Clary woke up looking a little worried and tired the next morning. Today it was her first test as the future Crown Princess of Idris: meeting the Queen Mother Imogen and Queen Consort Celine Herondale. For what her mother had told her, she was a cute and very nice person, but once you messed with her family, it went wrong for you. She got ready for school as quickly as her nerves let her, she went down to the kitchen and her parents were waiting for her there, like if she was a soldier about to leave to the war, ready for their last goodbye.
"You're nervous, honey?" Jocelyn asked leaving her waffles on the table, she sat down trying not to make a sound.
"A bit, is there else I need to know about them" She asked.
"Well, don't mention anything about King Marcus' affair, or the rumors about King Stephen" Luke started, Jocelyn nodded and continued.
"Don't say anything rude about the monarchy!"
"Make sure you tell them how much you love Idris" when her stepfather didn't wait a second to keep with his own advice, Clary knew she'd be drowned in a deep sea of words and risks.
"Let them know that you're excited and willing to do everything for your country and the royal family."
"Don't sigh, don't yawn and don't sneeze".
"Don't cough, don't sweat, sit straight, smile a lot."
"Tell them about your abilities and passions"
"Don't them her about your father… Unless she asks" her mother grimaced.
"Don't shiver!"
"And just be yourself, sweetie. Show them you have a precious soul and a heart full of love, tell them that you love your family and that you'll do anything for those you love, at the end you'll be happy because you were just honest" And just when Clary was about to faint from dizziness, Jocelyn ended caressing her cheek.
"I just hope they like me the way I am…" she confessed, she could try to look all perfect to her eyes, but truth would always come out to the surface and she would end up being nothing but her own self!
"Who couldn't love you the way you are?" They both kissed her con top of her head, she rolled her eyes playfully.
"Oh, and come straight home after school, we have to get your ready" he mother added, she said goodbye to them and headed to the Academy… alone, not sure of what to expect of the day… She'd have to talk to Simon soon, but she had already made a choice, and had to keep focused on it.
"This is ridiculous, mother! I don't even get to see her and you want me to marry her?" Jace protested, trying his best to stop his parents from making him marry that annoying, disrespectful and very redhead Mrs. Nobody, luckily his father wasn't there, or his scene wouldn't have gone as it was planned.
"Try to calm down, dear. It's not the end of the world." his grandma said looking as peaceful as always.
"With all respect, you don't understand, majesty!" He answered, making clear for everyone how truly troubled he felt, Celine made her son sit beside her.
"Of course she does, we all went through this, Jace. You have to know that we want the best for you" his mother loved him and she hated to see him so angry and worried all the time; he… didn't use to be like this… but it had been long since he had seemed calmed and pleased to her eyes.
"But, since when do you fulfill the wishes of plebeians? Shouldn't I be married to someone important? " He wanted to make a point, or rather give any excuse that would save him from being married off to someone that could munch on his perfect face if she was provoked! His mother sighed.
"Fulfilling the wishes of our people is what we are supposed to do, dear. And what could be better than to marry you than someone who actually is part of the people?" Imogen agreed, hoping he'd see the good side of things.
"But… I don't love her…" he whispered, his mother stared at him a little pained… and confused.
"You said you didn't know her!" she reminded him, Jace shook.
"Of course I don't know her, mother! That's why I cannot love her… and that makes it even worse!" Jace wanted his parents to understand his position. He was the crown prince, everyone knew that, but in the inside he was just another scared and rebel boy crying out for some comprehension and attention, things that no one ever gave to him.
"Is this all about that girl Aline?" Celine asked marking the ending point of her son's patience.
"Who?" his grandma said zoned out, she didn't know anything about her grandson's ex girlfriend.
"No, mother! This isn't about that girl, or any other girl! This is about my life!" he exploded.
"We know that, Jonathan. But perhaps unfortunately for you, your life is the life of a Crown Prince, and given that tittle you have to be willing to sacrifice some things for the well of your country!" she answered with the same exasperate tone.
"Pardon the interruption, my Queen. We have an incoming call from England" said Lady Amatis, the head maid, entering the Queen Mother's chambers.
