The New Francine Elizabeth Maxwell

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"Whoa, I look like a literal princess. How does she even walk-in these? Ugh, the heels - a tomboy's worst nightmare and the hair - God! Also, why does she have to wear such an awfully uncomfortable dress? Couldn't she wear jeans and a hoodie? I swear that is more comfortable. You hear what I'm saying?"

Sam sighed. "You know, Cherie, you whine a lot!"

He watched me as I made a disgusted face in the mirror. It had been a week since Sam and Francine last came to my place and we discussed each other's behaviors, food habits, likes, dislikes - you know, the usual. Now, here I was, standing in front of the mirror in Francine's room- my apologies- my room while Sam - I mean, brother watched me whine my ass off.

"Oh, come on Sam-"

"Brother, Cherie. She never addressed me by name." Samuel corrected it.

"Then I'm not Cherie to you too, I'm either Liz or Princess Beautiful..ugh, how cheesy could you be with the nickname!"

Sam winked. "I shall get used to it, do not worry about me, Princess Beautiful."

I stared at his reflection. "Do you not know that flirting with your sister is sort of uncomfortable?"

He smirked. "But you're not my sister."

"Such a player," I muttered under my breath.

"Hey, quick question, are you made of Copper and Tellurium?"

I blinked a couple of times, not saying a single word. He came closer to where I stood and leaned down. His hot breath hit my neck, making me stiff.

He whispered, "Because you're cute."

I shall stand by my words.

Ladies, beware of this guy because Samuel Maxwell was a player.

He loved playing with emotions.

---

"Princess Francine Elizabeth Maxwell, you are ordered to present yourself before your King."

Yeah, yeah.

Your Highness.

"How should I act in front of him?"

He smirked. "Like a ticking time-bomb."

I took a deep breath and strolled inside the throne room, keeping my head high and at the same time balancing myself in stilettos. Man, wearing stilettos was so painful!

On the throne sat the King who was, apparently, my father and two new faces that I swear I had never seen in my entire life. One of them was short and stout, had grey locks, and wore glasses- which he adjusted now and then. On the other hand, was a much younger man who stood tall, his head held high and there was a certain aura of a commander surrounding him. It seemed like he was someone of the high ranks.

I asked as politely as much as my mouth would allow me. "Your Highness, did you ask for me?"

He smiled, slowly rising from his throne. "Yes, my dear. I did call for you."

He turned his attention to the other men in the room. "King Aurelius and Crowned Prince Augustus of Scotland, may I present you Crowned Princess Francine Elizabeth Maxwell of Titania."

Prince?!

No wonder he had that aura of a commander.

And ooh, Scotland...

The country was famous for its whisky!

Augustus's icy gaze met mine as he flashed his devilishly charming smile.

Devilishly charming?!

Did I just think that?

Eject all thoughts, brain! He looked like an arrogant, pampered Prince who knew nothing more than the luxury he grew up in. He was a rich-spoilt brat!

Yes, that was exactly what he was!

No more arguments.

"Augustus Xavier." His deep voice hit my eardrums as he extended his hand.

I shook it, flashing one of my charming smiles his way. "Ch-Francine Elizabeth Maxwell."

Thank the lords, I caught myself before I gave my identity away!

The atmosphere was silent again for a couple of minutes before Sam being Sam broke the silence with his goofiness.

"So, why did you call us, dad?"

Your Highness seemed offended. "Samuel Maxwell, behavior."

Samuel looked unfazed. It was like he was used to Your-my apologies- father acting this way towards him. He never seemed to take anything at heart which was one thing everyone admired. He was the most lovable Prince here.

"Why did you ask for us?"

He grinned. "You shall see. I want the two of you to prepare for a grand dinner. I shall tell you two there, is that clear?"

"Crystal."

---

I found myself standing in front of the mirror, again. Unlike earlier today, I was left alone with my thoughts. What could the King possibly have in store for Francine? When I had asked Samuel about it, he just shrugged. Maybe, he didn't know it himself.

Did it have something to with the Prince of Scotland?

Speaking of Scotland, I always desired to visit that country. My mum was from Scotland which made it my hometown, too. Mum had promised to take us there to visit before she died.

