Hey Guys! I hope you had an amazing week! Here is Chapter 11, holy cow, we are getting up there in the chapters haha. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
"They're engaged?!" I ask totally in shock, "like Andrew and Isabella?"
"Yes," my father chuckles, "Andrew and Isabella Schreave, King and Queen of Italy."
"Oh," I say looking down at my feet, "Why didn't Isabella tell me? I thought that we were close."
My dad's eyes soften, "Em, honey, I don't think it's like that…" He trails off, I can feel the burn of tear in my eyes so I quickly compose myself.
"Ok Dad," I give him a quick hug, "Love you."
As soon as I get out of Conference room A, I turn and run. I zoom past guards, maids, and any other personal in the palace. The tears are flying out of my eyes as I run past everyone, no one asks questions, they all just continue their work. I get to the third floor, the floor reserved only for royals, and I immediately stop at the biggest set of double doors in the palace, the king and queen's room. My mind wanders back to when I was a little girl, causing mischief with Andrew and we would always hide in this room from the tickle monster. I don't know why we did, since this was the tickle monster, A.K.A. my dad's, room.
I knocked on the door hoping for a specific voice to answer and sure enough the melodic voice of my mom answered the knock.
"Who is it?" She asks regally.
I exhale, "it's me mom, Emma."
The click of her heels gets closer as the door opens, my mom is standing there in a beautiful, long, gray dress. Her red hair is curled ever so slightly and her natural makeup makes her look beautiful. She invites me in and we sit down on her bed, like we did when I was younger.
"Emma, honey, what's wrong?" she asks, probably because my eyes are still red and I have tears streaming down my cheeks.
"It's, it's Isabella." I start to sob again, "She didn't tell me that she and Andrew were engaged, and I thought that she was one of my closest friends." I take a second to breathe, "I always thought that she would tell me everything. We always tell each other everything-"
"Emma, I don't think that it's like that."
I shake my head as I look down at my tear stained skirt, "I don't know what to do mom." The tears come in earnest now as I put my hands over my eyes. My mom lifts my chin up and she smiles, she wipes under my eyes and cups my cheeks. I feel her hands pull my head towards her, and she kisses my forehead.
"Do you want me to tell you why Isabella didn't tell you right away?" she asks, I nod, hoping to get an explanation. "Well," she continues, "She and Andrew were only together for about two weeks when they decided to get married, they had a talk with your Aunt Nicoletta, Uncle Riccardo, your father and I. We all decided that it was best to wait to tell the public until Isabella and her Family were back on Italian soil." She gives me a hug, "Also Emma, you have been so enamored with the selection, I bet that your friend didn't want to bother you with the news."
"Did she think that I would be mad?"
"Oh honey, I can't answer that." Her gaze softens, "how about you give her a call? I think that she would really like to hear from you." I perk up at the idea of calling Bella. I nod and I smile at my mom.
"Thanks mama." I give her a big hug, "for everything."
"Emma, you should know by now that if you ever need anything, I'm always just a walk down the hallway." She smile and kisses my hair.
I dial the number I have memorized since I was ten. The phone rings and a familiar voice picks up.
"The Desk of Princess Isabella of Italy, may I ask whose calling?"
"Hey Giovanni, it's Princess Emmalina Schreave from Illea, I was wonder if I could talk to Isabella?"
"Sure Princess Emmalina," Giovanni, Isabella's so called receptionist, answers. I wait a few minutes listening to the hold music, when Isabella finally picks up.
"Hey Emma, what's up?" She asks, cheerful as ever.
I take a deep breath and ask the question that has been on my mind since my dad told me the news, "I was just wanted to talk about the whole, you-and-Andrew situation—"
"Emma, I am so sorry, I was planning on telling you but the time was never right. I am so sorry." Her voice wavered on the last 'sorry'.
"Bella, its fine. If you guys are happy so am I."
