Summary: What if Maria and Lorena found out what Aurelia did to Gwen?

Gwen beamed, waving at her sisters. She walked through the hall of the Pastel Palace, adjusting her bag.

"Hello, Gwen!" Maria greeted. "How was school?"

"It was wonderful," Gwen replied.

"Awesome!" Lorena cheered, clapping. "Tell us all about it!"

Lorena put her arm around Gwen, leading her and Maria upstairs. Gwen stepped ahead, reaching her room. Her critters were sitting on her dresser, watching her every move.

"Hello, Mr Possum," she greeted, adjusting her bag once more. A piece of paper fell out.

"Oh, Gwen!" Maria came in. "You dropped…"

Her eyes widened as she read the paper.

You seriously think this will make you beautiful? Stop wasting time, Gwen. I can give you what you're looking for.

"What the…" she trailed off. "Gwen, who sent you this awful message?!"

"Huh?" Gwen turned around. Her eyes widened once she saw the paper. "Oh, that…! Don't worry about that." She smiled, nervously. "It was… um, a misunderstanding."

Gwen wanted to face-palm.

Oh no, I forgot to throw those silly letters away… she thought.

"A misunderstanding?" Maria raised her brow.

"What's going on?" Lorena walked in.

Maria showed her the message.

"What the heck is this?!" Lorena demanded.

"Guys, really, it's okay," Gwen waved her hands.

"Gwen, are you being bullied?" Maria asked.

"No, of course not!" Gwen assured her sisters. "Like I said, it was a misunderstanding."

"Oh, Gwen…" Maria sighed, placing her hands on her sister's shoulders. "If someone is bothering you, please don't be afraid to tell us."

"Yeah!" Lorena held up her fists. "I'll sick 'em!"

Gwen smiled. "Thank you, but… it's okay. It's already been dealt with, so you don't need to worry about it."

Maria and Lorena side-eyed each other. Maria breathed out, slowly.

"Well… if you say so," she told Gwen. "But like I said… don't be afraid to talk to us about anything, okay?"

"No one bullies my little sister and gets away with it!" Lorena agreed.

Gwen nodded. "Thank you."

As Maria and Lorena left Gwen's room, they eyed each other.

"I can't believe someone would want to send such awful messages to Gwen," Maria huffed. "Clearly, they don't know a thing about her!"

"Tell me about it," Lorena crossed her arms. "Well, Gwen said it's all been dealt with, right?"

"She seemed nervous," Maria admitted. "I'm not saying I don't believe her, but…"

"Well, we met some of the girls from her school at that dinner party," Lorena replied. "Maybe they know something."

Maria nodded. "You're right…"

Princess Aurelia of the Gilded Kingdom was having a bad day, as per usual.

She groaned, rolling around on her bed. Every day was a royal pain thanks to her intrusive stepfather and enabling mother.

She grimaced at the queen's diary she had stolen from the Pastel Palace; it hid under her bed. A sickness brewed in her stomach.

UGLY HIDEOUS FREAK-

There was a knock on the door. "Aurelia?"

"What." Aurelia snapped.

Her mother came in, smiling at her.

"You've been in your room all day, dear," she sighed. "Come out and have lunch with your father and I!"

"Ronald is NOT my father," Aurelia rebutted.

"Oh, Aurelia, we've talked about this," her mother crossed her arms. "Ronald has apologised so many times for that accursed necklace. We're working every day to find a cu-"

"It's not just that!" Aurelia cried. "You're acting like Dad never even existed!"

The queen put a hand on her heart. "Aurelia…"

"Just leave me alone," Aurelia snapped, putting her pillow over her head.

The queen breathed out, deeply. She closed the bedroom door, leaving her daughter alone once more. Aurelia sobbed into her pillow, clenching her gilded blanket between her fists.

She gazed at the diary once more. She swore she felt the spirit of Queen Lilyth herself, glaring down at her.

Ugh, I can't stay here anymore, she groaned. I'm going to the club.

Syrah winked, taking a sip of her coffee. She leaned back in her chair, swishing her long ponytail over her shoulder. She eyed the guy opposite her. His cheeks flushed, he tilted his head to the side.

"So, you from 'round here?" he asked.

"Well, I do have quite a few friends who live in the area," she said.

"Friends, hmm?" the guy asked. "Are any of them, men, per say?"

Syrah looked off to the side. "So what if they were? I like my men."

The guy glowered at her. "You're not gonna cheat on me, are you?"

Syrah bit her lip. "Well…"

"Excuse me!"

Syrah looked up; a pastel guard was standing before her, sweating all over.

"Princess Maria of the Pastel Kingdom wants to speak to you!" he shouted. "Don't keep her waiting!"

