Chapter 3! In this chapter, we get a bit more Cheryl, a bit more Archie, and a new character! Well, not really new, but new to this story! It's been hinted throughout the past chapters, so comment who you think it's going to be!
As always, let me know what you think or if there is anything that doesn't make sense. Or even if you just want to rant about Riverdale. The new season is coming soon, so I'm just mentally preparing for that.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy! 3
"Alright, they'll be coming in any minute." My mother told me. "Are you ready?"
"Does it matter?" I asked, annoyed.
"Now, now, cousin." Cheryl took my arm and straightened her red dress. It fell almost to her knees this time and was belted with a black belt. Her long red hair was immaculately curled and pulled over one shoulder. "Let's play nice." She smiled wickedly and then leaned in and whispered in my ear, "For now, at least." That made me crack a smile at least.
"Alright, let them in." My mother told the guards. They opened the doors to reveal a family of three. Each had dark blue-black hair, a nice, tan skin, and was dressed to the nines. Both women were wearing knee-length black dresses, although they were different styles. The man was wearing a suit.
"Sir Hiram and Lady Hermione Lodge with their daughter Lady Veronica Lodge of SoDale and Pembrooke, formerly of New York." The butler introduced.
"Your Majesty, your Highness." They curtsied and bowed to us. As they stood, we then curtsied in return.
"Forgive me," The youngest woman spoke up and I could see her mother elbow her and send her a sharp look. My mom looked just about ready to jump into her etiquette speech but I stopped her.
"Yes, Lady… Veronica? Is it?" I asked.
"Yes, your Highness. As I was just about to say, forgive me, but I don't believe I know your name." She looked at Cheryl.
"Cheryl Blossom." Cheryl introduced herself. She looked pleased Veronica had noticed her.
"Lady Cheryl is my third cousin." I offered up.
"Pleasure to meet you." Veronica smiled.
"Pleasure is all mine." Cheryl returned.
"Elizabeth, why don't you take Lady Veronica out to the gardens?" My mother suggested. "And take your cousin with you, why don't you?"
"Right this way." As I led the way out to the garden, I glanced at my reflection in a mirror. I was wearing a pink dress that had a high neck, but was sleeveless. It gathered at my waist and flared out in pleats. My hair was down and wavy. I preferred my hair up, and almost always had it up, but Toni had insisted upon this. "You need to look good for these people. Hiram Lodge is apparently not a good person and you need to look innocent so you can take him by surprise if necessary." She'd said. My response had been: "What do you think I'm going to be doing? Infiltrating the mafia?" She'd just shrugged and said, "You never know." With a mischievous smile.
"So, your Highness, Lady Cheryl," Veronica started as we reached the garden.
"Please. Call me Betty." I said with a smile.
"And me, Cheryl." Cheryl added.
"And me, Veronica." She smirked. "Now that we have that out of the way, what's it like? Being here everyday?"
"A privilege." I said at the same moment Cheryl muttered, "Hell."
"Mixed emotions?" Veronica teased. She'd been fun so far. Didn't hold back as far as we were concerned.
"It's an honor to be Riverdale's princess." I corrected, with a bit of a forced smile.
"Wow. I want to believe you, but that was only half true."
"What?" I questioned as Cheryl burst out laughing.
"You avoided the question without actually lying. You said it is an honor to be Riverdale's princess, which is true, but that doesn't mean that you enjoy it."
"Oh my god." Cheryl raised her eyebrows, impressed. "I like you." She decided.
"And coming from Cheryl, that's like the queen's praise." I teased back.
"Who's the red-headed Ansel Elgort?" Veronica dropped her voice and stepped closer to us, eyes on someone across the garden. Cheryl and I followed her gaze to the winding driveway gate, at the front entrance. "It looks like he's arguing with the guard."
"I don't know. I don't believe I've seen him." Cheryl commented.
"That's Archie Andrews. His father is Fred Andrews, mayor of, well, Andrews." I told them, keeping my eyes on Archie.
"He's cute." Veronica hissed.
"Mmm." Cheryl murmured. "Isn't he also going to be in the Selection?" She asked me, with a wicked smile.
