Arrival (Part I)

Michael

Prince Michael paced the floor of his family's private summer home where they would be receiving the children from the island. He hadn't slept a wink the night before. He'd tossed and turned relentlessly until the early hours

He looked down at his phone. Three in the morning.

"Can't sleep?" chimed a text. He smiled slightly. Annabelle. His childhood friend, and now girlfriend, soon to be betrothed. As she was a princess, she was a suitable match for him as king. Everyone had expected it anyway, and it all had fallen into place.

"Not a bit." He sent. "What about yourself?"

"None either." she replied. His phone indicated that she was typing but it disappeared after a moment. Then, "Baby I'm nervous." He inhaled a sharp breath. Right. Her mother had been cursed and tormented by... Audenzitios whose daughters were coming to the island.

"Don't worry Annabelle. If I thought this was too dangerous I would never do it." He typed, his face grim. He should have told her in person rather than letting her hear through the official statement like everyone else did. Mere moments after its release, his secretary informed him of seven calls from Annabelle's mother herself.

She sent a pouting face back. He should have expected it. "Why don't you come to the summer home with me tomorrow. We'll have an enormous entourage and lots of guards. That way you can see that they're different. K babe?"

She typed a moment longer. "I'd love to. Thanks for understanding. Goodnight baby."

He layed back down, flopping his head onto his pillow, hands folded over his chest. He should have expected the push back and controversial discussions this would cause. But, there was also support for the movement. People agreed and protested when the island was created, and now there was the same situation while he was trying to bring people back from it after a short twenty-nine years.

His father wanted to keep the press from crowding the children and decided that private royal property would be the best way to ensure that. The four island kids would be able to step into The United Continent with as much space as they needed. The summer home was fully furnished, the gardens flourishing, the staff well prepared. It was well tended to at all times during the year but in the summer it was magnificent. Birds chirped and colorful butterflies rested on the bushes grown specifically to attract them. The landscaping was immaculate and the ponds and water fixtures were one of a kind.

Michael adjusted the lapels of his suit for the hundredth time as he and his parents waited in one of the parlors of the summer home.

"Michael," his mom said, standing from where she was resting in an armchair with a book. "Relax. I know we all have our doubts and fears, but you'll wear a hole in the carpet if you continue this. The plan is in motion now. All we can do is follow where it leads." She squeezed his shoulder slightly smiling. His mother. Bellisima who tamed the Beast. It would make sense that she came around to his notion. Not everything was as it appeared. That these kids weren't their parents.

Annabelle and her family would be arriving momentarily with their own entourage. They were going to have an informal dinner on the terrace. Annabelle had suggested a big welcoming meal, but he was sure that platters and dishes and seven forks would intimidate them and decided that a meal was important, but a potluck style was better. He had also made sure to create the meal with his mother who showed him which foods were eaten by people of lower social class. In all honesty, Michael thought the food she suggested sounded better anyway.

The chefs were currently creating the plethora of food, maids and butlers laying table cloths, bringing chairs, placing tiny bouquets of wildflowers at every table. It was supposed to be a quaint and informal gathering where they could get to meet them and show that they were truly intent upon getting to know them. He cracked his knuckles, letting his mother's words slowly sink into him.

"Yes you're right. We did the best we could, and we'll see how it turns out." He smiled, finally sitting down, some of the worry melting away.

Princess Annabelle entered the room a moment later, her parents and grandmother with her. She and her family bowed to the king, Michael standing up out of courtesy. He reigned in his grimace at the sight of her grandmother. Annabelle caught notice.

She walked over, taking his hands in hers. She kissed him gently on the cheek. He smiled despite the new feeling of dread in his gut. She whispered in his ear "I know you didn't want my Grammy here. But she insisted. I know she's traditional and outspoken and quite frankly rude sometimes, but we couldn't just say no…"

Michael nodded. He understood. Stupid courtly politics. Always having to be polite. Always having to be inconvenienced. As long as she was civil to the kids. They all sat down, the advisors slowly trickling in moments after to prepare for the occasion. Even the Mother Guardian and her daughter and son came. Jane nodded politely to both of them before meekly retreating to a corner with a math book. Michael frowned for a moment. Jane's mother meant well, but he knew Jane was struggling with school. He caught Annabelle's eye roll. She was also not a fan of her studies. But her family couldn't care less about that. She was a beautiful and renowned operatic singer as well as a practiced actress, gymnast and she was the captain of the cheer team. She had plenty going for her. Jane…

The slightly plump girl sat in the corner chewing on the end of her short braid as she reread the page, her face etched into a frown. She was in band and played the saxophone well enough. She could make a speech well, if it was written, but besides that…

"Michael, wouldn't that be so fun?" Annabelle asked, scooching closer to him.

He glanced to where everyone's eyes were on him. Uh oh. "What do you mean?" He asked, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

"Don't be silly, baby." She giggled. "A ski retreat for the tourney and cheer team after this season. Especially if we beat the Mages and Dukes to that cup title."

"Definitely." He agreed. "Have to do something to celebrate." He smiled half-heartedly, his mind drifting somewhere else. Everyone seemed to buy it. He stared out the window across the water to the gray and gloomy island slumped far away from the freedom that was offered here.

The clock on the wall traveled too slowly and too quickly all at once. The idle chatter of the royals and nobles filled the time but Michael couldn't pay attention to any of it. His eyes wandered around the room and he tried to distract himself to no avail.

And all too soon, "Ladies, and gentlemen, highnesses," a herald said from the doorway. "They've arrived."

As they walked out the entrance to the summer house, Michael's hands were sweating profusely as the black limousine rolled up the gravel driveway. It was only his first proclamation and he was this nervous. How could he be king if he was this stressed about a single decree? He straightened his shoulders, letting his arms rest at his side. He lifted his chin, his crown perfectly balanced. Deep breath in… he closed his eyes, letting all the worries and fears tumble in his head, before exhaling them all out. Ready to face his first decision.

"Let's go meet them." His father said. And they descended the stairs.