DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN WINX CLUB.
Hi, everyone. First, I want to apologize for not answering to reviews especially those that are users. I usually thank everyone in personal messages. The reason that I've been inactive is because I suffered a bone fracture on my left hand that's preventing me from writing quickly. So, I've been working on this chapter for a few days now.
This is for all of you! Thank you to every one of you from the bottom of my heart. I promise to reply to all of you guys when my hand is better. Please don't be offended or anything like that. Thank you :)
~ The Next Morning - 7:00 AM ~
Stella groaned as the morning sunlight penetrated its way through her closed eyelids. She rubbed her eyes and covered herself with the blue silk covers. She blinked a few times before opening her eyes. Although she slept for more than eight hours, she felt so tired and deprived of energy.
Why, you ask?
For starters, I wish someone would just figure out my secret so I can ditch this spell! she cursed as she scrambled out of her bed. She yawned as she somehow managed to tumble into the bathroom without tripping or falling. Grumpily, she eyed the mirror and saw Bloom monotonously staring back at her.
"Dear God...you're lucky you ran away. Otherwise, I would've blasted the living daylights out of you myself!" Stella cursed Bloom angrily in her mind. She didn't remove the fake face spell last night because she didn't want to risk the chance of someone sneaking into her room. It's a long shot, but still. Her parents would be the ones who will be affected first if this news gets out. So, she wanted to take all possible measures to protect them at any cost. Just until they go back.
Her eyes welled in sadness when another realization troubled the back of her mind. The day they'll go back is...
The day of my wedding...
Stella sighed and brushed her teeth. She splashed her face clean with cool water.
As part of proper princess etiquette, she showered early. Stella removed the horrendous and immensely tiring spell while taking a long, hot shower. She needed some relief badly. It's such a sinful shame that the only privacy she can afford is confined to the narrow walls of the shower. She used her magic to fill the bathroom with some of her favorite music.
She stepped out after a long while and stepped out into the bedroom. She hummed a soft tune and went to the wardrobe cheerfully.
She's still a fashionista at heart. If this room's been custom designed for her darling sister, then she's gotta take a look. She excitedly opened the wardrobe.
As soon as she did, Stella internally let out a groan. It was a walk-in closet and a light at the top of the large extended room illuminated the clothes. There were racks for every type of occasion: dances, princess balls, casual outings, fancy dinners, etc. A dressing mirror lay in the corner with cosmetics and other products placed on the table. But that's not what bothered her.
Stella sighed at the bland color choices. It seems as if Bloom's limited taste to blue and pink is known to every single kingdom in the universe. The majority of these dresses were adorned in shades of either blue or pink: royal blue, sky blue, navy, pink, dark red, etc.
Talk about beyond unoriginal, Stella rolled her eyes. Oh well. She picked a royal blue sundress with a white belt clutched to her waist.
"Aww! These shoes are so cute!" Stella gushed excitedly as her eyes lit up at the various styles of heels and shoes. At least the footwear was spared from limited colors. There were drawers filled with accessories and jewelry.
"Heh. I could definitely transport some of these shoes to my closet in Solaria in case I ever get caught," she laughed humorously to herself. She picked a pair of white bow-embellished satin pumps to match her dress. She picked a set of white matching earrings and bracelet to finish her look.
Stella skipped over to the dressing table. She definitely loved dressing up. She grinned at her appearance. "I soooo look good in blue!" she smiled to herself as she twirled around.
"Now...time for the live horror movie," she rolled her eyes.
"Fairy dust!" she exclaimed as she raised her fingers. Gold crystalline-like powder fell from her fingertips and onto her face. She relished in the golden powden's magical touch which restored her lost strength and removed the bags and dark circles from her eyes.
"Illusion," she murmured as she waved at herself. Instantly, her eyes turned blue and her hair turned crimson. Her facial features, however, stayed the same. Keeping up the fake face took out a lot more energy than she had initially anticipated.
Stella sighed as she sat on the chair in front of the dressing table.
