Unexpectedly Royal

Sudden Relocation

Reina P.O.V

Last night was not a fun evening for me. All of a sudden I'm engaged to someone I just met and my parents are flattering me now. I don't want to be a part of Mother and Father's scheme, what it may be. They set this up without my consent, and what's worse the Prince most likely thinks I got Father to set this whole thing up. The Jerk faced Prince, and I agreed last night that we only act the happy couple when necessary. That arrangement is agreeable to me until I can somehow figure a way out of this charade, which means convincing the King into calling off the engagement. At this time, I have been summoned to the Palace for an audience with the Royal family. My parents will also be in attendance in the throne room. My mind drifts back to this morning when I still had hope that the previous night was only a dream.

-Flashback-

A knock at the door pulls me from my nightmare. I open my eyes, and yell Come in as loud as possible. It’s probably the maid bringing my usual breakfast tray consisting of bacon, poached egg on toast, a fruit salad and healthy protein smoothie. I roll over, my vision blurry as I gaze at the digital clock on my bedside table. I saw that it's only seven o'clock. I pull the covers back over my eyes to block out as much light as possible so I can sleep in longer. Earlier I dreamt that I got engaged to an obnoxious Prince. 'Man what a nightmare.'  The door clicks open, and footsteps reverberate off the walls.

“Leave it wherever. I’ll get to it later.”

I wave my hand over the cover to let her know what to do if she didn't hear my slurred voice. I close my eyes and yawn burying myself more under the covers.

"Sweetheart. I'm afraid there's no sleeping in today." I felt something substantial on my side of the bed. My eyes open wide. 'This doesn't seem right. Ah, well.' I close my eyes again, hoping she would go away. All of a sudden, the covers are ripped off me, and the light from the windows burns my eyes. As my eyes adjust to the newfound light, I gaze upwards looking at a most unusual person to see in the morning. I cover them back, not wanting to see her.

“Ugh. What is it?”

"Now is that a polite manner in which to greet your Mother. I brought you your breakfast and everything."

I uncover my eyes to Mother sitting beside me, holding a breakfast tray. She's right. 'ha, who would have thought.' I sit up careful not to spill the contents of this delectable breakfast. The smell of bacon wafts in the air, toast, a fruit salad and healthy protein smoothie accompany it. She places it over my lap. ‘Wait. Hold on.’ I look at her and ask what’s on my mind.

“Since when do you bring me breakfast?”

She smiles at me cheerfully.

"Can't a mother do something nice for her daughter, especially considering she's going to be the next Queen."

'Emphasis on the "Queen" part.'  I sit there in confusion before my mood and expression plummet. 'Oh, no. It wasn't a dream.' I stay quiet and look down, remembering all that came about.

"Oh, sweetie. Good news. We received an invitation to the Palace today for an audience with the Royal family in two hours."

I look back up.

“Wear something reasonable and make yourself pretty.”

I never seen her this cheerful before. She was so ecstatic that she didn't even notice or care enough to consult me on my feelings towards this, as she strides out of the room and shuts the door. 'I'm glad someone's happy.' In times gone by I would've overslept just to spite my parents but since it's an invitation to the Palace, my parents would kill me if we're late. So without further a due, I quietly eat the breakfast given to me and perform my usual morning routine.

By the time I'm clothed in my but most fashionable but uncomfortable blush pink, over the shoulder dress it's nearly 8:40 am. I exit my room and walk downstairs. As I reach the foyer, I notice Father is ready and waiting with a smile plastered on his face, eager to get moving and is engaged in a hush conversation with Mother. He sees my presence and comes over to me, holding his arms out wide.

"Ah, there's my lovely daughter."

A thought enters my mind and slips off my lips.

"H' mm. Ah, there's my spiteful Father. Shouldn't you be exploiting people?"

His face stiffens and his brows furrow. I bet he’s going to yell at me for that comment. Instead, he rests an arm on my back pushes me forward, his smile returned.

"Ha-ha. How delightful you are. Come, Princess, we mustn't keep the Royal family waiting."

I wish they wouldn't play nice with me. Father's polite behaviour was creeping me out. He pushes out the house and into the Limousine where Mother is waiting for us. Forced into the car, we take off hurriedly for the Palace again.

-Flashback End-

The Prince stands beside his proud Mother and Father, glaring at me, and I return his gaze. Unfortunately, unable to frown due to the presence of the King and Queen. The tension is thick in here; you can cut it with a knife. The staring broke when the King speaks. I break the Prince's gaze, and smile as best I can at the King and Queen.

“Lord and Lady Dernum. The reason I’ve called you all here is in regards to Reina’s engagement to Prince Jason.”

Father takes a step forward, voicing my quiet hope.

"Is there a problem, your Majesty?"

“Not at all, Lord Dernum.”

The King replies to Father, smiling. In an instant, my hopes dashed.

"Reina will be required to undertake training to become a royal. Therefore we recommend that she lives in the Palace forthwith."