"Is it Princess Maryse?" Imogen asked, the Lightwoods didn't call very often, she obviously wished they did...
"No, majesty, it's Prince Alexander. He has requested a word with his cousin" she answered, the Prince didn't waste time standing up and taking the private cell-phone from her.
"Thank you, Lady Amatis… Hello?" he felt a little relaxed to being able to talk with someone who could see the reasonable state of his position.
"How is Prince Goldilocks doing?" Alec asked, he laughed at his nickname. He went out of the room so he could have some privacy, not bothering to say goodbye to his relatives, as he was hurt by the inflexibility with which he was treated.
"Awful, Alec. It's like hell in here!" he answered and found himself walking to his grandfather's garden, the biggest one of the palace, remembering how he used to play with his cousins there, and siting on the bench.
"It has always been a bit of a hell there, Jace, but I was calling to say something important…Oh, right. Happy birthday, Crown Prince! Have you met your biggest present yet?". Had he really forgotten it was his own birthday just because of the whole marriage fuss? Had his parents and grandmother as well?
"Yes…" he answered, shocked… and hurt.
"And…?"
"This must be the worst 18th birthday ever registered on story, Alec… She's so moody and short and… I cannot stand her! How can I even think of marrying her?!" unbelievable, he had seen the girl like three times on his life and she was already turning his word upside down!
"That sounds like a good match for you!" his cousin laughed entertained by his complains.
"Not funny, Alexander…" he was sure that his gorgeous complexion was tensed to the point of wrinkling early.
"Fine, fine… But let's try to flip the coin, okay? How's she like?" there he was again, always trying to make up his cousin's mind.
"She's pale, with eyes that look like olives and a carrot colored and messy hair… now, do I need to say more?"
"Hmmm, damn, you hate olives!" but Jace was Jace, his petty self at all times… never seeing anyone as worthy of him…
"I know! And I bet she's a duck lover…" now he just was being immature.
"Ok, you're overreacting. She can't be that bad! And by bad I mean bad to the Herondale genes that appeared to work more for you than for anyone else in the family!"
"I believe I told you that I feel like I am in hell?" He reminded Alec, saving himself from another scolding. Still, he knew that he geniuely wanted the best for him; the three of them had always gotten their backs.
"Right, but take it easy, Jace. Remember that this is what grandfather wanted and he always cared for us very much… it can't be that bad" actually, Jace remembered how they used to be such a united family… but that changed when his grandfather died, when his father was proclaimed King and himself as Crown Prince; he grew apart from them…
"You know that if I have a reason to think about doing this, it's because of him… I guess this was a choice he made on his death bed, like every other that included me…" he chuckled with him.
"Good one, just breathe, Jace! It's just a tiny marriage! See it this way: no more girls flirting with you crazily, no more stupid dates to attend to and you'll even get your own psychologist and maid of company!" that didn't sound bad, actually… until he realized…
"I thought that maids of company were only for princesses…"
"Exactly!" he burst out laughing, again.
"Stop mocking me, Alec! This is serious!" he shared his good mood but he really needed to feel support at that moment.
"Ok, ok! Geez, who's the moody one now? Think about it, she could be your friend and maybe, just maybe with time… she could become something more…"
"How exactly will that happen? If I needed a physical definition of everything I hate, that would be her!" he felt inside a maze in which there was no possible way out.
"Well, birthday boy. Some smart people say that opposites attract. Give this a chance before you mark it as the worst thing that could ever happen to you, take it easy…"
"Well, it's not like I can refuse now, she already accepted! But I really hope you're right, Alec… even if we don't end up falling in love or whatever, if that exists… I hope we can at least live with each other…" but he knew that thanks to their temper, it would take long before the got along.
Clary wasn't expecting to see Simon on the Academy either, so she entered with Kirk and Eric. They both were in Simon's band and Helen was too, Maia was something like their manager, but the two girls studied in a different school. When Simon acceded to the scholarship, both of them tried out as well, without getting as much of percentage of financial help, but… being them, it was truly amazing to have been accepted!
