Elliot tossed a rock, watching it skip along the surface of the ocean.
"How the heck do you do that?" Brynn asked with some envy in her tone.
Elliot hummed in ignorance.
"I'd tell you if I knew," she said, "I just throw it and…" She dismissively waved her hand to fill in the silence.
Brynn tossed another stone in her hand, but it was instantly swallowed by the glimmering blue.
She then looked at the remaining stones in her palm pensively.
"Don't twist a brain cell trying to figure it out, Brynn," said Elliot, "What, is this a question on your Royals test?"
"Unless rocks suddenly get economic value and we all have to go back to retake the courses, nah," said Brynn.
""We"? You're the only one who's applying to be princess of Hollister," scoffed Elliot, "When's the last time you heard of a princess who applied instead of jumping on nepotism?"
"Never. I think the last time someone applied, they didn't even have electricity yet," said Brynn, "I guess my mind is still in university mode."
She tossed another stone.
"Oh Brynn, you little simp," mocked Elliot, "I don't know anyone else who would've taken the responsibility of running a whole city just to get close to some hot princesses and queens."
The stone Brynn prepared to throw clumsily fell out of her hand.
"Oh please, nobody's that down bad," she said, "I just know what I want and what I can handle."
"Ever the adventurous gal," said Elliot.
They had rehearsed for what felt like the thousandth time, at least in Theresa's mind. She was just glad that Brynn was easy to teach.
With the event being broadcast live across the Hollister division, she wouldn't be lying if she said she didn't have some butterflies in her stomach.
Theresa pulled Brynn up by the hand.
"...and it is with grace and harmony that I give you my throne," finished Theresa.
She looked down on Brynn, admiring the pearl she placed in the tiara pin on her turban.
It was custom for the queen to pass on one of her jewels onto the next princess during the coronation, a physical representation of the leadership being transferred to the next descendent.
But for now, Brynn had to give it back until the awaited day.
"Great job, little lady," said Theresa, placing her pearl back onto her blouse, "Now let's go to the dining hall to talk about the trading voyage next. Lunch is almost ready."
"Okay, sounds good," replied Brynn with an upbeat smile.
Theresa wasn't lost on Brynn's affections. Though Brynn was subtle enough for no one else to notice, Theresa was aware. The way Brynn perked up in her presence wasn't just out of respect for an elder or a royal.
Theresa had always had that effect on other grunts. Even without royalty, she could get anyone to spoil her with just her allure if she wanted to. She was sure of that.
"So when's a good time to send the moving trucks to your house?" Theresa asked.
"Oh, I'd say...anytime before 5 p.m. is good. My housemate will be home during the mornings and afternoons since she only works night shifts."
"Housemate, hm?" replied Theresa, "Is she a relative? We could move her into the palace with you."
"Oh no, that's fine. She's just a friend. I mean, we're about as close as any sisters, but no relation. Even then, I don't think she'd be too happy to move out of her dream house after she spent so much time on it."
"Then what about the rest of your family?" asked Theresa, "I could schedule moving trucks for them."
In just that beat of silence, she could sense the drop in mood within Brynn behind her.
"Ah, no thanks. I appreciate it, though."
As always, very subtle with her emotions. Good for any leader, but still not lost on Theresa.
"Are you sure?" she asked, "The palace is large for a reason. You've seen my great-nana around here, too, haven't you?"
A brief smile flickered onto Brynn's lips at the mention of the petite elderly woman that could occasionally be seen in the marble white halls along with other members of Theresa's family.
"I know it's tradition, but, well, I don't really have any family to speak of."
Theresa feigned sympathy into her voice, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were an orphan."
"I'm not, it's just…"
Suitcases barricaded the front door.
The chirping of the crickets filled the haunting silence around Brynn and the emptiness of the bungalow before her.
She dropped the backpack slung over her shoulder, the weight of the textbooks feeling all too heavy at the moment.
Brynn kneeled down to one of the suitcases and unzipped it.
Her neatly folded clothes greeted her along with a folded note.
"We're not on the best terms right now."
Theresa gave an understanding nod just as the two entered the dining hall.
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that," she said, "Well Brynn, here at the Pearl Palace, we'll be your new family. And I'll always be near to support you."
Theresa pulled out a chair for Brynn, who hesitated a moment before realizing the act of kindness was towards her.
"Thank you," she said as she sat down.
Just as a disclaimer, this is all just made-up worldbuilding for plot reasons. There's probably no royalty system that operates even remotely like this.
I decided to keep this chapter pretty short like the last experimental chapter because it felt dense with information, plus there was the introduction of another main character and description of dynamics between the previously introduced characters.
The next chapter will introduce up to three new characters and segue into the notorious Nevada! (At least, that's what I have planned)