Once Upon Royals

Royal Chapter 1

Garden of Fleur [Matias Kingdom Beaumont, Belgium]

Mrs. Helena came back with a bouquet of tulips. My sister loved them so much that she wants to see them every day in her bedroom. I'm fond of flowers too but I want to see them on their plants, not on their vases. My sister doesn't mind as long as she sees them and smells them. It's her kind of relaxation so, I just let her be.

She called a maid to carry the bouquet. She also told her to put the tulips to her porcelain vase beside her bed. The maid said yes and curtsied before leaving.

"Thank you for the visit Your Majesties, you can just call someone to go here but instead you stop over and I'm grateful enough to know that you love my flowers. You also brought Princess Luana with you." Mrs. Helena has the widest smile I've seen for today. She bowed again and I gave back the smile she's giving us all this time. I saw my sister smiled and took out a small bag of gold coins.

"You're welcome, Mrs. Helena. I'll come to visit you next time. I just love the ambiance of your place. It keeps me calm." She said and closed her eyes. She's probably savoring the aroma of the garden. I look around her place. Mrs. Helena has been living on the western side of the Garden of Fleur. She's also taking care of the whole garden together with her co-gardeners who are working in the palace. Her house isn't that big but it's enough for her family. They're helping us to maintain the beauty of the garden and I should say I'm grateful too that we can help them.

We bid goodbyes to each other and we went on our way back to the palace. I wonder what happened to the boys and what my stepbrother Costello looks like. I hope he has the eyes of our mother because they say my mother's eyes are like an ocean. It's blue and deep. You'll drown if you stare too much. I'm proud to say that I got those and also, Lothair and Kadline.

Living Room [The Palace, Matias Kingdom, Beaumont, Belgium]

We arrived in the living room and I didn't expect what I just saw. Who would've thought that they can be as this quiet and just only looking at each other's faces? I can feel the tension and cold from their stares to each other. I turn my head to face Kadline and we both shook our heads. I don't think this greeting will still be a greeting in the end. I don't think they're happy to see Costello except for Lucifero.

Lucifero, my dear oldest brother, look at us, greeted and told us to sit down on one of our couches and sofas. The guards are standing on the corners of the room making the room filled with full authority and security. I sat down and look at the man who's new to my eyes. His hair is in a medium length brushed on one side. He's wearing glasses that made him look smarter than without putting one. He's wearing a formal suit of black, embroidered with gold and his eyes are blue. He's my older stepbrother, Costello Porrello.

"Now that we're complete, let us introduce ourselves to our stepbrother here since we didn't grow up with him. He doesn't know our names." Lucifero sat beside Costello. I can sense that they have the same aura but Lucifero's much stronger than Costello. Alfonso, my older brother too, cleared his throat and sat properly on the sofa, unlike Merovecho and Lothair who sat like they're going to sleep or just tired even it's still morning. It only means they're not interested in our just arrived stepbrother.

"I am Alfonso Amadeus Cleph Matias, the third son of the family and mostly, the kindest. The most handsome too, I must say. Nice meeting you." I giggled when I heard the last part. He's always been like that. Proclaiming that he's the most handsome of all men in the whole kingdom. I know that he's just kidding and I can't help but to always react on whatever he says.

"Alfie, I don't think you are," I said between my giggles.

"My dear sister, you should know that in the first place. I am the— wait, can't you just support me? You always laugh whenever I said that." He frowned and shook his head. Kadline secretly pinched me on my right arm, making me wince a bit.

I glared at her with a frown, questioning her for what was that for and she just sarcastically smiled at me as her response. I look back at Alfie and seriously answered him.

"I didn't and I can't just support you when you're too full of yourself." I honestly said to him. He's about to say something when Lothair speaks up.

"Stop it you two, we're here for introductions, not childish fights." He said with a low deep husky voice. He combed his messy hair with his hand and look directly at Costello. He keeps being quiet and just showing his half-smile.

"I'm Lothair Maximilian Arduin Matias, the second son of the family. Good to meet you." He nodded to Costello. He did the same thing to Lothair. He turned his attention to Erov, who is currently speaking.

"Merovecho Rosthari Lambert Matias is the full name." He said without giving him a look. He also did emphasize the word 'full'. Talk about being respectful. What does he mean? I know him for being sarcastic but when he's like that to someone, it only means that he didn't like him. What happened that made my lively brother go quiet in front of Costello?

Lucifero didn't introduce himself since he already met Costello before and they became good friends because of gun shooting. Kadline lends her hand for a handshake and introduces herself. I guess I'll always be the last to do it.

"Kadline Theolinda Matasuentha Angelina Karinfrata Matias" They shook hands but then he looks confused. Maybe because of my sister's too long name. I feel like I'm the one who got tired of her whenever she says her full name.

