36
You Want My Sister
Katherine took her usual seat in the Women's Room. Following the charity event planned by the group of which Cecilia was part, all girls were exhausted and glad to hear that lunch would happen before the lessons. Now that lunch was over though, class was expected to start soon.
"We should check on Isa and Rihanna later on," Rho said, "I haven't seen them all day."
"That sounds like a good idea," Tilly agreed.
"They didn't strike me as sick yesterday…" Tatiana remembered.
"Why would they sit out otherwise though?" Kath asked, "I doubt that Silvestre would allow Rihanna that."
"That's the only logic error in the whole story," Africa said. "Silvestre wouldn't allow that."
"Plus, Michael is also sick, and I doubt that Silvestre would let him dodge his responsibilities." Rho reminded them. "They probably just caught something yesterday evening."
Katherine nodded. Hat did sound realistic. She was glad to know that the charity events were over. Everyone had done nice things, but it had been stressful to organise everything. That reminded her, weren't they going to get to her something about them? Maybe tomorrow, so the staff had time to analyse them? That sounded realistic, she thought.
"Guys, look." Tilly showed the girls her phone. "There are new popularity rankings."
"Show me!" Africa insisted. "I already forgot the last one."
"From what I remember," Tilly said, "You were eleventh. Cecilia was first, Mayli third. Rihanna was seventh, Tate twelth and I was twenty-first. Kath was on thirtieth and Rho was on twenty-eight. Isa was thirty-fifth."
"You remembered that all?" Kath asked surprised. "Wow!"
It wasn't that much of a surprise. Out of all the girls, Tilly cared most about winning the Selection. Kath smiled. Tilly probably would be the best choice out of the group – she and Michael did share quite a few hobbies. Plus, most of them had messed up something somehow by now.
"Tell us!" Tate encouraged her. "What did change?"
"Alright…" Tilly paused. "This isn't just popularity, but more a ranking of how the blog expects the chances of each girl, ranked."
"Don't keep us on the tenterhooks," Rho insisted, "I'm curious too."
Tilly nodded. "Let's see… Cecilia went down to eight. People don't see any chemistry between them."
"I hope so." Kath mumbled.
"I agree." Africa nodded. "I think everyone wouldn't want her to get any further than she has to. Why is she fifth though?"
"The King and her father got along very well, so people seem to expect the same from them," Tilly explained.
"They don't. Not from what I've seen," Tate remembered.
"Then there's Rihanna on third place – she's moved up," Tilly read out, "Mainly because of her closeness and so on, apparently. The photos the public has from their dates seemed good too."
"But she isn't really going for the win," Kath reminded them.
"Then… Africa's up to ninth. Nothing has changed for her – the other rankings changing affected her moving up," Tilly explained, "Then there's Tate on fourteenth. She moved down because of the video and people questioning her fitness to be queen."
Next to Tilly, Tatiana sighed. "You're kidding me."
"Well, it's not the public choosing," Africa reminded her friendly, "Sam emphasized multiple times that he doesn't care about it."
"Right…" She sighed.
"Kath is on number twenty while Rho is on number nineteen."
"So we've still in the back?" Kath asked.
It was frustrating. Kath was too used to be among the best - being so far down the ranking wasn't good for her pride. She wanted to be higher. Even if the ranking clearly lacked any insider information – otherwise, Rihanna wouldn't have so good chances to win – she couldn't help but feel insulted.
"I don't mind." Rho chuckled. "I made a deal with Michael."
"A deal?" Kath asked surprised.
"Like Rihanna – I stay in the Selection as long as he needs fillers, and I get to stay away from my parents' obsession with socialising and so on. I just need to pass the time until I can start uni again."
"That's nice for you." Africa smiled.
"What about you and Isadora?" Tate asked Tilly.
"Isa's on seven, because of the similarities between her and Michael. Both are considered to be the black sheep, and both like clubbing a lot."
"That makes sense." Kath nodded.
"What about you?"
Tilly smiled. "First." She grinned.
"That's great!" Tate hugged the brunette.
Kath smiled too. That was good – she was fairly sure that this wouldn't just be good for Tilly's confidence but also make her stand out more. The brunette seemed quite pleased with the ranking. Kath opened it on her own phone to read through all of the twenty-four girls. Most people still remembered that Tilly had been chosen as best dressed on the Halloween ball, and people remarked that they seemed to get along well – especially since Tilly's dog seemed very welcome.
