The Royal Family
1960:
7 months later after the SSR incident, a party was made to honor the former king and queen, Eugene and Edna. They requested that their granddaughter, Ophelia would perform for their party.
"Hmmmm…. What song should I sing?" she turned to her assistant, Annie the koala.
"What about "Home sweet home"?"
"No, it's too short, maybe "I wanna spend the rest of my life with you"?
"Uhhh, I'll be honest, I don't know all the lyrics"
"But that's the newest hit song?! Everybody's been tuning it"
"Yeah, not my cup of tea….." then an idea popped in her mind. "How about "I say a little prayer for you*) the princess jumped towards her.
"Never heard of that song. Who sang it?" the short koala moved her glasses.
"By yours truly, me! I'll write the song!"
"What?! But Ophelia, the party is in three days. How will you be able to-"
"Awww Annie don't you trust me? I got it. They'll be so impressed, even mama and papa will be so proud of me" the cat began to write down her lyrics.
The party was about to begin, it was held in an underground dining room where folks would play music and hear performances back in the day. This was Eugene's favorite place as a young king. Now they couldn't wait to hear their granddaughter perform her first single hit in front of tv.
"How do I look Annie?" the tomboyish princess turned around towards.
"Hmm… the dress is good, I wish they did a better job doing your make-up. Well, everything looks swell! Now go out their and get 'em buddy-o!" Annie smiled.
Everyone was sitting at the table with their cups in hand and plates emptied. The former king and queen was sitting by themselves in a throne which was prepared for them.
"My, my I hope our granddaughter will impress us" Edna looked to her husband.
"Of course! I have confidence that she'll impress everyone on television" Eugene replied.
And of course! The princess came out as fabulous as every. The people were cheering and whistling for her. Her appearance brighten up the room which brought such joy to the grandparents.
"Thank you folks. I give this gift to my grandparents who struggled to keep the community for you all safe and sacrifice all they had to help those who couldn't save them." Princess Ophelia spoke on the microphone. "And I now present to you, the song I will sing called "I say a little prayer for you".
The band got together up front along with the back-up singers.
(I say a little prayer for you)
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
I say a little (prayer for you)
And while I'm combing my hair now
And wondering what dress to wear now (wear now)
I say a little (prayer for you)
[Chorus]
(Forever) Forever (and ever) yeah
(You'll stay in my heart and I will love you)
(Forever) Forever (and ever) ever
(We never will part, oh, how I love you)
(Together) Together (together) together
(That's how it must be to live without you)
(Would only mean heartbreak for me)
Tears were coming down people's face and her grandparents were touched at heart with their granddaughter's voice. Very angelic-like, very smooth. As she closed the song, people sat up and clapped, whistled, and threw roses. The host was so impressed he called record companies to see if they can hold openings for the princess. Ophelia ran to the back of the curtains.
"Ophelia! You did wonderful!" Annie hugged her.
"I couldn't have done it without you or the rest of the band's help" Ophelia looked at her.
"Ophelia!" someone shouted.
She turned to see Willem III and his siblings.
"Willem! You guys got to go in?"
"Uh, yeah! I'm your friend remember?"
"Well, yeah she's my friend too" Annie pulled the teenage cat near her.
"I'm just glad you're all here" Ophelia jumped up and hugged everyone.
One of Willem's siblings asked where their mother and father was? He just gave a shrug.
Success! Nothing but success is the description of how that performance brought out. So many people loved it that it was recorded and played everywhere. SMR (Solace Music Records) asked if Ophelia would join their company and she accepted. Her first album was even more successful with the included song, I say a little prayer for you. Throughout the sixties, she made #1-4 hit charts with albums like;
Hey Ophelia! (1960)
Eye to Eye (1964)
Parliament of Fools (1967)
Longtime Favorites (1969)
Things were going swell with Ophelia and her life. She was now in her 20's, began dating her best friend Willem III and kept company with her friends and family. Fans adored her and she couldn't be more happy. But it was until then she met someone who she regretted meeting. Her and Willem were walking down the city at nighttime.
