THE ROYAL REPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 7

I'm not gonna do it!

It's a horrible plan! It's sick! No way in the seven circles of hell am I going to agree to it! 

It's been two days since my parents spoke to me about their 'plan'. 

"Robyn, we called you up. Because we need your help." Mom said in a begging voice. 

How can I be of help? I'm a musician. I'm obviously no better than a doctor. I can't cast a Harry Potter spell on her to wake her up. 

But since my parents seem to have something in mind which I can be useful of, then bring it on! My twin deserves all the help from me. 

"This may sound absurd, but we need you to act like Rachaela just until she wakes up." Dad looked at me straight in the eye. "We need you to marry the Prince of Manchester." 

That's when everything became less amusing. The first thing that came unto my mind was I wanted to say something bad ㅡ like curses or really worst curses. 

"No way." 

Let me get this straight. 

I have never held a man's hand, made direct eye contact with a man nor even confessed to a man! Sure I had crushes, but when it comes to talks with a relationship with a man, I am definitely a clueless wonder!

Now I'm gonna marry? I'll kiss a man in front of a lot of people and act like I'm smitten by him and hold his hand like I'm his? C'mon! I may not be the marrying type nor what the other guys dreamed of but hey, I have my principles! And I want my firsts to be special. They're valuable to me. I won't marry someone I never even met! 

Who knows if he has bad breath? Body odor? Smelly feet? 

"Robyn, please." Mom held my hand. 

"Are you both hearing yourselves? You want to marry me off to someone who's a complete stranger? Mom! Dad! It could be anything, else. Just not this! This is insanity!" 

"But this is the only plan we could think of. The only possible plan we could execute with your help." They sounded so desperate. "This is your sister's dream, honey. You want to help out, right?" 

Now I am confused. Is this really my twin's dream or their dream for hers? 

Rache's attitude was highly influenced by my parents. She was taught how to listen, obey and understand in which I did not give high importance of while growing up. I always did what I want, while Rache needed advice and guidance before pursuing something. She was deeply dependent to my parents and sought advice from them while I manage my decisions alone. 

"Anything but that." I said firmly. 

"Please, Robyn. You know that above anything else, she wanted this the most." 

That's one thing clear. 

Long before she entered law school, she's always made a vow to marry someone of high status. The look on her face when she first told me she's getting married explains that this is the most important thing to her right now. And above all things, my sister's happiness was more important rather than my own. 

"Just this once, Robyn. Just before Rachaela wakes up." 

I want to stick by my principles. 

I can't do this. 

I'm never gonna do something this stupid. But as I remember how my sister persevered for the past years, I think she deserves to be happy. 

From the start, she was a woman of ambition. She knew her path and I didn't know mine. That's why I always gave way and made everything possible to her. Because she was sure of everything and was succeeding in everything. And her success always brought honor the name of our family. That's how great Rachaela is. That's how admirable my twin is that she has done so much for our family. 

But come to think of it, how about me? What have I ever done to make this family proud? 

Growing up, I became more of a rebel rather than a daughter. I lived by my own rules, I never followed their dreams for me and pursued my own. Even if it meant not enrolling in college and attaining a higher degree of education, still, I insisted to play music for my own satisfaction. 

Yes, I was that rebellious. Not even being mindful of what my parents wanted. I couldn't remember a single thing that I've done to make my family proud of me. 

So now, what right do I have to deprive them of help when all they did was for the family while I went on with my ways? 

I sighed even more heavily. 

This is hard. Harder than calculus test questions. 

I stared at them and they looked at me with hopeful eyes. 

My parents barely asked me for help. They expected the least from me because I always gave less. But now that they came to me, saying they needed me to play a role this important would be my game changer. I can prove myself to them ㅡ give back their support and assistance that they've showered me from birth. And I can show them that I can do something for this family ㅡ something worth bragging and telling the future generations of. 

This is my chance to show them that I am not the black sheep of this family. 

"Just until Rachaela wakes up?" I asked.

"Just until she wakes up, honey." They were slightly smiling already. 

"Fine." I finally said in defeat. 

"Oh, Robyn! Thank you!" Mom's embrace startled me. 

She hugged me so tight that my intestines almost made its way out of my esophagus while Dad gave me a proud smile. 

They'e gestures made me feel warm. It felt so good. Those were the things I've longed to feel. I have never felt so needed and appreciated before. I smiled at them just to assure that I'm going to do this ㅡ this crazy idea that they've deviced to compromise for the wedding. 

This may not be my dream, but Rachaela's. And her dreams would always bring joy to my parents. 

Anything for the family, Robyn. 

Anything for the family.