36

36- Danielle

I finally calmed down and thank God for waterproof mascaras, because if my head designer sees me right now, she might collapse. Though I am still bewildered to why I bawled my hearts out for something so absurd. Marissa just hugged me and it didn’t took me a second to act like a child missing her own mommy, however, I did feel a connection with Marissa and the only explanation I could come up was that its because she’s a mother. Plus, I’m not the only one who cried, she did as well and maybe I did see my father wipe a tear or two before covering his whole face with his neat handkerchief. That was unexpected however it gave me a new impression. I guess he does have feelings too.

“I apologize for not meeting you sooner, I had to arrange a lot of things so we could come to this day and witness your success” Lady Marissa tells me as she keeps on holding my hand, likes she’s scared to see me go once she releases my hand. Like I would vanish if she suddenly takes her eyes away from me.

“Mom, this is Danielle’s first time meeting you and you’re already all over her. She needs also needs to breathe mom” Michael teases her mom but that didn’t seem to bother Lady Marissa, in fact, she didn’t even budge and kept on latching on me.

“I apologize but I’m a little confuse…” My tone was a little off but nevertheless, I spoke what I need to say, well half of what I needed to say.

“Confuse about what darling?” It was now Queen Tatiana’s turn to talk, and every eye present in the room falls back to me.

Well I would have simply answered her query if I also know what exactly I’m confused of. It’s crazy that my mind won’t even work with me so now I’m just looking blankly to every waiting faces in front of me.

“Everything…?” I sounded unsure but it’s the closest thing I could say to make them all understand.

The Royal family looked at each other and so did my father and my brother. They seem to get my point, or I may just be assuming that they do. I looked at my hand that is held capture by my father’s wife.

“Danielle…” My father approaches both me and his wife but he didn’t take the hand that’s holding me captive. I’m exaggerating but I could already feel my hand sweat and that’s just gross for someone who has the softest palms. “Though you carry Val’s last name, you are still my child and you represent West as it is. Though the world doesn’t know about this and I’m pretty sure that a day would come where they would all know, but before all those things happen, you must show the world everything you’ve got.”

You can always count to my biological father to give you an explanation with added pressure and extra drizzle of more weight on my shoulder. Did they just come here to remind me that I have this tiny little secret that’s worthy of hundred criticism? And here I am feeling a little excited that they finally show up and support me.

“Dad, you really have the cutest way of showing how much you support your children” Michael then intervenes, which made the royal family laugh and agree to what he just said. “You make it as if she’s going into some kind of a trial, not just that but a trial for life or death.” Michael continues and then he looks at me with so much positivity lingering his aura.

“Your son is right dear, you’re too uptight to your only daughter and now its making her uncomfortable. We agreed to come here so we can silently support her in whatever means we can and that’s what we’ll do” Lady Marissa sternly forbids my father and if I wasn’t in some sort of an awkward situation, I might have smiled at how awesome this woman in front of me but I am in an awkward situation and so I can’t.

The royal regent kept smiling as Michael and Lady Marissa kept telling my dad to back off and chill. To my point of view, all of this just looks perfect and peaceful. Just a family having the best time of their lives and bullying each other like it’s the most normal thing to do. I look at Michael and thought that he has his mother’s wits, I mean with our father being the serious type of person, one would wonder how did his son become such a comedian. Then my mind led me to things that I’m similar with, with my father. I think we both like being silent and I could only assume that we both don’t know how to speak for ourselves. What we know at least is how to be straight forward with our own opinions. I at least have something similar to my own biological father, but can that be enough reason for me to become part of their perfect little world?

The thought kept going around my head as I now wait for the Queen to call us all candidates. After Lady Marissa’s little bickering session with my father, the Queens butler told us that its time for me to go back to my waiting area so my head designer could do some last minute touch ups. I was silent the whole time but I did give lady Marissa a smile before leaving. But even a crow would know that I was not in my proper set of mind.

After being magically renewed by my head designers, they all left me so I could have a second for myself, I guess even the team assigned to me, figured that I needed the time to again think. I close my eyes to let myself sync to the whole situation I am in.

My father and his family are here to support me. Even when they can’t introduce me as part of their family, they seem to accept me. I guess I was expecting that my father’s wife would be a little indifferent to me, but she wasn’t. She even claimed me as her own child. Why would she do that? Why would she care so much when I’m not even her real daughter? Maybe i’m just too cautious, after all its just so unusual for people to be this nice.

The events coordinators reminded us that we are about to present ourselves in front of the Queen, thing is, it will be recorded so they could have it in their documents, so we have to appear in our best behavior. Lalita led me back to the foyer where the other ladies are now lining up, juts like how the coordinators instructed. I looked at each of them and one of them just happens to be someone I was dreading to see. Though I did have a feeling she would show up since she’s been in the palace, training and assuming things, since day one. Now she sees me and looks at me like I’m some dirt she wishes to unsee.

