Chapter Three

##Shenanigans##

Halfway into the coronation ceremony, Samantha wondered why she hadn't figured out

a way to escape yet, but how could she run away when Alfred wouldn't stop following her about just to make sure she doesn't try to escape again.

Samantha tapped her foot restlessly on the ground under the well laid table as she was already tired of watching her aunt pretend like she was the good woman she was just to be able to wear the crown. She looked around for possible ways to escape.

The ballroom, where the ceremony was being held, was filled with respectable mean and women of high status clad in well ironed tuxedos and ball gowns of different bright colours of red, blue, lilac, white, purple, yellow, green and so on.

However, one thing was common among these people-magic-which Samantha didn't have, which gives her more reason to want to leave the room.

There were kings, queens, princes, princesses from all neighbouring kingdoms..They all had one magical power or the other; shapeshifters, those who were born with either one of the powers of the element of nature; air, fire, water, stone.

There were others who had gifts of nature the power to create trees, flowers,fruits, some had the powers to speak to animals, ability to read the stars, ability to change the shape of things but they themselves fo not shapeshift. There were many more, but Sam had none, but she definitely had the ability of stubbornness. Typical Samanth, daughter Queen Lana.

There was music playing the ballroom, dancing, dining, and winning, but Sam was only occupied with the thought of escaping.

Almost suddenly, she stood up, and Alfred followed suit, as expected.

"Ah no... uhm. You can't come with me. I need to use the bathroom. Do you intend on following me there, too?" she smirked.

" I will stay a few metros behind your Highness, creating no inconvenience."

"No, Alfred, you can't come with me. I really have a smelly dump, you know. And that would be bad for you, so just say here. I'll make sure to come out immediately, "

" I will be alright, Your Majesty. Besides, my duty is to protect in every way. What if something were to happen while you use the bathroom. Surely, I will be blamed."

"Oh my, isn't that your wife, Celine?" Samantha said, pointing at the entrance. However, Alfred didn't look, and he just smiled and said, " My apologies, Your Ladyship. However, I'm afraid I won't be falling for any of your tricks anymore."

Samantha groaned in frustration and sat back in defeat. Then she heard her name being called on the high grounds of the ballroom where Queen Alexandra and her daughter, Princess Rosella, stood, holding their champagne glasses.

Samantha looked up to ascertain if she was the one being called and saw everyone staring at her.

"Everyone i introduce to you, Princess Samantha, daughter of the late Queen Lana, my dearest niece," Queen Alex announced, and everyone clapped for her as she moved up the high grounds. She actually did that grudgingly.

Turns out no one knew she was Princess Samantha, judging by the surprised unfamiliar looks on each of their faces. Well, that wasn't a surprise. Samantha, while her mom was still alive, never followed her to any royal gatherings or anything of such.

"Your Highness" Samantha bowed in curtsy to Queen Alex. Alex gave a fake smile and faced the crowd once again. Rosella scoffed at Samantha from the other side.

" I know we're all still in shock, and the kingdom has been thrown ingreat sorrow and anguish after the late Queen's death, and I am also greatly pained..." Alex paused for a moment and let out a sniffle and sad exhale. The crowd held their hearts and said almost in unison, " sorrows, sorrows."

Alex nodded and continued," However, the tradition and laws of vandamore demands that a new ruler must be installed a day after the previous one has been removed or lost in death and according to the will kept behind by my late sister, I must be crowned as the next Queen of Vandamore which is why we're all gathered here today"

" A toast....." Alex raised her glass " to the new queen. "

Everyone raised their glasses or whatever they were holding at the moment, " Long live the Queen," they echoed.

Alex smiled," Thank y....."

she paused as she heard a crash of glasses on the floor followed by a scream.