The Lantern Festival (Part 5)

When the procuring team came back with the supplies we needed, all eyes were on me as everyone was curious if I indeed can do calligraphy more importantly Astorian Calligraphy of course I do but this is different this is a huge sign and I usually copy short paragraphs from books I like and then try to write them in calligraphy which was a sort of training for me. There was a small crowd of students gathered around me but they gave me enough space to work. I took a deep breath to calm myself, asses the canvas I was given and where I should place each letter and word then slowly dipped the brush in the ink and moved my hand. L. .e. .t. .t. .e. .r. .s.. f. .r. .o. .m. .t. .h. .e. .H. .e. .a. .r. .t. . With every letter I dip and wipe the brush to prevent the clumping of the ink on my brush and every stroke was carefully placed and calculated until I finish the banner it was so quiet inside the classroom. I barely heard any sound from my classmates but when I finished I look up to see some of them have their hands on their mouths as if they were preventing themselves from making a sound while I was writing, some were holding their phones up and maybe taking a video of me doing calligraphy in Astorian Traditional Cursive Writing. It is alien to them because no one does it now except perhaps the older generations that are already past their prime. This traditional way of writing was first introduced by the royal family of Astoria to the upper class society which was then learned by those who served them and then it took a life of its own and spread during the reign of Queen Martha the Great grandmother of my grandfather King Charles II and was then decreed to be a way of communicating within the royal family and to other local and foreign dignitaries.

"Is this okay, class rep.?" I asked

"Uh, yes! This more than okay this is amazing! How do you know calligraphy? She excitedly commented.

"Uhmm. . Thank you for the compliment. I was taught by my Nana." I proudly say.

"Wow! I wish I knew how to do this too. Will you teach me?" Our class rep exclaimed.

"Me too."one girl spoke up.

"I want to learn as well." Someone else followed her comment.

"I can teach you, I guess but after the Gala Night and the Lantern Festival itself." I smile and tell them.

I was glad that I could be of help in bringing one of Astoria's tradition back to life. The class rep put students to guard the sign I made from accidents and from other students who might want to sabotage our booth. Yup, you heard it right. Even in prestigious schools like Graceland Academy there are those who seek their own advantage even at the cost of others. That's why our class rep. made sure that no one posts the video because she was certain that they would target the sign if anyone from Graceland sees the post online since it's so unique and a symbol of a dying art in Astoria. I bid them farewell for the afternoon and head my way to the studio for our practice today before we all head to the private theater and practice with the Graceland Orchestra. I haven't forgotten Chase's moment as well, as his friend I am still rooting for him and Amelia. I did like her in the beginning but something changed about her and along the way both Chase and I are left second guessing if we actually knew her at all.

The plan was to get Amelia to attend today and then get an opportunity to get her and Chase alone inside a room so that they can talk. I excitedly ran towards the studio, I know Nana would be furious about me running. I can hear her voice now scolding me. "A young lady such as yourself should not run!" I laugh at the thought of Nana scolding me but I suddenly become sullen at the thought that I may never get to see her again and all I would only be doing is reminiscing memories of her. But I must not lose hope that I will see her again.

I get to the studio earlier than most of the other members but Chase and Anthony were already there. I asked, more like begged them not to escort me today from my class to the studio because I need Chase to be ready when Amelia arrives in the studio and like clockwork Henry enters the studio with Amelia in tow. Henry gave me a nod which should mean that the operation is a go. Henry ushered Amelia with some sort of promise as a guise into a room that the GABC rarely uses. She might've thought that it was Henry's way of confessing to her. But as she sat down on the chair, Henry left the room and Chase entered. But she didn't see Henry leave because she was busy imagining things in her head that when she turned around at the sound of the door closing she was shocked to see Chase. I know this because I saw her myself from the small window door I so desperately tiptoed just to reach.

Henry and I guarded the door while Anthony was our dear old look out for members who might go our way and accidentally interrupt this much needed talk. I could hear their voices but I could not make out what they were saying until, Henry and I were startled when we heard a loud slap. We quickly opened the door and saw Chase with his head down and holding his cheek while Amelia was red with anger and tears falling from her eyes.

