Sarjoo- Well here's more finally. I hope you still like this lol.
KMlovesfanfics- Thank you so much for your continued support of this fic. I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It was very long in coming (sorry)! I actually like the idea of giving Daphne someone but I really think she has some major character development to go through before that can happen.
WishIwasAmerica- Wow I really feel this. Thank you for the laugh and the support. I also want to strangle half of the characters and meet Emilia (and SO MANY other fictional characters lol).
Virtue01- ok sorry. Did not see this until December :/ I hope you enjoy it now!
Fiona- thank you thank you thank you! That means so much to me!
Giovanna- thank you!
Thank you so much to everyone mentioned and unmentioned who read, liked, followed, or reviewed my story! It truly means the world that people are reading and enjoying my writing!
*I'm sorry.*
Ok. Wow, it has been a very very long time since I last posted. I'm writing this on December 15, 2018, which is six months since I posted chapter 9 or Better Choices. I know a lot of you probably thought I abandoned this story right as I said I was going to stop doing that so I thought I would explain. I posted the last chapter on July 15. After that, I was on vacation for a while and in September I started sophomore year in high school. This year has been a lot and I haven't had time for anything let alone writing. I have also largely been focusing on the independent YA fantasy book I am writing when I do have spare time. Because my head is so focused on my own book, I often find that if I sit down to write this, I end up working on my manuscript. I really am sorry and have missed this story immensely. That being said, I really don't think I can post long chapters like I have been doing recently(ish) because it will take longer and longer to get them out until I just legitimately stop altogether. I also cannot post weekly or even bi-monthly, but I am going to try as hard as I possibly can to get out a minimum of one chapter a month and I will try to publish more if I am on a break from school. Thank you so much for reading this and continuing to read and support this story about some of my favorite fictional characters! 3 3 3
Without further ado… Chapter 10- La Principessa Italiana: Royal Visitors Part 3
I was still fuming when I reached my room. How dare she? The door slammed behind me. I glanced around the room. It was empty. My maids were probably in the workroom. Lucy once told me that they spend most of the time they don't spend with me there making my dresses.
A light, airy peal of laughter echoed from my open balcony door. I walked towards the sound. Two people walked through the gardens. They stopped at a stone bench I recognized as the one I met Maxon on so long ago. It was only two months ago when the Selection began in September. I smiled, remembering all the happy times Maxon and I shared in those gardens.
Another peal of laughter rang, breaking my reverie. It only took me a moment to realize that the two figures were Maxon and Daphne. I gritted my teeth. My hands clenched into a fist before I even realized it. Could this day get any worse? Maxon took her hand. I scoffed. Of course, it could.
The door opened behind me. I turned, watching Lucy, Anne, and Mary walk in.
"Oh," Anne said. "We didn't realize you would be back from tea with the princess so early."
I attempted a warm smile. "It seemed there wasn't much she wanted to discuss with me. I hope it's no problem. I can go take a walk through the gardens."
Mary shook her head, "It's no problem, Miss."
"We were actually hoping you would be back soon," Lucy said, "We all wanted to make sure you were ready with plenty of time to spare for the reception."
I forced a smile. "Of course. We can start as soon as you're ready."
A mischievous grin crept onto Lucy's face. "Well…" She walked to the door. Her hand barely touched the knob before the door swung open.
Three maids that I didn't know walked in. I furrowed my brows for a second before a girl with shining golden hair waltzed in.
"As I was appointed to decorating," my friend said, her eyes sparkling, "I made the executive decision that decorating also includes making sure we match."
I laughed. "How very princess-y of you, Marlee."
Marlee nodded, laughter falling from her lips.
Someone had put a blindfold over my eyes to keep me from seeing the progress. Occasionally, I would hear Lucy or Anne comment on my hair or dress while Mary did my makeup. Only then was I permitted to remove the blindfold but only with sealed eyes. The production had Marlee and my maids written all over it. I smiled. Marlee and I quizzed each other on the Italian we had learned in an attempt to make our guests feel more at home while our maids worked.
"And, done!" Marlee's maid, Clara said. Her words were filled with mirth.
Marlee and I giggled in unison.
I was led to another part of my room. It was probably a mirror for their great unveiling. The blindfold was removed from my eyes. I glanced up into the large floor to ceiling mirror.
I gasped. Marlee stood next to me with a similar shocked look painting her features. We both wore a-line, navy blue dresses but they were vastly different. Mine was made of a thin silk and the sweetheart neckline spread off my shoulders. The fabric cascaded to the floor from a lacy jeweled belt around my waist. My hair was curled and loose with a few strands braided back into a crown atop my head.
Marlee's dress was more simple but made of the same gossamer, blue silk as my own. Her dress rose up in a halter neck with a lower back than mine and ruching on the bodice. The material hovered just above the floor. Her sun-kissed hair was wound intricately into a stunning braided updo. We both only had natural makeup on except for dramatic eyeshadow. My eyes were painted in rosy gold while Marlee's shimmered a wine red. Marlee's lips matched her eyes instead of the pale pink that covered my lips.
