The True Measure of Character and Confidence

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the workings of Rainmaker Entertainment, in relation to their "Barbie" movie series (or, indeed, anything else of their creation), specifically (in this particular case), "Barbie: Princess Charm School." However, I can and DO claim to own this story and its inspired ideas FROM said movie.

Note: Woww . . . has it really been that long since this story had an update? Well, online, anyway? I can't stand my personal, massive delays like this, so I DO thoroughly apologize for that! AND, definitely, I'd like to thank everyone who has stuck around in all that time, sending PMs or reviews to other stories, even, also asking when this would be updated. =)

I'd also like to say thank you, and welcome, to all my most recent readers! For whatever reason, this story has received renewed interest, reading wise (although maybe, now that I think on it, the movie did get added to Netflix not TOO too long ago, right? I think? So maybe that's why lol).

So thank you, once more, all of you, for being so wonderfully patient, and just simply enjoying this wild ride of a tale (which I'm hoping it will become, if not already, at least)!

. . . . I hate this chapter, myself, she said to no one who'd even asked, nor wondered. LoL

This chapter was created in November 2012, and rewritten/completed May 2019.

Chapter Three: Emotion's Pendulum

That premiere evening within the walls of the Gardanian Royal Palace had proven to be a rather difficult one, at best, rather than the initially pleasant, albeit nerve-wracking experience previously expected earlier that day.

Despite her best efforts, Blair had been unable to successfully locate her undoubtedly overcome cousin, Delancy, whom she had not seen since their rather tumultuous meeting with their now shared and unexpected aunt, Headmistress Privet. . . .

It certainly had not been due to a lack of trying, her inability to find even a ghostly trace of her cousin's presence anywhere within the vast palace.

However, within fair retrospect, Delancy had resided within their now mutual home far longer than Blair by comparison, and thus could rightfully conceal and seclude herself somewhere within its walls with little to no effort, she was sure.

After all, it had been a talent of sorts on Delancy's end as a child while having played with Portia, Blair could woefully recall as she'd frantically searched as many nooks and crannies as she could that afternoon, before regrettably being forced to adjourn to suppertime within the grand dining hall once evening had fallen.

Blair had desperately wished to seek outside assistance within her search by way of any one of the innumerable royal staff, or perhaps even summoning Grace back to the palace for a bit of aerial support.

However, as the incredibly helpful Personal Princess Assistant had already done so much for her throughout the entirety of her tenure at Princess Charm School, and the past two days, especially, the kindhearted young princess could not bring herself to burden Grace any further with her ongoing affairs.

Besides, it was because of how tremendously invasive the root motivation in which the viscountess could not be located in the first place which had made Blair feel rather hesitant, almost obligated, not to go to any of the royal guardsmen to perhaps form a proper search party at her behest . . . not to mention the absolute uproar of sheer panic which was sure to manifest throughout the entire kingdom had it been openly made known that yet another member of the Gardanian Royal Family had suddenly vanished. . . .

No. The only thing left which Blair could think of to do was . . . lie, or at least, in her case, try to lie, as terrible at doing so as she'd always been, and inform anyone who'd ask after her that Delancy was simply fatigued from the rather long and busy filled day, thus retiring to her bedchambers early.

And that was precisely what she'd somehow managed to do the very moment Blair had arrived, alone, to supper and her newfound cousin's unexpected absence was effortlessly noticed by all within attendance. . . .

However, that had been last night, where only one falsehood had been needed to help shield away the true reason behind Delancy's nonattendance.

It was now the next morning, with the sun slowly, yet steadily rising within Gardania's already pristine sky, and Blair was absolutely running out of options, as well as time.

She hadn't gotten one wink of sleep, instead choosing to spend the majority of the previous evening sat, curled up upon the grand balcony of her newfound and lavish bedchamber with Prince, whose overwhelmingly attentive company had truly been a blessing to her otherwise burdensome heart.

If she had been within a better state of mind, Blair might have afforded herself a more in depth tour of the ivory and golden themed bedroom, although it had been immediately observed that its overall size was easily well over that of both Emily's and her mutually shared, former bedroom, possibly twice over.

It had made Blair feel rather guilt ridden all over again to have effectively ousted Delancy from what had been her chambers for the past decade or so, especially once Blair had caught sight of the few personal touches her lady royal had unavoidably left behind, despite plainly clearing the room out for her arrival.

Although still overcome with profound concern for her missing relative, Blair's fears had managed to temporarily allay themselves for a simple moment upon discovering the personally crafted growth chart hiding, so to speak, within the far corner of what was now her massive walk-in closet.

Blair could just imagine a much younger Delancy eagerly taking her own height measurements as the years had trickled on and, from what each delicately marked engraving had transcribed, meticulously counting down until she'd reached the age of seventeen and would at last ascend the throne as ruler of Gardania. . . .

Catching such a glimpse into her cousin's younger days, and of how clearly invested and prepared she'd originally been to take on such an awesome responsibility made Blair mutually respect and admire Delancy all the more for having willingly given it all up on her behalf . . . and all for the sake of wanting to do 'what's right,' as Delancy, herself had stated.

And even though she was undoubtedly within enormous pain, gravely weighed down by her mother's betrayal and now, their shared aunt's deception, there might never be anyone else Blair would ever again meet who was apparently as strong, courageous and within possession of such the sound head upon their shoulders as Delancy.

It made Blair feel that much more grateful to now have her as such an intricate part of her life. . . .

As the sun's warm rays spilled onto the breathtaking greenery which was her newfound kingdom from behind the few fluffy, white clouds floating high above her, Blair continued to absentmindedly stroke at a softly whimpering Prince's golden head at her side as the two remained, glued within unison atop the balcony's naturally high perch.

She could see positively everything from where she was, or at least, everything pertaining to the palace grounds below, including the prestigious charm school.

This particular key note was originally the reason why Blair had chosen to settle in for the night out there, figuring that, if she hadn't been successful with finding Delancy within the palace, maybe there was an off chance she could have caught a glimpse of her roaming around outside, instead.

No such luck, however, as the only individuals Blair had witnessed coming and going throughout the previous evening up until that point had been the changing of the palace guards, as they continued to dutifully safeguard its inhabitants.

". . . . I just hope she's all right, Prince," Blair whispered, more so to herself in spite of obviously referencing her formerly long lost pet, her voice gravelly and thick within blatant fatigue as she wearily watched the sun finish rising within the sky. ". . . . Well . . . come on, then. Even though I really don't want to, we'd better head down to breakfast, just in case Mom and Emily might already be awake and wonder where we are. . . ."

Prince let out a gentle bark within presumable agreement at this and slowly began wagging his tail, just as his returned master finally rose from her spot, although a bit wobbly.