"Chase. . . . (worried tone)" I quickly went to Chase to check on him and I couldn't help myself from getting angry. "What's the matter with you?" I angrily spout at Amelia Henry and Anthony were still by the door watching nervously and cautiously.

"But out, this has nothing to do with you." Amelia talks back at me.

"Nothing to do with me? You hurt my friend and it has nothing to do with me?"

"Yeah right, you two have been so close lately you call that friendship? I'm not stupid Christie, I see you and Chase spend more time together than with anyone else. Well, you can have that no good bum because I have Henry now." Amelia proudly states.

This pushes me to the edge, "What? You're doing this to Chase because of some baseless and unfounded assumptions about us? We are both good friends. Perhaps if you took the time to talk to Chase rather than assume why we were always talking then you would've known that he was pouring his heart out because it was breaking. His heart was breaking because of you and since he knew that I knew about you two he found me as an ally."

"How long have you known about us?" Amelia questions me.

"That is not the point here Amelia, but if it satisfies you. I have known about you two since the day I was accidentally locked inside a locker hiding from someone and you two were arguing and talking. Chase found me and confronted me to not talk about you two and I assured him that he doesn't need to worry about that because I will keep your secret safe."

"So do I have to thank you for that?" Amelia sarcastically says. "Well you don't have to keep doing that because Chase and I are over. I don't need him anymore since I'm already engaged with Henry and even Henry can't get out of this engagement since I am of the Astorian Royal Family."

"That's it?. . . You're breaking Chase's heart because of that?" I am more furious now than before.

"Christie. . ." Henry says my name while coming a little closer inside the room as if to stop me from doing something irrational but I don't care anymore.

"Well, I guess this was bound to come out anyway. I am sorry to say but I won't let you have Henry because he is mine." I boastfully spit out at her as I move a little closer towards Henry.

Chase, Anthony and Amelia were clearly surprised with my confession. They looked at Henry who then approached me as if to signify that I was telling the truth about Henry and I being in a relationship. I could see Amelia's face starting to crumple up and her brows furrow even deeper. Then her face lit up like a eureka moment came to her.

"You may be in a relationship with Henry but I will get the last laugh since Lord Archer and Lady Monet-Archer has expressed their wishes that Henry be married to the royal family and I don't think Henry can break his mother's heart who is sick right now. Right ,Henry?" Amelia spoke like she was possessed and obsessed.

I pinch the bridge of my nose because she is just too much right now and I have nothing left to do but to put her in her place.

"Well if that is so then I have no choice but to accept their wishes." I smirk

"What are you talking about? You must've gone crazy already?" Amelia accuses me.

"No dear but you might… my dear cousin. Hear this and know that on this day. I stake my claim on what is mine. I, Christienne Nicollete Lascilles-Miller the grand daughter of King Charles II, the only daughter of the beloved late King Gregory and the rightful heir to the throne of the Astorian Royal Family stake my claim. What say you Henry? Do you accept?" I have never been this vocal and regal in my life but this must be done.

Henry turns around. . . faces me. . .bows down. . . kneels on his right knee and takes my hand then says, "I willingly accept you, your royal highness." He then kisses my hand.

Chase was shocked, Anthony in his surprised state followed Henry and knelt down like Henry keeping his head down. When Chase came back to his senses he followed the two boys as well kneeling down with their heads bowed down. Amelia on the other hand had confusion and anger written all over her face.

"You are all crazy! I have to hand it to you Christie you do know how to create a good story."

"But it's not a story, I may not be able to give you evidence now but I am telling the truth dear cousin."

"Yeah right! Well if you can't prove it then you're just another hoax, a wanna be."

"Hey you watch your mouth!" Anthony shouted at Amelia.

"Fine go ahead, take her side, I don't care. I still win because you can't prove that you are the real missing princess." Amelia's last words to me as she stomps her way out of the room."

Well there goes the family reunion I was hoping for. . .