beat you!" Lionel was teasing Carlos.

All three of them lost to a seven-year-old kid. I guess the kid plays baseball and he's a pitcher. Every shot he made knocked the clown and the kid was very fast with a strong arm! I wondered how many times he has been to the carnival and played this game.

"Hey! I wasn't taking it seriously, and I let the kid win." Carlos laughed with flushed cheeks.

"Tsk. Stop making excuses! How about the five of us play again. My treat!" Lionel asked the game attendant to reserve the five slots to all five of us.

I took the spot beside Maya and the last three spots were for the guys. The one in the middle is Aaron, then Lionel and Carlos. I am so excited. I've played a game similar to this before in the Palace but it's not as fun as this one.

Back then, my sibling was the only one I played with in the palace, and it was nothing like this. Here, just by the music alone, you'd already start dancing and feel a different kind of excitement. Plus, after a few games, my sibling doesn't want to play anymore, so I have no playmates except for the household staff. They are adults, and it's not the same as playing with kids my own age. I can't just invite other children. The princesses and princes also have schedules. Unlike us, they would go with their parents and attend events.

So sometimes, I can't help but feel sad and wish that my family could just be ordinary. Being royalty has its disadvantages, especially when it comes to privacy.

"Everybody ready?" the game attendant asked.

"Ready!" We all chimed.

I laughed and got excited as I threw balls at the clowns. I didn't have time to see what my other playmates were doing. I could hear Carlos making jokes and Maya laughing. When the game ended, Maya ranked first, followed by Aaron. I came in third and Carlos was still last in the score.

"One more!" Carlos challenged. He didn't want to be in the last place again, so we all laughed.

But everyone wanted to play a different game, so he couldn't catch up. Maya got her prize and the next game we played was a race. We all took our chairs and gave tokens to the game attendant. The game involved using a water gun and aiming it at a hole with a red light.

Aaron won this round and Carlos was second. Lionel placed last and Maya took third spot.

"Okay, that's more like it. Do you want to play a different game, or should we get something to drink? I'm so thirsty," said Lionel.

"Let's buy some water first, we might get dehydrated."

Maya and I volunteered to get water while the guys stayed behind. They sat on a vacant bench to make sure we have somewhere to sit on later. Maya and I were laughing and talking about our earlier game.

"Zia?"

I was surprised when the voice came from behind - it was Luis.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

Luis was accompanied by another guy, probably his cousin. They were also with a girl who was holding the guy's hand. I wonder where Luis' partner is.

"Same as you." Luis looked at Maya. "I don't believe we've met before. I'm Luis." He extended his hand and Maya accepted it.

"Maya. It's nice to meet you, Luis." When Maya looked at me, her smile was teasing.

"This is my cousin Mario and his girlfriend, Ana. Is it just the two of you?" Luis asked.

He was wearing a red polo shirt and gray shorts. He had loafers on and looked very casual - he looked handsome.

"No, we have–"

"Zia." It was Aaron. Lionel and Carlos were left sitting on the bench. I didn't even notice Aaron approaching us.

I have no choice but to introduce him. "Luis, this is Aaron. Aaron, this is Luis. He's the man who helped me and Carmen when a kid took my wallet at the wet market not too long ago."