Thanks for reviews last chapter! You all make my day. Also thank you to those who said they like longer chapters, I do like to write a lot but wasn't too sure if people liked reading that much. So thank you once again for helping me out with that. =) By the way, I enabled anonymous reviews (I think – I hope I did it right!) so that the people who do not have an account on here but like to read the story can review. I love getting reviews. They help motivate me to keep going and they make me happy. =)
I was also thinking of maybe putting up a playlist? I listen to music when I'm writing and each chapter has a song. If you lovely readers would like me to post a playlist on my profile just let me know. I've also posted some pictures of the dresses that Mimi, Schuyler and Bliss wore to the graduation gala. There will be others posted later on as well as some locations. You can find them on my profile. Anyways, 'nuff said.
-Carly.
A tall man with silvery hair stood overlooking a white gravestone. He held in one hand, his blazer and in another a bouquet of freshly cut flowers from the most expensive florist in New York. The grave he towered over was new. The earth was soft and the grass hadn't grown over yet. The flowers placed around it were not wilted yet and bright. The man knelt down and propped the flowers up against the gravestone. He reached out and traced the letter of the name engraved into the gravestone.
Allegra "Gabrielle" Van Alen.
Forever Rest In Peace.
The funeral had been just a few days ago. Most of the committee had been there; all dressed in white. There were hardly any red bloods in attendance. Blue Bloods from all over had come to say goodbye to Gabrielle the Uncorrupted.
Charles sighed and stood up. His Gabrielle was gone. It was inevitable anyways; she had broken the bond. He couldn't bear to let the same thing happen again with Jack. He had already lost his love and couldn't imagine losing a son. The committee needed power. Bonding Jack and Mimi was the only way to get it. Maybe he was seeking revenge too; punishing Schuyler for what her mother had done to him. He didn't know.
Charles pulled his blazer back on and looked at the gravestone.
"I'm sorry," He whispered.
Jack opened the door to the second bedroom in the Force townhouse, otherwise known as Schuyler's bedroom. He looked to the four-poster bed and sighed; Schuyler was curled up in the pillowy duvet still. The entertainment center remained untouched and so did her Mac Book that was sitting upon the desk. She hadn't moved from the bed since the funeral. She simply sat in bed all day and all night, staring blankly at the wall, out the window, at the ceiling...
"Sky, don't you think you've had enough of wallowing?"
Jack had done his fair share of wallowing. He was rather fond of Gabrielle and was saddened to see her go. The grief didn't last long. Impending doom overcast it and forced Jack out of his state.
"No."
Jack rolled his eyes and switched on the lights.
"Turn it off," Schuyler groaned.
"No."
Jack crossed the room and sat next to her on the edge of the bed. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"There is something."
"No there's not."
"I can read your mind, you know that right?"
"I forgot," She said sarcastically.
"Are you going to tell me or do we have to sit here all day?"
"Nothing is wrong. I'm just tired."
"How can you be tired after nearly a week of sleeping?"
"I watched T.V."
"No, you didn't and watching T.V. can't make you tired."
There was no response. Jack pulled the duvet away from her face.
"You look like a zombie."
She glared in response and tried to pull the duvet back over her head.
"Get up," Jack said holding the duvet away from her.
"No."
"I know you're upset. We all are. What is the use of sitting in here all day? Would your mother have really wanted that?"
"How would I know? I never got the chance to talk to her," Schuyler snapped.
"Well I knew her and I don't think she would be pleased to see you like this. You've got to move on and live your life," Jack reached out and cupped her face in his hand. "Sitting here all day and all night won't bring her back, you know that."
I don't know why I'm upset about it really. It's not like she was going to get out of her coma.
"It's the natural thing to do. When someone dies, you get upset. You have to move on though."
"Bliss is under the Consummo Alienari; she has completely lost her mind to the Silver Bloods."
"I know."
"What if that is what she was trying to do to my mother? What if she wasn't trying to completely drain her? What if they were trying to just use her as a pawn for their twisted plans?"
"I think that is exactly what she was trying to do but she completely drained her by accident and you interrupted." The silver bloods knew if they had control of Allegra Van Alen, they would most definitely be able to control Senovia. It was only a matter of time before they went for Schuyler. This gave Jack all the more reason to launch his plan.
"You know, it isn't fair that you can read my mind and I can't read yours," Schuyler said pouting slightly.
"Well, darling, if you practiced your vampire lessons more you would learn how to close your mind and we wouldn't have that problem," Jack smirked.