"I never realized how much I hate your hairstyle until now, Bloomy," Stella mused as she surveyed herself from every angle. The hairstyle looked sooooo off and utterly ridiculous on her while it somehow managed to suit Bloom perfectly. She had no patience for manual ironing and curling, so she put her magic to good use. Her new red hair soon fell in soft wavy curls.
When she was done, she shifted her facial features to that of Bloom's. She applied a light coat of makeup. As she was applying it, she realized another thing. Bloom definitely used a lot of foundation. Her face now looked fresh and clean as opposed to the real Bloom's mature look due to extraneous cakey makeup.
"All done," she smiled in satisfaction as she looked at herself.
She stood up and turned around. She stepped out of the closet and looked at the door to her room in apprehension. These four solitary walls provided so much solace. They felt like a motherly embrace for her at the moment. She dreaded going outside.
But I have no choice thanks to a special person in my life! Stella gruffly complained to herself as her feet dragged themselves to the door. Maybe she was resenting Bloom too much, especially since she's the one who told and practically encouraged the redhead to elope with Sky. But still! It's a fairy's nature to resent the bad things happening in her life.
~ 8:00 AM ~
Stella's new icy blue orbs widened as she roamed around the castle's corridors with awe. There were so many paintings of former and ancestral kings and queens. Woah, she breathed. The grandeur of this place is just breathtaking. She didn't have a good chance to eye all this last night partly because she was deadly tired from the (goddamn) spell and it was dark. But now the lighting was superb, giving the castle's hallways a radiant glow.
Stella's breath stopped when she neared the portrait of current king and queen. She blushed when she saw Brandon standing behind them with an arm wrapped around each. He looked drop dead handsome in the family portrait, but the real Brandon was even more gorgeous.
"Like it?" a deep voice asked from behind.
Stella jumped a little and let out a small squeal of fright. She clutched her racing heart as she turned out with widened eyes.
Brandon looked amused for a few moments before starting to laugh.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he apologized gentleman-like. "I didn't know you were a morning person."
Stella blushed. "I'm...um...actually not. I just wanted to make a good impression, I guess?"
"For me?" he smirked.
Heat rose to her cheeks as he took a step towards her. She stood speechless in front of him. First, his intense, molten brown eyes were doing no justice to her racing nerves. Second, his height cast a shadow over her that intimidated her to no end. And third...his outfit was hugging his chiseled physique sinfully that, again, didn't help her case at all.
Finding her quiet, he chuckled. "I'm definitely impressed, if you must know," he smiled.
She simply blushed in response. "What're you doing here?"
He stared at her for a few moments before answering. "I wanted to wake you up," he admitted softly.
"Oh." For some reason, Stella felt guilty at that moment. Seriously guilty. He seemed to take a liking into her. And Stella obviously didn't have the heart to admit that she's not who he thinks she is. Curse you, Bloom! May you trip and fall into a muddy puddle today!
She looked down at her toes and curled her toes inwards, not really knowing what to say at the moment. She stiffened a little when she felt a chin under her finger.
She met his gaze again as he lifted her face gently.
"I'm sorry. Did I make you uncomfortable? I didn't mean to catch you off-guard," he apologized.
Stella's heart melted instantly at his saddened eyes. For some reason, this prince seemed to really care about her. Part of her felt elated and the other part of her wished he hadn't. He's looking into the eyes of a liar and cheater and the poor guy doesn't even realize it.
"Do you like me?" Stella blurted out automatically before covering her mouth in shock. Her cheeks flushed a bright red when he looked at her in amusement.
"Princess, what exactly gave you that idea?" Brandon asked with a smirk, taking another step closer to her. Stella took a step back in retaliation.
She blushed heavily before placing her hands to her sides. "You just seem to care a lot about me. Or...am I wrong about that?" she asked.
She felt his stare on her for a few moments.
His lips straightened into a thin line as he drank in her curious eyes. "You're my fiance. Of course I care about you," he answered. "You're the one expected to leave your kingdom and your whole life behind to live here with me. The least I can do is...make you comfortable."
Stella looked at him in awe as he admitted it sincerely. Her lips automatically upturned into a soft smile. This...this was the nicest thing anyone's ever said to her. His words just proved that he...he isn't just a prince. He's a worthy heir to his renowned kingdom. She's impressed by his sense of morality and the lengths he tried to take to make her feel at home.