She then let out a prolonged, exhausted yawn at the same time that she dramatically stretched out her limbs, before then leading the way back inside of the previously vacant royal bedchamber.

A sudden, unexpected knock upon her sealed door effortlessly brought Blair from out of her melancholy haze right then, causing her to nearly trip over the elegant and golden hued ottoman placed at the foot of her king sized, and untouched bed as she hurriedly rush forward to open it.

And there she was, just like that and as though she really hadn't been temporarily missing for nearly the past twenty-four hours, and was instead already well groomed and ready for the another new day.

In fact, had Blair not have been with her cousin during Headmistress Privet's bombshell of a revelation the yesterday, she'd honestly been none the wiser, herself, as there didn't appear to be any sign of distress lingering upon her lady royal at all.

That is, except for the slightly noticeable redness presently staining Delancy's usually vibrant brown eyes, as though she'd been crying . . . perhaps all through the night, much as Blair had been, herself. . . .

"Good morning, Your Royal High – I mean, Blair, sorry, I remember! I hope you'd slept well last night, and found everything to your liking within your newest quarters," Blair listened to Delancy deliver with such an eerie amount of peppiness and light smile upon her face, as though there was absolutely nothing wrong. "I know that it's still rather early, but we've actually a pretty busy day ahead of us today, as well as a lot time to make up for. . . ."

Hearing her briefly allude to yesterday's events instilled within Blair a margin of bravery in order to go right on ahead and voice what had been swirling within her mind, ever since the pair had dramatically parted ways yesterday.

"D-Delancy! Are . . . Are you okay? I'd searched all over for you yesterday after you left Headmistress Privet's office, but I couldn't find you anywhere! I-I . . . I was worried sick," she gasped within utter relief and continued surprise to the other girl's presence, unable to control herself before abruptly pulling a now taken aback Delancy into her bedchamber and enclosing her within a fierce embrace.

Even Prince whom, naturally unbeknownst to Blair, had never ever truly possessed any sort of personal relationship with the viscountess, could not contain his own apparent relief regarding Delancy's safety, as he then began prancing happily around both blondes, and barking uncontrollably.

"P-Prince! B . . . Blair . . . .! I c-can't . . . breathe!" Blair could both hear, andfeel her cousin straining out against her right shoulder as she continued to practically squeeze the life right out of her, before Delancy somehow managed to successfully free herself from out of Blair's ironclad hold.

"O-Oh! I'm s-sooo sorry about that, Delancy! But really, I-I'm just so relieved to have finally found you! We both are, aren't we, Prince? E-Er, or well, though I guess you found me, instead!" Delancy listened to her new princess carry on within true Blair fashion, both girls' cheeks growing rosy as Blair pressed on within her grand show of emotion. "I-I honestly didn't get to sleep at all last night, yesterday had just been that stressful! I really did look everywhere I could think of to find you – And considering we're both aware that I still know basically nothing about this place, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack! I-It was just . . . I was just super, super worried about you, Delancy, and felt completely helpless and, well . . . stupid. . . ."

Delancy, despite secretly hoping, honestly praying the very moment she'd left her own bedchambers in order to greet her princess that morning that both young royals would somehow resume their duties as though yesterday had never occurred, couldn't help but take the unintentional bait as she heard herself quietly asking, ". . . . 'Stupid?' How . . . How so? W-Why?"

She immediately wished that she could somehow shrink down to ant size the moment she watched as Blair gazed upon her as though she'd possessed two heads.

At the same time, Prince let out a sympathetic sounding wince, advancing toward Blair and affectionately licked the back of her left hand, before then moving toward his master's bed and tiredly settled down beside it.

"'Why?' Delan - ! Because you're my family! A-And as family, we should be able to be there for one another, through good times, and bad! At least, that's just how it's always been for me, Emily, and our mom. O-Oh, that is, Emily, our mom, and I," Blair automatically corrected her recently improved upon grammar, her charm school lessons continually within effect as she further explained herself to a now flustered looking Delancy. "Just like I tried to be there for you yesterday morning, when we were still back at the school and had our talk, remember? And . . . A-And the fact that, even after all that, you just . . . just vanished on me – On all of us later on after our meeting with Headmistress Privet . . . it honestly killed me inside, Delancy. . . .

"I-I . . . I'm not trying to make this whole thing solely about myself, trust me, because obviously, it really isn't. But after everything had played out within her office and I was thankfully allowed to excuse myself, all I wanted to do was just find you. Find you, talk with you, and comfort you again, you know? O-Okay, well . . . maybe not so much the talking part, because I honestly don't know what I could have said if I had found you then, o-or even what to really say about it right now you're finally back, but . . . like I said already, I just wanted to be there for you. To keep letting you know that, even after everything – And I do mean everything – you still have me. . . ."

Delancy immediately felt an intermingling wave of immense gratitude, as well as shame to have heard yet another outpouring display of raw emotion spilling forth, relatively unabashedly, from her newfound family member, as it also made her feel incredibly conflicted on how next to proceed.

On the one hand, the pair really had already experienced quite the vulnerable cry fest just the previous morning, as Blair had moments before pointed out.

Delancy honestly hadn't even known that she could possess that type of free flowing, emotional expression evidently burrowed deep within her, as her particular upbringing had never before truly granted her such an opportunity, as already explained to Blair.

Still, as truly cathartic as all that had been, it did not mean that Delancy was suddenly now ready to partake within such acts on a day to day basis, and be as forthcoming as Blair effortlessly made it seem within contrast. . . .

And after positively everything she'd experienced, barely within the past forty-eight hours at that, discovering that her personal life had turned out to be nothing but an absolute farce for the past seventeen years was certainly far more than Delancy was ready to handle in one go.

And so, she simply ran away.

It was the only thing she could think to do at the time, the very last bit of control she honestly had over that entire situation.

But really, in the end, Delancy had simply wanted to put as much distance between Headmistress Privet and herself as she possibly could.

Her . . . aunt.

After everything she'd witnessed her mother do growing up, watching her carry on with her admittedly coarse behavior, and both directly, as well as sometimes indirectly treat certain individuals like garbage in order to stay ahead – To keep Delancy ahead – such cruelty quite frankly now paled in comparison to that of Headmistress Privet's. . . .

For her to have remained silent in all those years, living side by side with people she'd known fully well to be of her own kin would quite possibly remain an absolute marvel to Delancy for the rest of her life, however all of this inevitably played out.

She wasn't terribly surprised that her mother had also clearly gone along for the ride, never once letting slip the trio's connected lineage; however, Alexandra Privet had always portrayed herself to be quite the reasonable and considerate, albeit firm individual.