"Please, as if she'd ever get into the Elite." Kath heard Cecilia comment to another Selected behind them. The group around Cecilia Stark was also on their phones – they probably found the ranking too. "She has no idea of how to behave properly – she'd be a disaster for the court." Cecilia commented. "I've seen her with her dog, eating. She occasionally feeds him! That girl's obsession with her dog is unhealthy."
"I agree." The other girl – Kath had forgotten her name – agreed quickly. Probably more to gain the blonde's favour. "Her style too."
"Don't get me started on it. Absolutely inappropriate for court life – she looks like five years old."
Enough of that, Kath though and rose. "Well, at least she's not overdressed for a casual meeting."
"Honey," Cecilia said to Kath without even turning her feet, "if you knew anything about adult life, then you'd know that I was more appropriately dressed than you are." She pointed to Kath's Ravenclaw t-shirt.
"Rihanna once appeared in pyjamas," Tate said behind her, "You didn't bash her for that."
"…" Cecilia thought for a moment. "Rihanna is, obviously, in an entirely different situation. She could rob a bank and nothing would matter, as long as her mother is in charge of the Selection."
"Do remind me to ask Michael on his opinion of Tilly's clothes," Africa hissed towards Cecilia, "because I'm fairly sure that he doesn't care."
Cecilia was terrible, Kath thought. How could she say that if she knew that Tilly was within reach? How in the world had Michael not already thrown her out for that? The way she talked with others almost was bullying – terrible.
Tilly seemed surprisingly calm though – the brunette hadn't stood up – unlike Kath, Africa and Tate – and just neatly folded her hands on her lap. She seemed to be thinking.
"Don't take her serious." Kath told the younger girl.
"It's… fine." Tilly answered with hesitation. "Cecilia, would you mind repeating that? You said that my clothing style is inappropriate, as well as Mr Serious? What about Rock and Flora?"
Cecilia was dumbfounded by Tilly's polite questions. Kath couldn't help but smile – even if she didn't want Tilly to take the critique seriously, seeing her listening to it and encouraging Cecilia to elaborate was ridiculous. Especially considering the fact that Tilly's posture right now was perfect.
"I…" Cecilia groaned and walked off, saying something along the lines of "Unbelievable."
"You're unbelievable." Kath hissed.
Once she was gone, Katherine slowly sat down – clearly still angry at the whole situation. Unbelievable, she thought. Tilly remained composed and calm though.
"Are you sure that you're alright?" Tate asked equally worried as Kath was.
Tilly nodded. "I mean…" She looked down. "Cecilia probably has a point."
"The dogs aren't a point." Tate placed her hand on her shoulder. "Seriously – Michael's probably spending more time with the dogs than with us all girls combined."
"But I do lack the court behaviour a princess should have…"
"Look at Michael." Africa shrugged. "I doubt that the standards are that high. Cecilia just wants to play important – she's jealous."
* . * . *
"That is it for today." Today's teacher ended.
Just in a normal high school class, most girls were already collecting whatever they had bought with them and were half on the way out. From what Tilly knew, no one had a date planned with the sick prince today. Maybe she could go and visit him? No – the fourth floor was off limits for the girls (sans Rihanna, who walked in and out as if she lived her…) and even if, she probably just would make it worse. Maybe she could offer to walk Rock and Flora though? That'd be sweet, she thought.
"Before you go, please wait a moment. There is an announcement – I am sure it won't take long."
Tilly had been among the girls to already be standing – Mr Serious was waiting for her – but she sat down again. Confused, the brunette looked around herself. None of the twenty-four girls seemed to have an idea why exactly they were asked to stay. It was too early to hear the results of the charity events…
An elimination? But why now – wasn't Michael sick?
"Do you think it's another elimination?" Tilly asked her friends quietly.
"… I mean, the timing would make sense. We're leaving on the next Monday for the Christmas break," Tate spoke.
"But if Michael is sick, why not wait a little longer? Until Sunday, at least. Changing the flights would be a pain."
"They probably do know who's in and who's out," Kath answered, "but I assume that if it's today, then it's just some more time to say good bye, and just to get it behind him."
"He is sick," Rho stated, "let him rest."
"Yes." Tilly nodded. "I agree."
"Maybe, he was just doing final preparations for it?" Africa suggested.
"Silvestre wouldn't let him skip the charity for that." Kath reminded her, "and there are no cameras here today."
"That… yeah." Tilly looked around herself. "The last time, they had cameras, didn't they?"
"I think so." Africa leaned backwards. "They did have video footage on the report."