"You got a six? You freaking smarty pants!" Eric exclaimed to Maia trough the phone, he grimaced and suddenly he gave it to Clary. "She wants to talk to you, now…"he shrugged.
"Something wrong?" She asked Maia, her friend sighed.
"Is something ever right with dumb and dumber? Could you possibly make him understand that a six isn't a good grade before I leave him deaf?" she asked as nice as possible.
"Eric, six is not enough to pass the semester" Clary laughed and hit him softly. "Don't worry, Maia. I'm sure you'll do better on the next test" she told her encouragingly.
"I hope so… at least I'm not on the lost level your friends are! I have to run now…" they laughed together.
"Good luck, girl! Give everything you've got!" she replied and she hang up, giving the cellphone back to Eric.
"So, palace today, and you have to run straight home so your mother can dress you as the red riding hood or what?" Kirk asked her.
"Mom just said I had to look decent and pretty!" she complained.
"Oh, that would be so sweet! Prince Goldilocks and Princess Red Riding Hood! I guess you actually will have your "Happily ever after"" Eric joked again.
"Just because I'm becoming a princess doesn´t mean that this is a fairytale, ok? Stop it now" they entered the cafeteria.
"Fine, I guess we'll just have to call her the grumpy princess" Kirk whispered, Eric laughed.
"You guys suck as friends…" she said not paying attention to where was she heading to, and she ran into someone. "Oh, Sorry" she said to the girl in front of her.
"You should be more careful…" she answered with a heated tone while she fixed her clothes, as if she'd been struck by a garbage truck or something...
"I said I'm sorry!" Clary wasn't feeling her best and wouldn't put up with such attitude of hers!
"Don't do it, pumpkin." Kirk said to her ear, and pulling her away.
"Why not?" she said back, infuriated.
"She's Aline Penhallow!" He answered nervously, pointing at her with discretion.
"So what? Clary is the future princess of all Idris!" Eric said, for a moment all the noises and laughs ended, everyone stared at Clary and her friends, even Aline looked shocked.
"You… what?" the other girl asked.
"Oh, dear, Eric! You're so funny!" Clary faked laughter, Kirk followed her and then everyone went back to their business.
"Oh, by the angel…" Aline said annoyed, passed by them and got out.
"What the heck do you think you were doing?!" Clary shouted at Eric while they sat on the first clean table they saw.
"You're the one who'll live in the palace, at least let us brag about you being our friend! Just showing off a bit, it's healthy!" Eric defended himself.
"It's only healthy if you want to be beaten up by a bunch of fan girls! And I tell you, this school has much of them!" Clary reminded him, her stare going from one girl to another all across the room.
"Well, get ready to deal with them because after you marry Goldilocks you'll be on everyone's mouth" Kirk reminded her, as if she hadn't thought of that already... all day long, at all times.
"And there goes my attempts of having a low profile!" she said defeated, melting on the chair. But from that point there was no turning back, the decision was made, and she'd have to bear the consequences.
"So, I guess this is the part when we say goodbye?" Kirk asked when their classes finished and they headed towards the door.
"Not at all, the wedding will be in like 4 or 5 days. I still have time to ruin your lives…" Clary laughed giving her friend a friendly, playful punch on his arm, Eric smiled at her.
"Good luck, pumpkin. Though I know you don't need it, you're wonderful just for the fact of being you, you'll do fine." he said, Clary couldn't help but hugging them both. She asked herself how much time would she be locked up in the palace, no visits, no friends, no parties, no concerts, no talking with Maia until 3 am, no throwing stones at Simon's window so he woke up when she couldn't sleep, no eating pizza for breakfast on Sundays with Luke while her mom was still sleeping, no going shopping with Helen, no going to the band rehearsals. Not having a life of her own at all…
"Thank you so much, I couldn't do this without you" she answered with tears in her eyes , refusing to cry tough, she was sure of what she had to do and didn't want to look as if it affected more than it should have. 'You have to stay strong if you want to win' her grandpa had always said that.
"No crying, Clary! That is not proper of a future crown princess!" Someone said behind her, she turned around and saw Simon; looking tired, he must have run to be on time.
