Kingdoms

Time to meet

Saturday morning mom is going through this huge packet of how I'm suppose to look before going to the castle. I can't believe it, you literally cannot tell who I am. Head to toe I'm wearing a long white dress with white gloves. The dress isn’t a good shape of my body to the extent it feels like I’m wearing drapes. Sleeves are so long that you can’t see any part of my arms and to top it off I’m wearing gloves. That are white. You can’t tell where the dress ends and my hands begin. The collar is so high that my neck is even showing. My face is painted white and black towards I'm unrecognizable along with my hair up. I have a cap covering my hair to the extent that everything is covered and I’m wearing like a hat that covers my neck completely which I’ll admit its black Im completely hidden I have - vail to make it harder to see me. Which is black.

I'm also given specific directions on how to act. I cannot speak can only bow like a lady. And I’m to remember everything I learned in etiquette school.

"Supposedly it's so the prince has no idea what you look like and who you are" mom informed me

"Oh still doesn't add up to me on why I have to look like this?"

We get In the car it’s to the extent that they have to hide me as we get in.

My stomach is in knots, I look and mother is just completely happy over all this it’s like she doesn’t care about my needs or wants. I just don’t feel good about marrying an absolute stranger.

“What if the prince recognizes you?” I asked nervously as a way to get out of this

“It’s set up so I wouldn’t see the prince until tomorrow the day of the wedding. Sophia doesn’t even know I'm the mother of the bride” mom says all giggly

It seems more as if she’s looking forward to this than I am. Mainly so she can see her bff again. So shocking she has kept this huge secret from me my whole life and I found out now she competed and was bffs with the queen but had to be careful due to the competition.

"We're here" "Now remember you cannot speak"

We drive along the side so no one sees us. As we head to the back entrance we’re it’s completely covered towards the garage. The castle is huge, with over 40 rooms, several huge halls, it's 6 stories tall and looks like it would be so easy to get lost with how large it is. They have a whole floor that is a museum on the bottom floor which is used for tours around the place. There are 3 bottom floors under the museum but two are used as a garage. One is for visitors to park for the museum and the other floor is for staff and those that work at the castle. As we pull up their is a box and a guard sitting there. You can see cameras to point all over the place and the main two are the entrance. The guard is busy asking our driver for identification, and business here. He hands them the information that mother had on what I was to look like. He than presses a button for us to enter the garage. Where are we going the visitor side or the staffing side.

As we head down I realize that we aren’t on the visitor side. Due to the amount of guards around us. I also see what looks like a head of security along with a staff member all dressed up.

We get out off the car and we meet what is the welcoming party. Two guards it looks like and a women dressed for business. I wonder if one is head of security and who the other one is?

“Welcome, I’m Elaine head of the castle, this is John head of security, and this is Derek the King's Right Hand Man”

“Hello this is my daughter Alison, and I’m Melanie her mother”

“Derek will be taking you to the queen as we take Alison in to see where she will be married next Saturday” Elaine states as she means business

The way she acts you definitely don’t want to cross this women.

I walk with her nervously as I’m escorted by her and John “Elaine?” I ask her nervously

“Yes” Elaine speaks with so much confidence it’s scary

“Who were the other girls choose?” Please give me some insight on t what was going on.

“There were no other girls. Nobody had decent grades, are attempted to understand this life. Your etiquette teach picked her top 3. You were one of them. We also contacted the school you all attend to for the classes to qualify. You were one of two that from lords, and the prince who were in them. Extra circulars the ones we pay attention to same thing. Dr Bruce has been all of you lady’s doctors for years and you were one of the few still a virgin.” Elaine turns to me.

“Then why did I have to go see dr. Bruce again?” Now I’m confused by all this

“To confirm you still were a virgin” Elaine states cold

This woman scares the crap out of me like if I f**k up is something going to happen.

“Who was I the classes that were needed?” I ask

“You will find out during the wedding when all of you are there with all the families you will see than” Elaine informs me.

All the guys I’ve known for a brief few years I just don’t recall any of them in the classes at all. A few of the other girls have lost their virginity to some of the guys that are from lords but I still can’t put the pieces together.

As I walk into the hall I see the throne sitting above a set of 6 stairs. I couldn't believe it this room is huge and in two weeks I'm to marry a man I have yet to meet in this room in front of the whole royal family and everyone.

“Wait here” Elaine stares as if she is giving me an order

I hear foot steps behind me and than a voice "I know it's intimidating now but it wouldn't be in 2 weeks"

It's Jason. What on earth is he doing here. I turn around, and there he is dressed how they said the prince would be dressed. "I'm prince Jason, I'm the one your suppose to be marrying here in 2 weeks. Don't worry I'll get your name once we're married in our room. Let me show you" I walk with Jason as he continues to tell me information about the castle and about the rooms.

I watch him request what looks like a servant a women with short black hair, "this is your handmaiden, I'm requesting her to follow us because I'm not allowed to be alone with you yet until the marriage is secure."

