A/n: The story's nearly over! I'm kinda sad about that. (T.T)

I don't own GA

--

Chapter Twenty-One: Truth Revealed

"You're not Alicia?" Rhiana echoed, breathless.

"I'm not," the girl sobbed in a Spanish accent, "I am Marisol Juandalyn, the daughter of Alondra. Forgive me, Majesty, we were poor. My father died, and all his wealth was acquired by my greedy grandmother. We could no longer afford even a piece of bread. I am sorry!" She cried even harder.

"Shhh." Rhiana hugged her. "You are forgiven."

"But--"

"You are forgiven," Rhiana repeated firmly. And, more gently, she asked, "but do you know where my real sister is?"

"I do, Majesty."

"Where is she?" Natsume dropped to his knees beside Rhiana and faced Marisol.

"She is here." Marisol got up and walked towards the ladies.

"What is she doing?" Mikan whispered to Hotaru.

"Quiet, idiot," Hotaru whispered back.

"Princess." She bowed before the ladies. "Come out, please, and reveal yourself to your siblings."

Lady Sylvia walked past the ladies and past Marisol. "Thank you," she murmured when she passed the silent Spanish girl.

"Are you really Alicia…?" Rhiana stood shakily.

"Yes." Sylvia looked down. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, Rhiana. And you too, Natsume. I was just waiting for the right time. I'm sorry that it has come to this. And, Marguerite, Derrell is here. He is alive."

Marguerite stepped forward. "Really?"

"Yes. Derrell, come out now."

Jonah the stable boy came forward, grinning at his sister. "Hey Marguerite."

"Derrell!"

"He was the one that found me when I got lost," Alicia said, "and he brought me to his aunt. When my memory came back, he promised to help me here at the court before I reveal myself."

"She's telling the truth," Koko whispered to his friends.

"I was supposed to tell you when I came home from Spain," she continued, "but Marisol was already here." The way Alicia said the last part was natural, as if she was stating something written in a history book. She didn't say it coldly or happily, just…normally. She held no grudge against Marisol. Rhiana didn't too. The only thing that Rhiana felt was bitter disappointment in herself.

"Forgive me, Alicia," Rhiana began, "I was blind. I never thought for a second that you'd be my missing sister, you of all people who I thought was my guardian and friend. I am not angry with you. Or with Marisol. I am only disappointed in myself for not realizing it sooner." She fell to her knees. "If only I had opened my eyes sooner…"

"Rhiana, don't be like that." Alicia dropped to her knees as well and hugged her younger sister. Rhiana started crying like a child. This went on for a few minutes, until Rhiana quieted down and Alicia got up.

Alicia hugged Natsume and two tears rolled down his cheeks. He then wiped them away and smiled at his older sister. "Welcome back."

"I'm glad to be back, Natsume," Alicia answered.

"Alicia."

She turned around. "Yes, Rhiana?"

"Your crown." Rhiana held it up. "Let's finish the ceremony."

"But, Rhiana, I don't want to be queen!" Alicia said.

The people were surprised at Alicia's words. No one ever dared to turn down the crown! Anyone who was offered the crown would surely agree! No one in England would disagree to take the throne!

"Alicia, the will of our parents says that you should be queen," Rhiana replied, just as shocked as the rest.

"Yes, Alicia. You have to be Queen of England," Natsume seconded.

"I don't want to! Rhiana, you stay as the queen, I will be your advisor and guardian! Please, don't give up the throne; I don't want to be queen!" Alicia clasped her sister's hands. "Please!"

"Alicia…I…" Rhiana paused for awhile and smiled. She whispered something in her sister's ear and Alicia nodded. She knelt.

Rhiana then placed the crown on Alicia's head. "I, Rhiana Hyuuga give up my claims to the throne and give it to you, Alicia. I declare you Queen of England!"

The crowd cheered.

"As your new Queen, I declare that Natsume's betrothal to Princess Sumire of France will be dissolved. And, furthermore, I declare that my sister will stay queen." She removed the crown and placed it on Rhiana's head. "She will remain Queen Rhiana Hyuuga of England!"

The crowd, even if they were surprised, was happy.

"Thank you, my loyal subjects," Rhiana started. "I am once again happy to be your queen." She smiled. "And I will make an announcement. I declare that Prince Natsume Hyuuga does not have to marry royalty. I will make sure that he will marry whoever he wants. His friends are part of that rule as well. And Marisol, Alondra," –looking at the two ladies—"you will be part of my court."

--

Later, in Rhiana's chambers, she called for Natsume and his friends. When they arrived, they knelt and Rhiana told them to stand up.

"Boys, I called you here to give you these." She walked towards them and gave them each one ring. It was expensive but simple and had the boys' names engraved on the inside. "Now that I have publicly announced that you can marry anyone you want, even if she is a simple country girl, many desperate women will come here claiming to be your fiancés.

"They will make up a story and show me a ring. The rings they show will be expensive and beautiful, I'm sure. But to save time I will simply ask them to show me their rings and, if they are the rings that I am giving you now, I know that they are telling the truth. I designed these so there are no other rings like them in the whole country. Be careful with them."

"Thank you, Rhiana," they chorused.

"And boys, if it's possible, please introduce Rhiana to the lucky girls yourselves," Alicia called. "That would save even more time."

Rhiana nodded in agreement and dismissed the boys. It was already night and the court was tired. So she went to bed early.

--

A/n: Done! Sorry if it's rushed and confusing and stuff. The next chapter will be better. It's just that today is my guardian's birthday so I still have to do other things and I just wrote this chapter quickly because I was bored.

If you have trouble understanding this chapter, just tell me and I will explain it for you.

Thanks!

Review, please!

--Sakura--