Well, as you can see, that never happened.

I wore a navy-blue, knee-length dress - I swear, I would never, ever wear a dress ever again- which I kept adjusting. I wondered if I could even walk wearing this. On top of that, I had to wear stilettos again.

I stared at the stilettos which were kept underneath the table and gave out a weary sigh. Thinking about wearing those devils, made my hairs stand.

After a while, a knock on the door brought me back to my dreading reality.

"Hey, you ready, yet?"

"Uh-huh. Just a sec." I examined myself in front of the mirror. I looked like I was trying too hard to look good. Did Francine always have to go through this excruciating torture?

Why try so hard to look good when you're naturally hot?!

Samuel strolled into the room and examined my reflection before letting out a low whistle. "You know, if you didn't look like Liz, I would've definitely flirted with you."

I chuckled. "Ah, so this is what is stopping you right now."

"Well, after you said how uncomfortable and weird it sounded, I realized it myself. Hell, I couldn't stop thinking about how strange it was this morning!"

I tilted my head to the side, wearing the golden earring. "Finally someone has realized it."

He plopped down on the bed, sitting cross-legged. "Yes. Henceforth, I shall never flirt with you. Even if I just practice on you to perfect my skills."

I stared at him, through the mirror. "Why do you need perfecting?"

He smirked. "You are going to hate me for this."

I blinked a couple of times in confusion.

"Why is that so?"

Without missing a beat he said, "Because-"

"Charlie, Sam. They're here." Jamie interrupted his speech by crashing into our conversation.

Samuel smirked, dropping the previous topic conversation.

"You ready?"

I smirked back.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

---

"'Tis really great that the father-son duo has come to visit Titania!" Father spoke from one end of the long table.

King Aurelius gratefully smiled, tucking the napkin under his collar. "Ah, the pleasure is ours. We wanted to know about the Kingdom a little more. Moreover, I wanted Aiden to meet Francine before they get engaged. 'Tis not the sixteenth century, hence we need to keep up with today's generation. Is not it right, Augustus?"

"Yes, father." His deep, British accent hit my eardrums like a pile of stones. His voice was as cold as ice- just like this icy blue eyes.

If gazes could kill, I would've been killed a million times over by now.

And wait for a godforsaken second!

Engagement?

What the hell was this oldie talking about?

Samuel smirked from across the table, looking at my confusion. Oh, he knew really well what this was about! He knew it from the very second they came, or even before.

"Francine." My head snapped towards the oldie. "What plans do you have for the future?"

The King laughed, shaking his head. "Marrying Augustus, of course! What sort of a question is that, Aurelius?!"

What? Did he think that a girl only had 'marriage' as the only plan for the future? Girls did not have to worry about the future and only think about boys, marriage, and family planning! Even in the twenty-second century, people had that kind of mentality. No! That was wrong! Girls should get to plan their own future, have a desire to be independent and be boy-independent. Our lives shouldn't revolve around some stupid boys who didn't even care.

McCrae was that person, who thought Nic's entire life should've revolved around him. It even would've if it wasn't for me coming in between them and saving Nicole like a knight in shining armor. Boys weren't the only ones allowed to have the title. We girls did too. Even a single statement of the king explained a lot of his sick mentality. No wonder, Francine wanted to escape for a while. Her father would've never let her rule. He would send her off with this cold-jerk.

Samuel gave me a nod.

That was the moment our previous conversation came flashing back. A ticking-time-bomb you need?

Then, a ticking-time-bomb was what you shall get.

I abruptly stood up, smashing my fists on the table. "IS THAT WHAT YOU THINK MY FUTURE PLANS ARE?!"

The entire table fell silent.

"I'll tell you what my plans are, Your Highness. As soon as I am coronated Queen, my first order would be to make enough schools that had the capability of teaching people to see from a modern perspective. Just because we are girls doesn't mean that 'marrying' is the only plan we've got. We've got dreams, we've got aspirations, too. And it's high bloody time, you guys understood that! And father," He turned his frightened gaze towards me.

"No one asked you about my plans. Henceforth, next time, please let me have the honor of explaining it to people."

Mic drop people!