Becoming a Luna Queen

Waiting in the wings

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Angeline’s POV

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 My eyes landed on my eldest brother first, he was dressed in his formal royal attire. He had on waist-high black dress pants with a white long sleeved dinner shirt which perfectly fitted his muscular torso. A black bow-tie rested on his collarbones just below his Adam's apple with a royal blue jacket that stopped where his white waist band began. His shoes were your standard black shiny dress shoes. His hair had been gelled with a part on his right side which I knew he would have been hating. He was the scruffy one out of us and his hair has always been his prized possession. He was your typical surfer-guy, hair style and all.

 Dimitri was off his seat and by my side by the time I had taken my third step. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt my body relax. When we broke apart, I noticed all of my siblings had lined up for hugs. 

 "You're looking handsome, Dimitri. Are you positive I'm the one who has to find a husband tonight instead you a wife?” I asked teasingly. His ocean-blue eyes had playfully widened while his mouth contorted into an 'O' shape. We were always poking fun at each other.

 "Stop hogging her, I want a hug, too" Elijah exclaimed while shoulder charging Dimitri out of the way. We all laughed, typical Eli behavour. Eli quickly swooped me up in a hug before Dimitri could retort. Eli was a mini-me version of Dimitri. He had those same big ocean-blue eyes and sweet smile. He was going to be a heart breaker for sure, if he wasn't already. He was dressed in the same attire as Dimitri and looked ever so handsome.

 Following Eli was a double hug with my twin siblings Genevieve and Gianni, who swooped in either side of me. Once we let go, they both smiled at me while holding one of my hands in each of theirs. Just like Dimitri and Eli, Gianni was in the same attire being male. Genevieve, however, was another story who was surely going to pull some attention tonight. She was wearing a floor-length light blue gown that made her sun-kissed skin glow. The top of the dress had a cowl-neck essence that draped down from her collarbones in the most modest and elegant way, I gave her a spin and her dress had the same cowl-neck feature down her back, but bigger, showing some serious skin. I had no idea how she was able to get our parents to agree to this design! I was jealous! I wouldn't be surprised if she got herself a sexy prince with the way that dress complimented her figure. Then again, she had to wait until her Presentation before even thinking about a being in a relationship. 

 “Stop looking at me, let me look at you!!” She shrieked, unable to contain her excitement. Her hazel eyes were beginning to fill with tears. 

 "Thanks Genni, but no crying! You'll start the waterworks and we can't afford that right now!" I don't think she had time to see me smile before I pulled her into another hug. 

 When we broke apart, she spun me around. "That dress fits you like a glove. I'll be happy if I wear this dress half as well as you do. You're absolutely stunning, sis". 

 "Yeah, but have you seen yourself tonight?" I changed my voice to a mere whisper as I leaned close to her ear. "I have no idea what strings you pulled to be able to wear the backless dress you have, I'm jealous of you." I stepped back, smiling at her. The hint of mischief in her eyes went unnoticed, we smirked at each other but were interrupted by everyone's favourite trouble maker.

 “You look like a princess!” Mav wooed. The entire family broke out giggling; this kid had stolen all of our hearts.

 “And you look like a very smart and handsome prince” I shot back, bending down to his level. “We’ll be sure to keep you away from the ladies tonight”. I gave him ‘the eye’; his face contorted in response. He was dressed just like Dimitri. 

 “I hate girls. They have cooties!” And once again, the family broke out in laughter. He hugged me tightly as he started whispering, "It’s OK, I know you're a girl but you’re my sister. I’ll always love you.” I looked back at him and swept him into my arms. He was the cutest freaking little six year old and I was blessed to have him for a brother. It saddened me to think I would have to marry soon and leave him here. Leaving him behind would break my heart. 

 As soon as we broke our hug, he darted for his toy plane that was on a chair in the corner and started zooming around the room with it. We all smiled and giggled at his innocence and sense of adventure. 

 I loved seeing my family this way, it was rare to have everyone in the castle at the same time. Dimitri and Elijah now lived in the Village while attending university – which was why tonight was just as special as it was nerve-racking. Plus, if I did find a suitor, it'd mean my time here with my family was even more limited.

 I walked over to my beautiful parents who had their arms around each other. I swear they fell more in love with each other with every single day that passed. Father was dressed in his royal attire. Black dress pants, a white waist band, a white crisp dinner shirt, a black bow-tie and a black jacket with the royal blue sash draping diagonally across his body. The royal sash was covered in medals from his charity and military work over the years. His hair was gelled with a part on the right side and his smile could light up any room, making me smile in return. 

 The royal blue was the colour of our kingdom. The people of our kingdom chose it for us centuries ago when my ancestors, the former Kings and Queens, ruled. Hence why every member of my family was wearing something consisting of the colour, as is tradition. 