All those times that Delancy had actively sought the older woman out during her early childhood, particularly after Portia had been temporarily banned from returning to the palace following her tragic, equestrian related accident. . . .

The downright loneliness which had been felt as a result of this, coupled with Dame Devin having never truly been completely cut from the maternal cloth to begin with, alongside her frequently conducted royal business dealings which naturally kept her away for long periods of time on a daily basis . . . and not once had Headmistress Privet made an exception, and finally told Delancy the truth.

Whether or not she had at last explained herself within full detail, Delancy hadn't the slightest idea, as she had vacated the woman's office as swiftly as her legs could have carried her; however, whatever the reason for having remained mum, it still did not absolve Headmistress Privet of her actions within Delancy's mind.

She couldn't imagine being within such close proximity to Blair their entire lives, consciously knowing all along that the two were cousins and yet, never told her, no matter how she ultimately felt about her.

It was simply far too malicious.

. . . . But then . . . maybe . . . maybe that's why Headmistress Privet never told me who she really was, then. Because of how she feels about me . . . or . . . doesn't feel about me, Delancy regrettably listened to her mind slowly deduce, continually staring down at the polished floor as she had been the last few minutes, no longer able to maintain Blair's emotionally open gaze.

Before Blair could have asked if anything was the matter, as Delancy could admittedly sense was about to happen, both girls suddenly heard her quietly pipe up as she hollowly asked, ". . . . She doesn't like me . . . does she? Headmistress Privet, I mean. . . . T-That . . . That has to be the reason she never once attempted to get close to me as . . . a-as family. . . ."

At this, Blair could do little to hide her complete dismay, vigorously shaking her disheveled head all the same as she quickly moved around her greatly affected cousin in order to properly seal her bedroom door the rest of the way, before gently taking one of Delancy's hands into her own.

"N-No! No, that's not true at all, Delancy! As far as I could tell, and what she'd shared with me herself after you left her office, Headmistress Privet loves you! She really does! She just . . . just unfortunately let her . . . misgivings about Dame Devin get in the way of ever truly forging an actual relationship with you over the years," Blair attempted to explain the incredibly sensitive information as best she could, both without violating the obvious trust their headmistress had placed within her to have been so forthcoming about everything the other day . . . and, more importantly, not to hurt Delancy any more than she was already by delivering the news within a similar manner as Headmistress Privet originally had.

Delancy finally found the courage to look upon her fellow blonde once more, pushing past her ongoing abashment and overall discomfort as she rightfully countered with, "L-Look, I know that my mother is the furthest from a saint as one could possibly be, but . . . I'm not her! I-I mean, yeah, sure, okay, I know that, for the longest now, I basically was, or so everyone really believed, anyway . . . you know, what with my having been groomed since day one to be a miniature Dame Devin, just so she could ultimately rule Gardania through me, I'm realizing more and more now. . . . B-But even still! Even though, yes, I acted like a spoiled . . . nightmare a lot of the time, Headmistress Privet could have, at the very least, let me know that she really was my aunt this whole entire time! Even if . . . when she saw how much of a handful I had become! E-Even if she never . . . never planned on getting too close to me. . . . I still . . . I still deserved to know the truth, Blair! About everything! Instead, I've – We've had nothing but lies thrown at us every step of the way, and by people whom claim to care for us! . . . . U-Ugh! God, this isn't how I wanted today to go, I'm sorry! T-This is why I originally greeted you with nothing but smiles, so that none of this would be hanging over your head as we took care of today's affairs. . . ."

Blair couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at this, honestly feeling quite touched by her cousin's ongoing concern for Blair's own well being, in spite of everything.

". . . . You know, you really don't give yourself anywhere near as much credit as you so clearly deserve, Delancy," she commented with a gentle smile as she squeezed a now thoroughly surprised Delancy's hand a little tighter. "N-No, you look shocked, but I'm serious. I mean, any other person would have probably crumbled and headed for the hills after experiencing all of this by now, but you? You're still only trying to look out for me, and make sure that I'm taken care of, whether or not you're even aware."

"W-Well, you are the newly crowned princess of Gardania, after all. So I'm pretty confident that both your needs and concerns are far more important than that of my own, especially considering we must absolutely catch you up to speed on honestly everything, royal wise," Delancy shyly murmured within rebuttal as she quickly wiped away the few tears which had only just fallen down her cheeks moments prior. "And as your lady royal, it's literally my job to -"

"- No, Delancy. You are not my lady royal right now, please stop that. All of that can wait. It has to, or else we'll both honestly just implode if you keep trying to forge ahead like this, without properly addressing everything which continues happening to us," Blair boldly cut the other blonde off, before leading her toward what had once been her bed and gently sat her down upon it. "I mean it. I mean, aren't princesses and their lady royals just like . . . best friends, basically? Even if we weren't already bonded together for life now as family, we'd always be one way or another due to of our positions. . . . And, what I'd gathered during our semester at charm school about lady royals is that I – Er, you, now, are supposed to always try to be as completely open and honest as possible with me, in order to help steer me within the right direction as ruler of my . . . my kingdom. And, as your . . . princess, I'm meant to do the very same for you. Being as open and honest as I can, that is.

"But . . . none of that can happen if we try to gloss over anything, particularly anything traumatic. And I know that . . . clearly, you and I are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the whole sharing thing, and exactly how much of it we may want to, and when. And I'm still going to respect all of that and not push you too much – Which, yes, I very much realize that I'm totally doing so right now, sorry – but . . . seeing as we've both been hit, yet again, with something so major, and after barely beginning to process our previous incident . . . I really believe that we sorely need to put every last card upon the table, here. . . ."

Momentarily looking up at the top of the familiar and literal, lavender hued princess canopy, forehead slowly wrinkling as her face steadily contorted into one of profound trepidation, Delancy let out a sharp, weighty exhale before faintly nodding within agreement to her princess's – No, her cousin's request.

". . . . All right. All right! Sh – ! O-Oh, sorry, Blair, sorry. I honestly never use vulgar language . . . mostly because my mother personally hammered even the slightest of deviations out of me every step of the way, always taking care to remind me constantly of how a princess is 'never anything less than perfect,'" she stated apologetically with an incredibly weak smile, the blatant resentment and overall mixed feelings she understandably harbored for her newly remanded mother effortlessly shining forth within that moment. "I'm just . . . feeling rather exposed right now, that's all. Regardless, I will . . . try to do my best not to put my walls all the way up as we . . . once again dive back into 'Sharing Land.' A-Ah, apologies, again, really. That was . . . I guess that was just my nasty defense mechanism rearing its ugly head again by making light, also with very unneeded cattiness, huh? I-I truly am trying though to shed that side of myself, Blair, but . . . I suppose 'Rome wasn't built in a day,' as they say. . . ."

