35

35

I know I should have slept or at least pushed myself to sleep last night because I am finally feeling the repercussions of my action. I was up until dawn thinking about what happened between me and Prince Luke. Lalita even noticed my lack of attention when she was helping me get ready to sleep. My mind was still backing up and all I could do was lie down and let every single event that occur consume me. I was up thinking everything and right now, I could feel every sort of tiredness coursing throughout my body.

Since today is the scheduled beginning of the events, every lady involved are required to wake up early for the preparations. I had no other choice but to rise up and welcome this new day with a fake a smile and with an unbelievable headache.

Lalita then showed up in my room to check if I was already awake and she saw how dreadful I look that she wasn’t able to stop herself from gasping.

“Forgive me my lady but did you even get any sleep last night? You look like you’ve been huntet” Lalita exclamed before walking near me.

“Lalita before I even explain myself to you, could you give me some painkillers? My head is killing me and I just can’t..” I paused to exhale because I was getting irritated for now apparent reason so before I even get there, I had to stop myself and be completely in control.

“Shall I request for the royal doctors to come and check on you?” Lalita worriedly asked me and honestly her suggestion sounded so appealing that I almost gave her a nod, but I know my body and I was never trained to immediately call a doctor for just a simple headache. I am fully aware the reason why I am even in this state, theres no reason for the doctors to get involve.

“Just get me some painkillers and i’ll be fine, if you call for the doctors, it will just call for too much attention.” I sat on one of the couches and close my eyes so I could at least rest myself before the designer and glam teams arrives. “Plus give me some coffee, I’ll need energy to last the whole event.” I massage my head as I heard Lalita silently followed my requests. I felt bad that I had to give her orders but I had no other choice or I might just kept on snapping at people later on.

I then again remember the kiss I had with the prince. I should probably be embarrass for remembering something so intimate but I wasn’t, instead, I was confuse. Prince Luke admitted that he liked me and I did agree on making an effort to win during the events, but after the kiss I had with him, I felt a little betrayed. Betrayed because I had to do all the effort while he gets the chance and opportunity to simply choose and do whatever he can. With his history and capacity, I am quite sure that it wouldn’t be so hard for him to change his mind about me and choose a different lady if he sees them fit to the title than me. I feel betrayed because, even with those thought in my mind, I still feel my heart slowly giving up to him.

I am flying blind but all I could do was trust whatever it is that’s happening between us. I can only keep moving forward.

“My lady, here is your painkillers and I already requested for the kitchen personnels to deliver your breakfast now, so it should be here soon” Lalita comes to my side and even with eyes close, I could smell her familiar rose scented detergent, that’s why I was even able to recognize her location.

“Thank you, Lalita.” I open my eyes and took the pill she had in her hands and pop it inside my mouth before taking the water bottle that was opened by Lalita on the table.

“My lady, are you sure you’ll be fine?” Lalita looked really worried and with my mess up emotions I had to master up a smile just so I could assure her that everything is fine.

Fortunately before she could even ask me another question, a knock reverberated inside the rooms. Lalita immediately walks towards the door to see who it was and not a second longer did she open it and welcomes the staff that brought me my food.

“Good morning my lady, the Prince personally requested that each ladies be served with their favorite set of breakfast in hope that you and the rest of the ladies, feel energized and excited for the upcoming opening ceremony.” The staff delivered after bowing in front of me, but after he said those things he looks around the room and decided to slip a piece of paper with food on the table. “The Prince specifically instructed me to deliver something else to you my lady. I hope you have a great day and good luck” he quickly left without saying anything else. Lalita obviously heard everything but just like how she is trained, she pretended that as is she didn’t. She gave me a second to grab the piece of paper and then she turns around to give me the privacy that I need.

I unfolded the piece of paper and silently read what was written, with hopes that I could prevent the smile that’s threatening to come up.

‘Just like the sparkling, twinkling stars during the evening, shine like the rays of the sun this morning. This is me saying, i’m looking forward to seeing you later and that I can’t wait. -L’

It was simle and an obvious work of an amateur but nevertheless, this was cute and very sweet. I uncontrollably smiled and just like magic, I was now in a very good mood, all my recent negative vibe are now gone and away.

Lalita walks to my side and when she witnessed my change of attitude, she just smiled and urged me to eat the breakfast that’s in front of me. It’s just a fancy set of toasts, eggs and bacon. Lalita gave me the coffee that I badly needed and that’s when I happily devoured the breakfast set given to me.