 Father took my hand in his and spun me around. “Angel, I can’t believe my eyes”. His voice was soft and full of emotion. “You are no longer a girl, you’re officially a beautiful, young woman. I regret organising this event for you now, I don't want to let you go”. I forced my arms around him, attempting to hug him which was growing more and more difficult to do as his stomach was growing larger and larger by the day.

 “Our darling Angel,” Mother started, her voice wavering as she was trying to keep her emotions at bay. She was in a fitted strapless A-line white taffeta dress. She was one hell of a sight. Her makeup was stunning! The soft oranges and light brown eye shadows made her sky-blue eyes pop and that winged eyeliner was to die for! Her everyday pink lips were masked by a beautiful spring pink that only seemed to enhance her natural features. 

 My mother was a vision. Her piece of royal blue were the sapphires and diamonds that were glistening as a matching set of studded earrings, a stunning  asymmetrical necklace with a matching asymmetrical  bracelet. This also tied in with her engagement ring that was one main emerald-cut sapphire gemstone with four oval diamonds, two either side of the main stone. It was one hell of a ring and father had designed it himself. Her hair was similar to mine, strawberry blonde and fashioned in an Audrey Hepburn 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' bun. Being the Queen, she also had an elegant tiara, it was big enough to be noticed, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires, but small enough not to be intimidating. 

 “You are an absolute stunner, and to be sure,” she said, bringing me out of my trance, “you’ll be either finding a boyfriend or husband tonight.” She winked at me before looking at Father. They both smiled to each other as though no one else was in the room. Mother’s attention turned back to me, her next words; however, were directed at my father but they still took me by complete surprise, nonetheless…

 “Honey, who wore this dress better? Me or our darling Angel?” 

 "Marmi, that's an unfair question! We all know it was you. We have the portrait of you two to prove it." I couldn't help the sound of annoyance that laced my voice. 

 "You know Angel, this dress was made when our ancestors first landed here. That makes it nearly 180 years old. Now, we've had to replace the material here and there, but it's the same style as the original gown. The only original item left now though is the Chantilly lace jacket." She smiled and I couldn't help but return it. Smiles in general are contagious but mother's were on another level. Plus, now knowing the real history of the dress made it even more special. 

 “Darling, going back to your question,” Father started responding, “You were dazzling but our Angel, she looks perfect. You've turned into such an elegant young woman.” He smiled down at me. But that’s where the sweetness ended. His voice then deepened, I could feel a mental eye roll coming on. “Well, in all honesty, my love, you wore it better. Angel may look like an angel but let's not be deceived, she's as fiery and rebellious as they come." With that he grabbed my cheek, giving it a little shake as I slapped his hand away, rolling my eyes. 

 Everyone else though, were laughing. As true as his words were, I couldn't help the glare I gave him. In return, he brought me in for another hug, squashing me against that ever growing belly but this time I hung my arms by my sides in an effort to show he had pissed me off.

 A knock silenced the laughter and stopped father from squishing me in his arms as the door opened and Bertha walked in. My siblings and I stiffened in her presence. Even Dimitri and Elijah weren’t comfortable with her and they didn't live here anymore.

 Bertha's next words may have been for us all but her eyes were fixed on Father’s and his alone. She seemed to be flirting with him. Gross. And Mother is. Right. There! That woman was vile.

 “Their Royal Highnesses, your guests have all arrived. It is time.” She began backing out with a smirk on her face, continuing to eye father before closing the door and once again, we were alone. Thank god!

 “Right, children. Your father and I are to walk in first and you are to follow directly behind. Mav, be sure you hold Dimitri’s hand so you don’t trip down those big stairs. Right, let’s go.” Mother spoke with an authoritative tone and my siblings started moving. She seemed tense after seeing Bertha, not that she would ever admit her dislike for the wretched woman. 

 She turned towards the doors taking Father's hand in hers, relaxing a little. As she started walking, her eyes caught me and I swear she could feel my nerves beginning to grip at my throat. She stopped and bee-lined it back to me. 

 “Angel, are you OK? Do you remember what we rehearsed? You must enter when you hear the trumpets.” Her voice had returned to a silk tone. I nodded in response, unable to speak due to the lump caught in my throat. She continued, “OK my love. The next time I see you, we'll be on the dance-floor.” She smiled at me, threw her arms around me before leaving the room. 

 I had forgotten about her note in my clutch. The thought of her note relaxed me, but only a little. When I looked back up, my parents and siblings were gone and Mav was lingering at the door. I was alone with my own thoughts which was never good. Especially when I’m nervous.

 Mav came racing towards me. I bent down to his his level by the time he reached me. “Dimitri asked me to take your bag, he says you can’t walk down the stairs carrying it.” His big blues were focused on my clutch. I removed the strap from my shoulder and passed it to him. 

 “Keep it safe, Mav”. He met my eyes and nodded at me.

 “I will, I promise, sis” He hugged me tight before running after my family. Dimitri was holding the door open and smiled at me before letting it close.

 I was officially alone, waiting in the wings. Well, s**t.