AN: Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing! Have had a massive writers block over the last week and all of my fics are at a complete standstill because of it, I'm hoping that this passes soon so I can get more updates done but, luckily, this chapter wasn't affected too badly.

Please note that there will be less of Flora inside this chapter and more of Musa until the story picks up, Musa's coronation will form as the catalyst for the rest of the fic's interesting twists and turns so I need to really flesh that out well first. I hope you will understand and be patient.

All errors are mine (if you see one let me know and I'll fix it), enjoy :)

Chapter 4

Misunderstood

Musa yawned as she rubbed her eyes with her fingertips to try and make them focus. She had just one more day before her coronation as Princess of Melody. She still wasn't at ease with the entire thing and, although she had slept inside her room for two weeks, it still felt so foreign. After all, her room at Alfea was two times smaller than the one here and she preferred her little corner of the universe, as cluttered and unorganised as it was.

All the empty space just managed to remind her of how distant she would inevitably be from people when she did become princess and had to make royal decrees. There was a knock on the door and Lyon entered and saluted, it was her usual routine to check in and see how she was feeling.

"Good morning Princess," she greeted, Musa not bothering to correct her because she knew Lyon would ignore her request anyway. "How are we this morning?"

"Good, thank you."

"Excellent, Garrett would like to see you later today to talk about some important things regarding your coronation. He will be by in an hour's time." Elena stepped through the door next, hands full of freshly cleaned and fluffed towels. She placed them on Musa's bed as she stood and began fluffing her pillows and straightening her sheets. She couldn't even make her own bed anymore.

"Thank you Lyon I'll freshen up and see him, where does he want to see me?"

"In the throne room your highness, do you still remember your way there?"

"Yes."

"Good, I will keep watch outside while you prepare yourself for the day." She saluted again and pivoted on her heel before closing the door behind her. Elena noticed Musa's sigh.

"Is everything alright Princess?"

"Yes Elena, but how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Musa."

"Okay Musa," she smiled. Elena really did like Musa; she was kind to her staff and didn't work anyone too hard. For once she enjoyed working at the palace and serving such an independent and strong fairy. Problem was she wasn't entirely sure that Musa knew just how important or independent she truly was in comparison to those that Elena has served before her.

"I suggest you get yourself ready," Elena replied. "You would not want to be late for your meeting with Garrett." Musa nodded, taking the towel and some clothes she had picked out the previous night before walking to her ensuite bathroom to shower and freshen up.

Once comfortable she walked downstairs to see the chef who had already prepared a nutritious morning meal of pancakes with fruit salad and juice. Lyon stood at the door in the hallway, her eyes and ears on high alert for any unwelcome persons or possible threats.

After breakfast she was escorted back upstairs, through the main palace doors and into the throne room where Garrett was already waiting, his black leather organiser in hand, glasses clean and suit pressed. In the two weeks that she had met and talked with Garrett she never saw him without perfect posture or poise, she supposed it was from years of training, though wished he'd lighten up and actually appear human every now and then.

"Good morning Princess," Garrett greeted, nodding to Lyon who stopped where she stood and waited for further instructions.

"How are we this morning?"

"Good, thank you."

"Good," he smiled, clicking his pen and placing it to his organizer, for a moment Musa wondered if there was anything he didn't write down.

"I believe you know the drill for tomorrow, you have a few hours to get ready with your friends before you will be escorted through the centre of this hall." Musa looked left and right, down at the red carpet and to the ceiling, it was immense and she wondered what it would look like on her coronation day. "Decorations will be up by this afternoon in time for your grand appearance," Garrett explained. "Once at the throne you will stand, take an oath, sit and then be crowned." Musa nodded her head to show that she understood.

"But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a practice run, would it?" He asked and Musa's eyebrows furrowed slightly together in confusion. "You have a visitor."

"Really?" She asked. "Who?"

Garrett looked to Lyon again and nodded and she walked to the main doors to let them in. Musa turned and a thousand watt smile spread across her face before she ran at the person in the doorway. Her hug was almost too powerful it made the certain magenta haired specialist fall backwards but catch himself just in time. "Riven," Musa sighed, before kissing his lips and holding him in her arms.

"Hello to you too," he replied, overjoyed at her public expression of love.

"How have you been?" She asked and he smiled and nodded his head.

"Been good, just selling weapons for my father," he looked past Musa's head and watched Lyon's eyes practically burn into his own. He looked back down to Musa's before placing her forearm over his own and taking her fingers in his. "Time for a practice, we can catch up later."

