Chapter 8- Der Erste Wichtige Besuch: Royal Visitors Part 1
Thank you so so much to everyone that read, liked, review, favorited, or followed me/Better Choices. It means so much to me that you took the time to do so!
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WishIWasAmerica- Thank you so much! My concussion was a bit of a setback but I'm so happy to be back! (also love the username bc same)
Bluebelles112- Yeah it's been a long time… but as I said in my intro for the last chapter, I had a serious concussion that left me out of school for several months. Afterward, it wasn't so much that I neglected Better Choices, it was just that I have been writing some very long chapters and I was only able to write small bits at a time due to various time constraints. SO happy to be back though! There will be some drama soon… I promise! Thanks!
I am so so so insanely excited for this chapter. This was originally going to be chapter 5, but then 5 became 6, and 6 became 7, and 7 got too long with other fluff I wanted to include and actual plot stuff I needed to include to lead up to this. ANYWAY, I'm so excited for you all to read this chapter as I have been planning it for months. It will be very similar to parts from the Elite, but I will try not to make it too similar. Now we're at Chapter 8 and it is FINALLY time to meet The Royal Visitors! (4/8/18 Me: I can't with myself omg… so chp 8 was too long. You'll meet the Italians in chapter 10. I have a little something special planned for chapter 9. Get ready for some drAAMAAA. Ok, I'm done… enjoy!)
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Without further ado… Chapter 8- Der Erste Wichtige Besuch: Royal Visitors Part 1
Chapter 8- Der Erste Wichtige Besuch: Royal Visitors Part 1
The representatives from the German Federation were coming to the palace first, followed by the French and then the Italians and culminating in a large ball with all of the countries that Sylvia and Queen Amberley would be planning. As Celeste and Elise were hosting the Germans tomorrow and Silvia had decided that all of the plans for the French and Italian receptions would have to be finalized and submitted to her the day before the Germans arrived. Which meant Marlee and I had to submit our plans for the Italians by tonight.
We were actually ahead of progress. That is until we weren't. All of the plans, themselves, were finished. The musicians were booked and had been given a list of songs to play. The dinner plans were confirmed with the palace's chefs and the menu carefully recorded. Marlee determined a color scheme and decorations. She had huge bouquets of flowers coming from the palace greenhouse and gardens for the tables and around the room. We figured out what we were wearing so we could coordinate, but not look overly matchy. Maxon had even helped us with the seating arrangement, suggesting we forgo traditional seating places and let the guests choose to sit where they liked. Every last detail was planned with the utmost care and specification. It was going to be perfect.
Marlee and I had been finalizing last minute details in the Women's Room, when Celeste decided to drop by and happened to accidentally spill her wine all over our papers. It reminded me of when she did the same thing at Kriss's birthday party. Kriss may have been a rebel that tried to kill me, but Celeste didn't know that. At the time, it was just Celeste, being Celeste. The deep color ruined our careful plans.
Marlee and I spent almost all of the day attempting to reconstruct our meticulous arrangements to submit to Silvia. The two of us remembered all that we could before we ran around the palace- me to the kitchen to get the menu from the chefs and the phones to call the group of fives I had hired, and Marlee to the greenhouses for the flowers and maids sewing room to confirm the color scheme. The huge old clock in the Great Room was chiming 9 as we finally trudged up the stairs together, a stack of reconstructed party plans in our hands. This time we had three copies, one for each of us and one to submit to Silvia. There was no way we would take that chance again.
I knocked softly on the door of Silvia's office.
"Come in!" Silvia called.
I turned the handle and walked in with Marlee right behind me. She gripped our stack of plans in her hands, her knuckles white. I smiled quietly.
"Good evening, ladies," she said simply.
"Good evening, Silvia," we said in unison. Marlee walked to our instructor, seated at her desk. She placed the thick stack of papers on Silvia's desk.
"These are our plans for the Italian reception on Thursday," Marlee said.
"Thank you, ladies!" Sylvia said, "I was just about to go get them from all of you. In fact, you two are the first to submit your plans."
We nodded and curtsied slightly before turning and leaving her room.
The castle was quiet as we walked back to our rooms together. It was amazing how seamlessly and invisibly the inner workings of the palace ticked. One would think that the last day before three important state dinners and a huge ball with a myriad of foreign officials. But it wasn't. Perhaps this was the calm before the storm.
"It's time to get up, Miss," Lucy whispered, shaking me slightly.
I rolled over, groaning, "Must I really?"
My maids laughed. "Yes, Miss." Anne replied, "You're expected to be there when the Germans arrive. We don't have much time before they get here."
I scrunched my nose, dragging myself out of my bed and towards the bathroom. "Well, if you must. I suppose we may as well get it over with."
When they deemed me fit to be presented to esteemed members of the German Federation's government, I was sent out the door. They had sewn me an absolutely gorgeous royal blue satin day dress with three-fourths sleeves to fight the cooler temperatures as Angeles descended into winter. The bodice was tight and hugged my curves before flaring out at my waist. It was simple, yet regal. It was perfect. Yet again, what else was new? I didn't know where I'd be without those girls.