Syrah looked over. A beautiful blonde princess dressed in blue was standing behind the guard. She waved at Syrah.

Oh, it's one of Gwen's sisters! Syrah thought. What does she want…?

"Whoa mama," the guy's eyes went wide. "Forget your ugly ass, I want her!"

"You can have this instead," Syrah knocked over his drink, causing it to spill all over him. She walked over to Maria, giving her a friendly beam.

"Maria, wasn't it?" she asked. "Gwen's big sister."

Maria nodded. "And you're… Princess Syrah?"

"Looking right at her," Syrah winked. "What do you need?"

"Sorry to interrupt your date," Maria sweat-beaded, "I'm just glad I found someone from Gwen's school!"

"Don't worry about it," Syrah waved it off. "I'm always in town with friends! No biggie."

"Well, Syrah, I wanted to show you something," Maria pulled out the cruel note from Gwen's bag. "Do you know who sent this to Gwen?"

Syrah's eyes widened. She gulped; she knew she couldn't lie, but she didn't want to stir up all of the drama again, either.

I'm gonna bet Gwen wouldn't want this to drag on, she thought. She's already forgiven Aurelia…

"Well…" she looked off to the side. "Yes, but…"

Her throat went dry. Maria was staring right at her.

"It's a long story," Syrah got out, "but it's all in the past now. So don't worry about it, okay?"

She was smiling; she'd been as honest as she could.

Maria frowned. "Gwen told me the same thing… well… if there's really nothing to worry about, then I'm glad it's been resolved." Her expression hardened. "But… still. I'd like to know who sent the message. Are they one of your friends that's always in town?"

Syrah bit her lip. Sometimes her curse was a real pain.

"Promise me you won't go and harass her?" Syrah asked.

Maria crossed her arms. "I just want to know the truth."

Syrah sighed. Sorry, Aurelia…

Aurelia grinned at Renée; she was glad to see her best friend once again.

The club, of course, was up to its usual shenanigans: Saffron was complaining, Syrah was lying, Monika had turned into a bird and was stealing stuff, and Prez was trying to get everyone to calm down.

"Things never change, huh?" Aurelia chuckled.

Renée just giggled, covering her stitched-up lips.

The two best friends sat down at a table, enjoying their morning tea. Any minute now, Prez would be going on one of her lectures, and Aurelia wanted to enjoy the peace while it lasted.

Aurelia sighed, leaning on her hand. Bags were under her eyes.

Renée held up her notepad. Are you feeling okay?

Aurelia grimaced. "Is it that obvious?" She looked away. "It's just the usual family stuff."

Renée patted her shoulder. There there. Don't worry about them, you're here now!

"True…" Aurelia smiled. "Thanks, Renée."

"Hey…"

The two looked up; Syrah was standing before them, a hand behind her head. She was sweating all over.

This can't be good, Aurelia grimaced.

She raised a brow. "What's up?"

Syrah kept sweating. "Just wanted to say sorry. In advance."

Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "… why?"

Syrah didn't respond, instead whistling innocently and walking away.

"Wha-" Aurelia stood up. "Syrah!"

Renée tilted her head. Just let her go. She's probably messing with you.

"I guess…" Aurelia agreed, but she still felt nervous. She thought of the diary once again; sickness brewed up.

Just give me a break…

She then noticed there was a letter by her feet. She raised her brow, picking up the sealed envelope. She opened it up.

You gotta head to the outside of the Pastel Palace in 'bout an hour. Pray for your life, girl…

-S

Aurelia made a face. What the heck, Syrah…

The Gilded Princess hugged herself; she'd been to the Pastel Palace only once before, but instead of being with the CPC, this time she was completely solo.

She grimaced, waiting by the palace's exterior. She'd managed to sneak by the guards, who were surprisingly incompetent. Then again, Aurelia was fairly used to sneaking around due to her own overprotective family.

She wondered why she'd been summoned. Did Gwen want something? Or was it something to do with that diary…

"… you're Aurelia?"

Aurelia swallowed, looking away. "Yes?"

They were here: Lorena and Maria, Gwen's elder sisters. They were the most beautiful people Aurelia had ever seen. And right now, they were also the most terrifying.

"Hey, you're the one that stuck up for us at Gwen's dinner party!" Lorena gasped.

"I can't believe it," Maria stepped forward. "I used to think you were so nice… that is until I learnt you sent this!"

She held out one of the cruel notes Aurelia had written to Gwen.

Aurelia sighed, bowing her head. "It's a long story."

"So you are bullying her!" Lorena cried.

Aurelia clenched her fists. She hardened her stare.