Blair, somehow resisting the tremendous urge to lean forward and envelop her very clearly discomposed relation within another bear sized hug, instead simply smiled back and nodded before responding.

"No, no. I completely understand! Well . . . I mean that I understand that I've officially put you well out of your element, two days in a row, to boot. And once again, I'm sorry for it, I cannot say that enough, right? S-Still . . . thank you for giving it another try," she remarked with a broader smile, before then taking a deep breath of her own. "But, o-okay! So, um . . . I guess I'll just go first and tell you everything Headmistress Privet talked to me about after you'd left her office, then. This way, too, it'll help take some of the pressure off of you to sort of . . . spill your guts, or whatever you might be thinking I'm going to have you do, now, huh?"

As Delancy forced herself to maintain eye contact, all while remaining as 'open and honest' as Blair clearly hoped for her to be while recounting the woefully large amount of newfound information about their shared family history, it was all she could do to prevent herself from fleeing the scene all over again as she finally learned the truth.

She didn't honestly think she would have done much better had she heard the remainder to her mother's . . . admittedly sympathetic past from Headmistress Privet, herself, instead, however . . . especially upon listening to Blair's furthered explanation of how apparently torn their 'aunt' had been, after all, to have remained so near to Delancy, however couldn't ever reveal herself "especially once Dame Devin had officially stepped in and . . . barred any familial sort of contact, or general bonding between the two of you. . . ."

". . . . I don't know why I'm honestly surprised to hear that my mother would bogart the final word over whether or not I ever grew to know Alexandra Privet as anything more than simply my charm school headmistress, as I'd already had quite the strong hunch that that might have been the case in the end . . . although I will say that both women were clearly in the wrong for it," Delancy muttered, mostly to herself, within renewed acrimony as Blair thankfully began to wind down upon the remaining details. "One would truly never know the two of them were sisters, as they appear to share absolutely nothing in common. At least, from what I'd always observed growing up. Still, the way they'd up and mutually decided what was best for me like this, I'd dare to say they were almost like twins. . . ."

Blair, completely understanding of the other girl's swirling whirlpool of sentiment, managed to restrain herself from saying anything within that moment which might have attempted to have Delancy view her mother's decision from an objective standpoint, knowing fully well by that point that not only would it not have been appreciated, but also was not honestly deserved.

After all, although known for always attempting to look on the bright side of any situation, an outlook influenced further through having originally grown up within basic poverty, Blair really was doing her absolute hardest not to already throw all her eggs into one basket regarding the girls' mutual unfolding.

However . . . after the previous night she'd had, terribly sleep deprived with her thoughts unavoidably replaying the harrowing events of the past two days, Blair secretly feared very much that she was incredibly close to finally reaching her own breaking point. . . .

". . . . and that was everything she shared with me, before I finally left," Delancy mutely listened to Blair conclude the painful recounting while the viscountess continued gazing, listlessly, at the back of her hands resting neatly upon her lap. "A-And then, after all that . . . that's when I'd decided to go after you. I know that Headmistress Privet advised that I let you be and give you some time, but like I'd said to her, I didn't want you thinking that I didn't care. . . . But . . . I guess you know how great of a detective I'd turned out to be in the end, huh? This palace is alot bigger than it appears, so seeing as I didn't want anyone knowing about what had happened, there was just no way I was ever going to find you all on my own. . . . And so, after looking everywhere I could readily think of, like I said, I was forced to give up by dinnertime and make up the excuse that you weren't feeling well, so that no one would have grown suspicious. . . . I'm just really relieved that I'd managed to tell a convincing lie for once in my life, though . . . but I'm obviously much more relieved to have you back. . . ."

". . . . Our maze," Delancy curiously piped up as her initial remark, still peering intently at her hands at the same time that Blair's now, quite meticulously shaped eyebrows slowly raised within natural perplexity. Sensing this, Delancy thankfully continued as she finally locked eyes with her cousin once again. ". . . . Yeah. The hedge maze I'd sort of mentioned to you yesterday morning, within which Portia and I used to purposefully 'lose' ourselves whenever we wanted to get away from our parents, and the never-ending responsibilities they'd regularly thrust upon us? . . . . That's where I'd run off to and had remained until well past sunset, before finally returning to the palace and sneaking into my new bedchamber for the night. I-I . . . just really wanted, no, needed to be alone, and although I did actually have a feeling that you might have wanted to come after me, I just knew that no one would ever be able to find me in there. No one ever has. . . ."

Blair let out a light scoff at this, surprisingly, before then slowly shaking her head within blatant disbelief and smiled faintly.

". . . . M-My God. So this whole, entire time you were literally right underneath my nose – W-Well, sort of – inside of that gigantic hedge over there?" she queried as she blindly pointed to her right, toward the open, now abandoned balcony, and toward the idyllic scenery she'd honestly memorized by that point, after having spent the previous evening hopelessly peering down at it.

Delancy, clearing her throat and slightly tilting her head to one side within apparent thought, then nodded as she unexpectedly returned the gentle simper.

"Well, I suppose that it might appear 'gigantic' to anyone who has never ventured within as many times as both Portia and I had throughout the years, but . . . yes, I was . . . 'somewhere' inside," she marginally clarified with another nod, before suddenly beginning to chuckle, a bit uncontrollably at the incredulous facial expression now etched upon Blair's face. "W-What? I-I'm . . . I-I'm sorry to laugh at all like this, Blair! I a-am! I-I – Oh, wow, I didn't . . . didn't even think I could again a-after all of this! But it's just that your f-face right now is truly p-priceless!"

"'. . . . Priceless?' 'Priceless?' I-I'm honestly just more so now marveling at the apparent fact that you can just navigate your way around inside that . . . forest without much of a second thought! But I'm also feeling like the world's biggest dunderhead to have notfurther considered the fleeting thought I did have yesterday that you quite possibly might have just been within one or your many childhood hiding places somewhere," Blair initially huffed within mild indignation, before promptly joining within the continued tittering, also wisely choosing to seize any sliver of positivity amidst the general pandemonium that she could. "But . . . maybe now I'm also living here, you could show me around in there some time! I-I mean . . . you know . . . only if you want to, that is. Might come in handy one day!"

Delancy thankfully didn't appear to be put off by the open request, instead managing to flash a warm, albeit a tad diffident smile toward the new princess as she replied, "Considering that it has a historical background behind it, one which I, as your lady royal, will assist within informing you of as you begin your royal tutelage quite shortly . . . I suppose that it would be rather prudent of me to do, wouldn't it? And, besides that, I . . . I think that it might be nice to finally have someone to share all my little shortcuts and favorite spots to simply relax with again, after all this time. . . ."