"Are you sure you never got tired of your name?" Costello said. I knew it, guess he's a bit honest. My sister just laughed. She always receives this kind of question.

"Silly, I'm not," she said. I was about to introduce myself when a knock was heard, the door opened and a maid entered the room. My maid, Olivia, curtsied and look at us.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Your Majesties but may I excuse Princess Luana?"

"Why so sudden? What is it for?" my sister said. I keep remembering why Olivia is here and why she's calling me. Did I forget something that I must do today?

"Ms. Victoria, her teacher, is calling her to attend her class today at the Literature room." Oh, gosh I forgot! My eyes widened and remembered that today is Friday and I'm supposed to take my language class this morning. Why my maids didn't tell me earlier?

I stood up and bowed to my siblings. "I'm sorry but I have to go now. I forgot that I have a lesson today." I smiled and turn towards my maid. Before I start to leave, I turned my head to Costello to greet him and to finally introduce myself.

"Oh, by the way, I am Luana Cecilia Amelriana Georgette Matias, the youngest of the family. I hope to have a nice talk to you soon big brother." We both smile at each other. "Me too," he said then I curtsied and exited the room.

I am walking with Olivia in the hallway going to the Literature room. I hope Ms. Victoria won't get mad later. The thought of being complete with my siblings was just too exciting for me that it made me forget about my lesson for today. It was just a French class, it's as easy as making tea.

"Your Majesty, do you have plans on what you'll wear tonight?" I faced her and come to a halt. What's with tonight?

"What will happen tonight?"

"As the request of the Queen, the palace will have a Grand Dinner tonight, my Lady. People of the High Congress will arrive and some Dukes, Duchesses and other high-ranking people are invited too."

So, it is a Grand Dinner. I don't know about this. Why does it seem like I don't know anything since I woke up this morning? First, about the meeting. Second, about the arguments of Mother and Father. Third, about my class today and lastly, about the Grand Dinner that will happen tonight. Should I blame Costello for all of this? No, of course. But since ever he arrived this morning, everything became eventful.

"Oh okay. I'll choose later after class and lunch but first, I need to get to the Literature room before Ms. Victoria gets mad." She nodded and we both hurried to the Literature room passing all guards that we come across.

I arrived at the Literature room and took a sit in front of a standing lady, holding a stick and wears thick glasses. She looks so fiery and annoyed. She drops some books on my desk that made me startled. I made her mad a bit, I guess.

"Late today, Princess Luana. Now for the punishment, read and recite all those books. I'll listen carefully." Then she sits on a chair. I look at the books and read the titles.

"These are all Spanish books. How am I supposed to read this when I can't even understand it and don't know how to read it? I thought it's French class today? That's easier." I complained that it made her shot me deadly glares. I blinked many times and forced a smile. I guess I don't have a choice.

Thank God that I found the language not difficult to read. While I'm reciting on my 51st page, I wondered what my siblings doing right now. Maybe they're preparing themselves for the Grand Dinner later. Did the greeting in the living room ended well? I hope I can find my sister later to know what happened because she's an adventurous woman who loves to sneak out at the palace and go to places I don't even know.

When it's over, I bid goodbye to Ms. Victoria and I was told that I mustn't be late for our next meeting. Now, I have time to rest before the Grand Dinner. I went back to my room and found my maids cleaning my room. They're so hardworking. I'm thankful to have them as my maids.

"You're back early Your Majesty," said Maria, my maid. She's wiping the bedside table and stopped when I entered the room.

"Yes, good thing Ms. Victoria didn't get mad at me that much. She made me recite Spanish books as a punishment for being late. My head hurts and I think I need to take a nap before lunch." I said as I touch my forehead because I feel dizzy. Those Spanish books did this to me even though they're not that difficult to read but reading too much of a language you didn't understand is too much for me too.

"I can get you a tea my Lady before you take a nap," said Daisy, my maid also. I got a total of three maids and they're with me since I turned 10. They're just two years older than me. So, they became my best friends too.

"Yes, thank you, Daisy," I said and went to lie on my bed. Tonight, it'll be remarkable because the Grand Dinner is for my stepbrother, Costello. He's getting a lot of recognition already. What more when my Mother introduces him to the people of Matias Kingdom? Many ladies will come to him for sure. All my brothers got the looks and very handsome, I admit. No wonder that after he got introduced, many high-ranking ladies will be asking for a marriage already just like every ball or chance they get to go to the palace and interact with them before.

I can't wait to witness all of that tonight. I should look impressive and charming for I will meet many important people and friends later.

"Prepare my gown now, please"

"Yes, Your Majesty"