She gasped slightly when she felt his hand coil around hers. She looked up at him again.
"...But I don't have any romantic feelings for you..." he trailed off.
Oh. For some reason, that sent a small pang through Stella's heart. Why did it hurt like that?
"Yet," he finished with a small smirk.
OH. And that one word warmed Stella to the toes. She blushed
"C'mon," he ushered, chuckling slightly at her reaction. "Breakfast is being served."
Stella nodded and followed him.
Her eyes darted towards their interwined hands. She looked up at him again and he sent a charming smile towards her way. She blushed when he gave no indication of letting her hand go. Her skin tingled with small cooes of pleasure at his touch.
~ Palace of Audelia - Dining Room - 8:15 AM ~
Stella's parents and Brandon's parents turned their glances towards the sounds of clicking heels and shuffling boots. The four were quite surprised to see the engaged couple walking inside hand-in-hand, but none were displeased at the unexpected sighting.
"Good morning," Stella greeted everyone with a smile.
"Good morning, young princess. I have to admit. I like what I see," Heather grinned wolfishly referring to the interwined hands, making Stella blush in return. The blonde swiftly freed her hand from him to join her parents at the table.
"Hi, mom. Hi, dad," Stella smiled at them. Radius nodded with approval while Luna greeted her back with a smile. She took her seat beside her parents and saw Brandon doing the same in front of her. She picked up her fork and looked ready to dig into the scrumptous food.
"So, Bloom, I hope you like your new bedroom," Heather smiled.
Stella tightly smiled and nodded in agreement. As if! If it were up to her, she'd decorate it to her style. She would first fill the whole room with windows. There are literally two windows in there. For a room that's as large as a cottage in middle-class language, two measly windows are nowhere near enough. But then again, Bloomy never appreciated the sunlight. Stella sighed. She should stop thinking about the redhead for a few days.
Lucas laughed. "It's only temporary, of course. Until your wedding tomorrow." The adults laughed merrily, but no one noticed Stella's immediately paled face. Her fingers shook as she clutched her fork tightly. She bit her lip and shut her eyes momentarily before opening them again. Tomorrow?! She looked at her parents in disbelief who had the nerve to hide such important news from her.
She faked a smile and addressed the table of presumptous fools. "Please excuse me. I'll be back in a few moments," she said before standing up. She bowed a little before turning towards her parents. A deep look of treacherous betrayal crossed her face and she made sure that both of her parents saw it.
With an inaudible sigh, she turned around on her heel.
As soon as she did, she got out of there as quickly as she could while still managing to look like a 'properly mannered princess'. Tears pooled in her blue eyes and she knew that she can't stay at the table.
When she was out of vision, she picked up her pace. Tears threatened to stream down her face. She can't believe that her parents would do this to her. She can't believe her life. This was her life now? This wasn't the life she wanted. Yes, she wanted to get married and live the cliche 'happily ever after'. But...Prince Brandon isn't marrying her. In his eyes, he's marrying Bloom.
She ran outside and escaped into the lively gardens. Hopefully, she can find solace in here. It was better than staying at a table filled with lies. I'm a liar myself, Stella thought sadly as she walked towards a bench nearby. She collapsed into it. She sniffled, but refused to let the waterworks out.
If she started crying, then it means she lost. She lost the fight before it even started. And that can't happen. This is all because of...
Stella shut her eyes as she tried her best to wake up from this nightmare. "How can they not tell me beforehand?" she whispered sadly to herself. She buried her head into her hands.
She gasped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She sighed, not even bothering to look around. "Leave me alone," she snapped bitterly.
"If you say so," a deep masculine voice softly uttered earning another surprised gasp from the blonde. She sharply stood up and turned around in shock. Brandon silently stood there with hands in his pockets. "Your H-Highness!" she stuttered. "I...I'm so s-sorry. I thought it was my m-mother," she stammered with fear dripping from her voice.
She stood rooted as he travelled around the bench and stood in front of her.
"Are you scared of me?" he asked with a small and soft smile.