“Your lucky we have cameras every where, otherwise, I would have told the servants to drag you back where you belong” Lady Isabelle whispers in my ear as soon as she went pass me. One of the ladies who looks younger than all of us looks to both me and Isabelle so I would only assume that she also heard what lady Isabelle tried so hard to whisper in my ears. Isabelle didn’t wait for me to say any retort and continued walking like nothing happened.

The young lady who heard her walks towards while having a small smile plastered in her face. She wore a pink balloon gown that only made her look ten times younger.

“Hi” she cheerfully greeted “My names Allaina, but you can just call me Ina if you want to. What’s your name?”

“You can call me Danielle, nice to meet you” I greeted back but with less energy than she did.

“Well, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but, that mean lady acted like she knows you and was mean to you. Are you going to be okay?” She curiously asked me and just so things are clear, she doesn’t look like someone who’s even bothered that she just admitted she listened to what Isabelle whispered to me.

“I will be fine. Thank you for your concern” I sincerely smile. She seems to be nice and if I’m to survive this choosing ceremony, a friend would be very nice.

“Well, you seem nice how about we sit together after we present ourselves to the Queen” She happily suggested which only made me smile and nod. However, I am not so sure if we are even allowed to sit while being presented to the Queen.

Lalita and the rest of the servants has to go on and wait with the rest of the servants outside. I was left with Allaina, Isabelle and the other two ladies who just happens to be looking around and pretty much observing. Allaina is the only one thats being talkative of all the girls and she’s a little mushy too. She tried speaking to the other two ladies but they only gave her each a stern look and a nod. I felt bad for her but every lady in here are weary of each other. And, I have a feeling that I’m not the only one who knows Isabelle. One of the other two ladies, the one with the long lacey black gown, she looks at me for second and she seemed surprise when our eyes met but after that little moment, she then walks away and acts like we didn’t just look at each other.

“Now I am positive that there two mean ladies amongst us, the one in red fitted gown and the one who keeps looking at you like she’ll kill you” Allaina kept whispering unnecessary information in my ears. Some of them could be useful, but the other ones, they are just childish information.

We were finally called to line up and wait as our names are called out. I followed their instruction and waited. The first called out the lady wearing black and her name sounded familiar but I didn’t dwell much on it and remained focus for my turn to come.

“Lady Danielle Gonzales” one of the staff calls out and I move forward so I could enter the room and present myself to the Queen. Even though I already presented myself to the Queen earlier.

I walked inside the room and my initial thought was to walk slowly and as graceful as I could because that’s what matters here and every people of the kingdom will witness how I’ll perform, whether I do great and not fail, they’ll have something to say so might as well give them something to really talk about.

As I reached the center of the room, I took a small pause to bow and slowly raise my head to meet the Queen. And there she was sitting and nodding slowly as she grace everyone in the room this proud look on her face. She didn’t say anything which made things a little awkward for me but when I look around every camera was recording my every move so I can’t show how awkward this whole situation is for me.

Good thing that I saw one staff, gesturing for me to go to the other ladies that was called ahead of me. I was actually the lady to be called last and fortunately, I didn’t have to be next to Isabelle because if that happens then I don’t know how long I could hold onto this fake smile I have plastered in my face. I went to take my place next to Allaina, who was wildly smiling to every camera and waving like she’s seeing other people we couldn’t see. We all remained standing since no sit was provided, a very common practice of the North people whenever they are in the presence of the Queen.

“My dear wonderful and beautiful ladies, I am beyond pleased to see you all here and looking magnificent in your gowns and brilliant. Words cannot express how I admire each and every one of you for accepting my invitation and taking this journey of a lifetime. Some of you came from distant kingdoms and lands that’s been in fruitful relations with our very own Estrella.” Queen Tatiana smiled to each of us, which gives me this warm feeling inside. A natural skill of her highness.

“For generations ladies of the court are always viewed as someone who would embrace the role of being a supporter. Someone who would just nod and look presentable when needed. Someone who would bring lives to many men and women who would hopefully bring pride and joy to their families and maybe to their respective kingdoms. But that’s not what a woman is, what a lady should be. Yes we do bring lives and yes we do need to look presentable but we are more than this things. Today, the world has embraced the idea of how women could change the whole world. How our ideals could help each kingdom grow into something that is worthy of its name.” Queen Tatiana moves from her sit and walks in front of us. With the camera’s following each of the Queens moves, I smiled ear to ear.

“You ladies, are here to prove not of your worthiness to be the next crownprincess of Estrella or my sons wife but you are all here to prove what a Lady could do in a face of trials and chaos. You are here to prove that each of you are worthy of being in the courts of any kingdom” The Queens looks at each of us and when she finally sets her eyes on me she starts speaking again “And even with nothing to support you, you will rise”

Queen Tatiana then goes back to her sit after saying those things to me, well for all of us but the last part seemed to be directed to me so I’m going to be selfish and claim that its mine.

“So my dear ladies, for the upcoming events and trials you should all show to the world how much you all have grown into a women that’s worthy of being praised. But above all, prove to yourselves how worthy you all are.” Its feels like the Queen is proclaiming something in front of many people but she’s just being herself right now, she’s too happy with everything that its making me smile sincerely “Now, I wish you with all the luck and that may the Gods each of you believed in, guide you and help you until the very end”

After what the Queen said to all us, the camera people pack their things and the staff told us to follow them where we could wait because its now the time for us to present ourselves to the world. We were led to another room where we could watch on the tv at the center the things that are happening outside.

