The Little Oddity

Eva's POV

It was hard not to grimace, especially with the tugging that Dana was doing. I knew she was trying her best not to hurt me but considering the condition, it was in that would be very difficult. When they were done, I could help but gasp at the girl who looked back at me in the mirror.

My eyebrows were trimmed, my face felt tighter and it looked as though I was glowing. My hair was so shiny I could almost see my reflection in it. She did braids that started near my ear and went down to my collarbone, where it was short and ended just beneath my chin. My head was covered with a golden band, held by two thin metal hoops on each side. I was a beast before compared to how I looked now. The women looked very pleased with my appearance too.

"You are the queen's twin!" Dana said. "Even without the additions,"

I did not need to thank them; the stupid smile on my face said it all.

"Now for the dress," Dana announced. "What would you like?" She said walking over to the wardrobe and swinging it open and remember that it should be something simple but elegant,"

"And nothing in green," Priscilla added.

I got up, uncertain but did not walk over to the wardrobe. "Could you help me choose? We'll be quicker that way,"

"You are right, Eva," She turned to face the gowns herself. It was ginormous and I doubted she would find one soon. There were just too many!

"Found one!" Dana announced, pulling one out. A dress I could say had no flaws. It was simple yet sophisticated at the same time a soft pink and ivory satin.

"Perfect," Priscilla breathed.

Once I was dressed, Dana picked a pair of pale pink sandals with heels. They were the highest thing I had ever worn. I was not a tall person, I was rather petite. I had been insecure about that ever since Lisa became taller than me.

"The Queen mother will be pleased," Dana said.

It reminded me of how displeased the old royal had been when she had seen me. A knock pulled me out of my reverie. Priscilla opened the door.

At the doorway was a girl. She couldn't have been any more than five. Her head was adorned with curls of mahogany that slightly covered her face. She had green eyes, so big it would be hard to look away. With small feet and a small clenched fist on her side, she looked like the most perfect doll.

She looked at no other person but me. Her stare was so inquisitive that I felt I had to say something. "Hello there," I greeted in a gentle tone. Anything more or less, I felt, would have startled the little angel.

I moved closer to her and crouched a bit. "My name is Eva, what is yours?"

Her lips parted slightly like she wanted to speak.

I flashed a wide smile of encouragement. Her lips parted even more but I felt something holding her back.

"What is your name?" I asked again.

This time she made a sound but one I could not understand. I sounded muffled. "I did not hear you," I told her.

She frowned a little bit, it was such a cute little gesture that I wanted to pinch her perfect chubby cheek.

"J....o..." She said but everything else she said after that was incoherent. i

I gave her a confused look and she looked so disappointed. In herself, it looked as if she was going to cry.

"Jo..." She tried again but an angry voice cut her short.

"Josephine!" It was Vivianne that had suddenly appeared in a black gown. Her green eyes blazed. "Shut up!" she ordered the startled little girl.

"Danielle!" She screamed

A young woman nervously came running. "I can explain, princess..."

"Save it," Vivianne said. "For my grandmother."

The little girl's face had reddened with the outburst. The girl must be Danielle's daughter, I thought. Danielle herself had her arms folded behind her and her head lowered as Vivianne continued to berate her.

I stiffened, unable to utter a word in the pair's defense. I looked pathetic and powerless. She reminded me of the person Lisa became after Cecilia had accused me. Someone I had to learn to submit to because of fear and uncertainty. This was not Lisa but I still found myself reacting the same way.

After she was done with the two, she turned to look at me, all beauty dissolved in the acidic expression on her face. "You..."

"Vivianne," Came a voice. Our attention turned to the person, who happened to be the queen. "Apologize to your sister." Her voice was dangerously calm.

Vivianne looked at the queen in absolute contempt and the two continued to glare at each other. "You heard me, Vivianne." The queen said again. "or else..."

"Fine!" Vivianne turned to my surprise to the little girl who had had tears rolling down her cheeks. "I apologize."

"Leave," The queen ordered.

With a grumble, Vivianne left the room, making sure to give Danielle an icy look.

The queen opened her arms and knelt down. The girl named Josephine ran into her arms and cried silently. The queen lovingly stroked the girl's hair. "It's okay, Josie," She cooed.

Josie calmed down and they pulled away from one another. The queen got up but Josie clutched onto her mother's gown.

"You look beautiful, Eva," Her eyes gleamed a bit. "But I apologize that you were not given enough time to rest and adapt. I thought I would be able to talk mother into letting you rest for today but she..."

"It is alright," That had been the reason why she did not inform me beforehand. I looked at Josie who was staring at me in wonder.

I felt bad that I had not said anything to stop my 'sister'.

"And who is this?" I asked the queen, referring to Josie.

The queen's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "Your sister, Josie," She said, subtly pushing the girl forward. I reached out to her and she let out a hand but before we could make any contact, I heard a sardonic voice say, "How touching, the imposter meets the disgrace,"

At the doorway in black, was Vivianne's twin, Vincent. "Mother, have you told her?" He asked the queen, there was a dark glint in his eyes.

Before the queen could utter a word, I asked, "Tell me what?"

"Our little Josie is not normal, a normal royal that is," A flashed a smile that did not reach his eyes. "But I am sure an oddity like her is common among peasants like yourself."

"Vincent, watch it," The queen warned but my eyes were on Josie. Her gaze dropped and I could tell she was embarrassed and scared.

"You can't see it? Can you?" He asked, his voice drenched in mockery "so lovely, but that is the outside, the inside is that of an animal and she speaks like one too," He spat.

It was still unclear what he meant but the queen had had enough.

"Guards!" She yelled.

I heard running footsteps in the halls and soon two built men with spears made an appearance. "Escort prince Vincent to his room and ensure he does not leave it till noon,"

"As you wish, your Majesty," They said and carried out the order. Vincent did not resist and followed them.

"I am so sorry, your Majesty," Danielle said. "She heard about the princess and…"

"No, Lady Danielle, It is fine. Take Josie to play."

Danielle bowed and took Josie's hand-shaking hand and led her out of the room. She did look at me even once as she did and it twisted my heart. When they were gone. The queen turned to Dana and Priscilla, "Is she ready?"

"Yes, your majesty but she needs to eat a bit,"

"Okay, bring her down immediately after,"

"Yes, your majesty,"

The queen turned to leave.

"What is wrong with my sister," Hoping that calling Josie would persuade her into telling me what she was clearly trying to avoid.

"Nothing is wrong with her, dear," She turned around, she smiled painfully. "She just doesn't speak like the rest of us."