"Yeah," she said. "I was."

"Was?" Maria asked.

Aurelia baited her breath, staring at the grass. She thought of the diary - the diary that belonged to the mother of the Pastel Princesses, hidden in her bedroom.

UGLY HIDEOUS FREAK

It was poetic justice: first, she was haunted by the words of Gwen's mother, and now she had to face the wrath of her elder sisters. Her heart hurt; she was so connected to this family, holding many secrets.

"I messed up," Aurelia admitted. "When Gwen first joined the club - uh, college - I didn't think she belonged there."

"Why not?" Lorena asked.

Aurelia bit her tongue.

"She wasn't like the rest of us," she got out. "I thought I was defending myself and the cl- college by encouraging her to leave."

Maria and Lorena kept glaring at her.

"Defending yourself?!" Lorena snapped.

"It was for the school's sake," Aurelia insisted.

And my own, she thought.

"I don't understand why you think Gwen doesn't belong," Maria replied. "She's the most wonderful and beautiful princess you'd ever meet. Who could be more worthy of the Cosmopolitan Princess Conservatory?"

Aurelia looked away. The diary's words rang in her mind once again.

She's not cursed, she's just ugly!

"Fine, you wanna know the truth?!" Aurelia spun around. "I was jealous! Gwen has a wonderful supportive family like you two, everyone loves her, she's got everything she could ever want! And the worst part of it all?!" She breathed out. "SHE'S NOT EVEN CURSED!"

She panted, stepping back.

"What does being cursed have to do with anything?!" Lorena asked.

Aurelia covered her mouth. She turned away.

"You're right," she sighed. "I was wrong. It wasn't my place to say whether or not she belonged there. She forgave me, despite it all. Going to that dinner party made me realise that her life isn't as easy as I initially thought, either."

The pastel sisters gazed at each other.

"Is that why you stood up for us?" Maria asked. "You wanted to make it up to Gwen?"

"Well, kinda," Aurelia replied. "And… plus, I felt sorry for you guys. I know what it's like to have an overprotective father."

There was a silence between the princesses.

"I've already told Gwen, but…" Aurelia bowed her head. "I'm sorry."

What more could she say? The sisters gazed at each other once more.

And especially what your mother went through… Aurelia thought. I was such an idiot.

"Has Gwen truly forgiven you?" Maria asked.

"I hope so," Aurelia looked away. "… but I'm not sure I deserve it. It's difficult… once you realise you were wrong about her."

She swallowed. She swore this was her fate; the queen had heard her cruelty, and was taking revenge on the one who had so ruthlessly insulted her daughter.

"Either way," Aurelia stared at the sisters. "Gwen's lucky she's got family who cares about her so much. You're right… she's a lovely person. It's what she deserves."

She fiddled with her pearl necklace; the one Gwen had fixed up for her.

"If that's the case, then…!" Maria sighed. "I'm glad that you and Gwen have made up with each other."

"Aww, bummer," Lorena frowned. "I was looking forward to punching your lights out."

Aurelia stared at her.

"Just kidding!" Lorena giggled, then smirked. "Or was I…?"

"Well…" Aurelia turned away. "If we're done here, I'll be heading out."

"Wait, Aurelia!" Maria jumped up.

Aurelia stared at her.

"Thank you," Maria got out. "That was for standing up for us at the dinner. However…" Her glare hardened. "If you ever send Gwen anymore of those cruel messages…"

Lorena held up her fists.

"Message heard loud and clear," Aurelia told her. "Don't worry. I'm done with all that."

She turned away, walking off. Finally, ever so finally, Queen Lilyth would give her a little slice of respite.

"See ya," she waved.

Maria and Lorena waved, watching the Gilded Princess leave.

"She wasn't so bad," Lorena admitted.

"She does seem remorseful," Maria agreed. "Well, as long as she doesn't try anything else…"

"Um…?"

Lorena and Maria turned around. Gwen was standing there, concern on her face.

"Who were you two talking to?" she asked.

"Don't worry about it, Gwen," Maria told her.

"Let's go inside before Daddy gets mad!" Lorena agreed, putting her arms around her sisters.

And the three of them went back inside, Gwen wondering what in the heck her sisters were up to this time.

Bonus:

"So, why was there a princess from another kingdom here…?" Jamie asked Maria.

"She was possibly an old bully of Gwen, but we already dealt with it," she assured him.

Jamie raised a brow. "What?! I can't believe you didn't let me help out!"

Lorena shrugged. "Hey, well, if we ever run into anyone else like that, we'll tell you ASAP!"

The two shared a high-five, grinning. Maria just chuckled.

A/N: Aurelia my dearly beloved