Episode 41

The day was perfect. Sun was shining, birds were singing in the trees, the gardens were full of colorful tents… People were smiling and laughing all over the castle grounds. There were games and dares and vendors with all kinds of wares, from fairy wings to caramelized apples.

Children were running around, all ages and colors and genders together. Some had shoes on, some didn't, but all were laughing. And honestly, seeing everyone so happy made my cold dark heart swell. Don't tell anyone.

We were standing on the balcony, a little out of sight. Waiting for the right moment to make our entrance. Waiting, too, for Gianni.

We had no news of him at all, and were starting to get worried. What was taking him so long? It certainly couldn't be the whole dressing up thing, since he would most likely wear a suit.

We were discussing this and mildly mocking him when my gaze fell on someone who made me forget all about the silly prince. Two someones.

There, right below us, were Erwan's parents.

They were standing under the balcony, gazing at the crowd. Seemingly looking for someone. I turned to the girls and made them step back as far as I could. They protested.

"Tina what are you doing?" Eileen said. "I have to be over there, it's important people see me!"

I answered, slightly out of breath from pushing them both. "Yeah, except for certain people who shouldn't be here. As far as I know they weren't invited."

August looked around, then behind me. She gasped. "Is it…?"

I nodded. "Yup. That's why you gotta stay out of sight while I find Jo and deal with them once and for all. I can't let them ruin this day, for any of us. So stay back."

But that wasn't like her. August shook her head, fury in her eyes. "Oh hell no. I won't stay back and let them win again. It's happened way too often in my life. And besides, Erwan and Laura are invited."

She pushed past me and headed straight for the father. Eileen and I exchanged a worried glance and followed as fast as we could. We weren't going to let her deal with that alone.

"Hey! You! What the hell are you doing here?" She greeted them. They'd never met, but I'd explained the situation to both Eileen and her, and given them a description in case they showed up.

I took my phone out and called Jo. "We have an emergency below the balcony. Erwan's parents are here and August is going wild. We need you and your diplomacy here as fast as possible. No, they weren't invited. The whole kingdom knew though, it wouldn't have been hard to find out."

Jo said she'd be on her way, and I hung up just in time for Eileen to catch up to the commotion.

Nobody knew who the future bride was. We didn't spread her picture around. To be honest, it all happened so fast we all forgot. Even Josephine. Even Eileen herself. As a result, Erwan's parents had no idea who was coming towards them until they saw me.

"You!" They said, in unison. The mother continued "what have you done to our son? Where is he?"

"Your son is no longer your son, as you know full well." I said. 

Eileen jumped in. "He is safe, which is more than we could say when he was with you. Now please leave the premises, you aren't welcome here."

Both parents were fuming. "And who dares try to get us away?" The father asked.

That's when Josephine arrived.

"This," she said, "is your future queen. You will show respect. You will also do as she says. Erwan is not your responsibility anymore, and I have the legal papers to prove it. Begone."

They refused. They wouldn't believe her that Eileen was the prince's betrothed. They wouldn't acknowledge the legal papers Jo was shoving in their faces. They made a whole scene and started attracting attention. They were behaving like complete assholes.

And I saw, from across the square, Laura and her new friend coming towards us.

I tried to signal them to stop, but they didn't see. They kept coming. Erwan's parents were getting louder. The situation was getting out of hand pretty fast.

So I did what I always do in times of crisis. I yelled "SHUT UP!"

"Shut. Up. Both of you. You're a disgrace. I should turn you into something inhuman to teach you a lesson. You're lucky today is a happy day and I don't want to ruin it for anyone. Now go back home, or I will stop playing nice."

I reached for my pack of cigarettes but the look on their faces stopped me. I went for my wand instead.

I took it out of my purse and raised it, slowly. Looking them in the eyes. Raising an eyebrow. They looked at each other, then turned away and started running. I smirked. Then grabbed a smoke.

Laura and Erwan, meanwhile, had made their way to us.

"Is that… mom and dad?" Erwan asked, looking at the two figures on their way out. I nodded. "Yup, and they're not coming back anytime soon." He sighed. "Good."

"Hey Tina!" Laura caught me in an inescapable hug. I don't like hugs. She knew that.

I had no choice but to return the embrace, and greet her. "Hey there Laura, how are things? You're looking lovely today." And she was. A short dress, all blue, almost the same blue as her wide eyes. Small heels, blue as well. She'd even dyed her hair. Blue, of course.

"I'm doing great! We've been having a wonderful time together, right Erwan?" She looked at the kid with such love my cold dark heart almost melted.