When the designer came and brought my dress for the event, I just got out of the flowers and fortunately, my mood gradually improved. Lalita already prepared the undergarments I was required to wear and sadly they are the ones I thought I would never have to wear but here I am anyways, wearing a set of lingerie and a nightgown to cover my body.

I didn’t know how long I sat on the vanity chair but my butt’s already hurting but because I had to close my eyes to most of the things being done to me my the people helping me and because of that, half of the time I was sitting and closing my eyes, lets just say one of them had to support my head because I fell asleep.

As soon as everyone’s done doing their share with my whole look, they all gave me a second to appreciate this change they made to me. I mean they practically made me human, a decent, empowered and beautiful woman. They magically transformed my ugly ass into something so gorgeous and I’m not just saying this because its me but because I truly appreciate their hard work. I saw how I looked earlier and I swear I look like panda that’s been deprived of sleep for a year. My bags are too dark earlier that right now while I look myself in the mirror, I would have mistaken the person in front as someone who had the most dreamiest sleep and rest her whole life.

“Well you guys certainly outdid yourselves, thanking you wouldn’t be enough.” I complimented all of them since they all deserve it. They made a miraculous difference at how I look earlier, if somebody sees me now, they wouldn’t think that I got no sleep and that what lies behind this marvelous work of art on my face are bags of dark circles highlighting my restless night. I guess they weren’t just hired for nothing, their skills are truly amazing.

“You praise us too much my lady. We are only doing what was tasked from us. My team and I personally wishes that you win, but our words alone are not enough so instead we are extending our support at how we dress and make you exceptional among others” the head designer explains to me. Up until today, she refuses to tell me what her name was and so did the rest of her team. I understand that they were following the rules of the inner court and that they are just protecting each other so instead of pushing them to tell me their names, I made them promise that when I finally get the results that I need to rise up, they’ll each give me their names so that I may give them the proper gratitude they all deserve. As of the moment, I only call them through Lalita.

“And I am indebted to all of you. I promise I will never forget this kindness” I look to each of them and gave them all a smile. This is the beginning of me completely depending on them to help me last this choosing ceremony. I already trust them and I know that it’s a bold move to even be in this kind of relationship with strangers but since the day they started showing up and helping me, they’ve been very patient and supportive of me. Though there were days where I couldn’t comprehend what they ask of me, still they gave me pointers and in each time that I do fail to reach their expectation, they easily give ideas of what I must do. They’ve been very helpful; this is why I owe them a lot.

The gown they designed for me was a little different than what they originally made me try one, the head designer made me try on fitted gowns few days ago but today she made me a gown that flows like a water. I don’t exactly know how to describe the masterpiece that she made but I can at least say that I am wearing a tube-like gown in white going to blue satin. I would say it looks really simple but because of the material used and the accessories they made me wear, I actually look like a very decent human being. Also, for the first time since I got here and got to spend days where I have to look presentable, they actually put my hair up for a change. A messy one at that. The likes that you see on catalogs of women with messy but looking great kind of buns in their heads. The ones you wish you could do on your daily hair, but you can’t seem to do so. Well that’s what they did to my hair and they were great.

I am not being narcissistic about my look though, I’m just happy that I could look this way and be confident about it.

“My lady, its time for us to go. The royal regent and her highness will be meeting all the ladies before the actual ceremony for some last-minute instructions, so we really must be going now. We can’t let both leaders of the inner court wait for you. That won’t look great on your record” Lalita speaks behind me with her usual rush but respectful tone.

With one last look, I followed Lalita to where a car was already waiting for us. The head designer smiled as I got inside the car and so did Lalita, the head designer and the rest of her people bowed as we depart making me wonder if they are even going to the same place as I am.

“Will they also come?” Lalita looks at me from the passenger sit to answer my question.

“They will my lady, I have already arrange their ride and after they prepare the things they need they’ll come to place so they could touch you up” Lalita explains which comforted me.

We reached the location just in time, I don’t think I’m the last person to arrive but there were already cars parked outside the waiting villas. Though the location is pretty much still located inside the second gates, later on for the actual ceremony, we will need to travel to the third gate where a much bigger location is being set to accommodate all the royals, the candidates, the nobles and the those of the media people that’s been granted access.

Since everything started, I haven’t had a proper talk with my father or my brother, the last time I spoke to Michael he told me he’d be coming here but after a week or so, I haven’t had any news coming from and somehow, instead of being angry about it that just made me really worried. I also wonder if they even have any idea that I am finally giving in to the idea they first proposed. I was expecting they would be the first to know, seeing as they were the ones who was supportive of this idea since day one, but I was expecting for nothing since I haven’t heard anything from them and the royals haven’t said anything that’s related to my biological father.

