06 New Life Pt. 2

I followed the King and Queen down a long hall, then up some stairs and down more halls. This place was like a maze. I'm bound to get lost. We round a corner and there are a few more people standing there seemingly waiting for us. How did they know we were coming this way?

The King stopped and turned to introduce us. "This is Molly, Molly Allieoannah." he said. Molly was older, and taller. She gave me a cold glare then turned to the King. I could've sworn they were talking but their mouths don't move. They said no words.

Behind Molly stood what looked like her older brother, along with another boy my age.

"This is Andrew-" the king gestured to the boy my age. "And this is Luckass. These two-" he set one hand on Luckass and one on Molly, "are your older siblings. Try to get along won't you."

"Nice to meet you." Luckass stepped forward and nodded his head in a slight bow. He seems familiar, but why?

I bow my head in reply.

"Molly show your sister to her room." Said the Queen.

"Fine, follow me." Molly said enthusiastically.

---

I followed her up more stairs and down a graciously decorated hallway.

"Here." she stopped and waved to a set of large double doors. The doors were carved with the symbol of light. I guess I won't have a hard time telling which doors are mine. Looking around I no notice that all of the other doors also have elemental symbols carved into them. "Later." she said and walked away, leaving me standing in front of the grand doors.

I push the doors open, their surprisingly light. In the center of the large room is a great canopy bed, the blankets and curtains all embroidered in golden threads. Beautiful silks drape the walls in place of windows. There are no windows… how odd. I close the doors and sit on the bed. I've lived in a castle my whole life but they hardly compare. The Oanns palace truly is something else.

Before I can get a chance to rest the doors burst open. Maids come flooding in.

"Your Highness, we are sent here to fit you for new attire." Says a maid, "please stand won't you." I do as I'm told but apparently it's not right. The Maids face turns into a scrunched up mess.

"What's the matter?" I ask.

"Yes yes, bathe first, then we'll measure you. Hurry!" she says pushing me into the washroom.

---

what seemed like hours later the Maids finally left. I wonder what time it is? I think. Looking around the room I don't see a clock. Maybe I can request one? I sit on my new bed, bored out of my mind. The maids took all my old clothes and left me in a stupid robe. I'd look stupid wondering the halls in nothing but a robe wouldn't I?

"Aaahhh." I say in despair. "What am I to do?" Just then the doors open once more and the maids return; behind them The Queen.

"You are to attend a ceremony shortly, we all are. Be dressed and meet by the gardens shortly." she says "here, a gift from Aunt Sauntie." I'm handed a leather journal, with a small stone embedded into the front. "You'll have time to look it over later, for now put it away." she says and leaves.

The maids quickly surround me and dress me in a silky dress and corset which gives me a figure much more mature than I am. Next they sit me in front of the vanity and start braiding and tying my hair back into a simple but elegant pattern.

For the first time since I arrived, I find myself staring at my new found self in the mirror. My Dark hair neatly lies over my shoulders, with stands of gold neatly weaved throughout. In the middle of my forehead lies a stone. The one Queen Matata 'revealed' or something when we first met. I was a shade of light lilac, matching the small one on the journal I was gifted. I wonder how they are related.

Now that I'm looking, my eyes seem to match the stone. Both are the same shade. I never realized it before but my eyes are actually purple aren't they?

Once my hair and attire are deemed suitable the scrunched up, pig-faced maid from earlier guides me down the halls to what must be the gardens.

I'm met by the Queen and her family I met earlier. Molly and her older brother, Luckass, stand together with their matching dark hair behind the King and Queen. Next to them are two more royal Oanns, they seem to be the same age as the king and queen, next to them is 'Andre' I think it was. Next to him a tall, beautiful woman wearing an overly tight and revealing dress. Behind all of them I see a smaller boy, hiding away in a dark corner.

He reminds me of Anna.

"Girl, this way." says a voice from the front of the group. The old woman from earlier, 'Aunt Sauntie calls me. "Stand here between us." she says and i'm moved behind her and another old woman. Aunt Sauntie turns around and quietly gives me directions into my ear, "All you have to do is stand there and look pretty, got it." her words send a shiver through me. I nod and follow as all the Royal Oanns and I begin to walk out onto the steps.

---

I squinted my eyes expecting bright sunlight, only to be met by a warm sunset. It's already evening?! Beneath the steps are people, citizens all yelling and praising.

What are they saying? I can barely hear anything. Is anyone saying anything? The shock of everything seems to be hitting me.

Is this what my life will be like from now on? I don't want this. I don't want any of it!