Briefly smirking at how often Delancy continually slipped back and forth into the lady royal status she clearly took quite seriously, despite having been directly asked to put it aside for the time being, Blair hesitated for a moment as a new thought suddenly sprang to mind.

". . . . I'm sure that Portia would also like venturing back inside your maze during her next visit back to Gardania, Delancy. Who knows? It might help bring back so -"

"- No. No, thank you, Blair, but . . . those days, and the old Portia are long gone. Besides, it is a maze, after all. In her present condition, she would literally become lost, and understandably so," Blair regrettably watched the momentary aura of peace which had thankfully settled onto Delancy effortlessly dissipate, as she vigorously shook her head within avid dismissal.

"O-Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry to bring back painful memories for you, Delancy. I didn't mean, nor want to, obviously. I only mentioned the notion since we were already kinda talking about it in the first place, and . . . yeah," Blair trailed off, rather awkwardly, as she then ran a slightly clammy hand through her now, mostly tangled hair. "Ugh! I am clearly having major 'foot-in-mouth' disease today, plus with an added helping of my previous brain fog! H-Here . . . how about I go and get dressed, and then you and I can share a private breakfast back out on the balcony? I mean, it is more than large enough, not to mention that it's currently within a strong holding for number one as the only area within the palace I'm presently most familiar with!"

Although having appreciated the passing jest, as well as the touching invitation of forgoing sharing her morning meal with the rest of her family, as expected, Delancy lightly shook her head within initial decline at the same time that she carefully rose to her feet.

"I-I . . . Thank you for that, Blair, but . . . I wouldn't want it to be your mother and little sister's turn to worry after you, once they'd notice both of our absence at breakfast," she started to explain, causing Blair to abruptly stop within her tracks on her initial trek toward the monstrously large bathroom which was now hers. "Besides, today's royal agenda is rather jam packed, as I'd already said, and -"

"- Nuh uh, no! Stop right there! Remember? I'd asked that you please put a pin in all of that for now, and just take the very much needed time to simply focus on the now! The 'us,' where behind closed doors we're just 'Blair and Delancy,' newly discovered, but hopefully quickly bonding cousins . . . right?" Blair cut Delancy off as she quickly returned to her side before anxiously continuing. "Besides! It's still pretty early, certainly well before my mom and Emily would be awake in time for breakfast, anyhow. Well, maybe not so much Emily, at least. And according to what she'd shared with me during dinner last night, Mom apparently already has her own 'Palace Routine' of sorts, I guess, where she's decided to go on daily walks around the grounds every morning, and then again every evening before bed. Yeah! She said that it's almost like some sort of miracle to happen to her, as well, the way she's already beginning to feel ten times better since the move! I guess the mountain air and surrounding greenery really has been doing wonders for her, just like I'd hoped that they might!

"So, no excuses, all right? You and I can just eat and talk some more about everything, or just eat and not talk, o-or . . . if you already ate – Which, if yesterday morning was any indication of how you now operate as my brand new lady royal, you probably already have – Then I'll just half eat, half fall asleep as I face plant into whatever delectable dish is on the menu for today! What do you say?"

". . . . I would say that I hope your mother takes it easy with all her increased walking, even if she's feeling better, then attempt to decline your breakfast invitation once more while I instead go retrieve the various wardrobe selections which I'd previously lined up for you within my bedchambers earlier on . . . but I'm swiftly observing that you can be nearly as pushy as I thought I've always been . . . unfortunately," Delancy replied with a small, yet still noticeable sigh of obvious relent, before slowly smiling at a now broadly grinning Blair.

"I can honestly say that I've never before been referred to as 'pushy' in all my life, especially considering I've always been more on the subdued side until recently, kind of, as you also are aware of, so . . . thank you?" she remarked with a soft giggle and odd sense of pride, almost, before continuing. "And also thank you for not turning your princess down! I'm still gonna go and at least get washed up, since you were so kind enough to pick out some more outfits for me, just like yesterday! Be back in a jiff!"

"'Your princess?' What happened to 'putting a pin' within all of the royal grandiosity?" Delancy asked with another smile, and a hand now raised to rest gently against her left cheek as she shook her head toward the ongoing wonder which was the newly crowned princess of Gardania.

Having already scurried into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, Blair abruptly reopened it and poked only her head out as she teasingly replied, "True enough, but if using the 'P-Word' and my regal 'authority' is, for now, I hope, the only way to get you to stay put long enough for you to keep me company for a simple breakfast, then it's 'Princess Sophia,' all the way!"

Prince, temporarily forgotten and continually resting quietly upon the bedroom floor, completely startled Delancy as he abruptly released a bark from behind her, before then curiously trotting toward her and contentedly settled at her side.

"H-Hm . . . so even you're for the 'Princess Sophia' manipulation card then, are you, Prince? And just when I was beginning to like you," Delancy murmured within feigned offense as she turned her attention away from Blair's sealed bathroom door once more, and onto the now cowered and whimpering Golden Retriever sat next to her.

She quickly apologized as she momentarily paused physically, before then reaching out to properly caress the elderly canine, and smiled.

"A-Aw, no, I'm sorry for the joke, Prince! Wow, have I been on a roll with all the 'sorries' these past two days, hmm? Certainly more than I've honestly said within my later years, for sure. . . . A-Anyhow . . . I still am, especially considering that I probably didn't pay you enough attention over the years, correct? Mother did always remind me that any animal wasn't worth having, and are 'incredibly filthy beasts. . . . ' I-I was . . . honestly surprised that you apparently were also just as concerned about me as Blair had been, in spite of it all, so . . . thank you. I suppose you truly are Blair's dog, after all. . . ."

Prince, appearing to further comprehend both her words, as well as newfound, welcoming mannerisms (neither of which were admitted commonplace, naturally) was positively over the moon, now.

Once more forgetting about his advanced age, acting like the puppy at heart which he honestly was, he then effortlessly leaped onto a thoroughly surprised Delancy, and successfully toppled her over onto the bedroom floor within the process.

"A-Ah, Prince! Down! Down, boy! R-Relax! Re – Blech! P-Pfft! Doggydrool," Delancy squeaked amidst her avid disgust over one side of her previously well groomed and made up face now being bombarded by Prince's wet tongue, as he repeatedly 'kissed' her with the now blatant affection she honestly never before stopped to wonder if he'd ever harbored toward her.

Realizing this, even through the fact that she would honestly have to return to her own bedroom, after all, in order to shower once more, caused a strong warmth to cascade over Delancy, before finally managing to gently push Prince off of her body and smiled yet again.