A guard opened the door for me when I reached the main foyer. Maxon and his parents were absent, as were most of the Elite. The only ones outside excluding me, were Marlee and Elise and of course the ever present Sylvia. I walked out and stood next to my friend quietly.
"Good Morning, America!" She said brightly. I smiled at her.
"Good Morning, Marlee!" I replied, "Hello Elise."
Elise nodded to me in return.
We made small talk as we waited for the others to come. Slowly, Natalie and Tiny entered our little circle and the royals arrived and made their own cluster a few feet from us. Celeste was notably absent especially considering she was one of the German hosts. Sylvia almost looked as if she would have a heart attack. I didn't envy her either. I felt terribly for Elise as well, glancing towards my fiancé. He caught my eye and tugged his ear quickly. I smiled, tugging mine back just as fast. He started walking towards our group.
"Good Morning, Ladies," he said, "Did you all sleep well?"
I laughed slightly, but nodded. The others nodded with me.
"We have received a call from the German Federation party. They have landed in Angeles and they are on their way to the palace. They should be here momentarily. I was also told to inform you that there will be cameras filming for the rest of the week. Because of foreign visits, we will be foregoing a normal Report this week. Instead they'll air clips from the receptions and record and air the state ball live on Friday."
I sucked in a breath. They were going to air the ball live. If I messed up then, they couldn't edit it out like they could for the receptions- lovely.
Behind Maxon, Sylvia stood glancing at her watch every few seconds and tapping her foot on the stone ledge before the small staircase that connected the palace to the driveway. She looked up, clearly worried. I stopped listening to what Maxon was saying and watched Sylvia.
Suddenly Celeste burst out of the doors, clutching her head. Though her dress was pristine (and barely there), her makeup was smudged and I could smell the alcohol on her when she approached. Who in their right mind drinks the night before she has to host a foreign power? Was an idiot? I shook my head, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
Sylvia was fuming. There was no way Celeste was getting out of this unscathed.
Celeste had only joined our group for a moment when three dark cars rolled through the palace gates. Maxon nodded at them, "Those are the Germans."
We fanned out into a line. Maxon stood beside me at the end of the line farthest from his parents. The German officials climbed out of their cars and ascended the stairs, going first to the King and Queen. Sofia Müller, the Prime Minister of the German Federation, stayed to talk to Queen Amberley while the other officials made their way over to the Elite. Maxon introduced us all to the line of representatives that came to greet us. I was the last one he introduced every time, but each time he did so, Maxon placed his hand on my back. It was comforting.
The German Reception was close to disaster. Not only was Celeste hungover when the Germans arrived, but she showed up to the reception in a bright white dress that clung to her body and had a plunging neckline and her back was dangerously low. Worse, she was drunk during half of the reception. Elise did all she could to minimize the damage while poor Sylvia stood mortified in horror for a few moments before leaping into action. Queen Amberly took the all the ladies to the Women's Room and the staff helped to clean up the mess while Sylvia dealt with Celeste. Elise was the perfect host in the Women's Room though, salvaging our all but ruined trade relationship with the German Federation. A higher power must have been involved to help Elise in her time of need. Illéa couldn't afford to lose an ally as powerful and generous as them. As I went to bed, I prayed that the next two receptions went smoother… I didn't want Maxon and I to inherit a country that was alone in a world of enemies.
It felt like my head had just hit the pillow when Lucy nudged me awake.
"We have to get you ready for the arrival of the French delegation," she said.
I groaned but still dragged myself out of the warm bed, remembering Maxon's words last week at our dinner. I was already at a disadvantage because Princess Daphne was likely to hate me. I had to shine just enough today that the royal family would know who the next Princess of Illéa, yet not be over the top so as to make the French Princess unpleasant… or at least not more unpleasant than she was bound to be.
"Can you girls possibly make me look especially regal today? I have first impressions to make." I said, winking at my maids.
They smiled, nodding.
In moments they had me dressed like the queen. Anne had sewn an absolutely gorgeous violet dress. It fell just above my ankles, making it slightly fancier than a day dress, but still short enough to be worn before dinner. The dress was made of lavender silk and had sleeves that came to my elbows made entirely of handmade lace the color of orchids. When I swayed the skirt, little threads of gold shimmered in the light. Mary painted my lips a nude shade and dabbed sparkly gold eyeshadow on my lids. Finally she placed Lucy put my hair into an elaborate crown braid that twisted into a bun at the nape of my neck. She even wove in tiny purple jewels in the shape of flowers. I felt beautiful.
"Thank you," I gushed. "It's beautiful. I love it."
"You're very welcome, Lady America," Mary said.
Anne moved me towards the door. "Now we can't have you be late. Go."
I smiled before rushing out the door. I was almost out of the hallway before someone grabbed my hand lightly. I turned to the figure clothed in shadows against the wall.
"Hello, darling." Maxon's voice whispered.
He pulled me towards him, placing a kiss on my forehead.