"Hey, four eyes…" she greeted him and approached slowly "I'm… so sorry…"
"No, I was the asshole. Really, it doesn't matter how many mistakes you make, Clary. It's good to be part of them" she was welcomed to his opened arms.
"Just remember that I do this for you, all of you" she said to his ear, Simon tightened his hug.
"What do you mean?" he asked, curious and worriedly.
"I'll make Idris a better place for all of us; I'll make a change, I promise" she assured him.
"Do what you have to, pumpkin, anyways… everything is best when you're on charge" he agreed and she giggled.
"Hey, Helen's calling" Kirk gave his cell phone to her, she turned on the speaker.
"Hello?" she said trying to sound calm.
"Good luck today, princess!" Maia and Helen exclaimed excitedly.
"Thank you, girls, it's good to know that you all are on my side" she said smiling at Simon, he winked.
"So head of stone finally reacted?" Helen asked sounding almost relieved.
"Hey! That's a great name for the band!" Kirk suggested, Eric high-fived him.
"Oh, yeah. That's a good name for you all" Maia said sarcastically. Clary could imagine how Helen must've been frowning at her comment and continued to chuckle.
"Well, don't hesitate! Go for the gold, Clary!" She encouraged her.
"Yes, miss! I'll do my best; I love you… but I'm running late!" she answered looking at her turquoise hand watch; she got 10 minutes to get home before her reunion.
"Be cool, Clary! We love you, bye!" Maia told her and she hang up.
"Here goes the princess!" Eric announced bowing to her, she smiled.
"Pray for me!" she asked them while walking away and sending a blown kiss to them.
"Hey, redhead!" Simon gathered strength to shout out to her before she went through the door.
"What?" she asked holding the door the best she could, such a good day for being short and skinny! She could see that Simon got a little nervous and took a deep breath before speaking.
"I love you" he finally said, Clary smiled tenderly, what would she do without him?
"I love you too, best friend" she said back and went out, leaving an unoccupied space both in the Academy, their group and inside Simon's chest, he sighed and turned to his friends.
"Blow below the belt…" Eric said and patted his arm. "It'll be ok, bro…"
"Don't dare to tell me that I didn't try to stop her…" he answered disappointed. It was just a joke of bad taste. He had shared all his life with her and she couldn't see what he truly felt for her, yet. How empty he would feel if she walked out just like that…
"Maybe… you two are just not meant to be, man" Kirk told him, not meaning to hurt him more or being unsupportive, but all of them had seen the true colors of their relationship and for the things that were just starting to happen, they couldn't think anything else but that.
"Maybe… this was the last and definitive proof that we won't be together … like ever…" he confirmed, trying hard not to let pain win over him.
Jocelyn had spent the last hour cleaning, dressing, combing, changing, fixing, painting and taking pictures of Clary. She was wearing a blue top with a white skirt and flat shoes, very simple but still cute, her curls were perfectly made and wore only a thin layer of makeup, she had the Herondale ring on her hand, the engagement ring. Luke had put it on her hand; with a kiss and best wishes for her, her parents sent her in the limo that the palace had sent for her.
Clary tried not to feel overwhelmed, by everything that was going on… she just wished she wouldn't feel too small and unimportant in front of the royalty… she just wished that the universe and her destiny understood the whys to her choice.
"Here we are, Miss Fairchild" the driver finally said when the gates of the giant palace opened, and about 40 guards greeted her as three maids approached to guide her. She had never seen the palace from that angle, it was always the tourist area she went to.
"Good afternoon, miss. I'm Lady Amatis and I'll be your guide and teacher during your early years in the palace" the woman said, she was tall and very beautiful, with brown hair and those big and captivating blue eyes. All of the maids were wearing a simple black suit with skirt and wore embroidered the coat of Idris, which the locals called "The Angelic Rune".
"It's very nice to meet you" Clary said shakily, not sure if she had to hold out her hand or making at attempt to bow. Luckily, Lady Amatis continued before she had time to do anything with her body.
"These are your maids: Annemarie Highsmith and Camille Belcourt" both of the maids made a bow and Clary did the same mimicking them, they all were too cute for being just maids. Her pulse increased and her palms began to get moist, how could she compete with that?
