Gala
2119 Words
♤♤♤
Gianna Alastair
"You can wear this to my burial, and not to the Princess's birthday." Mum snapped, but my eyes remained on the black sleeveless gown with a dangerously high slit.
"Why the f**k did she have to be born today anyway?" I murmured, snatching the boring light blue flay gown from her hands. She practically shoved it to my face as soon as I walked through the front door. I was more surprised she didn't actually hold out a knife to my throat.
"Queen Elmira seems to be really interested in you. She must have chosen you instead of Alessia," Mum said in a calmer voice.
I gave her a tight smile. "I'm not getting married to that fucker. Even the pope wouldn't change my mind."
"Then we'll all be dead. Don't you know the rules?" She seemed more worried than angry now, and I remembered how she had spoken to me yesterday like I was some unwanted s**t.
I rolled my eyes and started peeling off my last night dress. It was such a mess, considering I didn't even... you know, do anything.
"I wouldn't mind if Alessia was maimed by the royal family. In fact, I don't care if you joined her."
Mum's eyes went wild as she looked at me like I was a stranger. She must have been so shocked because she grabbed a framed photo of herself and me from our high school graduation. It was obvious I had been forced into taking that picture.
Mum threw it at me, and I dodged before it could hit me. Smooth.
"Are you for real, Gianna?" she gasped. Her brown eyes went from annoyed to glassy in a fast motion, and her fists clenched by her sides.
"Yes, I'm for real, Mum. Don't you get it? My existence is the reason for your troubles. And your existence makes me sick," I whispered-yelled, tossing my gown on the ground and walking to the bathroom without waiting for her reply.
Call me a b***h, because I am.
***
I realized Mum managed to convince Dad that I wanted to find my way to the party alone, so they left me. I wore the black dress she warned me against, just to spite her.
I was really happy with my decision, which prompted me to take a few selfies and post them with the hashtag: #PrincessBlair's boring birthday memorial.
At this point, I didn't care about the consequences of messing with the royal family. I wanted them to see that I wasn't meant to be a boring little princess stuck in a gigantic palace with a bunch of losers dressing me up every day like a doll.
I wore my black strappy heels-which were like weapons because of how high and slim they were. They suited the dress perfectly, and I couldn't help but smirk at my reflection in the mirror. Oh, I loved a grand entrance. It thrilled me.
But then I thought about the prince, and my mood got ruined. Why was my life not going my way?
As I walked out of the house, my phone rang. It was Danny.
"That crazy b***h, Isa, won't stop bugging me to give her your number," he said immediately. He sounded frustrated, and I could only guess it was because he was still hungover. I still had a slight headache, but it could wait.
"Why does she need it? I don't remember liking her," I said in a bored tone. I smiled in satisfaction as I approached my black Maybach. It looked even better than I left it.
"I don't know, and I don't care," he snapped, making me frown.
"So why should I care?" I snapped back.
"She'll text you any second from now because I just sent her your number. She was grateful." He ended the call.
"You dipshit. What the f**k?" I gasped. That was a flat-out betrayal. I knew what Isa wanted, and it always sickened me whenever she came to me to fight for her stupid best friend. It confused me that they even became besties in the first place because Alessia is... well... stupid, and Isa is a fighter but still... stupid.
Pushing all thoughts aside, I focused on my car and drove off. I really couldn't wait to see Mum's face.
♤
"Your invitation card, please?" the security guard asked as I got to the gate.
I sat lazily in my car and called Mum to come bring me in because I couldn't start explaining to this old man that I had no invitation card.
"You should have been here forty minutes ago," Mum muttered. I could sense that she was moving to a quieter place so she could yell at me.
"So sorry, Momma. I was searching for my family," I replied sarcastically and chuckled. "Now I can't go in because the so-called family went in without me."
She was quiet for a while before muttering a quick "hold on."
I sighed and leaned back in my seat, watching as the old man kept his eyes on me like I was going to drive in if he looked away.
"Do you think the Crown Prince likes black?" I asked with a small smile.
He looked surprised at my question and looked away, not replying. Rude.
"I heard the Prince was a stutterer as a child. How did he scale through?" I tried again, laughing when the poor man's eyes widened.
"You are disrespecting His Highness," he muttered.
I smiled, resting my head on my palms against the car window. "I doubt it. I'm about to become his wife, so he would understand I joke a lot."
"What?" I couldn't stop smiling as the old man moved away from me like I was a plague. He stood in front of the car again, avoiding my eyes. I scanned the place-lots of guards were stationed at the front, but they didn't spare me a glance. It reminded me of the Prince himself. I really couldn't stand still for long without getting muscle pull.
"You can go in. Sorry for keeping you," the old man said, appearing at my window again but avoiding his eyes.
I nodded as the gate opened, allowing me to drive in.
No car seemed out of place as I parked at the side. I spotted Dad's jeep almost immediately and scoffed.
I stared at the huge door I was about to walk through. No one came late to a royal gathering, and no one wore black to the palace-unless it was mourning. Exactly what I wanted to show.