"I… I have something I wanted to say to you Ophelia" he looked down.
"What is on your mind Willem?" she looked at him.
"*Sign* I kept it in much more longer than I should have but…. I-I love you".
"... Willem! I-I don't know what to say…. I love you too, here" then she kissed him.
"I really love you girl, your independence, cheerfulness I love it! It's like I want to marry you".
"Yes" she looked straight at him.
"Wait! What?"
"Yes, I'll marry you. You're the only one I have had my eyes on. So yes, I'll marry you".
"But-but I didn't even proposed to you! Let alone give you a ring-".
"I know, but I care about you weather ring or no ring" she folded her arms.
"Can I at least introduce you to my family?"
"Of course! Let's go now".
"Sheesh Ophelia! Why are you in a rush to get married?" she smiled at her.
"Okay well I won't take you to the car show next week"
"Okay, okay dang!".
The two couples went inside his house and sat on the couch.
"Here, I'll get everybody so you can meet them" he jumped up and left into another room.
"He's so kind and loving. His family must be so as well" she started to daydream.
6 minutes passed by and suddenly she felt an unsettling fear in her heart. Then out of nowhere, the family appeared. He had his three sisters, two brothers, and his parents. The first thing she notice was the mother's annoyed expression on her face. And gave the princess a negative vibe from the very start. The whole family introduced themselves and as soon as the looked at their mother, she huffed and went into the other room.
"Please excuse us princess, she's just having a bad day" Willem's father turned to her with nervousness.
"Sorry, my mother can be like this"
"Dang it! I said I would marry him" the princess thought to herself "ugh! I can't back out now". She stood up with a smile and said "It's okay we all have bad days".
It made Ophelia rethink everything. She just made a vow to her childhood best friend that she would marry him no matter what! But she reasoned with her heart and kept that vow. It was not easy, the mother was soon to be a mother-in-law which she expressed favored toward everyone and was "nice" towards her future daughter-in-law. But as soon as the two were alone, she would be outright rude and mistreat her in the most sadistic ways. Ophelia came home crying because of it.
"*jumps on bed**cries*"
"What's the matter your highness?" Annie said while holding a laundry basket.
"Ugh! I wish I never opened my mouth" she said.
"Why?"
"Cause Willem's mother is a piece of trash who hides who she is" she kept sobbing.
"Ophelia! Come here! We have some news for you" the current king and queen called.
"What now?" she picked herself up. "I'll tell you later".
"Ophelia!"
The princess was coming down the stairs and into her parent's throne. She began to bow with one knee on the floor and her head down all the way.
"What is it, father, mother?" she looked up.
"Well since you are getting married, We decided since you can hold down your own ground that-that. You two can become the next king and queen!" Queen Anastasia smiled.
"*Gasp!* No!" she yelled.
"WHAT?!" the two jumped out of their seats.
"I-I-I me-mean I just gotta give this new position a thought" she forced herself to smile.
"Uhhh, yeah" her mother frowned
"Yeah, please give this a thought. Child, this is more than responsibility. There are people with lives on their hands, the Board of Members will look carefully at what you two will be doing" King Alfred told her.
"Yes-yes father! I-I will take a look into it" she said while turning away with fear.
"You shouldn't have scared her!" The Queen looked angrily at her husband.
"You're the one who put her into that position" he talked back.
The princess yet again slammed the door and said to herself;
"Why now? Get married then become queen? What am I going to do? I can't back out now! If I become queen, I'll lose my chance at being a famous singer….*Cries*".
Annie came in and hugged her.
"You'll be a great queen Ophelia, I know it! It may cost you your singing career, but you'll be carrying out the duty of your generation. And helping the Koala community will make you stronger".
"You think so?" she said while wiping her tears.
"Yes girl! Now let me help you with your wedding planning" the servant pushed her glasses up.
Whew! Late again, sorry just been busy. But next chapter will get even more interesting. And you'll meet a villain we all heard from and a new character. (*Also, love and respect to Aretha Franklin, a legend she is! She will be missed)