Her eyes widened. Is she? Of course she is! She's scared to death that he'll realize the truth someday, but a part of her also wanted him to find out that she's a fake before it's too late.
"Y-Yes..." she admitted and fidgeted with her fingers.
"Call me by my name," he said.
"W-What?" she asked a little startled.
"Call. Me. By. My. Name," he ordered firmly, taking a step closer to her.
She blinked in confusion. Why is he so insistent on making her address him on a first name basis?
"Princess, I care about you. I-"
"WHY?!" Stella suddenly snapped, momentarily losing her cool. Why did he care about her?! Why can't he hate her?! Why can't he despise her with all his heart?!
She sadly looked away. "Why do you have to care about me?! You don't even know me."
"I care because you're my fiance. It's that simple," he said, unfazed by her earlier outburst.
She looked at him incredulously. "So you would've been okay with anyone being your fiance?! For all you know, I could be a spoilt brat or an assassin in disguise!" she rambled.
He raised an eyebrow in amusement at her last phrase. A second later, he started to laugh. "Assassin? Princess, you wouldn't be able to lay a finger on me unless I'm okay with it," he chuckled. Stella nodded in understanding, although she wasn't convinced. Audelia was famous for its skilled warriors, so it's no wonder that the righteous prince and future king of the planet is also quite adept.
Skilled or not, he surely can't win over magic.
She blinked. "I'm a fairy. Don't you think you're being a little too overconfident of yourself?"
He smirked and took a slight step back. "Try it. I'll give you a minute. If I can mobilize you under that time, I win. If not...you win."
She blinked. So...she had to run away from him for one minute and she'll win? Overconfident, sleazy, arrogant prince. "Fine," she accepted.
"You can transform, if you want," he shrugged.
Stella's eyes widened. Hell NO. She didn't have Bloom's fairy form! It's not that easy to disguise her own Enchantix with hers. Uh uh nope. The moment she transformed into an Enchantix fairy, she'll blow her cover immediately and expose herself as a big-time fraud.
"Um. No, I'm good. I'll play fair and stay on the ground," she held her stance. "So what happens if I win?"
He smirked. "It kind of won't happen. But you can ask for anything if you do defeat me in our bet."
"Okay," she smiled. Great. Then she'll ask him to get her the hell out of this marriage in the nicest way possible. Either that or ask him not to be angry when he realizes that she's not Bloom.
"But...if I win? Can I ask for anything?" his lips turned into a sinful smirk.
"...um...what do you want?" Stella asked feeling a little uncomfortable under his intense gaze.
He paused for a moment and looked at her. "I'll take it myself when the show's over."
Um...okay?
"Okay. Whatever. Let's just get this over with," Stella shook it off and took her position.
"I'll give you a two second headstart," he shrugged and stood casually in front of her.
"And that's your biggest mistake," Stella snapped as she summoned a fiery yellow sphere in her hands.
Angrily, she aimed to hurl it at him. She didn't care that she might hurt him. The pent-up anger overshadowed her moral compass and left her vulnerable to emotions. Stella threw the sphere at the handsome man standing in front of her.
Brandon smirked when she threw it, but at the last second, he dodged it with less than zero efforts. He took a few strides towards her and in these quick moments, his hand swept over the hidden weapon in his ankle. Stella gasped when she saw him move as fast as lightning. Within a second, she felt her body being turned and her back hitting his well-built chest.
Recovering from her shocked senses, she summoned another sphere, only to freeze when she felt a cold tip against her neck.
"Magic or not...I guarantee that I'm faster than you," he smirked against her cheek, holding the knife's blade against her throat. She powered down immediately, but not because she was scared. She's...impressed. Clearly impressed. He practically left her drooling with his slick reflexes.
As soon as she lowered her guard, she felt him cast the blade aside. His arm around her waist, however, stayed put. "Admit defeat yet?" he mused.
She blushed when he tightened his grip on her. She didn't know why or how, but she liked this. She was attracted to him and she knew it. She definitely didn't mind him touching her like this, despite knowing him for less than twelve hours.
Many moments of silence passed. She just stood in his arms and faced the mountains in the distance, feeling a serene sense of mind envelope her.