"Exactly right, Riven," Garrett smiled. "Now walk to the throne, chairs will be set up on either side of the carpet to stick to the centre stage." When they reached the throne, Riven kissed her hand before stepping away as she turned and looked out at the bare tiled floor.

"You'd say the oath with prompted and sit, easy enough to understand?"

"Yes," Musa replied.

"Good, anything else that you wanted to discuss princess?" Musa shook her head. "Very well, then I will see you early tomorrow morning." His footsteps echoed against the walls as he exited to their right and left the couple together.

"I've missed you so much," Musa admitted, leaning into his chest and hearing the therapeutic beat of his heart.

"I've missed you too," Riven replied. "But hey, everything is going to be fine."

"Yeah it will be," she admitted, "now that you are here."

"How about you show me around?" Riven nudged and she nodded before walking out of the main doors with Lyon following the couple a meter or so behind.

"Does she have to follow you everywhere?" Riven asked, looking over his right shoulder, again she didn't flinch.

"Yeah," Musa sighed. "Just one of the many reasons I don't like it here." They reached the main staircase and his mouth dropped.

"Wow look at the size of this place."

"I know," Musa replied, "this place is supposed to be my home but it sure doesn't feel like it."

"Hey," Riven said placing a hand on Musa's shoulder as she turned and looked to him, Lyon appearing out of the corner of his eye. "You will be a great princess."

"I don't know if this is what I want."

"You have to do this," Riven sighed looking deeply into her eyes. "The people of Melody need someone to rule them and who better than Musa, a descendant of the royal bloodline and who saved the kingdom just last year. If you can survive a war you can survive this."

"I know," Musa sighed ploughing her head into his chest and closing her eyes again, making Riven start to worry. They had been through rough times in the past twelve months, survived and faced challenges that no one should ever have to. But they came out stronger on the other side… well that's what Riven had told himself.

"But this is just so different."

"You will be okay," Riven sighed placing his hands on her back. "Look at me," she did. "Just think about how proud your parents would be. You will be a princess that will be in the history books and not just for being beautiful, smart or for being royal… you will be written in there for being a strong willed fairy, someone with fighting spirit, who won't give up without a fight and who loves her music." He paused, placing his forehead against her own and closing his eyes. "That is who you are Musa, and that never changes."

"Thanks Riven," Musa smiled and then chuckled, "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"I am trying."

Layla and Anne looked over Tides, taking a break from their dancing spree just moments ago. It felt so surreal to be back here and dancing like nothing had happened with her friend but Anne knew that there were still a few unresolved issues and that it would take a little longer for them to be the way they used to be, a span of so many years apart needed to be filled. "It's good to be back isn't it?" Layla asked and she nodded.

"Yeah, it's great." The mornings rays shone over the kingdom below making them both smile. "Well we better get ready to go."

"I guess you're right," Anne replied, standing to her feet and offering her hand to Layla who took it. "Let's go."

Bloom waved to Vanessa and Mike before using a teleportation spell from their lounge room to Transportus station. With an overnight bag in tow she walked to the hidden station and waited for a response. "Welcome to Transportus Station, where would you like to go today?"

"Melody please," Bloom smiled.

"Have a pleasant transport."

Stella collected her bags and double checked she had everything she needed when her father placed his hands on her shoulders. Nodding her head triumphantly she cast a spell to make the cases hand sized before putting them into her handbag and starting for the door.

"Stella!" Her father called, rushing down the stairs. She stopped as he approached. "I can't let you leave without a hug," he opened his eyes and Stella laughed, leaning into his embrace.

"Have fun darling, remember you are representing Solaria."

"You will come won't you Dad? Musa helped us countless times against Valtor and against that spell that was used on you."

"I will think about it," he remarked, which Stella knew normally meant no but she didn't let it get her down. "Okay," she smiled before taking her bags and disappearing in a flash of light.

"Have a good time Flora," Harmony explained, holding her daughter in her arms. "Thank you for looking after Miele for so long."

"It's okay; I will be back in a couple of days." Flora knelt next to Miele and held her tightly.

"Why can't I come?" She asked, softly.

"I wish you could… and I am sure that Musa would let you… but it's the rules, only adults allowed."

"Oh," Miele sighed as Flora smiled.

"Look after mum for me okay."

"Sure," Miele replied, straightening her posture and saluting in her direction. "Miele is on the job." Flora laughed before boarding a large leaf with one bad in her hand. She waved to her family as the leaf drifted into the sky and the earth disappeared below a sea of fluffy clouds.