"O-Okay! Okay. . . . This wasn't anywhere near the way I'd originally envisioned my morning unfolding, but . . . I suppose having the Royal Family's pooch suddenly display his apparent fondness of me after all these years isn't the end of the world," she remarked kindly, wincing a bit as she gingerly wiped Prince's saliva away from her face and quickly cleaned her hand with the hem of her formerly clean, blue colored tea dress. "It's also a very good thing that you regularly receive thorough grooming and general upkeep probably more than any other pet within the entire kingdom, combined, or else I'd be forced to send you my dry cleaning bill after this. Now, then . . . you stay here and keep Blair company while I go and get cleaned up, before then rearranging for her breakfast to be served in here, all right?"

At this, Prince barked obediently, gently hopping from off of his front paws within continual happiness, before moving closer to Blair's bathroom door and curling back down onto the floor directly across from it.

"Good boy," Delancy murmured as she made her way toward the exit, taking a deep breath as she braced herself before opening the bedroom door. "Now let's just hope that my luck continues and I don't run into Headmistress Privet at any point this morning . . . or all day, although that will clearly be too much to ask for. Still . . . wherever she is right now, I pray that she decides to stay there. . . ."

". . . . Of all the visitors I never believed myself fortunate enough to receive from now on, I certainly didn't expect the very first would be you. So! What brings you to my 'beautiful' new abode, Alexandra, and so early in the morning, at that? Shouldn't you be off somewhere, celebrating my downfall with the precious, returned princess, and my sheerletdown of a daughter?"

". . . . You truly have some nerve to remain guiltless and be so belittling, even now, Nikole, even after the fact that your treacherous deeds have not only finally caught up to you, but had been broadcast upon live television, as well."

"Well, then! At least now I won't ever have to repeat my profound, and utter contempt for every last one of you, now will I?"

". . . . Hmm . . . nor shall you be able to feign innocence once you receive your well deserved day in court. . . ."

This wasn't at all how Alexandra had originally envisioned her morning playing out.

In fact, she hadn't honestly envisioned much of anything outside experiencing a well earned day of remorse, and isolation.

It had taken every last ounce of willpower she inexplicably still possessed in order for Alexandra to carry on within the rest of her daily routine yesterday, somehow managing not to let on amongst her fellow colleagues that anything was suddenly amiss.

It had been business as usual for the Princess Charm School headmistress, something she was, again, very, very good at.

However, Alexandra's insides had become a complete, and utter mess, causing her to fight off having repeatedly feltrather faint, in all honesty, from the very moment she had concluded her unscheduled gathering with Princess Sophia and Viscountess Delancy . . . and informed them that both girls were unexpectedly of her own flesh and blood.

Her two nieces. . . .

She'd never expected the event to go any other way than it inevitably had, she was not in any way delusional, after all.

Alexandra knew that she now had a tremendously tumultuous terrain ahead of her in terms of one day repairing the hopefully reversible damage she had unavoidably wrought upon the two royal teenagers.

She simply hadn't the fuzziest idea of where to proceed within doing so, or whom with first. . . .

Between the two, Sophia, or Blair had naturally appeared to be the lesser affected, thankfully even willing to remain behind within Alexandra's office in order to listen to the remainder of her blemished tale . . . although the undeniably thickened air of intermingled reservation, as well as perhaps even mild disfavor had effortlessly emanated from the younger girl by that point.

In fact, Blair had practically catapulted from out of her former headmistress's private office the very instant it had been clear that their meeting had concluded, she couldn't have gotten away fast enough.

Nevertheless, she'd both understood, as well as accepted Blair's need to put some distance between her discovered aunt and herself . . . but it did not mean that it had troubled Alexandra any less to have happen.

And the chasm which had never before existed between the princess and her former instructor had truly become palpable later on that previous evening, when Alexandra had forced herself to brave the uneasy waters by not continually hiding away within her office and purposefully buried beneath paperwork, and instead join Blair and the remaining Willows family for supper.

Alexandra's traditionally well guarded heart had nearly shattered to pieces all over again the very moment she had locked eyes with the young monarch, as she had been the very last to enter into the dining hall.

Blair had looked as though she had seen a ghost, she was that petrified to see that the headmistress had had the 'nerve' to make an appearance like that, and looked as though she might have even blacked out on the spot, herself . . . had Alexandra not have quickly excused herself, both from the table, as well as the upcoming meal, altogether, citing an unexpected business emergency which could not be delayed. . . .

Alexandra had to constantly remind herself that she wasn't within any sort of position to deserve sympathy for her actions, or lack thereof throughout the past seventeen years . . . but it did not make witnessing one whom had held such an undeniable level of high esteem toward her now suddenly gaze upon Alexandra with a look of outright dread any easier.

Especially considering that the one in question had turned out to be her dearly departed brother's long lost daughter. . . .

Alexandra really didn't know where to begin on her newfound quest to set things right, not only with Blair, but with Delancy within particular . . . but she knew that she had to try.

She had to.

She knew that she couldn't allow even one more minute go by where she actively gave into her own anxieties, much as she had all of last evening, where she'd ended up sequestering herself within her admittedly favorite location within all of Princess Charm School: its spa, as she'd attempted to privately drown her renewed sorrows with several glasses of red wine, alongside a completely sinful, although purposefully scalding bubble bath. . . .

Today, though, would mark a new beginning within Alexandra's life, she was sure of it . . . one where she would finally stop running away from her heavily guarded emotions, and own up to her past.

All of it.

But, in order to do that, Alexandra did at least understand that there was one final, haunting chapter which so desperately needed some sort of closure. . . .

And so there she was, far below the Gardanian palace, now deep within the domain of its largely abandoned dungeons, where its first inhabitant within decades had swiftly been situated upon the conclusion of Blair's televised coronation ceremony.

If Alexandra was going to stand a fair chance at someday making peace with either one of her nieces, she had to first at least attempt trying to do the very same with her sister, and somehow try to understand how she could have consciously chosen to do the horrendous things she had done. . . .

Alexandra watched with wary, studious eyes as Nikole slowly rose from the admittedly pitiful cot she'd been daintily sat upon prior to her arrival, both women's hands clasped neatly in front of themselves in habit.

Had she not have exposed herself so openly the other afternoon, one would have believed Dame Devin to simply be conducting yet another teaching exercise like always, merely acting the part of a disgraced captive, the way she continued to defiantly maintain an air of importance in spite of her newfound predicament.

True, the fancy, precious jewelry, and her ruffled tulle and emerald colored gown had immediately been confiscated during her earlier apprehension, and was instead replaced by the incredibly drab and over-sized gray colored jumper and trousers which were issued to all offenders . . . a dress code delegation regarding future inmates which Nikole, herself, had ironically played a direct hand within actualizing many years prior.

