Chapter 2: A Royal Banquet

The ballroom was filled with music and shattering as royals and nobles were dancing. They had come from all over the magical dimension to celebrate the Dominican Princess' 14th birthday. She was loved by her people for her kindness and poise. She might look more like her father with his brown eyes but she took after her mother in her personality.

The girl was standing beside her parents when a thrown appeared on her father's face. Oritel spotted his brother for the first time in 14 years. He had disappeared on the day of Daphne's birth. Now he was walking into the middle of the dance floor, a girl Daphne's age trailing behind him.

Everyone had stopped dancing and gathered around him, The entire royal family made their way through the crowd to face him.

"Brother," Lawrance said as he bowed. "I have realized a big problem. Our daughters..." Everyone turned to look at the girls and Daphne stepped closer to her mother, who put a protective arm around her as she glared at the man. He had never come with anything good. "They seem to have been switched at birth," A gasp ran through the crowd as people started to whisper.

Oritel crossed his arms. "Why would you possibly come up with such a ridiculous idea," Oritel was fuming. He did not have time for his brother and his games. Especially when it involved his daughter. How dare he come in and insult his daughter in such a form.

"Brother please," Lawrance put up a pitiful face. Making the crowd feel bad for him. "See for yourself." He pushed B into the center. The girl gasped as all eyes turned to her and she realized this was the moment they had practised for. "B show the king and Queen what you showed me,"

She closed her eyes and called for the dragon inside of her. When she opened her eyes again, her eyes were a beautiful golden, and before anyone could say anything. A golden dragon surrounded her. She let it go upwards and disappear after having it high enough so everyone had seen it, just as trained. She smiled as she realized that she succeeded without burning herself this time.

Her uncle had said that her parents would be overjoyed to see her after that however their horrified looks turned her smile into a thrown. Had she done something wrong? The girl glanced back at her uncle who looked with sorrow at his brother.

"Kindly grant my family and I the privilege of privacy. We express our gratitude in advance." Marion spoke and turned to the public. She needed their family drama out of everyone's eyes. This had already become a big scandal.

Oritel led the entire group to his office. Consisting of Himself and his wife as well as their daughter. His parents, Marion's father, and her brother. As well as Lawrance and the girl.

Daniel, who was Marion's older brother had stood between his sister's family and the intruders. Not wanting them anywhere near his family.

"Don't you think we can see this for what it is?" Oritel had spoken. "If this now is true. Don't you think we realize you did this to get closer to the crown?"

B had shrunken down in fear. While Oritel's stern eyes were not directed at her, he did glance at her once in a while and they did not soften. As well as Marion was holding her arms around Daphne. Almost shielding her from herself and her uncle. She meant no harm, she just wanted her parents and sister. However, they were looking at her with such displeasure. They all did. She wanted nothing more than to go back home and hide under her sheets.

"Brother," Lawrance had put a hand at his heart. "I assure you, I am just as surprised as you are. I am not intending to steal Daphne from you." He looked at the girl and smiled softly. Causing the young blond to relax. "I simply want to opportunity to know you. Even if it is as an uncle,"

Daphne softly smiled back at him. She felt bad for him. He must have felt as upside down as she did now.

"I am afraid you are going to have to leave," Oritel spat. He did not want the man there, close to his family. Not after all he had done. "I do not want you in my home,"

"However the girl stays," Regina spoke. She was the first to even acknowledge her. "In light of her parentage as the biological offspring of Oritel and Marion, she possesses the rightful claim to the throne. Therefore, it is essential for her to remain present in this place." She clarified.

Maximus took a look at his so-called granddaughter and realized that there was no way she was not Marion's daughter. She looked like someone had copied and pasted Marion's younger self but added blue eyes to the mix.

"Well then." Lawrence sighed in sadness. He turned to the now worried child and bent down to her level. "I promise to come and see you as soon as I'm allowed. Please behave for your parents and grandparents." He gave her a fast hug. She'd been shocked to receive it seeing as he never gave her affection. She had been happy to finally go live with her birth parents however she had drastically changed her mind. These people hated her. It was clear.