Tecna typed furiously on the computer, desperately trying to get all of the data in her head recorded with her research thesis when there was a knock on the door. She stood up to answer it and saw Timmy in the doorway. "Timmy," she smiled, hugging him tightly. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, but you are going to be late," he said pointing to a digital clock in her house.

"Whoops," Tecna sighed as she took her bag and her laptop in her hand and locked the door to the house with the swipe of a key card. "Where are your parents?" Timmy asked as they walked down the street together.

"They are at the new convention."

"I heard about that," he smiled, adjusting his glasses as he always did when hearing of a new gadget or device he could use and manipulate. "It is supposed to be an awesome show, the latest gadgets and everything. I wanted to go but Musa's coronation comes first."

"Yeah it does, maybe we can go together once it's over?"

"Sure," Timmy smiled, as they turned right and passed a group of hover boarders practicing their tricks on the local obstacle course.

"So you are going early to?"

"Yeah," Timmy replied, "I am so sick of hanging around at Red Fountain. Riven is already there to so maybe we can share a room or something in the palace if Musa lets us in."

"I am sure she will," Tecna replied as they reached their own teleportation station. They both stood in there circular areas on the ground. "Destination?" the station master asked.

"Melody please," Tecna replied as she looked to Timmy and a series of green rings floated from the ground around their bodies. "Enjoy your stay." A green light flashed through the station signalling their departure.

Jet stood outside the main entrance to the castle and enjoyed the sunlight for a moment, tomorrow it would all be official. Musa would be there new princess, they would finally have someone who was more down to earth, someone who could take a joke and would be a pleasure to work for. He was annoyed with the other royals he had worked for, they were all the same, worried only about their looks and spending money on million dollar outfits. Jet hated people that were so superficial and, thankfully, his new princess wasn't superficial at all.

Suddenly he saw a series of black figures racing toward the doors. "What the…" he stuttered, squinting before he was run down by the seven females. They burst through the door as Jet lay on the ground and he sat up, rubbing the back of his neck.

He turned and saw someone else, thankfully moving a lot slower towards him. "You okay?" Timmy asked, placing down the enormous pile of bags the girls had abandoned for him to carry and holding out his hand. Jet took it and was lifted to his feet.

"Yeah, thank you."

"I'm Timmy, and they aren't usually so excitable."

"I'm Jet," he smiled. "And I hope they aren't. "Need a hand?"

"Thanks." Jet picked up three bags while Timmy lifted the others.

"MUSA!" Flora, Bloom, Tecna, Layla, Stella and Galatea called up the main staircase. Then Musa dashed out onto the stairs and ran down to meet them. "GUYS!" She smiled, running into a warm group hug before Lyon's armour echoed down the stairs and paused just behind Musa, her body stiff and eyes forward.

The girls stepped back tentively as Musa cleared her throat and explained. "Everyone this is Lyon, my body guard."

"You have a body guard," Stella replied, placing a friendly hand on Musa's shoulder. "But why do you need a body guard." Suddenly Lyon's hand grabbed Stella's wrist and pulled it behind her back making the sun fairy shriek until Lyon's blade was under her chin.

"Princess Musa has a body guard to protect her from others who may try and harm her."

"But we're friends, Musa tell her we're friends!" Stella begged and Musa nodded making Lyon release her. Bloom helped the blonde to her feet clumsily as Lyon assumed her previous position as if nothing had occurred before.

"I'm sorry for Lyon's…over-protectiveness, she's just here to make sure that I am safe, being the last member of the royal family and everything."

"Well she takes her job far too seriously!" Stella replied, stepping toward the guard before Bloom and Layla stopped her in her tracks. "Calm down Stel."

"You can never take protection and personal safety too seriously, Princess Stella of Solaria."

"Wait, how do you know my name?"

"I know all of Musa's affiliations, and friends," she looked around the room and spoke their names clearly by just observing their faces. "You're Bloom, fairy of the Dragon Fire and the Princess of Domino; Flora from Linphea fairy of nature; Tecna, fairy of technology from Zenith; Layla, fairy of morphix and Princess of Andros; Galatea, Princess of Rhythm," she paused, looking to Anne, her mind desperately trying to remember the face but nothing came to hand.

"And who are you?" She asked; hand on the hilt of her blade.

"Anne fairy of wind from Andros," she replied before Layla stepped slightly in front of her friend.

"She's a friend of ours; she has been missing for some time, that's probably why you haven't seen her before." Lyon didn't move; she just stared before relaxing her gaze.