I smiled. "This is somewhat out of character… Shouldn't you be going to the door to greet the French officials?"
Maxon laughed, "I figured I would stop here and bring you with me."
I leaned in to kiss him. "I love you."
He brought his hand up to cup my cheek as he kissed me. "And though my real reason is a bit more selfish," he said, leaning his forehead against mine, "I love you more than words."
He kissed me again, but I pulled away. "What's your real reason?"
He frowned slightly. , "I don't want anyone to be unsure of my choice."
I laughed slightly. There was no doubt it was something he would say, but I knew he was lying. "Max, I'm marrying you. I know what it looks like when you're lying. And this is it."
He pulled me into a hug. "You know me too well, Ames. If I'm honest, it's because the last time I saw Daphne, she professed her dying love for me. I didn't feel the same and I don't think I could survive today if it wasn't for you."
I smiled, pulling Maxon away from the hallway. "As much as I would love to stay here with you all day, if we don't leave now, the French will be here before are."
It seemed like we were the last ones to arrive outside the large palace doors, but when I looked, Celeste was noticeably absent. Maxon leaned over to whisper in my ear when he noticed me looking.
"She was politely asked to skip today's reception in light of yesterday's events." He said.
I tried not to smile. "Too bad… I was hoping that you had sent her home."
Maxon chuckled quietly. "Unfortunately, Father would have my head. I sincerely apologize, darling. If it were up to me, they all would have been gone the second you said yes."
Natalie was staring daggers at me. I turned from Maxon, taking his hand and squeezing it quickly before I let go. I smiled at her slightly. I hoped it didn't seem smug or condescending.
Before I knew it the French car was pulling up in the driveway. The first to step out of the car were an older couple with delicate crowns atop their heads. They must be the king and queen. After them, a beautiful blonde girl stepped out of the car. She was tall and had deep blue eyes. A small diamond tiara rested on her head. So that was Daphne. Though Maxon had warned me about her, I still couldn't help but be jealous of her as she walked to the stairs. Princess Daphne didn't just walk though. She floated on the balls of her feet and her power.
The longer I watched her, the more I thought. Maxon said Daphne loved him. They must have spent a considerable amount of time together. Maxon had said he didn't feel the same way, but what if he was just saying that because his father was forcing him to have his Selection. I could never look as regal or graceful as the French Princess could. I wondered if Maxon would resent me for it.
Maxon's warm fingers brushed mine. I forced a smile. He cleared his throat. I looked up, somewhat surprised. I hadn't noticed another girl and a young man follow behind the French. I looked up at Maxon confused. He didn't look back because he was watching the brunette girl that climbed out after Daphne. The smile was bright and genuine on his face. I turned back, fighting the urge to bite my lip. Maybe Maxon wasn't in love with Daphne but he was with the her pretty sister. I tried not to frown as they walked to greet us. The brunette girl skipped up the steps, laughing. It looked almost childlike but still beautiful. Maxon smiled at her happily, taking a few steps down to meet her.
The girl threw her arms around Maxon when they collided. Maybe she was in love with him too. It was only a moment before Maxon seemed to remember his father's stern eyes watching him and he pulled away. He extended an arm and she took it, settling her fingers in the crook of his elbow. They walked to the the top of the staircase together, still laughing and whispering to each other. I sighed and looked away.
Maxon handled the greetings for the most part, introducing us all to the guests. When it came time for him to introduce the royals, he took the brunette's hand and guided her towards us.
"Ladies, this is my dear friend," Maxon said, "Princess Emilia of England."
We curtsied politely. Emilia walked down our line to each of us. Marlee and Elise smiled when she leaned in to whisper to them. It wasn't long before she stood in front of me.
"Good Morning, Lady America. It's a pleasure." She said.
I nodded. "For me as well, Princess Emilia"
Emilia leaned towards me. "Oh call me Em." She whispered, "Maxon speaks so highly of you, love. Any wife of his, is a friend of mine."
My cheeks went red at the compliment, but I smiled. "Then you must call me America." I said in return.
Em squeezed my hand and moved back towards Daphne and the other man.
Maxon continued with the introduction. "And I'm sure you know Princess Daphne."
We nodded and curtsied again. Daphne didn't come speak to us separately like Emilia though. I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing.
Maxon paused at the last one in the group.
Daphne spoke for him. "This is Duke Frederick Renaud, my betrothed." Her words sounded pained and angry. By the look of it, Daphne had no choice in the matter. I almost felt sorry for her… almost.
We started to walk towards the doors. It seemed that Emilia and Daphne would join us in the Women's Room with Queen Amberly and the French Queen while Maxon would join his father, the French King, and Frederick to go hunting. I walked quickly, trying to reach Maxon before we walked inside the doors and he was swept away. I had almost reached him when Daphne fell into step next to me.
"Would you care to join me for tea tomorrow?" She asked.
I didn't want to have tea with the princess, but I felt it might reflect poorly on me. So instead of flat out denying her, I said, "Of course, Your Highness."
When I looked up for Maxon, I only his eyes for a second and a tug of his ear before he was swept up with the French.