"...Say yes to the wedding," she heard him suddenly say after a long while.
She stiffened and looked at him over her shoulder. "W-What?"
"You keep asking me why I care about you, right?" he asked. "You're the first girl who wasn't afraid to speak her mind in front of me. You...you're just so different that it's almost refreshing and pleasant."
He sighed. "You're the first woman I met who didn't acknowledge me because of my stature. You saw me as a man instead of just a prince."
"...Are you basing all of that on the one conversation we just had?"
"Can't I?" he chuckled. "Princess, I'm the future king of the most powerful kingdom ever to exist in the magical dimension. And you tried to attack me. Not once but twice."
"...It wasn't a duel!"
"I didn't see it as one, but...you attacked me out of anger. You didn't see this as a friendly conversation." He gently let her go and turned her around. "Say yes."
She blushed. "What...what if, hypothetically, I say no?"
His eyes slightly widened before they stilled again. Sighing a little solemnly, he nodded his head towards the entrance of the castle. "Your ship is still here. You can leave anytime, no strings attached. You won't face any problem from my side."
"R-Really?" she asked in wonder and amazement in her eyes.
He smiled at her happiness, although a part of him cringed internally at the thought of her leaving. "Really," he nodded firmly. He's not a cold-hearted bastard. He's not some snobby prince who thinks it's okay to force a girl into sleeping on the same bed as him. He believed in a long-term, stable, and loyal relationship instead of an force-arranged one.
Stella stared at the man in front of him. She didn't meet anyone like him ever before. He obviously cared for her feelings in such a way that made her feel nothing but a serene happiness on the inside. And he didn't look like he fell for her appearance (she was thankful for that). He said that her confident (haha) personality attracted him.
Stella blushed when she thought about how even the slightest contact from him seemed to daze her out of her mind. The cheek kiss last night and the embrace just a few moments ago...
She felt safe. She felt protected. She felt peaceful.
But most of all...
She felt happy.
She felt innocently happy. She didn't feel the need to think about anything else. It's like all the worries on her shoulders have been lifted from her. Isn't that what any girl would want? What could any girl want more than this?
She just coincidentally found a man who is not only sweet, but also proved that he had caliber to protect her.
Making up her mind, she smiled. "Yes," she said.
His eyes widened. "Yes?" he asked. A dazzling smile widened onto his lips and Stella blushed at seeing that.
"Yes," she repeated.
She blushed again when she felt his calloused and rough, yet, soft hand on her cheek. "Thank you," he said with a handsome smile.
He bent down, his lips against her cheek, brushing it slightly. Stella blushed heavily at the close, yet distant closeness. The light touch sent shivers through her nerves and made her body tremble. His arms encased her in a protective, yet demanding embrace. "If you want me to stop, tell me now," he whispered in her ear. Smirking at her silence, he ghostily left his lips to linger near her jawline before moving dangerously close to her shaking lips.
His proximity made Stella go nuts. She found herself closing her eyes in bliss when his lips brushed against hers. Before she knew it, she let out a soft moan as their lips met in a soft kiss. He kissed her gently and carefully, but it made her crazy enough to make tiny fists out of the folds of his shirt, making little creases.
She limply left him to hold her against him. He bent back her head and kissed her softly. Then, the intensity increased swiftly that made her cling to him as if he's the only solid thing left in this world. Stella's senses hopped around in dizziness, sending wild tremors throughout her already shaking body.
A lack of proper circulation of oxygen made them break apart. Stella collapsed her body weight on him as he held her tightly against him. She laid her head on his shoulder and looked out into the far and wide grassy plains in the distance.
Oddly, no words were needed to be exchanged. Stella sighed blithely when she realized how her day just turned around for the better. She initially came to vent out her frustration to nothing in particular, but...
Things just spiraled out of control and she was now submerged into the arms of an incredibly amazing man whom she thought would only exist in the dreams of her dreams.
Maybe...for once...life isn't so bad afterall, she thought with a smile as she looked into the horizon.
...
I hope...it's okay. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone because I did make you people wait a long time. So, I don't know what kind of feedback I should expect this time.
But...review anyway? If you can?
Thank you so much!