He opens a door to a huge room. Has a larger california king bed, two closets both walk in closest. One of which looks like every girls dream, and then the bathroom with a giant tub and shower. Door shuts. "This will be our room" as he goes and sits on the bed "everything so far was picked out my by cousins wife who happens to live her in court. FYI she's nice but has a bit of a mouth. Which explains how information about the royal families arrange marriage got out. So please do me a huge favor now and don't discuss any royal business that she isn't apart of or anything going on between you and I to her. The handmaiden is with us to ensure we don't do anything and knowing her she'll be watching and the handmaiden will tell the truth"

"Your highness, I would never dishonor you"

"I know and I also know if my father confronts you. You'll be honest with him and tell him the truth"

The door opens and next thing is a slightly heavy set girl,

"Hi I'm Andrea. And you are?"

I just look at her and bow

"Seriously what a b***h she wouldn't even talk"

Jason looks pissed "what are you doing, you know she has rules she has to honor. I can't know what she looks like till i marry her and her not speaking is to ensure that vowel is upheld."

"Geez, I'm just joking"

"I don't care. Your luckily your married to my cousin or you would already been thrown out of court. For going to the tabloid"

Andrea storms out of the room slamming the door.

Jason and the handmaiden look at each other.

"Your highness I will inform him of what Andrea attempted to do"

"I expect nothing less"

"I'll also inform him no rules were broken and you threw Andrea out just in case she tries to make a scene about it"

"Thank you"

"It's my honor your highness. My lady the rules are very serious and are not taken lightly. After the wedding your items can be requested to be brought here but not until afterwards"

Jason goes to open the door, the maid looks at me and stares you first. As I walk out I notice she walked directly behind me and than Jason

The maid looks at me and walks me to an area where Elaine, John, and Derek are waiting. I noticed that Jason is no longer with us. I see that my mother and Queen Sophia are busy talking; I guess it came out that I won.

“Darling this is Queen Sophia.”

I start to panic so I look at Elaine am I allowed to talk so I still have to remain silent. What do I do

Elaine must have noticed how I was acting

“Don’t worry you can speak Sophia is aware of who you are”

Everyone must have noticed that it dropped a load off of my shoulders.

“It’s nice to meet you Queen Sophia” i state

“You look familiar do you happen to already know my son?”

“Yes I know Jason” I state hopefully this doesn’t complicate thing

“ I just didn’t know he was the prince or anything. We have a bunch of classes together and in a lot of the same groups.”

Mom looks at me shocked by this

“Does he recognized you” mom stated nervously

My phone buzzes inside of my moms purse.

“Is that my phone?” I ask her

“Yeah it’s been going off”my mom opens her purse to hand it to me.

I take it from her and open it up and is bent over where she can read over my phone.

It’s from the group chats

Kelly- dance shopping next Saturday?

Drew- is this a question or demand

Josh- laughing emoji

Jason-do we have to mom

Drew- laughing emoji

Kelly- alison help me out here?

My mom than takes my phone and hands it to the queen so she is aware of what is going on.

“Look like Jason is going to the mall next weekend to pick out an outfit he already owns.” Queen Sophia states already annoyed by it.

“But he must blend in”

My phone is handed back to me. I decide to text back stating I’m down and if the boys don’t want to than don’t come.

My phone buzzes again. It’s not the group chat it’s Jason

Jason- so what time are you going

I decide to text him back

Idk yet I’ll let you know at school. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to

I decide to give my phone back to my mom. She looks at me “you ready”

It’s not like I have a choice “yes”

We walk out and I can’t help the feeling in having to keep this a secret any longer but I know it’s best for everyone.

*************************************************

Kelly goes on and on about all the tabloids about the royal families stating that some of the other kids are starting to wonder where some of them go to schools. We all basically ignore her and let her keep going on about it. I just keep thinking about how I know Jason is the soon to be king. I never imagine it would be him. I figured I would be disqualified somehow from being eligible to marry the prince and eventually I would have the nerve to ask Jason out and the rest would be history.

"Alison, hello anyone in there?"

"Oh sorry what is it Kelly?"

"You still down to pick out dresses?"

"Yeah but I don't really have a date"

All the boys get tense but Jason. Like something was going on in his head.

"Oh that's fine, I though it would be awesome to do a giant group instead no actual dates"

"Ok"

"So Saturday we get outfits for the dance it is"

I see Nikki looking at me as trying to get me to come over and talk to her privately.

“Hey I’ll be right back”

I walk over to where Nikki is I noticed it’s just her and Charlotte and Charlotte boyfriend Ethan.

“You met him Saturday. Does he know?” Ethan asked me

Both Charlotte and Nikki both look at us as if we are holding on to a huge secret and they both want to know.

“No I dressed as if he would have no idea. I wasn’t allowed to speak at all. I did meet his mother, Elaine, John, and Derek.” I tell Ethan

“Okay that’s good luckily he isn’t near by to know what’s going on one of the guys is watching him.” Ethan informs us.

“What are you talking about” Nikki looks at his confused not knowing what is going on.

“Is he mad at any of you guys. Does he know what all happened?” I look at Ethan curious.

“No he’s super chill. He’s meet Charlotte before and saw how Charlotte looked at me and I told him that she was one of the daughters. And he gave me permission. Stating that he didn’t want to marry someone who’s in loved already with another future lord.” Ethan states to us.