"Yes there are a few guests on Musa's coronation list without their photographs or background information." She took a notepad from her pocket and completed a slip of some kind before tearing it out and handing it forwards. Anne was a little hesitant at taking the green card but she did anyway.

"It's an entry pass, you will need it for the coronation entry and to walk through the palace. Show it to any guards who are unfamiliar with you and they will let you pass." Anne nodded, keeping the card in a safe place.

"Thank you." Lyon nodded and silence filled the air until Stella clapped her hands together and walked forwards, looking Musa up and down as she circled her making Lyon slightly nervous.

"We have a lot of work to do to get you ready for tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" Musa sighed when Bloom and Stella took her by the arms and ran playfully up the stairs, the other girls chasing after them with Lyon barking her orders behind.

Riven rounded the corner and moved out of the way just in time to see the girls rampage through and offer the odd hello before they entered her room and the door slammed. Shaking his head he walked down the stairs to see Timmy in the foyer. "Thanks for the help."

"No problem," the black haired boy replied with a smile, "is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Uh yeah actually... I am looking for a friend of mine named...Riven!" Timmy smiled as the strong young man reached the bottom of the stairs. "Hey Riven, have you met Jet?"

"No I haven't," Riven stepped forwards as Jet placed his hand out, regretting it slightly as Riven's strongly gripped around his own thin hand. "He is Musa's own personal butler."

"Oh really," Riven replied, disinterested, as Jet removed his hand and placed it into his pocket.

"Well I better leave you to it then," Jet said to get out of the situation, feeling Riven's eyes penetrating into his soul. Riven watched him leave before Timmy gave him a nudge.

"Why were you so rude? He was just trying to be nice."

"Yeah but how nice?"

"What? Look he is just working for Musa, nothing more, so don't get jealous or anything, alright?"

"Easy for you to say," Riven turned around. "Your girlfriend isn't about to become the princess of Melody."

"Just forget it," Timmy said adjusting his glasses, he didn't like arguments and knew that Riven would always get his way. "So... uh... where is our room?"

"Oh right I forgot about that," the magenta haired specialist lifted his own bag from the foyer floor and Timmy took his, leaving the others to be collected by the servants and other girls. "It's just up here, follow me."

"Step one," Stella began, counting on her fingers from her thumb towards her pinkie to organise her points as she paced before the others who were comfortably sitting on the bed or on the rugged floor. "We need to find you an outfit and ourselves ones for that matter. Step two, we need to do your hair and select the makeup so we can make you look lovely in the morning. Thirdly," Stella looked to Musa who had rolled her eyes. "Don't you roll your eyes at me; you need to look like a princess if you want to be respected as one."

"I don't even want to be a princess!" Musa yelled standing to her feet and walking to the window. "I never wanted any of this," she paused, looking over her shoulder to her other friends. "All I wanted was to go to Alfea and become a guardian fairy for this kingdom, not become its princess."

Bloom could sympathise with her friends position, she had been in the same predicament before, thinking she could live an ordinary life, before the extraordinary came in and threatened everything she had loved. "Musa I know what you're feeling right now," Bloom began, "you don't want to be a princess for the extra responsibility."

"NO!" Musa yelled, "THAT IS NOT IT! NOBODY UNDERSTANDS!" Her voice quaked and shook as her feet ran her out of the room as quickly as they could and down the stairs.

"What's her problem?" Stella asked.

"Quiet Stel," Bloom replied. "Just give her some space."

"I think we should talk to her," Layla sighed, "how about I go?"

"No," Galatea began, "Flora and I will go. She has been talking to you about what she's feeling right Flora?"

"Yeah she has," Flora sighed. "We know what to do."

"Oh really," Stella interrupted pointing a finger mere inches away from Flora's eyes, "and why wouldn't any of us be good enough to help her?"

"Stella you aren't exactly the best person when it comes to being sensitive and you and Musa have a huge argument history."

"You shouldn't be getting into this Layla," she snapped. "I mean just look at you and..."

"What is going on in here?!" Lyon's voice boomed as she blasted the door open and stood at the entrance, immediately scanning the frozen faces of those within and noticing Musa's missing one.

"Where is Princess Musa?"

AN: Thanks for reading and please review :)

Response to Anonymous Reviewers:

Allisson – Thank you for the review of the last chapter, I'm glad that you have liked the fic so far and that you enjoyed the update, I hope that I passed too :) until the next chapter

Bree – Thanks for the review, I'm glad you liked how Brandon and Stella interacted in this scene