Chapter 14

The next day was Saturday, weekends were free for the girls instead of spending the morning with princess lessons, the girls could do what they want.

The selection was now down to thirty-one girls as Leela Evyrly of Yukon had gone home that morning because of the rebel attack on Yukon and was worried for her family.

Michelle was walking along the halls wondering what to do. Holliday, Kasha and Tiifu were watching a movie. Kemi was in her room reading a book about law. Riley was in the music room practicing her flute.

Just then she heard someone calling her name. she looked around to see James running towards her.

"Yes James?" asked Michelle smiling.

"I was wondering," said James. "You haven't officially met my family yet, so would you like to meet them."

"Of course, I would," replied Michelle. "I wasn't busy anyway."

James took Michelle around the palace to a room into a room. Everything was in the color aqua. The walls were aqua, the curtains were aqua, even the furniture and the carpets were aqua.

"This is my mom's parlor," said James as they walked in. "My dad had it designed for her after they married."

King Taylor and queen Dinette were in the parlor. Dinette was reading a magazine and Taylor was doing to work.

"Hi mom, hi dad" said James.

"Hello James," said Taylor looking up from his paperwork. "What can we do for you?"

"I'd like to introduce you to Michelle White, one of the girls in the selection" said James stepping aside so their attention would focus on Michelle.

"Your majesties," said Michelle a bit timidly as she curtsied.

"A pleasure to meet you lady Michelle," said Dinette kindly.

"I see you like aqua," teased Michelle.

"Blue, red and purple are my favourite colors you know," said Dinette with a big smile. "My entire wardrobe are clothes in red, purple and blue." Michelle could see that; Dinette was wearing a red gown. The corset was as red as a candy apple, but the skirt was in a pattern of dark red and light red.

"Marcella is in her room," said Dinette. "I'm sure she'd love to see you right now."

"Sure," said James.

James took Michelle to Marcella's room. Marcella's bedroom was painted in a peachish-pink color.

They saw Marcella and Leanne. They were playing chess.

Marcella looked up to see her brother and Michelle.

"Hello James," said Marcella. She looked at Michelle. "You're Michelle right?" she asked.

"Yes" said Michelle.

"It's nice to actually talk to you," said Marcella. Marcella was a sweet and innocent princess; she always had a cute face despite being 12 years old.

"Do you like riding?" asked Marcella. Marcella although liked the beautiful nature of the world, she preferred the comforts of home. So one thing you probably wouldn't know about Marcella was that she loved to ride horses.

"I've never ridden a horse before" said Michelle admittingly.

"I can teach you," said Marcella kindly. "I've offered to let Leanne to ride with me during lessons too."

"That would be lovely" said Michelle.

After James and Michelle left Marcella's bedroom, James looked at Michelle. "I was wondering since it's just midmorning, would you like to go out with me?"

"Sure," said Michelle. "But I thought we weren't allowed to leave the palace for security safety."

"Yes," pointed out James. "But they're allowed out for either dates, or with an escort from the officers."

"Well I guess so" said Michelle.

"Great," said James excitedly. "Now we should get changed, do you have any of your regular clothes, the ones the commoners wear?"

"Yes," said Michelle puzzled. "But why?"

"Mom made it a rule when we go out," explained James. "To keep us from being recognized. We're basically going out in disguise."

"Oh" said Michelle understanding.

They both went back to their rooms to get changed.

A few minutes later Michelle came out of her room wearing a dark blue t-shirt, leopard pants and a black ripped jacket.

James was waiting for her. He wore an orange t-shirt and black jeans.

"You ready?" asked James.

Michelle nodded and they headed off.

James had a chauffer take him and Michelle into the city.

James and Michelle had a wonderful day, they went to the park and played on the swings and looked at the water fountain.

Then Michelle and James went to a bakery.

"What would you like?" James asked Michelle.

"Strawberry cake" said Michelle. "I love strawberries especially when a strawberry cake has marzipan frosting!"

James asked for two slices of strawberry cake.

The two sat the table eating their cake slices, James even took a piece of Michelle's cake and fed it to her which made Michelle laugh.

For the rest of the afternoon, James and Michelle went to the library. Both of them were lost in the books they were reading for hours they didn't notice the time until sunset. So they headed back to the castle.

That evening during dinner nobody said a word. But Michelle noticed that most of the other girls were looking at her.

"Why are they looking at me?" she whispered to Morwenna who was sitting next to her.

"Everybody knows James asked you out," Morwenna whispered back. "I think tomorrow you should tell them about it, they really want to know how it went."

Michelle nodded to Morwenna.

When Michelle went back to her room, she decided to write a letter to her parents.

Dear mom and dad

Today was a very big day, I officially met the royal family and then James and I went out on a date!

We went to the park, had strawberry cake in the bakery and hung out in the library. I can't help but feel so happy when I'm around him because… I feel like I'm in love with him.

Love Michelle.

Author's note; There you have it, Michelle and James have had their first official date!