"Yes, he will be part of it." I nodded. "It looks like he needs help getting in. I'll be right back." I started towards the gate. After a moment, I sensed the girls' presence behind me.
"No way are you keeping him all to yourself right after you announce a Selection." Veronica teased, linking her arm in mine.
"Is there a problem here?" I asked, raising my voice slightly as we reached the gate, to imply that I was in charge.
"Your Highness," The guard bowed. "This young man here is claiming that his father is in the palace. Says his name is Archibald Andrews."
"I'll testify to that." I said. "Sir Archie's father is Sir Fred Andrews, one of the advisors on the council. Let him in."
"Yes, your Highness. Sorry for the confusion." The guard signaled to another in the gatehouse and he opened the gate with the panel. Archie stepped in.
"Did you walk here?" Cheryl asked, skeptically.
"Uh, no. I got a ride and they just dropped me and left. Guess he assumed I'd get in okay." Archie gave a short laugh.
"Again, sorry about that." The guard said.
"Thank you, Officer Minetta." I said. "Let's head inside?" I suggested.
As we started walking, I noticed Archie's eyes on both Cheryl and Veronica.
"Oh! I totally forgot to introduce you all! Archie, this is Lady Cheryl Blossom of Thornhill and Lady Veronica Lodge of Pembrooke. Ladies, this is Sir Archiebald Andrews."
"Pleased to meet you, Archie Andrews." Veronica smiled and walked over to him.
"The pleasure is all mine," Archie took her hand and brought it to his lips. Cheryl rolled her eyes and glanced at me, with raised eyebrows. "And you, Lady Cheryl." He took her hand, too. She gave him a polite smile, and we carried on to the palace. When we entered, people were rushing about, frantically.
"Harper," I stopped her as she was about to rush past us. "What's going on?"
"Your Highness. She curtsied to all of us. "We're preparing for the Selection. The boys are set to arrive tomorrow evening."
"I thought they were arriving Monday evening?" I said in surprise.
"They are." Harper cocked her head to her side, in confusion. "Tomorrow is Monday, your Highness."
"Oh!" I exclaimed in surprise. "Um, thank you, Harper."
"Of course, your Highness." She curtsied again and rushed off.
"You seriously forgot?" Cheryl asked.
"I guess it must've slipped my mind." I shrugged.
"It slipped your mind that you have a bunch of men coming for your hand in marriage?" Veronica cried in disbelief. "I've seen their pictures on TV! Some of them are drop-dead gorgeous!"
"I really should be getting to my father." Archie spoke up. "I'll leave you ladies to your girl talk. And thanks again for getting me in, Betty."
"Anytime, Archie." He bowed to us and headed off.
"I should probably go find my parents." Veronica began. I nodded and glanced around.
"Toni!" I called out, as I spotted her pink locks escaping her cap. She glanced up from a vase of flowers she had been watering and came over to us.
"Your Highness." She smiled as she gave us a mock-curtsy. "Lady Cheryl." Cheryl nodded. "And who might this be?" Toni turned last to Veronica.
"Toni, this is Lady Veronica Lodge."
"Ah. Of Pembrooke." Toni curtsied again.
"Yes. And Veronica, this is Antoinette Topaz. My main maid/best friend."
"Yeah, I'm still waiting on the promotion to lady-in-waiting." Toni teased.
"And I told you, anytime! That hair is too pretty to hide under that hat." I reached up and pulled it off, letting her hair fall free.
"Pleasure to meet you, Antoinette." Veronica held out her hand and Toni shook it.
"Toni, please."
"Toni." Veronica smiled.
"Um, Toni, would you mind showing Veronica to the wing she'll be staying in, next to her parents?
"Of course, Betty."
"I'll see you later?" Veronica said to Cheryl and I.
"Oh, cousin Betty will probably be hiding in her room until the gentlemen have arrived." Cheryl smirked.
"I hate to admit it, but she's probably right." I shrugged.
"Well, maybe I'll come find you." Veronica smiled and kissed both of my cheeks goodbye, then did the same to Cheryl. "Au revoir for now." With that, Toni and Veronica headed off.
