Author's note – this takes place both during and immediately after the final scenes of PD2. It then progresses a year into the future. This being said, if Mia seems different – more poised and comfortable in her position, well, she has been a queen for a year. She changed a lot from the first movie as well – and that was 5 years after being a princess. Also, Mia is over 21. It is of my opinion that a princess, or a queen, is not going to be the shy violet with a boyfriend that she's committed to.
Oh, and if you haven't guessed by now, the characters aren't mine.
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Dear Diary:
Well, it's me again. I can't believe everything that happened to me today! I guess I'll start at the beginning…I was sitting in the throne room with Fat Louie, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that in less than 4 hours I was going to be crowned Queen. Well…Nicholas showed up. I know, I know, he was a total jerk for going along with his uncle for so long, but he did renounce his claim and he did apologize. Anyway, he told me that he'd fallen in love with me! I couldn't believe it, I mean, I could, but still, he loved me. And we kissed, and it was just magical, you know? I mean, the other times I know I was holding back, ya'know, with Andrew and all, but it was like it was finally just me and him, with both of us knowing how the other felt.
And then, later, was the coronation. I was so nervous, but Grandma just told me how proud of me she was, and Joe just gave me this smile before escorting her from the room so that she could get ready as well. Both Mom and Lilly cried when I was finally in my gown. Nicholas snuck in to see me once everyone had left to gather in the Great Hall…
"Mia?"
She jumped, a gloved hand flying to her throat as she turned from her position looking out into the gardens of the palace. "Nicholas! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be in here! I'm supposed to be "reflecting."
He just grinned at her, an unrepentant look upon his handsome face. "You really want me to leave?"
Mia grinned back, crossing the room and taking his hand. "No, not really, but they'll be expecting me soon, and you should be out there with the rest of them."
"I know, and I will be out there, I just wanted to come and see you."
"Yeah?"
He nodded, his eyes taking in the formal gown she was wearing to the nervous look upon her face. "You're going to make a wonderful queen Mia." One large hand came up to brush her cheek gently. She leaned into the caress, eyes fluttering shut.
"Do you really mean that?"
"Do you really think I would have given up my claim to the throne if I didn't? You're the kind of person we need on the throne. You're kind, warm…I love this country too, Mia, and I truly believe you're the best person for the job."
Mia smiled softly, taking both of his hands in hers now. "Not one I necessarily have to fulfill alone though." She looked at him, eyes wide and searching as they calmly met his gaze. She saw only love, and maybe a bit of surprise reflecting back at her.
"Mia."
A knock at the door sounded, and Mia knew that it was time. "Just a moment!" she called, turning back to Nick. "I need to go."
Nicholas nodded but didn't release her hands. "I love you."
"I love you too. We'll talk later? There's the coronation and then the ball..."
"I'll be with you at the ball, but we'll talk later, even if I need to convince you to climb down that vine again."
The knock sounded again, and he released her, pressing a kiss to her temple, knowing not to mess up her make-up this soon to the ceremony. "You'll be fine, but good luck. I'll see you out there."
I was so nervous still, but I felt so…composed I guess, as I walked out of that room. I just knew that this was right, and that I had finally found my place. The walk down the steps was blur – I have no idea how I managed to make it down them without killing myself. And then, next thing I know, I'm swearing to uphold the law and protect the country, and I have a crown on my head!
After that was the presentation to the rest of the world, and I surprised myself at how calm I was. There I was in front of my subjects (my subjects!!!) and those cameras, with no one beside me, even though Grandma and everyone else was behind me, (I could feel Nicholas there, smiling at me). I just waved, and smiled, gave my speech – a bunch of stuff about being proud to now be queen and doing my best for the country – and then went back inside for the boring official stuff. (First formal photo for the press releases, singing off on the approval of a stamp and the currency, greeting the members of Parliament…of which Nicholas's uncle was not a part of…) I barely had time to myself for the rest of the day. Once that was done, I was able to eat, and since I'd been too nervous to eat anything at breakfast, I was famished, and then it was the queen's naptime as there was the ball that evening celebrating my coronation.
"How do I look?" I did a twirl, striking a pose for Lilly who was perched on a chair in my closet. I was in another gown, this one a blue so pale that it was almost white, with the gold embellishments that seemed to be on just about every fancy dress I've ever worn. My hair was similar to the coronation 'do – which had been designed specifically to help support the weight of the coronation crown – and I wore the small gold crown that looked like entwined vines and flowers.
"You look fabulous Mia." Lilly smirked. "Or should I say, Your Majesty?"
I shoot her a look, shaking my head. "You sure you want to go back to Berkeley?"
"I know you offered to have me stay here, but I should at least finish my degree."
I nod. "Well, you know my offer stands. I think you'd make an excellent advisor. But you know you're welcome to visit whenever you want as always. And hey, now I can actually order around Genovia 1!"
"You just try and keep my away! But I'm sure you'll be busy with lover boy."
I blush, wishing desperately for something to throw at her, but instead I just grin maniacally at her before turning back to the mirror. My smile drops as I see my reflection and just see the same person I've seen everyday since I was 15. "I don't feel like a queen, Lilly."
She comes up to my side then, the two of us so opposite in dress, me in my blue and her in her black, looking so seriously back at me in the mirror. "You should. Mia, you've worked so hard for this – I mean, you were going to get married just so you could do this! You were born to this Mia."
"I know, and I'm glad, but it's just, what do I really know about running my own country?"
"Let's see. You've been training as a princess for five years, you graduated from college with a degree in foreign relations, you managed to get a law overturned before you were even crowned, you're helping out the orphanage…You don't need to know anything Mia. You just need to be yourself." Lilly smiles at me, giving me a one-armed hug. "And you'll have Clarisse there to help and Joe, and me, and Nicholas for that matter. We're not just going to throw you to the wolves."
I sigh, knowing she's right, and my head lifts just a bit higher. I can do this. I give her a bump with my shoulder. "So what's this I hear about you giving the Captain your phone number?"
"Well, you know, I need to date someone who is going to yell back just as loud."
I laugh, shaking my head as Brigette and Brigetta step into the room.
"It's time Your Majesty."
I nod, knowing it's useless to try and correct them.
Lilly snickers. "I'll see you out there." She stops halfway to the door, turning around and smiling. "Michael says congratulations by the way."
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