Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

starlitestarbrite2

All Princess Diaries related characters and indicia are copyright of Meg Cabot (best author ever!). Song credits listed at end of chapters.

Chapter 3

Grandmere's Grand Plan

My room, Palais de Genovia, 2.00pm

OK, ranting and raving is not going to change anything. It still felt good though.

So this is where it all started. I walked innocently down to Grandmere's suite with Lars, who was eerily silent. Normally he talks or something.

He opened the door for me, and I was hit with the sight of Grandmere, sitting on her pink velvet sofa, sipping a sidecar and a holding a cigarette in her other hand. She waved it around. I knew something bad was happening, because Grandmere was looking incredibly happy, I mean, her eyes were bulging with excitement when she saw me.

'Ah, Amelia!' she said, being a little too nice for her. 'Come in, come in.'

Of course, she was speaking all in French, Grandmere feels that she is too good to speak English, and it reminds her of New York, something she would rather forget.

'How many Sidecars did you give her?' I hissed at Lars. He chuckled a little and walked off.

'You might want to sit down.' She gestured next to her.

I obliged and sat down on the couch, but not within pinching distance. Just because I was 20, didn't change anything. Bodily harm was still accepted.

'Now, as you know, the press are in love with this rumour that Rene is your beau-' Grandmere began.

'Yeah, because you fed them that stupid story when I was out of the room! And you gave them photos of us together. We were just being friendly.' I interjected, annoyed.

'Well, Rene is a most suitable match for you.' said Grandmere.

'Ugh... no.' I felt a little mean. I got along with Rene, now he wasn't so pompous like he used to be. But he still was far from being my favorite person.

'As you also know, Genovia's tourism numbers have been dwindling most alarmingly of late.'

'Yes. I'll do it.'

'You aren't going to agree too easily when I tell you what it is.'

'It'll probably be some photo shoot with Rene, right?'

'No, Amelia, it's much better than that!'

'A publicity tour--- aw, Grandma, I really don't—'

'Grandmere, Amelia, Grandmere. No. It's not.'

'Well, then hurry up—'

'Amelia, you have no suitable royal consort, and we need to prepared in the sudden event of my death (I couldn't wait for that one! Actually, that's harsh) or your father's. You need to be prepared to take over the throne with a suitable royal by your side.'

'Huh.' I blinked, not getting it. 'Grandmere, can't we hurry up with this, Oprah's going to be on soon.'

'You are marrying Rene.' she burst out, barely containing or concealing her glee.

I started laughing nervously.

'That's not funny. Stop joking.'

'I never joke, Amelia, I evoke amusement. But in this instance, I am not doing that either.'

'I am not marrying Rene.' I said, standing up.

'As I said, Amelia, it would be quite quaint for the two of you to pair up.'

I thought I was going to be sick, quite truly.

'I-I-I--- Has it managed to escape that we are related?'

'Oh, but so distantly, Amelia. I have researched this for some time. And what would be the problem with marrying Rene? He is quite good looking, nice and financially stable—but that hardly matters in your case.'

'He is an imbecile, ignorantly carnivorous swine-headed—'

'Ouch, I'm affected.' said a cocky voice.

I turned to see, to my horror, Rene standing in the room.

'I didn't---'

'Hey, princess, I'm not thrilled with marrying a scrawny, dishwater blonde brat but I—'

'SILENCE!' shrieked Grandmere.

Rene and I sat down immediately.

'I think I need to tell you something. I was hoping I wouldn't have to tell you this—I thought your country would mean enough to you.'

'Grandmere, I love Genovia, but this is my life and...'

'If you two do not marry, Genovia may become bankrupt and cease to exist as we know it.'

I began to hyperventilate. The walls were closing in.

I was having to marry my cousin, however distantly related.

'I must make you two sign this contract. Right away, so that preparations will begin.'

I signed the paper Grandmere was clutching in her hand. Rene did too.

I blinked back tears, knowing I was signing my life away.