A.N: Expect one of these in every chapter. I like them. Anyhow, 1st person switch. I'll try to keep it clear when I switch narrators. Also, please review people. If there are typos, I appologise. I have a commentary to finish which means I didn't have a lot of time to proofread. i will probably come back later.
I walked over to my spot at the long dining table with a wink at my nephews and an apologetic smile at my sister. She hates it when I'm late. Therefore I don't think I'll tell her that I WAS actually here on time for once…Well, sort of. I just made it in through the doors before they closed
However, a nasty rumour had gone around that dear, sweet (and incredibly naive) King Conrad had not invited the "Dark Lady" Malicia to the party. As you've read already, that was a bad idea (yes it is rather contrary to common sense isn't it?). The reason WHY this is such a stupid move is because of the witch's record. Malicia had made several attempts to conquer the kingdom and had been foiled each time. The last time she had been captured the M.L.E (Magical Law Enforcement) had put the restriction on her that she was not to go near the palace unless properly provoked. They even gave her a list. Sadly, among that list (on her specific request) was not being invited to a naming of a newborn Royal. So you see, I'm pretty ticked with my dear Brother in Law at the moment because I know for a fact that Lucinda (Me and Ella's Godmother) GAVE him a copy of the list! Besides, if he'd just sent the damn invitation she would have taken one look at the envelope, thrown it in the fire and promptly forgotten about it. That's how all these villains work. They're such drama queens. Invite them to a party and they ditch you, but forget their name and suddenly they are dying to come. Lucinda knows this fact as well as we in the hero-business do.
In fact, it was her idea to stay in the shadows for a few minutes until most of the fairies had given their gifts. (That's another "tradition" that I don't really like, but we can talk about that later.)
After everybody had returned to their seats the ceremony resumed. Lucinda stepped forward with a nod toward the royal couple and then said with a smile
"Seeing as my magic won't be required to reverse or lessen an evil curse…I present the gift of a sharp and keen mind upon the young princess." Ella and Conrad thanked her cordially for her gift, although there were disconcerted murmurings throughout the crowd. I however, openly clapped along with the fairies and rolled my eyes at the attitude of many of the guests. So what if the gift was "unconventional"? It was certainly more useful than some of the other stuff! I mean come on, apart from a concert hall, where exactly is the 'Voice of an Angel' going to take the little kid? Thanks to her Royal status, it isn't as though she can go into a career in music!
From my spot near the Royal couple I was seated next to Derrick, I guess you could say he's my boyfriend. We've been "together" on and off, but going pretty steady again for a while now. We quickly hugged as I grinned
"Hello stranger." And he replied
"Now have I seen you somewhere before?"
Anyway, after the formalities were done the dancing and mingling began.
Sherry, Humphrey (my partners) and I made our way over to the Royal family to say 'hello' and 'how has the kingdom been' and all that jazz. When we were about halfway there, there was a cry of "Auntie Chrissie!" just as two blurs of colour ploughed into me.
"Hello to you two!" I wheezed as I tried to disentangle myself from my nephews. "Well then, let's have a look at you." Conrad jr. and Ricky grinned up at me and stood at mock attention. I sighed.
"Well, look's like I'm shrinking again!" I said exasperatedly before swooping them into a bear-hug. After saying hello to my nephews I turned to my sister and gave her a hug and shook Conrad Sr's hand and began chatting and catching up.
We were having a very nice conversation when Humphrey appeared at my elbow and hissed up to me
"A.S.B.D #1 at 12 o' sundial"
"What?!" I squeaked and looked around. Sure enough, there she was. Upon seeing the detestable creature I hissed a curse in a foreign tongue before diving behind the large potted shrub shaped like a giant swan and crouched there, peeking through the legs. Humphrey did the same.
"Where's Sherry when you need her?" We mumbled in unison. Ella looked down at me with an expression of utter confusion.
"What's an A.S.B.D?"
"An annoying, spoiled, bit-" I clamped my hand over my partner's mouth before he could swear in front of the kids. That wasn't actually what the 'B' stood for either (As if I'd insult my own dog with comparison to those ninnies!)
"It stands for 'Annoying Spoiled-rotten, Bratty Damsel-in-distress." I said, eyeing the "princess" in question warily. I wondered how I could avoid her without it being too obvious. (Not that I'D care if it was obvious, but my dear sister would be embarrassed)
'Why would you need Sher-Sher Auntie?" Rick asked in that cute little 2-year-old whisper. The boys were crouching with us thinking this was a jolly good game.
"We want 'Sher-Sher' because she's good at scarin' the brat away!" Humphrey told them. Unfortunately though, it looked as if SHE was headed towards my sister to talk with her.
In case you are wondering, 'She' in this case means a girl named Blance de Niege. Translate the name into 'common tongue'- White Snow. Common-tongue Grammar: Snow White. Humphrey and I saved her from a rockslide once, and have since lived to regret it! That little brat is the most ungrateful, unprincipled, selfish, spoiled, no-good, rotten, lying (okay you get it. I don't like her) self-absorbed little diva on the planet!
"Why hello there you're Majesty!" she simpered
"Greetings Mistress Neige." Ella replied cordially. "How are you doing?" She clearly had more patience than I did.
"OH, I'm doing marvellously! Henry and I are all set for our coronation! You will be attending won't you?" Oh god, poor little Ella. My sister smiled, though I could tell it was a strained smile.
"Of course." She managed to get out. "However, if it is soon, we will not be able to say for very long. My little daughter is still quite delicate and I do not wish to be apart from her for too long in case she should need her mother."
"Oh but you could just hand her off to one of the nannies. After all, you have more important social duties to attend to."
Over in my hiding spot with Humphrey I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing
"Unnn nnnnnh! She's in for it now!" I somehow managed to giggle. You see Ella takes her motherhood VERY seriously. In fact, if it came down to a choice between ANYTHING and her children, I think even her dear Conrad and I would be in for a run for his money!
"I do not know what your priorities are." She said icily, "But for Conrad and me, our children, our Heirs, always come before parties." And with that she turned and stalked off toward the golden crib where her newborn had started to cry.
Meanwhile my partner and I deemed it safe to get to our feet and return to the festivities (that and apparently my friend has a very tiny bladder and had to "go") However, at that precise moment the ground began to shake and I heard a shrill scream (probably from that primping ninny, Blanche) and whipped around, sword already unsheathed and ready to fight again when suddenly… … … … …