Whatever the case is, the product of everything is still the same.

“Welcome my lady, before you go in, the Queen has tasked us to bring you some place first” one of the Queens lady maid told me as I walk in the foyer of the villa. Though I was doubtful to follow, I suddenly feel that the Queen wants to meet me first before she goes and talks to everyone of us. Maybe she has something for me or maybe a news from my father and my brother.

I reluctantly followed behind the lady maid, she led me and Lalita to another villa with more guards and lady maids waiting outside the door. The lady maid who led me here finally stops at the door and faces me.

“We are here my lady; another servant will assist you once you get inside. But for privacy purposes, your servant shall stay with me until you get back” she says while blocking Lalita’s way like she’s a human barrier. She steps further in between me and Lalita when I was about to speak to her. This lady maid was being defensive for no reason. I was just planning to tell Lalita to wait for me. Its not like I’m going to go against protocol and make trouble to anyone around me. I’m not that stupid.

Instead of making a fuss about what this maid did, I just went along her instruction and entered the villa with caution. I’m thinking wild things right now and one of them is specific to abduction. Though abduction would just sound stupid at this situation since this place is practically roaming with guards and officials that its impossible to even take anyone outside the gates without anyone noticing. Plus, I am still one of the candidates so taking me would only result the whole kingdom to be on high alert.

Since I already have that thought in mind, I kept on walking inside the villa until I heard some hush voices talking inside another room and me being the cautious but still nosy person, I walked near the door and tried my best silently listen to whoever it was on the other side of the room.

I know what you are thinking. I shouldn’t be doing this, and that eavesdropping are against all royal laws, and yet here I am, doing it anyways. Even though I did try to listen, I could not hear anything that’s clear or even understandable. All I heard were some murmurings and a few chuckles. Which could only mean that this room has other people and probably not the Queens.

With that, I moved away from the door and was about to go on and try my luck on another door, but unfortunately, the door opened.

“Danielle, finally!” A joyful voice stops me from my supposed to be escape “Come, I have a surprise for you” I turn around with a smile on my face as I welcome the royal regents booming aura. She was dressed elegantly like always and today, she actually decided to wear her crown and her royal seal.

I deliberately followed the regent and entered the room, I didn’t really expect to see her but I don’t have any excuse to disobey the, especially when she’s this lively.

I guess I was too distracted with royal regents welcome that I fail to notice that aside from, there are other people inside the room. So when my attention finally got to this people, I had my mouth fall in surprise. Shock is an understatement to what I am feeling right now, I am beyond overwhelmed and confused as to what is happening in front of me.

Michael, yes my step brother Michael, stood in front of me with this ridiculous goofy look on his face, he was wearing one of his formal suits and he also had his hair styled to perfection. Though in all honesty, since the last time we met, he appears to be losing some weight.

“Hey there sis, you look wonderful” He praised how I looked and that woke me up from my reverie. I look behind him and there I saw my father with a women on his side looking and smiling at me. Queen Tatiana was also present in the room and just like the royal regent, she was expecting something.

“Goodness my child, are you having a stroke?” the royal regents pokes my side so she could get my attention back and that little push, finally made me realize that my supposed to be family is here and waiting for me to say something.

What do I even say in this sort of situations? Not even the number of same scenarios I read in books could help me make my own first phrase to acknowledge the people in front of me. I mean, do I simply say hi? Because the last time I checked, there is someone in this room that is totally new to me and I would really appreciate if someone finally introduced us so that I could shake away the surprise and awkwardness I’m feeling simultaneously.

“Danielle” My father finally steps forward in his clean, tucked and buttoned black suit. “I want you to meet my wife, Marissa” The lady that was just standing besides him, moves forward to face me. She looks a little like Michael, they both have sparkly eyes. She’s a little smaller than me, but she’s just as beautiful as Queen Tatiana, in fact, if my father didn’t say anything about her being his wife, I would have assumed she’s another sibling I haven’t met. Which is bad now that I think of it!

Now that I’m face to face with my father’s wife, I am still not sure what to call her, so I’ll stick with my father wife for now, well she looks at me and then I thought she was going to say something but then she suddenly pulls me for a hug which caught everyone in the room off guard.

“I don’t care what other say but even if you didn’t come out of me, you are my child. You are a part of me and as long as you let me, I will be a part of you too” She squeezes me tight, just like how mom would do to me whenever she feels like being extra mushy.

I do not really know what happened next only that my tears are freely falling from my eyes and as I looked to my brother and the rest of the people inside the room, they all have one emotion, and it was all sincere joy