Even her familiar, and meticulously maintained updo had also been abandoned, and her armpit length, resiliently shimmering blonde hair was, for once, publicly set free.

Still, despite all of this, including the depressingly dank, and purposefully dimly lit surrounding, the sense of sheer entitlement had not even begun to be extinguished from within the older woman, an observation which Alexandra honestly hadn't the slightest notion whether to pity for its apparent delusions of grandeur . . . or somehow respect Nikole's own form of strength and desire to persevere, even until the bitter end, it would seem. . . .

"Ah, so you really have come simply to gloat. Well, let's have at it, then, as I have a very pressing engagement to be asleep for the remainder of the day, yet again, thank you," Nikole drawled on with a dramatic exhale and dismissive wave of her right hand, causing her youngest sibling to scowl deeply from on the other side of the silver colored bars which were presently aligned between them.

". . . . Have you truly absolutely no remorse for what you have done, Nikole? All the apparent schemes . . . the lives you've ruined . . . the lives you'd stolen? Dear Queen Isabella! . . . . Our Reginald," Alexandra heard herself emotionally ranting before she could stop herself, her original desire to remain as outwardly unaffected as possible clearly no longer an option. "H-He . . . He was our brother, Nikole! And you . . . you dispatched him – Dispatched of them both as though they had simply been random pieces of rubbish on the street! Did they truly mean so little to you?"

At this, Nikole's previously unmoved facial expression abruptly darkened into one of unbridled rage, quite similar to the one permanently immortalized over the airwaves during Blair's coronation, the precise moment within which Nikole had ruthlessly laid into Delancy's supposed disobedience.

". . . . You have no idea . . . what they meant to me," she replied darkly, hands now firmly wrenched together as her knuckles swiftly grew chalk white from the force. "You have no idea the things I had to do to get where I am today . . . the dealings which had been done . . . the sacrifices made, and all so that mydaughter could ascend the throne as the rightful ruler of Gardania! If they had only understood that, seen it back then from the very beginning, then none of this would have happened!"

Alexandra could not believe her ears.

She'd suspected that she was never going to like whatever it was Nikole would have to say regarding her ultimate betrayal, if indeed she would have even opened up to her in the first place.

Now that she actually was, however, and without very little prompt, at that, it was already becoming far too much for the traditionally levelheaded woman to bear.

"Y-You – ! Nikole, you speak about actively choosing to have the King and Queen murdered at your behest as though you are simply choosing which pair of shoes to wear for the next day! Not only them, but their infant daughter, as well! How could you have been so heartless as to include a child within all this, especially as a newfound mother at the time, yourself?" Alexandra pressed on feverishly within her ongoing desire to fully understand the truth, taking a shaky step forward as she gingerly wrapped a hand around one of the cell bars. "D-Didn't you ever st -"

"- Oh, how easy it is for you to pass judgment, as we conveniently forget the fact that you'd placed a death sentence upon your other niece, yourself! The one whom was always here, every . . . single . . . day for the last seventeen years, and yet you could not have given a damn!" Nikole spat as she harshly interrupted the equally jolted brunette before her, consciously choosing to gloss over the very valid point that Baby Sophia truly had been meant to perish alongside her parents, apparently, as Nikole instead turned the tables right back onto Alexandra with an actually sound argument of her own. "You may believe me to be a monster for what I'd done – What I'd allegedly done – But you are honestly no deity, yourself. . . ."

Alexandra opened her mouth to give a prompt retort at this, returning the incredibly hardened gaze her sibling was continually bestowing onto her, before immediately sealing it once more.

". . . . I-I know this, Nikole. That is . . . I never proclaimed to be that of some holy beacon of righteousness," she began slowly a few moments later, clearly taking avid care to choose her words regarding her present train of thought carefully, "but . . . you had also declared that any interaction within the familial fashion with Delancy was no longer an option, as well. . . . Y-Yes! Yes, I know - Before you even say it, as I can plainly see the writing upon your face – that I had been the one to initiate the tremendous disconnect which still remains between she and I to this day. But . . . you have to understand, you should understand that I had only originally kept my distance from Delancy in the first place because I was . . . afraid of losing her, as well. . . ."

Expecting Nikole to immediately counter with continued, effectual points upon hearing this, she instead surprisingly remained silent, apparently wanting Alexandra to have the chance to fully explain herself.

And so, just as she had with Blair the previous day, Alexandra at last did precisely that.

"I-I . . . I'd wanted so desperately to simply shutdown and give into the utter despair I'd initially felt upon learning of the Royal Family's . . . unexpected demise. Within one fell swoop our beloved brother, and his wonderfully charming wife were simply gone, and along with them their beautiful new daughter," Alexandra explicated, nearly breathlessly, as she could no longer maintain her gaze and quickly looked away from Nikole whom, in contrast, appeared to possess every intention of keeping a keen eye upon her. "I just wanted . . . wanted for all of that pain to go away! And so that's why . . . after their funeral, and a little time had passed, I'd decided to simply wall away those emotions. . . . It was the only way I could think of at the time to somehow make it through. . . ."

". . . . Mmm, yes, and with my Delancy as collateral damage," Nikole commented coolly, blatantly unaffected by her only sister's long overdue confession.

"N-No! . . . . No. I know now that I'd clearly gone about dealing with my grief within the wrong way. I do. However, back then . . . I'd thought that it was for the best, at least for a little while, to shield myself from Delancy's affection, so that I wouldn't experience the very same heartache if anything had ever happened to her, as well, another small child. . . . But then, of course, as you already know, you'd seen all of this and had decided that I would never know her love, nor would she ever know me as her 'Aunt Alexandra' . . . until now, that is."

Nikole's green eyes narrowed menacingly as she swiftly realized what this meant, now advancing toward Alexandra within an admittedly unnerving manner . . . which, given what the entire kingdom now knew about the older woman's violent past and apparent capabilities, Alexandra's growing discomfort was quite understandable.

". . . . You told her the truth?" she quietly hissed out through gritted teeth, at the same time that Alexandra smartly moved away from the cell bars.

"I-I, well of course I did, certainly! Come now, Nikole! In light of recent events I would have thought it rather obvious that that would have been the next course of action! Not to mention that one would hardly deem you worthy any longer of having any sort of say where your daughter, and your impending future are both now concerned," Alexandra fired back with as much confidence as she could presently muster, although her instincts were rapidly alerting her more and more that perhaps all of this had been a mistake, especially having requested to the royal guardsmen that her visit with Nikole be done one on one. "After all, you, yourself, had essentially just disowned her all on your own, and -"

"- You will not stand there, all high and mighty, and continue to judge me!" Nikole barked as she immediately lunged between the bars toward her younger sibling, her unhinged personality and inner turmoil finally openly rising to the surface. "You were always so quick to judge me, judge everyone! Nothing and no one were ever good enough for you, were they? O-Oh, no, my mistake! The exception, of course, had been 'our Reginald, hadn't it? H-Ha! More like 'Your Reginald,' just like the Queen had always been 'Your Isabella!' You three all had it out for me together! You and Reginald feeling that I was nothing more than a glorified layabout with zero potential, while Isabella clearly allowed herself to be influenced by the two of you, completely passing me over as her lady royal when I actually did try to make a name for myself!