Stoic guards opened the double doors, and I was greeted by soft music and judging eyes that all turned to me. I smirked as I walked in, immediately catching the scent of strawberry cake. Everyone dressed in light colors, and the bright chandeliers illuminated the audience.
I looked around and finally found Mother's eyes on me. Fury? I expected more. With a sharp grin, I turned away and moved toward the high stand where Queen Elmira and King Reid stood.
"Oh my goodness, Your Majesty. You look even more gorgeous up close," I grinned.
The Queen looked majestic for her age. Her brown wavy hair fell over her shoulder, and her white fitted dress stuck like a second skin.
"I am going to love you," she grinned, hugging me.
"Why don't you meet my son while we're at it?" Queen Elmira grinned. My mood soured immediately.
"You both would look perfect together," His Majesty, Reid concluded, and I really wanted to puke. He didn't really look happy at my dress code though, and that just did it for me.
I look perfect alone. Nothing is changing that. And this marriage is not even happening. Making an impression wouldn't even work on them, so maybe I'll just provoke the prince himself.
I looked around and found Alessia in a light green dress. Her hair was packed in a neat ponytail, and next to her were my parents... I guess.
What the hell was she looking at so intensely? Oh, it's prince charming.
I snorted, covering my mouth immediately so I wouldn't laugh out loud since half of the party was still staring at me. Not that I care, but Trevor said I didn't really look good when I laughed so widely. I hated him for a week after that, but that's a different story.
"What's so funny?" Queen Elmira asked, smiling at me.
I gazed back at her and stared into her eyes, trying to find any forced emotions, but she just seemed sincere.
"I'll go see him since he hasn't noticed me yet," I replied and moved before she could even speak.
He was facing away from me in his great tailored suit, and from behind, he looked so, so good. End of story.
I was suddenly curious about the conversation he was having with the ministers that made him so oblivious about my entrance. I captivated everyone's attention except his, which just didn't sit right in my chest.
"What's so funny?" Alessia's voice came behind me, and I turned to her with my brightest smile.
"Oh my gosh, sister. Didn't you get the news?" I gushed.
She seemed confused for 3 seconds before finally releasing her whiny voice.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm getting married to the prince. So I am about to go give him a hug because we are practically dating now, right?" I said, grinning wickedly.
Her eyes got misty immediately, and she rubbed her palms together-something she did when she was nervous.
"Can't you let me talk to him for a while? Maybe he might change his mind about changing the bride. You don't like him, right? I'll just speak to him and convince him that I'm his bride," Alessia rushed out. I was surprised she just said all that.
"You are desperate, Alessia," I muttered mockingly. "That's a bad habit."
"Gia..." she started, and I could see she was trying to hold back her tears.
"You're right. I don't intend on getting married to him. So you can go talk," I said, grinning, letting her know she could leave me to my mischief.
She hesitated, eyes going wide, then finally moved away.
I turned, and my eyes met the main meal of the party.
Axel Bernadotte.
He looked effortlessly handsome as he made his way toward... me?
People peeled away from his path like he was holding a gun that scared them off. That was a turn-on I couldn't ignore. His suit was tailored to perfection, shoulders set, jaw sharp enough to cut glass. And his eyes-those glacier-cold blue eyes-locked straight onto mine. Didn't blink once.
He stopped right in front of me. Close enough that I caught the faint scent of cedar and something expensive.
"We meet again." His voice was low, controlled.
Why was he this hot? But did he recognize me from the blind date? I opened my mouth to speak-
And he turned.
Not to me. To Alessia.
His expression went blank. Empty. Like a switch flipped.
"Lady Alessia Alastair," he said flatly.
Of course. She was his bride. Queen Elmira did the switch and I'm so glad he didn't approve it.
"I- I think..." Alessia tried speaking, voice trembling, and I gave her a disgusted look as she stuttered.
"You do know he's human, right?" I glared at her.
Axel's cold gaze snapped back to me. "You can leave now," he ordered coldly.
I looked at him and sighed, slow and dramatic. "You interrupted my discussion with this stutterer, so the least you could do is ask for a simple 'excuse me.' Why don't you try it?"
His jaw clenched. A muscle ticked there. His eyes shone with realization, sharp and dangerous.
I folded my arms and raised my brows. My pulse spiked. The ballroom had gone completely silent. I could feel everyone's eyes on us but I didn't look away from him.
"You dare trick me?" Axel asked suddenly, voice dropping to something low and deadly.
I glanced at Alessia, who was frozen, then back at Axel. My stomach flipped. Oh s**t. Did he realize I had acted like Alessia at the blind date?
I smirked lightly, though inside, I could feel the tension crackling between us.
Axel took one step closer to me. Just one. And my stomach dropped with it, like the floor had vanished beneath my feet.
His lips twitched-not a smile. A threat.
The ballroom was dead silent. All eyes followed our silent standoff, and I could feel the power in the room shift.
"Oh, isn't this just fun," I muttered just for him to hear.
His ice-cold gaze didn't waver.
TBC...
- Writer