Next to the group, the door opened. Slowly – as if they had to increase the tension – and a few of the girls rose in curiosity – who was coming? Michael would have been in by now, and there was nothing indicating another round of charms. Tilly touched the bracelet she had been proudly wearing every single day. This wasn't an elimination. This was different.
The person standing – well, sitting – in the door took away everyone's breath. Pushed by Rihanna who was more careful and slower than they had ever seen, Princess Emilia Schreave of Illéa entered the room in a wheel chair.
"Thanks." She told her best friend before directing her attention to the surprised twenty-four girls. She smiled serenely – wasn't she dead? Hadn't that been among the reasons why Mayli had been eliminated – because she leaked Emilia's death. No, Tilly remembered. That her condition was declining and that she wasn't expected to survive. The princess apparently had.
"Good day, girls." Emilia's voice was as soft as the faint smile on her face. Rihanna wasn't sick – she had been with her best friend. And considering the blonde's body language, she wasn't going to leave Emilia's side anytime soon. "It's nice to finally be able to meet you in person. Rihanna-" She turned to her best friend who grinned. "- has told me a lot already." Even in the wheel chair, Emilia carried herself regally and like a princess. Well, she was one… "I have to apologise if I do not remember everyone's name immediately." She apologised. "I have spent the last month in rehab after waking up about… Rihanna?"
"About a week-ish after the first elimination." Rihanna explained. "In November."
Emilia smiled grateful. "I wasn't able to come and see you before, and in order to allow me and other patients better recovery, my awakening had been kept secret." She chuckled. "But here I am, now. You will probably see a bit more of me now."
She allowed the girls a brief pause to comprehend the princesses' return.
"While me being alive is hopefully good news, I am afraid, I have bad ones as well." She paused again – this time visibly to gather her strength. "Yesterday evening, Isadora and my brother have been kidnapped."
"What." Africa's immediate response stopped the shocked silence from existing.
Emilia repeated herself. "The police are already on it, and Isadora's family has been informed. The police have the licence plate of the car too – we are confident to be able to find and rescue them. From what I know, money demands were made this morning while you were at the charity event." Before Tilly could even worry about them, Emilia ended these worries. "Which we will – with police help – follow. I expect them to be found by this Friday." Her voice found strength again – she clearly believed that they would be fine.
"Until then, for your safety, we must ask you not to leave the palace without a bodyguard." Emilia added. "The palace grounds, including the garden, are safe though. Do you have any questions?"
After dumping the news that Isadora and Michael had been kidnapped? Only one thousand, but even Emilia wouldn't have an answer to them, Tilly thought. Considering the silence, probably not. With a glad smile – Emilia probably didn't like to talk about this either.
And yet, she kept perfect composure. Tilly sighed. She had a long way to go. Emilia whispered something else to Rihanna after dismissing the girls – Tilly was among the people to stand up. She looked to the ground. Could she still take Rock and Flora for a run? Wait – why was she even thinking of them; she had to be worried about Michael… Well, Emilia had told them that they were going to be fine, and Tilly genuinely didn't want to imagine the what if scenario.
"Othilia Joyce?" Emilia's clear voice spoke as most of the girls left the room. "Would you mind coming over for a second?"
Tilly looked up. "Uh… Sure?"
"Thank you." The princess smiled. "I just a small request."
"What?"
"Would you mind taking Flora and Rock for their walks until we've got Michael back? I," She looked down at the wheelchair. "I am most certainly not in the position to do so, and Rihanna always loses one of the two leashes."
"Sure." Tilly nodded with a smile. "I was wondering about them either way!"
Emilia was glad. "That's great; thank you."
* . * . *
In the morning of the same day, Rihanna, Isadora and Michael all did not attend the charity event organised by Cecilia's group. A topic that bought public speculations, but the palace quickly explained that it was due to health issues. A lie. Rather than meeting up with Michael and Sam to eat breakfast as she usually did, Rihanna had gone to the hospital, to visit Emilia.
"I can't believe Mike didn't show up today." Rihanna complained, then not knowing what happened.
Emilia Schreave dropped the book onto her lap and turned the wheel chair around herself. She mustered the other blonde and smiled. "It's fine. I'm sure he has other things to take care off." She insisted.
The princess had been reading next to the opened window. It had been more than a month by now that Emilia had woken up, but no one expect her closest family and the hospital staff (alongside Rihanna, Silvestre and Sam) knew. Recovering was difficult – she needed to learn everything from the beginning on, but she made progress – strong progress.
Today, Emilia would finally return home.