The weather was sunny and the location was set to perfection. We all witnessed the people gather and that just made my nerves go crazy. The other ladies seemed to be relaxing as well, Isabelle has her eyes closed and the other two are also doing their own unique way to relax. There were sits all around the room but I still chose to keep standing. One of the reason is because I didn’t want my dress to get wrinkles all over it.

“Ladies, we are ready to introduce you to the whole world in five, so please be ready” another staff tells us and that got everyones attention. Even Allaina looks like she’s about to go on a war when she suddenly stood up to chant some encouragements to herself.

Its only natural that we all feel this unnecessary pressure on our shoulders, we are after all going to present ourselves to a lot of people that could either like us or not. They say the world is somewhat a lion waiting to devour its prey. With this scenario we are like the prey who is about to be eaten whole, criticized by the people we are trying to impress. After the whole speech the Queen made for us, it finally dawned on each of us that we are about to go on a war that could potentially make us all doubt even ourselves. I didn’t need to hear each of the ladies words but the aura, the air that’s moving around us, feels all too the same.

The host of the ceremony started welcoming all the nobles and greeting everyone that’s witnessing this historical events. Just like any other kingdoms, we also have our own celebrities that Estrella is very proud of. The host we have now is one of those celebrities and his name is Kevin John, no last name, just Kevin John. Since I’m a bookish type of person, I don’t really watch any movies or even binge watch tv series, so I don’t really know any of his work only that he is famous for being the best at his line of career.

“Once again, this is truly an honor. Hosting this event made me feel a true loyal subject of the royal family.” Kevin John bows in front of the whole people while they clap their hands for his little introduction about himself.

“What a con…” I heard lady Eimalia whisper. I slowly look at her and she catches me but unlike before she didn’t avoid my gaze. I wanted to ask her what she meant but she looks a little piss after seeing Kevin John and asking her just went out of the drain. I figured they must have history together and asking her might just trigger her into hating me. I already have one lady wanting me dead, I don’t want to add another fierce looking lady to the list.

Kevin John made sure that the public was well entertained and honestly, he is good. Its no wonder many young girls like him, I mean he does have the charms and he knows exactly how to use those charms. It came to a time that he needs to introduce each of the royal family and every time, he would make this little impressions that would initially make a few ladies from the crowd fawn.

Unfortunately for him, he is not the only one who has charms that captivates ladies. The time finally came for Prince Luke to grace the crowd with his presence, and when he did, he did it with flare.

He wore a white tux like any prince charming would look like in fairy tales and not just that, but the organizers of this event made sure that all attention would be on Prince Luke and no one else. Though we are not seeing the whole picture of what’s happening outside since we are just watching everything through the television inside the room, everything was just dreamy and perfect.

Prince Luke walked to the very center and now Kevin John has to go to him so he could ask him some questions. At this point, I’m not the only one who was fidgeting. I felt Allaina approach me to the side and ever since that , she been biting her nails and tapping her heels. We are all just anxious that any minute now, we will be joining the prince.

“Greetings your highness” Kevin John greets his highness and bows in front of him to which the Prince immediately waved “Our dearest Prince, are you excited to finally meet the ladies?”

I and the rest of the ladies watch the Prince’s reaction with the question, and he looks exactly how he would always look in front of camera’s. Ready and fakely smiling.

“I guess at this point, I can’t just say I’m not ready Kevin. I should be ready or else my dear mother, her highness, might just make this lady eat me alive” The chuckles at his own words which made everybody assume that he was trying to joke around, what they don’t know is, its possible.

I don’t know about the rest of the ladies but for me and the Prince, my bet is that we’re both in the same situation only that with me, I only have one option and that to marry the prince but for him, he has man options to which he could always choose or leave.

“We didn’t know you could joke around like this your highness. I am sure our dearest Queen would do anything just to make sure you come out of this with a lady by your side” Kevin John adds which again gained joy from the crowd.

“You read me well Kevin”

They both made this gesture that could mean that they already know each other and possibly be friends. I leaned my head to the side to hide my smirk and thought of this familiar word to anyone, boys will be boys.

“How about we let this positive aura going and meet the ladies. I am quite positive that I am not the only one who’s feeling excited to meet each one of them, so my prince, if you would kindly stand on this side of the stage” Kevin John pointed to Prince Luke where he should be standing and he quietly followed.

When Kevin John announce that, one of the staff opens the door and tells us to follow behind. We did as instructed and waited for our time to finally come.

‘Just one last step Danielle and it would be the beginning of your new life. Just another step. Mark this day well, because someday, this day will become the very reason why you started everything’ I took a mental note inside my head. Well more like, I needed to remind myself what’s doing to happen from now on.

Ahead will most likely present me with tons of uncertainties but what the hell right? Its my only get away card so I just have to bare with everything right now.