An awkward silence overtook the room as the man left. B wanted the world to swallow her.

"Well, I think you guys should take a minute to talk. Max spoke and put a hand on his son's shoulder. Looking over to his daughter's parents-in-law who also nodded.

"We will go and continue the ball. Take all the time you need." The former king chimed in as he wrapped his arm around his wife. leading her out with him. Knowing fully well that she wanted to be in the conversation. However, he knew by the terrified eyes of the girl that they needed to give her some time before Regina got on her.

As the door closed once again Marion and Daphne made their way over to the coutches. Two couches were standing towards each other with a table between them. Oritel put a hand on Bloom's back and took her there. She carefully sat down on the other one. She did not dare to sit beside them.

As Oritel finally went over, he sat on the other side of Daphne and took her hand. "Are you okay?" He whispered. Receiving a small smile and nod.

B felt like she was looking in on a family from the outside. One she was not part of. She was in the wrong place, with the wrong people.

The girl decided to ignore the rules and put her feet up. Hugging her legs, she no longer cared to impress the people before her. She just wanted some comfort and this was doing it.

Marion looked from Daphne to the other couch. The sight broke her heart. She looked so tiny and broken. All alone in the big space. Marion wondered how her life had been. What was her favorite food? Favorite color? Was she scared of the dark? Daphne pulled at her and the woman looked down into her daughter's beautiful brown eyes. Daphne only smiled and nodded towards B. Telling her mother that it was okay.

Marion squeezed her hand as a thank you. She was always so surprised by Daphne's maturity. She stood up and walked over to B's side. The girl looked up at her in surprise. Marion knew that the two girls were extremely close in age however the biggest difference she found was their since. Daphne was tall for her age and had already gone through puberty. However, B was tiny and petite. She almost wanted to pick the girl up and carry her on her hip.

The red-haired woman sat down next to her and carefully took her hand. She had a whole other daughter she had not known. Setting aside all the political problems, she was thrilled and heartbroken at the same time. Marion took her hand into her own and ran a hand over her hair. "Welcome to the family, sweetheart."

B's eyes widened. It was not at all what she thought she would be met with. Pure relief filled her. "Thanks," She whispered back. Smiling slightly at her mother.

"May I inquire about your name?" Marion spoke as she looked at the girl who shifted uncomfortably.

He addressed me as "B" when he called for me," She said. She did not want to say her uncle's name. Seeing as the family seemed to be displeased with him. It was not exactly helping her case that she was with him.

"Just B?" Oritel raced a brow and gave Marion a look. They were judging her, she knew they would. Daphne had raced a brow and given her a weird look. B only looked at her lap in shame. She did not even have a name. The constant reminder that she had none in this world.

"It appears that we will have to find a suitable name for you. Until then is B okay?"

The girl nodded. She supposed it had been too much to ask for to receive it right at that second. She'd waited for 14 years, she could wait some more.

Oritel held an arm around Daphne as he watched his wife with the girl. They looked so alike to the point that it was almost alarming. He felt bad for it but he could not trust this girl. She'd been raced for 14 years by his brother to infiltrate the crown. He could see Marion too was keeping her distance. Even though his loving wife was so open with people. However, Daphne was at the front lines here.

"What is going to happen to my coronation?" Daphne spoke after some time of silence.

Marion and Oritel looked at each other. Daphne was supposed to be crowned crown princess. However there was no question that B was their actual daughter, and that meant that Daphne did not have any claim, not even as a cousin seeing as her biological father who connected her to the crown was turned away. They needed to officially adopt her for her to become a princess again, however, she would still never reach the throne - even if B was not in the way.