"W-Well! I will say one thing about all of this, and that is while I may never again see the direct light of day for my supposed crimes, at least I'm not presently ruling over the underworld, six feet under! I'm still alive, aren't I, and you can't stand that! I still have my pride, a-and my dignity, and many other secrets which I will never, ever tell! Do you hear me? And you, 'dear sister,' I will see rot before Delancy, nor I ever forgive you for having cast us both aside!"

Alexandra felt her entire body go completely numb as the dreary dungeon was suddenly drowning within the piercing, and gut wrenching harangue of an obvious madwoman, at the same time that the alarmed footsteps of the palace guards swiftly descended onto the scene.

"Get her out of my sight! Now!" Nikole bellowed as she pointed her still well manicured finger toward a wobbly backing away Alexandra, the older woman's take charge and commanding presence evidently still very much within effect as two of the three returned guardsmen swiftly did as they were told and ran to Alexandra's side in order to escort her out.

"A-Are you all right, Headmistress Privet? What happened?" the middle aged redhead, Steadson, did at least immediately question within obvious concern as he gently seized the mute brunette by the back of her left elbow, while his fellow companion on the other side of him, Winston, quickly began to lead the way back out of the dimly lit dungeon.

The remaining guardsman, Cedric, wisely kept a safe distance away from Nikole's cell as he did his absolute best to verbally subdue the still, incredibly fuming older woman.

"I-I . . . I-I. . . ." was all Alexandra could muster within response, her mouth incredibly dry and throat made of deadly fire as she struggled to reclaim her completely shattered emotions.

Even as she was thankfully being led away from Nikole, aswellas her potential wrath, it was all she could do to keep from wanting to honestly purge.

She had remained within the same living quarters as that woman, honestly for majority of both their lives, first within their home country of Urien, and then later within the kingdom of Gardania.

And even knowing how much of an honest handful and . . . not truly likable as she had always been, never, not even once did Alexandra ever imagine that Nikole could have been so cunning, nor capable of snuffing out another person's life . . . least of all their own relation.

In all that time, she'd been cohabiting with a murderer, and worse yet, one who clearly possessed such an intense hatred toward her.

It was far too frightening to further contemplate; however, Alexandra's mind couldn't help but wonder, had Nikole not accidentally slipped up the way that she finally had, would she had simply bidden her time once again, before then waiting for the right opportunity to not only do away with Blair, once and for all . . . but also Alexandra, herself?

Were the two still in danger?

Alexandra struggled tremendously to quiet her mind as both Steadson, and Winston thankfully escorted her from out of the cheerless dungeon, and back onto the ground level of the far more welcoming, and brightly lit palace halls.

She truly had believed that meeting with Nikole and confronting her transgressions would have been a step within the right direction, as she continued along her path toward redemption.

That perhaps it could have inspired her sister to one day do the very same.

Now, however, Alexandra found herself left with far more unanswered questions than before . . . as she honestly began to wonder if the dismissive behavior she had adopted toward Delancy throughout the years was not the very same attitude which had helped create the monstrosity which Nikole had clearly become. . . .

Was the now obvious hurt and neglect she'd implanted into Nikole on the same level as Delancy's?

And, if so, was it already too late for the young girl to ever find it within herself to forgive Alexandra, like Nikole had essentially alluded to it being?

. . . . Would Alexandra ever have the proper chance of regaining the remainder of her family back, or would she forever remain barred within the heart wrenching prison which she had created for herself?

- End of Chapter Three

(A.N. "Find out next week, on an all new episode of 'Dragonball: Z!'" ….Sorry, couldn't resist, since that ending, with all of Alexandra's inner questions, had reminded me of the dub's narrator rattling off a million, lingering questions like that at the end of each episode. LoL

ANYWAY! ….I honestly hate this chapter, but at least it's finally out and behind me. Well, I DID enjoy writing Alex and Nikole's mutual confrontation, though, as that whole scene made me think of crazy Azula from 'Avatar: the Last Airbender,' coupled with equally crazy Nerissa from the animated version of 'W.I.T.C.H.' - Especially the moment I had Nikole say 'You have no idea what they meant to me.' Oh, yeah. Just saw old ass Nerissa saying the very same to Hay Lin back in season 2, when asked about having killed Cassidy, blah blah. :) I mean, not 'blah blah,' I don't care, just 'blah blah,' I'm sure no one who's read this chapter, or is reading this story in general, is even aware of WITCH...or maybe just doesn't remember that particular episode.

Sooo...yeah! :D

They really DO apologize a lot, don't they? Emotional wrecks, both Blair and Delancy are, poor things. =p And yep, I know that, technically speaking, Blair hasn't ACTUALLY really emoted yet, in terms of her own feelings toward the crappy chaos, but...maybe she just has a higher threshold than Delancy? Hmmmmmm... HeHe

While I generally have never been a fan of the whole, "Look! She has a special, almost human, if not actually CAN speak pet!" within the Barbie movies I'd watched, within whatever 'generation' that had been when they were still actually WORTH watching, I will TRY my very best to continue to include Prince here and there within future chapters...damn it. LoL

I mean, he was cute and all in the movie, I guess, but even if it had been an even cuter kitty, instead, I still probably would've been every bit as 'Meh' as I originally was when I first saw the film...Although I WILL also continue to point out, here and there, that he really IS an old ass dog, like... LoL I mean, since the movie showed his 'puppy portrait,' and all that had been seventeen years ago.

My precious Bombay, Ollie will be thirteen-years-old in December, and although he, too, still behaves like a kitten, himself...he's still an 'old ass cat.' Even his formerly jet black whiskers had turned white last year, for God's sake...

Just sayin'. LoL Mini, unexpected 'Pet Rant' over, now. LOVE YOU, OLLIE-WOLLIE! :p

But, uh...yeah! There it was, finally, sorry again, chapter three! UGH, there I go, now, apologizing again. Wahhhh...LoL

HOPEFULLY, the next chapter will be out a LOT sooner than eight years. :p No, it will be, trust, as this particular one, again, had just been rather stubborn for me originally at the time, then life continued getting in the way, yadda yadda, and here we are.

Either way, see you MUCH sooner, My Lovelies, and hope you all enjoyed/reviewed! =) )