"Ha-ha."
"Feeling better?"
"Mmm. Guess so."
"How about we watch a movie?"
"Sure. Which one?"
"I don't know, we'll find one."
Little did Schuyler know, Jack Force knew exactly which movie he wanted to watch.
"Why did you choose this movie?" Schuyler questioned Jack.
They were both sitting on the plush sectional sofa in the living room of the Force townhouse.
"I don't know. I like it," Jack shrugged.
"You like girly movies?" Schuyler giggled.
"This isn't a girly movie!"
"Jack, we are watching the "Princess Diaries". I think that says enough."
"Well I just think it is something you can relate to."
"How so? I don't have a grandmother and my family isn't royalty."
Jack smirked.
"What?" Schuyler frowned.
So far everything was going exactly to Jack's plan. He felt something collide with his head. A pillow. Schuyler had thrown a pillow at him.
"What was that for?" Jack said throwing the pillow back.
"Why are you smirking?"
"I'm not."
"You were."
Jack grabbed the remote and put the movie on pause. He turned and looked at Schuyler who had a look of confusion across her face.
"Have you ever heard of Senovia?"
"Senovia?"
"Yeah. It's a small country off the coast of Southern France and West of Italy."
"Can't say that I've ever heard of it. Why are you bringing it up?"
"It is run by a blue blood family."
"Oh? That's nice," Schuyler said uninterested and picked the bowl of popcorn off the coffee table.
"It is run as a constitutional monarchy. There is a Queen, a small parliament of 50 seated members and a Prime Minister..." Jack looked over at Schuyler who was digging through the popcorn bowl. "Did you hear what I just said?"
"Yes. Thank you for the geography lesson."
"It wasn't meant to be a geography lesson."
"Then why do I need to know about it?"
"Your family has ruled Senovia for many years and you are next in line for the throne."
Schuyler began to choke on the popcorn she had in her mouth.
"What?" She managed to spit out.
"You're a princess."
"Jack, I think you got a little too into the movie."
"It's true. Your mother's great grandmother who is ruling Senovia right now."
"How come nobody told me about her then?"
"Well you know how Charles is. He likes to act like a teenage girl and keep life changing secrets from people."
"How am I next in line for the throne then?" Schuyler set the popcorn bowl back down upon the table.
"Your great-great grandmother's daughter died when she was young, your grandmother died, your mother died, and you haven't died so you are next to take it all."
"How do I still have a living great-great grandmother? She must be near a hundred years old!"
"She is a blue blood. Blue bloods live a long time."
"This is so confusing!"
"Well, your mother's great grandmother is Queen of Senovia. This makes her your great-great grandmother. You are next in line for the throne."
"Okay..." Schuyler said slowly. "How am I supposed to rule a country that I know nothing about?"
"That's the reason why I told you this, your great-great grandmother is going on a trip to France to discuss some things and she wanted you to visit. She wants you to learn a bit about Senovia so when she is ready to pass on, you can easily take over."
"Why is she does she want me to visit now? Why didn't she ever write?"
"It is pretty far away. Your mother has been out of touch with her for a while."
"So when would I go?"
"This Thursday."
"Jack, that is only two days away! There is no way I could get a flight in time!"
"I arranged for you to take the Force jet."
"I don't know. This doesn't seem... real." Schuyler shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. "It isn't that I don't believe you, it's just... so over whelming! Five minutes ago I was just a normal girl and now I'm royalty!"
"You were never just a normal girl, Schuyler," Jack said looking deeply into her eyes. "You are a blue blood." He said cracking up at his own joke.
"Ha-ha. You're so funny."
"I thought so."
"What if I don't want to be a princess?"
"They are expecting you."
"I don't want to be a princess."
"They need you. Don't you want to visit your last remaining family member?"
"Is anyone coming with me?" Schuyler said anxiously "I'm not sure if I want to go by myself."
"I wish I could but I have some things I have to take care of. You'll be fine." Jack gave a reassuring smile.
"Well then, I'm going to try and find my suitcases then. I should start to pack." Schuyler picked up the popcorn bowl and stood up.
"I'll come help you in a minute."
Schuyler nodded and made her way to the kitchen.