"Follow me, please" Amatis instructed, she didn't say another word, neither could she think of what to say.
She opened that huge door revealing the insides of the palace, an incredible living room with marble floors and beige walls with stairs which railing looked like white gold, had a huge chandelier and it had portraits and pictures everywhere, armchairs that looked very comfortable and clean and perfect furniture that matched with all the room, not to mention the huge plasma TV with all kinds of controls, gaming consoles and movies.
Everything was too much for her, she could almost dream of sitting on the comfy furniture doing nothing all day. But they didn't stay there, they went left and two maids opened a door entering a smaller room with a very pretty table with big, fancy chairs, a cabinet contained the finest porcelain and a beautifully polished cutlery, a fairly large window from where the golf course and stables of the palace could be seen, it also had the most precious ornaments, vases and mirrors, all fit for royalty. Amatis made her sit on one of the chairs.
"The Queens will meet you in five minutes, please make yourself at home" she finally said and with a bow she left. Clary decided to explore the room a bit. She walked to see the family portraits, the smallest ones were photos of the late queens and the biggest one showed all the royal family including the Lightwoods and King Marcus. Clary spotted her future husband's childhood face, looking all so innocent and pure and perfect…
"You jerk" she said pointing at him with her index finger." You don't know how much I hate you, but you'll see what I'm capable of… You won't sleep just from thinking of me all the time, I won't leave you be, not even for a moment! I'll make sure that…"and before her threats to the canvas ended a servant entered leaving the tea on the table, thinking she'd been caught red handed, she quickly went back to sit.
"The Consort Queen is entering" the servant announced and Clary nodded. 'Be kind, be honest, be yourself' she reminded herself on the inside and tried to meet them with a little smile.
"Good afternoon" said the Queen Consort entering, she stood up from her seat and made a small bow. Celine was gorgeous as all of the women in the palace, she was a bit taller than her and her beautiful blonde her was nicely done, she was wearing the brightest golden jewelry she had ever seen and her light green skirt suit fit her perfectly.
"Hello, your majesty" 'Great, you sounded like a two year old. Focus, Clarissa!' she scolded herself.
"By Raziel, aren't you cute...? Would you mind showing me the ring?" her future mother in law requested and she raised her left hand so she could see it. "Yes, you're the lucky one" she said grinning, almost surprised and then they both sat down.
"I guess I am" she answered with a giggle.
"Adorable. What was your name again, dear?" she asked taking the teapot and serving tea for two, she was so fine and looked so peaceful. Instead Clary shook like a cell phone on vibrate mode, afraid that the Queen would eat her whole if she said something she didn't like, she just gave off that vibe... as deathly as beautiful…
"Clary… Clarissa, I mean! Clarissa Adele Fairchild Morgenstern, majesty" blame the custom, she hardly mentioned her complete name 'Stupid, stupid, stupid…'.
"What a pretty name, I wish I could call you that… But we must only address ourselves ad majesty and highness, the protocol's the protocol" Clary took her cup, remembering an old saying from Idris "The law's hard but it's the law"...
"I understand, majesty" she replied calmly.
"So, tell me a bit about you. You look like a very interesting person" she looked at her like expecting she did say something wrong.
"Well, I'm seventeen, will turn eighteen in August; I live with my mother Jocelyn and my stepfather Luke, I have a brother Jonathan, who's currently traveling around Europe, my best friends are Simon, Maia, Helen, Kirk and Eric, they formed a band together…" she was secretly hoping she cared about any of those things
"That sounds very… fun. But I rather talk about you, what are you doing these days? What do you expect from life? Future plans?" she was left out in blank, she hadn't thought she'd go so deep on her life so soon…
"I… I like painting, I've been at it since I was very young, my grandpa taught me though he used to say he wasn't very good at it and now I'm studying to become a painter" The Queen smiled, but that gesture hardly looked as if she was pleased.
"Oh, that's lovely! Where are you studying, dear?" Clary felt a faint opportunity to relax with that question…
"At Alicante Academy, majesty" she answered immediately, her companion who was about to take a sip from her tea stopped the motion.