"He should be here though." Rihanna insisted before giving Emilia a good morning kiss. "He should be helping you."
"I have you." Emilia smiled at her girlfriend. "That's enough."
Rihanna took a seat next to the princess and smiled awkwardly. "That's… It's too sweet." She pressed out.
Emilia laughed – bright and cheerful as always. "You'll cope, honey."
"I surely hope so." Rihanna joined. "How's your packing going?"
"Packing?" Emilia chuckled. "If you call 'staff coming and packing my stuff' my packing, then good. Otherwise, I'm almost done with my book."
"A tragedy." Rihanna melodramatic answered.
The blonde leaned into the princess and closed her eyes. Emilia smiled – this was relieving to see; when Rihanna first had come about a week after the first eliminations, she had been out of her usual casual character and refused to leave Emilia. Back then, Emilia hadn't gasped everything, but Rihanna, staying with her almost every day, had patience (uncommon) to explain her what happened (in great detail, as always). About her mother. About the whole attack. About the follow-ups. About the economic pressure. About Greene forcing Michael in a Selection.
Emilia placed a hand gentle on the other girl's back. These months probably had been stressful for all of them. At least Michael had Sam to depend on – Rihanna was left alone without her 'best friend'. Participating in the Selection was weird enough for Rihanna to do either way, Emilia thought. But considering the fact that they had to keep their relationship an absolute secret, even from their families thanks to Richard's homophobia…
"You know," Emilia whispered into Rihanna's ear, "I am getting a few ideas that could have been yours."
"Crazy ones?" Rihanna chuckled.
"Yes." The princess nodded.
"What?" She turned to her. "Tell me, tell me!"
The Illéan princess whispered the idea into Rihanna's ear – Rihanna instantly broke into laugher. "That won't happen. I mean, I'm in, but, you know why."
"I mean, it would-"
The door behind them opened, leading to both girls twitching. Rihanna moved away from Emmy, hoping that Silvestre, who was coming in, hadn't noticed the close proximity of them.
"Good morning." Emilia's godmother spoke with a soft smile. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, thank you." The princess answered serene. She always had been better in pretending that nothing happened than Rihanna. "A bit nervous maybe. How's Michael doing?"
Silvestre sighed and sat down next to the girls. "That is the problem."
"The problem?" Emilia asked wary. "What did he do this time?"
"Nothing but go on a spontaneous trip with Isadora Bonovich."
The name told Emilia relatively little. Alexandria Bonovich was a famous actress, yes, and the family was wealthy, but not among the people Emilia usually visited. Alexandria did do some charity work, but not enough to be considered close to Emilia's circle of friends.
"What happened?" Emilia's mind immediately went to her brother's archenemy – the press. Had someone taken an inappropriate photo or anything?
"From what an eyewitness who called the police has reported, and from what we know from the security camera of a nearby ATM, they were kidnapped by unknown people." Silvestre admitted. "We don't know where they are."
"Who knows?"
"The King, Sam – he was the one to figure out Michael was missing – and selected members of my team, the police and Isadora's family." Silvestre listed. "We've told the public that Michael, Isadora and Rihanna are sick."
"Why me?"
"There's a charity event starting in thirty minutes, and knowing you, you will hang out with Emilia rather than od your job." Silvestre, colder, remarked.
"… Point, yeah." Rihanna nodded.
"You do need to tell the press at some point." Emilia remarked. "What will you do?"
"… I don't know yet. I hope that it can be resolved without the public learning, but I doubt it."
Emilia kept her state of mood down. A princess couldn't just break into emotions – even if she was worried about her brother. Considering the power behind the Bonovich empire, this was probably for money. She was willing to pay to get her brother back, and knowing that the best forces in Illéa would help them was good.
"Please don't do anything that'll make people turn against him again." Emilia requested politely.
Silvestre nodded. "I won't. I care for you two – now more than ever." Ever since her mother died, Emilia thought. "I'm on your side."
"I am glad to know that." The princess nodded. "But for now, we need to discuss how to explain that to the Selected."
"They don't know that you've woken up." Silvestre remarked.
"Then we need to explain that as well." The princess decided. "Maybe after the charity event today?" She suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea." Rihanna agreed.
Author's Note
Shipping Rihanna and Emilia was the best decision and worst I've made for this fanfiction, change my mind.
Emilia's injuries are based on what happened to my mother ages ago. Since this is set in the future, I'm assuming that chances to survive are a bit higher and that the rehab has been improved. It probably has by now too.
Next Chapter: Solo