Chapter 4: The Twins' Desperation
After Birk Balthazar and the other survivors were led to a special chamber to be given a shave and a haircut, Princess Amber rushed to her bedroom to search for something. "A-ha!" She exclaimed in triumph once she found the embroidery patch of Enchancia's symbol given to her by Miranda when the latter and Sofia moved into the castle. She then heard someone knocking at the door. "Who's there?" She asked in shock.
"It's James." She heard her twin brother answer.
"Come in." She said and James entered soon after. "Amber, what're you doing?"
"James, do you still have the embroidery patch Mom gave you when she and Sofia moved in?" Princess Amber asked Prince James.
"Yes." The male twin answered while wondering what his sister wanted with it.
"Good!" She commented. "Now all we have to do is to sew them into our clothes so Mom will see how much we appreciate the small things she does for us."
"What're you talking about, Amber?" Prince James asked in confusion.
"James, it's obvious Dad's money and power won't make Mom leave Birk to marry him so she'll need that sort of incentive." Princess Amber explained. While she was still somewhat confused that the perks of being Royalty wouldn't serve as a tie-breaker, she understood that Miranda loved both Roland and Birk and didn't know who to choose. "You do want Mom to stay with us, don't you?"
He thought about it. "I'll wear the patch but don't ask me to buy Mom's love."
"Thank you, James." She happily replied.
Meanwhile, Miranda was packing her stuff at the bedroom she used to share with King Roland II until their marriage was declared illegal. She was now wearing her villager outfit from when she went to the castle to deliver the King's new slippers. "My Qu… er, Mrs. Balthazar, why're you dressed like that?" Violet the maid asked out of curiosity.
"Why wouldn't I?" Miranda gently asked. "I'm a commoner again."
"Technically yes but nobody is prohibiting you from wearing any of those dresses His Majesty gave you, you know." Violet replied.
"I might wear some at special occasions but I have no reason not to wear this for day-to-day." Miranda said as she resumed placing said dresses at a trunk. The fact that Miranda was (technically) no longer a Queen was the only reason Violet wouldn't feel completely uncomfortable with her doing menial work. James and Amber then entered the bedroom. "Has any of you seen the Queen?" Amber asked with a formal tone, not recognizing her foster mother (I won't use the word "stepmother" because Miranda is no longer married to the King), who turned around and gently answered. "There's no Queen here, Amber."
The twins were shocked. "Sorry, Mom. I, James didn't recognize you." The Princess tried to divert blame. "Not that I blame him. You're dressed like some commoner."
"I am a commoner, Princess Amber." Miranda replied while bowing in mockery.
"Unless it's a public ceremony, you don't have to be so formal while talking to us, Mom." James stated.
"That's right, Mom." Amber added while mentally congratulating her twin for bringing that point up. "You and Dad signed papers for us as well."
"Thank you, kids." Miranda said and then noticed a detail. "And I see you're wearing my embroidery patches. Now go to your bedrooms. Tomorrow's a school day."
"Yes, Mom." The twins replied together.
The next morning, Birk and Miranda joined the Royal Family for breakfast. Birk was feeling out of place seeing how Miranda and Sofia knew Royal table manners. Birk then took a bite of his breakfast. "My compliments to the chef."
"I'll let Chef Andre know you like his food, Birk." The King replied.
"Sofia, which school do you attend?" Birk asked.
"I attend Royal Prep, Papa." Sofia answered.
"Do any of your classmates pick on you for being originally a commoner?" Birk asked out of concern.
"No, Papa." Sofia answered.
"What's your favorite class, Sofia?" Birk asked.
"Sorcery!" Sofia exclaimed.
Birk was confused. "Is Sorcery taught at Royal Prep?" He asked and then looked at the King. "Does that mean?"
"Yes, I did learn some spells, albeit I haven't practiced ever since I graduated." The King explained. "That's what we have Royal Sorcerers for."
"Miranda, will it be a trouble if we wait to see Sofia leaving for school before we leave to look for jobs?" Birk uneasily asked.
"Can't you work at the shoe store back in Dunwitty?" James suggested.
"The job is already taken." Miranda sadly replied.
"Good luck anyway, Mom." James said. Amber secretly reproved it since she hoped Miranda would fail and then return to the King.
End chapter. Just so you know, I'm not good with accents.