"Daphne," Oritel put a hand. "I'm sorry my love. But B is the one that will be crowned crown princess,"

"What?" Daphne stood in shock. She'd been preparing for this her entire life. Instead of playing like other kids, she put in extra effort to be the best possible queen one day. "I have been preparing for this my entire life! That's not fair," Daphne started to cry. Marion walked over to take her in for a hug however the girl turned away and walked out the door. The red-haired woman had followed after.

"Come on," Oritel stood up and B did as well, going after him till they found the head maid. "Rosalinda. Would you find B a secure guest room... from anyone seeking in," He had tried not to speak ill however he was worried Lawrance would find a way to contact her.

"Of course your majesty," The head maid bowed.

Oritel turned to B who was looking down at the ground. It made him feel guilty. He recognized that she was just a child in this mess. Conducting or not, still a child. "B. We will come to see you as soon as we have figured everything out. Excuse me," The man spoke. He needed to check on Daphne and Marion and then figure out how to proceed. He'd need to get legal custody of both girls as fast as possible. Then he would have to handle their titles.

"My lady, please follow me." The head maid was tall sturn. She looked down at B in a way she was sure was ill-intended. B was led past a couple of nice halls and into a darker part of the castle. Rosalinda knew the king meant for her to just set up two protective guards outside her room. But she would claim ignorance, that she miss heard. She needed to stand on the side of the princess she helped race. And so she needed to show this little girl that she was not welcome.

B walked after the woman until they came to a door at the very far end. The door was opened by the maid and B glanced inside the dark room. After the head maid pressed the light switch a barely working light turned on. Letting her see the outline of a bed, a toilet, and a sink. The walls and floor were cold gray marble. This room was close to that of a prisoner. She had heard the instructions her father gave. And she was sure this was not what he meant.

"A maid will come with your meals and help you change tonight. Before she knew it. The large door was shut and bolted. If there was something she hated, it was being all alone and stuck. Tears of frustration flew free as she made her way over to the old fireplace. She tried her hardest to start a fire and after several tries, she finally succeeded. The girl crept down beside it and freed the stuffie she'd hidden under her dress. Holding it close to herself while she lay down beside the fire, attempting to keep the warmth.

The day turned to night and Oritel finally closed the book before him. His wife sat next to him. Her hands were on her forehead as she filled out applications. They had managed to gain custody in only a couple of hours. They did have good contacts after all. Now they were searching for evidence to imprison Lawrance however they were coming up short.

"Okay, how about this? Matilda?" He spoke but frowned when he said it. It just did not suit her. "Denise?" He continued to rabble name until he finally gave up and slunk back. "Who knew coming up with a name for a 14-year-old girl would be so much harder,"

"Bloom," Marion whispered.

"What?"

"Bloom Elena Sparks," Marion spoke again. This time with confidence. Elena was her deceased mother who had been brutally murdered to protect her two children from a drunk driver.

Oritel took his wife's hand and pulled her closer. kissing her lovingly on the head. "I think it's beautiful." He lifted her chin and the woman's eyes widened as she looked at Oritel's brow eyes. So filled with love and admiration. "I love you."

Marion's heart swelled and her cheeks flushed pink. He told her every day, however, it never failed to make her stomach fill with butterflies. "I love you too." She spoke. Leaning into his chest. She pulled away suddenly and looked at her husband. "I don't like how we left it with B...well Bloom,"

"neither do I. We should have handled it better but I'm not sure how to. We need to make sure this is not some setup. Even if she is unaware, he could still be using her." Oritel's face twisted at the thought. To use a child in such a way was simply unimaginable. As if it was not bad enough, this was their child.

"Let's go check on her," Marion said. However, Oritel pulled her towards him.

"She is probably sleeping, love." He did not want to disturb her anymore. After all, she'd had quite the day and a good night's sleep was needed.

"She might be. Or she's awake and worried, I just want to see. I..." Marion stopped herself. She was about to call herself a bad mother and she knew her husband would not stand for that. "I need to do right by her."

"Okay, I'll go with you."