My smile falters, during that time, I stand there, unable to voice my opinion. I bite my lips holding back my objections because as much as I despise the Prince, I cannot stand my parents even more.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Father responds happily to the Kings “recommendation.”

“That settles it then.”

It did not take much effort from Father to ensure I move from home and into the rRoyal Palace, the place where normal girls would love to be. The Queen smiles cheerfully; they are both cheerful about this; one must wonder why. Then a man dressed in butler attire enters the room. It's the same man that pulled me along next to the Prince at yesterday's celebration, Davin. I gather he was only doing his job, but I don't like him. He bows and delivers his message.

"I beg your pardon, your Majesty. An urgent matter has come up that needs both Your Majesty’s and Lord Dernum immediate attention.”

‘Sounds serious.’

“Very well. We’ll end this here for today.”

We bow to his Majesty as he leaves the elegant throne room with Father and Davin to tend to the issue. Silence reigns and the Queen stands, focusing our attention to her.

“Lady Dernum would you care to join me for tea?”

"I'd be delighted, your majesty."

Mother curtseys in respect. ‘Wait that would leave me alone with...’

“Jason, why don’t you show Reina around the Palace. She’ll need to familiarise herself with her new home.”

"Yes, Mother."

The Prince answers his Mothers request with a small smile. It is one I’ve seen before and not one that fills me with confidence about his willingness to show me around my new, expansive dwelling. The Queen switches her gaze from Prince Jason to me and sends me a wink as she passes by, exiting the throne room with Mother in tow, leaving his highness and I alone in a quiet atmosphere.

“Shall we get this over with.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

I have chosen to be formal with him because I cannot allow myself to be close with him.

“Why have you now chosen to be formal with me?”

I have no answer for him, so I keep my gaze in his direction.

“Never mind, it does not matter. Let us go.”

He walks in my direction but ends up passing. He steps don't quit as he walks past me.

“Hurry up.”

He turns back to me, and I start walking behind him. We walk the magnificent halls filled with large landscape paintings on the walls, past pedestals of expensive vases with a beautiful variety of flowers. I stop at one and breathe in their fresh scent. It calms me; their mixed scent is a sweet and gorgeous one working in harmony. Closing the distance between the flowers and I,  my hand reached out to touch them, to feel their fragility and softness.

“Are you finished?”

'What.' In my hastiness to turn towards the voice, my elbow bumps the vase. I try to catch the vessel, my fingertips barely graze the glassy surface.

“Crash!”

The vase shatters into millions of pieces onto the tiled floor resounding everywhere, with water and flowers scattered. The whole Palace may have heard it. I bend down, kneeling in my dress, absorbing a little water. One by one, I pick up the pieces of glass. 'Not again.' I did this at home once, and let me inform you it was not a pleasant day for me. It happened in front of the prince no less; I have the worst luck on earth.

“You’re hopeless.”

I look back in the princes direction.

“Would your highness care to help?”

I’ve got to be on form and not let him upset me.

“Why would I do that? It was your clumsiness that caused this mess. Besides, I am the Crown Prince of Finnera. I don’t waste my time on menial chores like this.”

'Why that little.' All of a sudden sound of rushing footsteps echo in the halls. The source comes scurrying around the corner to a standstill revealing a maid. The maid stands there and looks from the Prince to myself then shattered mess of water flowers and glass on the floor.

“Don’t just stand there. Clean this up!”

"Yes, your highness."

She bows her head and hurries off before I can stop her. The Prince stares down at the glass in my hand.

“Leave it. The maid will be back to clean it up shortly.”

"That may be so, but it was my mistake, I feel bad that she should forcibly have to clean this up."

"It's her job to complete. Now. Let's move!"

He starts walking off, and my self-control is slipping, but I don't move. The Prince stops and turns back, noticing I have not left my position. I stare back at the mess as the maid returns with the necessary cleaning supplies. She bends down beside me and takes the glass out of my hands. However, I cannot allow her to do this.

“Please allow me.”

The maid does not make eye contact with me.

"Oh no, I couldn't allow the future princess to hurt herself."

She keeps going.

"You heard what the maid said. Let's continue."

I ignore his highness's impatience, not saying a word. He does not care to help others. I started picking up the scattered flowers. The maid stops her cleaning at looks at me curiously. After a moment, she blinks and continues gathering up the glass as I put the flowers in a pile and begin to dry up the water with the towel that she brought. Soon enough, the floor is clean, and the flowers and glass shovelled into a  violet and lavender-scented garbage bag.

The maid and I stand up and look at one another.

“Thank you for your assistance with the cleaning.”

The maid smiles and bows her head in appreciation of my acknowledgement.

"Oh no, Ms, you did most of it."

I dislike how people address others in this way, as a result of the ludicrous social hierarchy. I much prefer it if people called me by my first name.

“Please call me Reina.”

“Oh no I couldn’t...”

“I insist.”

I enforce my words a small portion while accompanying it is a little smile to let her know it's all right for a first name basis.

“As you wish.”

She grasps the garbage bag and walks away. Living here may have its advantages, for the time being.

“If you are ardent, shall we proceed with the tour.”