"Rosalie said you girls were in here!" A boisterous man wearing the Red Knight costume came in through the door. He had a smile as wide as his face which looked a lot like Mac's only younger. "I'm Emmett McCarty, Mac's son, Rose's husband and the infamous Red Knight."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Alice." Alice said rising from her chair. Her long sleeved velvet dress had a peak in the cuff which had a pearl at the end of it that draped over half of her hand. It looked and felt very expensive.
"Ah Lady Alice, pleased to make your acquaintance," Emmett bowed and winked. "And you are?"
"Bella. Isabella, today," Bella rolled her eyes as smiled nervously before Emmett. He released Alice's hand and took Bella's and bowed.
"Lady Isabella, I am charmed," Emmett smirked. "So, I am to give you the rundown."
"The rundown?"
"Yep. Probably the same as what Rosalie said but bear with me, alright? When wearing the gowns, your in character and your persona in here and out there needs to be consistent. The patrons are expecting a show at all times, even if you're in the loo- which shouldn't ever happen and another topic entirely. This is ALL for show. You're in character when you are here, no matter the costume. Period. So, shall we go play with the peasants?" He grinned wickedly.
The girls nodded, leaving the small building and into the daylight. The park was just opened and buzzing with energy, but Bella couldn't calm the nervous energy or the small smile playing at her lips.
"Hazzar!" Mac greeted right outside the door. Bella jumped a bit before blushing lightly and covering her face with her fan.
"Hazzar," Alice grinned.
"We wait here until the King and Queen are ready to come out, until then, just smile and wave, small bows to the patrons… you are Ladies. A few pictures here and there would be fine- until the majesties come out to play then you're with Esme." Emmett said quickly.
His jovial father was much louder and had already started teasing and taunting the people around him. "The people eat his shtick up and he is truly in his element." Emmett shakes his head.
Bella pulled at her dress, and then lightly touched her hair.
"Don't be nervous, Isabella. You won't find another job like this where it is acceptable and pleasing to the masses to be borderline harassing and insulting. Perhaps a pub somewhere… but alas, people come back year after year to see us in our characters. Do well, and you just may be one of them." Emmett nodded seriously, winked, and then turned toward a door that was almost opposite from where the girls exited out of. He knocked on the door and when there was a return sequence of knocks Emmett turned and nodded to the man that was holding a trumpet.
Bella and Alice didn't notice him, but as soon as he blared the warning announcement for the King and Queen, it was all they could do not to shrink back from the loud noise.
The King and Queen exited the door with their hands in the air and greeting the commoners. Then Bella's breath caught in her throat as a man with reddish-brown hair exited the door with them. He didn't meet her eyes, just trained on the people before him. He gave them small smirks, smiles, and nods as he waved.
Bella stood mesmerized.
"Move, Isabella," Alice said from behind her fan. She nudged Bella's shoulder before Bella started forward. She followed behind the Queen, smiling lightly, nervously at the people. Little children beamed up at her with wonder and awe and Bella couldn't resist giving them a bow.
"You were born for this," The Queen teased Bella while she continued to wave, moving past Alice to stand next to Bella. "Your name?"
"I am Isabella, Bella for short. This is Alice and my first day."
"Ah, so they throw you in the thick of it right off!" The Queen laughed. Her good-humored persona just added to the crowd's happiness. "I suppose I had hand in that," she shrugged. "I was in need of new Ladies. I'm Esme… and for all intents and purposes, Queen." The kind smile made Bella feel at ease.
Rosalie moved from within the crowd to meet them. She was a vision in purple as Bella couldn't help but smile at her.
"My Queen, your son is insufferable!" Rosalie huffed with a wink at Bella.
"This I know," Esme chuckled. "I see he's wandered off again."
Bella looked around them, no longer seeing the bronze haired man. Taking a closer look at Esme, she could see the resemblance.
"He has. He had hinted that that the day spent sedentary was of no interest to him. Shall I send Emmett after him?"
"Oh, let the poor man go," Esme giggled, "He has greater issues presently than standing on my underskirts." Esme motioned toward Bella and Alice with a slight of her hand but before Bella could inquire what she was going on about, they found themselves in the middle of a crowd, smiling and posing for pictures.
A/N: So Edward bailed on his Prince-ly duties. Surprising. Maybe he'll show up soon enough? Next up… a joust!