"Excuse me, what did you say?"
"Uh, I'm studying at Alicante Academy, majesty" she repeated hesitating a little this time 'By the angel… what did I say? Is she allergic to the name or what? Why does she look like I've thrown her a curse or something?'
"How did you get in?" she was too dangerously shocked about it… the redhead couldn't understand why.
"I got a scholarship, majesty" she commented and the Queen sighed in relief, laughing graciously after.
"Pardon me, darling, I was just a bit surprised… a girl like you entering, studying at Alicante Academy! … You don't hear that very often" but, what did she mean by "a girl like her"? Before Clary could respond, luckily, the servant spoke again.
"The Queen Mother is entering" they announced as Queen Imogen made her appearance.
"Good afternoon" she greeted, both women stood up and bowed to her.
"How are you feeling today, majesty?" Celine asked to the queen mother.
"Very good, Celine dear" she sat next to her daughter in law. "You must be the little Clary" something in the Queen Mother's aura made Clary feel more tranquil and happy… like a dentist drug, she made a funny comparison.
"Yes, I am, majesty" she answered and the dowager queen chuckled joyfully, with the same elegance as her daughter in law. She thought if that was acquired with time spent inside the palace…
"Isn't she delightful?" she told to the Queen Consort.
"She surely is, majesty" she thanked the angel for not being alone with Queen Celine anymore…
"So, my dear…What do you think about our Jace, uh?" another straightforward question that she unfortunately didn't understand.
"Excuse me?" she asked confused. Who the heck was this Jace? And why did she care about what he thought of him? Or her whomever that might've been…
"She doesn't know him by that name, majesty" Celine reminded her mother in law.
"Oh, by Raziel, I forgot! Jonathan, I meant. Do you like him?" she corrected herself, but it didn't make the question any easier to answer.
"I…" she was looking for something not to false to say about him 'Oh, C'mon! How can I be true to myself and kind with the queens at the same time? I can't lie but if I talk with the truth they'll kick me out! What to do?' And she broke another of her mother's rules, she was sweating seriously.
"Well, are you thinking trough you reply… " the consort queen commented, like accusing her of taking too long to praise her divine son
"Of course not… but, I…" she decided to go the easy way, it was time to start impressing them" I don't guide myself only for the outside, I like to… see how the essence of the person is, I would like to meet…hum, Jace… the way he really is, and not judge his being just by his looks" she told them finally 'Nicely done, wordy girl' she clapped for herself.
"And how do you think he is?" the dowager queen asked. Shit, no truce or rest with them, was there?
"I think that he… must be a great person, kind and noble, willing to do everything for those who are important for him. I think he is the kind of person that gives himself entirely for his country because he wants to and not just because he has to. I'm sure that he loves Idris with all his heart… as I do!" 'Make sure you tell her how much you love Idris' Check!
"Well, he is a really passionate young man" the dowager queen agreed with her. "I'm sure you won't have any trouble connecting with him".
"I'll try my best to make you all satisfied and comfortable with my presence, majesty" though she was beginning to question their thoughts on Jonathan… the guy was just a pain in the ass for her…
"Oh, such a cute little girl! It'll be more than wonderful to have you here! Won't it, Celine?" Imogen searched for another confirmation. Still not sincere…
"I'm sure it'll be, majesty" she replied, dryly and emotionless.
"That if I don't do anything wrong" Clary said with a giggle, the dowager queen laughed with her. Later she comprehend that she shouldn't have been so happy about anything yet, she was still holding her cup and because of her excited moving the tea fell on her lap making her stand up violently burnt and hurt because of the heath of the water.
"And, by the angel. You have much to learn…" the older Queen answered staring at her in a little concerned, more entertained manner
'You have no idea, majesty' Clary thought ashamed, feeling her pale cheeks become more red with every beat of her heart, she showed half a smile though. Perhaps the worst part had already passed… but only perhaps, now what would it be like to live together with the Queens, King and her annoying fiancé? She couldn't know… but whatever was coming, she'd be ready.
To be continued…
Dreamer.