My gaze slid to my toes where towering golden heels encased my feet.
"Grazie. Grazie mille," I whispered. "Èé bellissimo. Lo adoro."
I glanced up to my girls, expecting to see clouded eyes. My maids simply nodded in response. I smiled at them. It seemed they had picked up some Italian after hearing Marlee and I practice.
"Just don't fall this time, America," Marlee laughed, "Maxon might not be here to catch you this time."
Though she originally came to Angeles to try to marry Maxon, there was no bitterness in her words. Only pure light. I tried to push the image of Maxon and Natalie in the garden out of my head at her words.
Tried. And failed.
Maxon won't be here to catch you.
"I think I've finally mastered the skill." I strode to a small table next to the couch where four thin, rectangular boxes were stacked. "I won't need Maxon this time."
Marlee laughed again, walking to meet me. I handed her one of the boxes and spun around, holding my hair up for her. Cool metal slid onto my bare neck.
"Grazie, amico mio," I said quietly, turning to face her. She took another box from the table and handed it to me.
"Thank you, my friend," Marlee replied, turning around. She must have thought that I was still trying to practice for the reception tonight.
"No, Marlee," I said, slipping the necklace onto her. "Thank you. Truly. You and I worked so hard for this and I can't thank you enough."
Marlee turned again to face me, taking my hands. "It was my pleasure." Marlee's voice dropped down to a whisper. She squeezed my hands. "I can't wait to see everything you and Maxon do with Illéa. You'll always have a supporter in Kent."
I furrowed my brows. "You're not going home are you?"
Marlee looked as if she might cry. "No. Not yet anyway. But I will be going home soon enough and I will miss my friend, the princess."
I gave her a soft smile. "You can't cry until after the Italians leave! We have a party to host!"
A broad smile lit up Marlee's face again. "We can't be late…"
We arrived in the Great Room just as the musicians began their warm up. I took a deep breath at the sound. It felt like home. I smiled, gazing around the room. The Great Room was perfect. Marlee chose brilliantly colored tapestries to cover the normally drab walls and they made for great acoustics. The tables were clad in pristine ice blue tablecloths and the silverware sparkled like diamonds carved into the tables. Flowers were bunched in low vases on the tables. They were pretty and polished the space, but guests would still be able to see one another over the centerpieces and talk. Large bouquets were artfully placed in the corners of the room. A large dance floor was clearly set in front of the musicians. It was perfect.
Clicks echoed on the stone floor behind Marlee and me. I turned at the noise. Queen Amberley stood in front of me with Silvia a step behind her holding a clipboard. The velvet box in my hand felt warmer than it did seconds ago.
I dipped into a low curtsey.
"Good evening, Ladies." Queen Amberley's voice was measured.
"Good evening, Queen Amberley," Marlee spoke in the same measured tone. "We would like to welcome both of you to the reception for the Italian delegation."
Silvia nodded emphatically, scribbling something on her clipboard. Queen Amberley looked us both over.
"As you can see we have the same necklace. We thought if we dressed similarly, we would be easily identifiable as the hosts for tonight." I said, "Lady Marlee and I thought you should have one as well, as both of you are also hosts tonight."
Silvia's hard eyes visibly softened. Queen Amberley nodded, emotion swirling on her face for an instant. Happiness. Warmth. Surprise. It all vanished in a second.
"That was very thoughtful of you, Ladies. Thank you."
I smiled and Marlee nodded next to me. We handed both of them a velvet box containing twins to our golden, rose shaped pendants.
Behind the Queen, maids started circulating the room with hor d'oeuvres. Marlee and I walked to the doors as guests began to filter through. The musicians had finished warming up and were playing soft music.
The Italians were loud and excited. It wasn't long before the wine was found: an expensive red from an Italian vineyard my research told me was a particular favorite of the royal family. It was only moments before the Italian royal family had entered to a burst of applause. The king and queen nodded politely while the Crown Princess beamed. King Clarkson and Maxon were only steps behind them.
The Italian reception was a party in the best of ways. Even King Clarkson looked impressed when I dared to glance in his direction. The night was calming down and Maxon had me in his arms on the dance floor. I couldn't help but smile, resting my head on his shoulder as the song ended.
A gloved hand tapped my shoulder. I turned. Princess Nicoletta stood behind me, a soft smile gracing her stunning features. "May I speak to you for a moment?" she asked. Her words were quiet as if her English was mellowed by her faint accent. She had to have worked incredibly hard to have such good English as a second language.
I nodded quickly. "Of course, Your Highness. Prince Maxon is a very popular person. I am used to sharing."
I laughed. Confusion danced across her face for a moment before she shook her head. "No, no I was hoping I could speak with both of you."
"Of course," I said, my brows furrowing. Maxon took my hand in his.
"Right this way, Nicoletta." He said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
What do you think Maxon and Nicoletta have planned? Sorry for such a short chapter especially after such a long time, but I really wanted to get something up. I really hope that I can get out chapter 11 before the New Year!