Chapter 11
My time at the southern Main castle with the Matatari's was well spent. I enjoyed talking and being around the siblings, and Anna too. Anna seemed much better then when I last saw her before, she was given equal treatment to all the other siblings. Of course I was often kept busy with readings or any lessons I was given to complete during my break. It can hardly be called a break with the amount of work I was given. I did at least have a break from Aunt Sauntie, which was nice, a break from her was much needed. Returning to her day after day, doing the difficult tasks and training relentlessly has been putting a strain on me. There's only so much a person can take!
I saw a news article about the Terreklanitha's, it was made public that they DID in fact have a third, youngest daughter, Anna, and that she ran away. They claim that she "hated" their family and decided on her own to run away.
"Though she is young, this type of behavior, these acts, they might as well be considered treason! We are ashamed to have considered her one of our own. But since she IS family we decided to let her off lightly. She is disowned by the Terreklanitha Royals. She no longer bears our name nor has any affiliation with us."
Were their words to quote. I tried explaining it to Anna but I think she is still too young to understand. It is a difficult concept for a five year old to understand, And it must be pretty confusing for her too. I mean, they weren't considering her family before, now they've just made it official.
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I breathe in, then slowly out, I've got this, I think.
"Excuse me, Queen Matata?" I ask. The queen turns her head towards me, she's sitting elegantly in a chair having tea when I ask her. She sits up and waits for me to continue. I freeze for a moment, I'm still not used to being able to talk to her so personally. Everything she does is so regal, everything is done with a purpose, even while sitting she maintains her image.
"Um- I was wondering, or Anna, seems very curious about the palace so I was thinking maybe she could travel back with us and stay for a few days or so… would that be allowed?" I stutter.
The queen takes another sip of her tea then gently places her cup back onto its plate. "As long as she does not interfere or hinder your performance in any way then I'll allow it." Just as I begin to curtsy she speaks to me in a softer, more relaxed tone; "And child, you don't have to address me so formally, I am your mother."
"Y-yes, sorry and Thank you."
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After Anna's few days at the palace my life went back to being overly busy and stressful. As I am to attend the Middle School in a few weeks; therefore, I have been bombarded about all sorts of things related to such. The main thing is that I am not hiding my identity, as in not telling anyone that I am in fact, Allieoannah. Which is easy enough for me, I don't consider myself her anyways. The trouble is, hasn't my face been seen in the papers and articles around the world already? Won't people recognize me? Apparently the elders' simple solution is to change my appearance slightly, along with just denying anyone who claims they recognize me.
I've been given a pair of glasses with false lenses to wear, I've also been told to wear my hair up because 'people have only seen you with your hair down', so naturally a different hairstyle will solve all our problems.
In the little free time I have, I've been busy writing to my friends, or mainly Meghan. Meghan is my best friend from my time in the North. She and I are really close, we write constantly. Because I am to keep my identity a secret now, I am not allowed to actually tell her about all the crazy changes to my life now. As far as she knows, I live in the south with the Matatari's and I am just "Allie". Still an orphan, still a normal. Still me. Honestly, I am quite glad that she doesn't know, people treat me so, especially now; Meghan does not.
Unfortunately though, Meghan will not be attending the Middle School, I was really hoping that she would so that I could at least have someone I know there with me. Bill and Chrissy do not attend the Middle School either, they go to a private school as per family tradition. Ironically, almost all of the most important royal students in the world do not attend the most prestigious private school, ment for the highest classes of society.
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"Welcome students, to the Middle School. I welcome returning students back, and I welcome the new students just arriving for their first year. If you are a Purple, Blue Green or level two and three Orange, I won't keep you, you may all leave and return to your dorms. Those of you who are changing dorms and personal lockers should head to the courtyard. Now, First years, welcome. This introduction assembly is mostly for you, so please listen closely. I will be going over the RULES, also important information about classes and GRADUATION requirements and how this school works for those of you that do not already and an understanding of such. Now…"