Jack exhaled. His plan had worked perfectly. He felt bad for lying to Schuyler about her great-great grandmother being alive but it was all for the best. He couldn't have her here when he lost his memory of her. By showing her Senovia, it gave her something to live for. Jack knew it would break her heart when she came back to New York and found out but she would still be able to run. She could run back to Senovia; run from the pain he had caused her. He wished he could run with her but there was no escaping the bond. Being straight up with her would not have worked. She would have came to the bonding ceremony and been there right in the front row. That would make difficult for both of them. He was saving her; saving her from veering off onto the wrong path. He was saving her from Charles.
Bliss sat in a conference room surrounded by silver bloods. They were all seated around a rounded table. In the center of the table was a phone. The phone was on speaker phone and on the other end was a man with a heavy Italian accent called, Philippe who was apparently a Prime Minister. He was calling from some small country near France. Bliss hadn't really been paying attention.
"It will only be a matter of time. The girl arrives here soon. Once she does, I will give you all the inside knowledge. You will know where she goes and when, what she is doing and where. It will make the attack much easier. The power will be in your hands soon."
The silver bloods began to talk quietly amongst themselves.
"Also, congratulate the new one. She has changed the plan for the better – I don't know her name, or particularly care," Philippe said bluntly not knowing that Bliss was in the room.
"It's Bliss." Bliss said coldly.
"My apologies, Brittney."
"Bliss."
"Right, Bernice."
"BLISS!"
The room went quiet.
"Again, my apologies – bad connection. You have been a vital part in the plan and still are. I must go now. Preparations are in order for the royal visit."
Philippe hung up.
Mimi sipped on a cup of tea while she flipped through a large book filled with different styles of napkins. The bonding was a mere two days away and she needed to make the final decisions on everything. She had definitely freaked out her entire design team when she had told them the "Wedding" had been pushed up and in result they all thought she was pregnant now.
"Good morning, Madeline!" A joyous voice called out from behind her.
Mimi turned around to face a plump woman, with caramel colored hair and brown eyes, dressed in an ivory Dior suit. Mimi recognized her as her bonding planner, Rose, who was also a blue blood. Rose had planned everyone's weddings. She was the most popular wedding planner in New York and only planned weddings for celebrities.
"Good morning Rose," Mimi said placing down her cup of tea. "Has the cake been finalized?"
"Yes. They faxed me a confirmation this morning," She poured herself a cup of tea.
"What about the venues?"
"Both Saint John the Divine Church for the ceremony and the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum for the reception, are ready to go. Cookie?" Rose held out a plate of freshly baked cookies.
"No thank-you," Rose shrugged and put the plate back down. Mimi had lost most of her appetite for human food. "Has the guest list been finalized as well?"
"Yes it has. I sent the final copy to your blackberry and printed out another for your records." Rose took a seat across from Mimi.
"Table settings?"
"Completed, except for the napkins which you are still deciding upon."
Mimi nodded. She couldn't stump Rose. Rose was always on top of things.
"Your dress came in this morning. Vera was not pleased about how last minute it was."
"Well did you tell her something unexpected came up?"
"Yes I did. She said she hopes you aren't far along on your pregnancy or you are for sure out of a dress."
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Rose, you know I'm not pregnant."
"I wasn't about to argue with Vera though."
"Hmrrph."
"So is the groom having any say on anything?" Rose said sitting down and changing the subject but not to a very good one.
"No. He doesn't deserve to." Mimi snapped, angrily flipping through the napkin book again nearly knocking over her cup of tea.
She had been so angry with Jack these past few days. He had been spending nearly every day with her. He had hardly spent anytime with Mimi doing anything. What did she care though? He was only killing the half blood slowly. Once the bond was over he wouldn't even remember the little brat and things would be good again. Lately all Jack did was fight with her. They had yelled at each other till the walls shook. Mimi hoped that the fighting would lead to something that would ignite the passion he still had for her, but it didn't. He was so irritable and generally a waspish person. She hated him for it. It would all change very soon though. She loved that.
"I'm going to go with this one," Mimi pointed at napkin in the book.
"Good choice," Rose remarked pulling the book towards her to write down the number and style.
Mimi picked up her teacup again. It was silly that Schuyler Van Alen thought she could win. It was almost laughable. When the oaths were exchanged, Jack's soul would mold to Mimi's and nothing could come between them. It would be just her and Jack. The little Princess would become nothing. He wouldn't even remember her or whatever feelings he had for her. The little half blood doesn't even know she has a kingdom and will never find out because of Charles. The Princess would not be getting a Prince in this fairytale. Oh well, too bad.
Reviews are love! Remember playlist! Btw, if you're wondering where Oliver is he will be in the next chapter. Also Dylan will be making an appearance soon.