“What?!?!” Charlotte is shocked by this

“I had to get permission to take someone out of the competition he can have me for treason if I knowingly took your virginity before he was married.” Ethan looks at Charlotte

“He’s a really good guy, has a huge heart. I’m glad he’s getting love in this too” Ethan says to me

“I know. I was shocked it was him. Wait what?! I say not realizing the other part

Ethan completely shocked by all of the

“You don’t know?”

“What on earth are you talking about?” I look at him, Charlotte, and Nikki

What do they know that I don’t know. What is the big secret? I’m not trying to figure out what they all know that he’s been a secret to everyone else.

“All of us guys have known each other for years we all already knew who Jason was. We’ve all met all of you girls several times without him and knowing that he wasn’t allowed to know you guys. We’ve all seen how he react to you, how his body language changed around you.” Ethan says to me as he pulls Charlotte into him

I start to blush not knowing any of this. I’m so embarrassed that everyone around has known I’m meant to be with him and they all wanted to ensure that Jason and I enddd up together knowing it meant they couldn’t be

“Has anyone informed Jason of this?” I ask Ethan

“No.and none of us plan on it. Our biggest goal is making sure he goes through with the wedding.” Ethan states

“What are you talking about?” I ask now concerned

“He’s having second thoughts about the arrangement, he doesn’t know it’s you and he wants to pursue his heart. He wants to have love in his marriage not something for the country.” Ethan states we are trying to find a way to have the wedding have him lift your veil just so everyone sees the sure look of shock on his face when it’s you.” Ethan tells me

“I think that would be priceless and perfect for everyone to see” Nikki chimes in

“Let’s do it” I say

It’s official instead of him seeing my face for the first time in the bedroom in private he will lift the veil in front of everyone

*************************

Saturday afternoon we all meet at the mall, it was decided we meet at the coffee shop. I decided to grab my regular drink. My green tea on ice while I wait for everyone else to show up.

"Alison you want to grab something to eat and we can just wait for a text from Kelly?" Jason stays as he's standing behind me.

"Yeah for all we know she's already here shopping"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah she's done that before"

"So are you volunteering to go to the dance or is she forcing you to?" I asked Jason

"Will I was willing to go but I didn't want to do the whole group thing wanted to really just have a date instead" he says nervously

"Did you ask someone already"

"No, I haven't it's too late now" Jason says calmly almost as if he’s trying to hide it

"Unless they already have a date I don't think it's too late" I say not knowing who it is

"No it's too late, and I don't want to deal with Kelly if anyone changes plans on her"

"Yeah I wouldn't want to deal with that either"

"What are you don't next Saturday?" He’s trying to be calm

This is what Ethan was talking about him thinking about skipping out on the whole wedding.

"I have a family thing going on, why?" I tell him

"Oh, well if your family thing cancels would you be interested in going to the movies?"

Really, your going to ask me on a date on the night we're both suppose to get married. Your lucky you don't know who your about to marry yet. But then again you're going to get mad at all of us when you find out we all hid it from you.

"I'd love to but my parents are going to kill me if I bail on them"

"I understand maybe next time" Jason says still little hopeful

I wish I can tell him but I'm also looking forward to the look on his face when he lifts the veil and sees that it's me.

We see Kelly along with Drew and Josh "Guys where have you been?"

Kelly had several bags from the makeup store looks like she's been dragging Drew and Josh all over the place.

"Waiting for you"

"Oh well I got here early to get a head start"

" with Drew and Josh?"

"I'm hungry, I'm going to grab something watch my bags"

"Alison I need a hand"

As she grabs my hand all the way over to where they sell sandwiches

"So has he asked you out yet" Kelly asked waiting for me to spill the beans

"What? Why?" I ask afraid of what she knows

"Drew said that he could tell that Jason was trying to ask you out so he decided to ask me where I was and we figured we'd give you guys a chance to talk about a date or going together"

"He doesn't want you mad for changing plans over the dance"

"I wouldn't be if you two were already together"

"Spill, did he ask you out yet or what"

"He did but I have a family thing going on I can't miss"

"So miss it"

"My mom would kill me"

"Oh well try to plan another time?"

"I have to wait on him for that"

"Okay, that boy needs to act soon. Let's go eat before they realize we're talking about Jason oh and your sitting next to him."

"What why" I ask freaked out

"You'll see" she walks away with all the food

We walk back over to the table with the other boys and we see Jason looking up and trying to not to obvious about wanting me to sit next to him.

"Okay so I found 5 different dresses I bought but the question is what are you guys gonna wear?"

"is it suit and tie?" Drew asked worried

"If it is don't worry I have one you can borrow" Jason looks at him

"How many do you own?" Alison asked him shocked

"Well my dad wears them for work and so does my cousin and family gathering they want us all dressed up. So yeah I own a handful" Jason states casually

"If you own a bunch maybe we can all go to your place and have the guys try them on. Like a fashion show"

All the guys look nervous about having to do a fashion show or the thought of it.

"I don't think my mom would go for that but I could ask her" Jason stayed trying