She laughs, "Emma, Andrew makes me so happy. I hope that you can find the same happiness with someone like I have found." Any anger I had against my brother and best friend's relationship melted away. I could hear her happiness in her voice, it was adorable.
"Awwe, thank you Bella." I smile after I finish those words.
"Speaking of the selection, how's it going?" she asks, "have you kissed anyone yet?"
"Bella!" I exclaim.
She giggles on the other line, "You had to know that question was coming."
"Well," I blush thinking about the night in the observatory, "Yes, ok, I have."
"Oh-Em-Gee!" She yells on the other line, "You have to tell me the details."
I go through the events of that night, the stars, Christopher, Alex, dancing, and falling asleep in the observatory. I leave out the details about my mom, I still have to talk to Christopher about that, he may have more information to tell me.
"Aw, that's adorable." She responds, "so do you think that he's the one."
"Oh Bella, I don't know." I say, "I mean, he is so nice and all, but I don't think I'm going to limit my choices. But I can definitely say that he is a contender."
"A contender? Who else is there? Is Christopher still around?"
"Well, yeah, he is. He is super sweet too." I gush, "I don't know, and then there are people like Tyler and Ryland who are so sensitive and adorkable. Weston and Lucas are so family orientated and have such big hearts. Jaxon, Brayden, and Justin are so athletic and sporty, they are hilarious and so much fun to be around."
"Wow, you have a good group of guys." Bella comments.
I laugh, "Good is an understatement, I don't know what I am going to do Bella."
She is quiet for a minute then speaks, "Well, first of all be thankful that you have such great guys. Second, Emma, I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself. Let things happen naturally, and follow your heart. From what I hear, you know who is going to be the main contenders, so just enjoy your time with them and narrow it down to the Elite. It's your selection, so if you know the people who you are most likely going to marry, then eliminate the others." She continues after a breath or two, "I can't wait for the next report to see whose left. Even though I think I know who is going to stick around."
I smile, "Thanks Bells, you literally know exactly what I need to hear."
"What are best friends for?"
We talk for around three more hours, she tells me about the wedding plans, I talk about the latest gossip around the country. It's just nice to be able to talk with her, she gushes about Andrew, and even though I still find it a little weird that they're together, I am so happy for them.
"Who knew Andrew was the romantic type," I yawn as I finish the last word.
She chuckles into the phone, "Emma, what time is it in Illea?"
I glance at the clock on my bedside table, "Oh around three a.m." I say, trying to be nonchalant.
"You should go to sleep. I'll catch up with you later mia cara."
She hangs up the phone and I collapse onto my bed. I just stare at the ceiling and think about my life and what it has come too. I remember running down hallways with Isabella and Carolena, we would take our stuffed teddy bears and pretend that they were our princes. Mine was a brown bear named Prince Devon, he was so charming. I smile at the memories of our imaginary balls and imaginary weddings. Now, by springtime, I will have had my real wedding. It seems so surreal, my best friend is engaged (to my brother nonetheless), and I will be married in a matter of months.
I glance over at my bed and I grab Prince Devon, I've kept my loyal "husband" ever since I was three. I was convinced that he made the nightmare go away, and to this day I have never had a nightmare when he is around. Call it juvenile, but I don't think that I can sleep without him. I crawl under the duvet and position my pillows around myself, I say a quick goodnight prayer and cuddle up with Devon.
Another night with no nightmares.
Sooooo, how was it? I was so excited to write the dialogue between America and Emma. I just think that America would be such a cool mom, and don't get me started on Maxon and his little princess, haha. Also there will be a VERY special chapter on the 24th, that I am sooooo excited about. I have been working on it for a little bit and I think that it is so cute. Anyways here are some reviews.
ImagineInspire- Thank you! And I know, I ship them super hard too. XD
Read, Review, Favorite, Follow, Fangirl, and Have an Amazing Sunday/Whatever day it is when you are reading this!
Happy Reading,
xoxo, Rosie :)