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30- Danielle

It was getting late and I was ready to go to bed when a sudden knock on the front door stops me half way towards the room. I didn’t really think much who it was since I’m inside the safest place in the whole kingdom and the only people who visits me during this hours are either the Prince or one of the lady maids. Half of me feels that this is not the prince since he hasn’t talked or show himself in front of me this past few days but there is still that other half that makes me a little wary. I slowly and carefully opened the door, fearing that it might be the prince, fortunately it was one of the lady maids and she’s with two other guards.

“Good Evening my lady” The lady maid greeted as she bowed together with the two guards. “We are here upon the request of Lord Sybulus to accompany you to your new place. You are cordially invited to compete during the choosing ceremony and in line with that you are given another place to stay back in the second gate where the other ladies competing will as well stay during events. From this day until the choosing ceremony is done, you’ll be known as Lady of the west. Instructions about the choosing ceremony will be presented during you’re counsel with the Queen. Everything you’ll need during the events will be provided as planned by the organizers.” The lady maid hurriedly explains to me as the two guards stand beside her, on guard.

“I’m sorry but are we supposed to do it now? Can’t this wait until tomorrow morning? I have things here that needs to be pack and i’m literally dressed in pj’s” Though her explanation as to their little visit was clear and concise, still I am in no condition to go. However, I already know that i’ll somehow be involved during the choosing ceremonies but moving out of this place is another thing. I wasn’t informed that I have to again move and live in another place just when I’m getting used to living in this place assigned to me.

“I apologize for the inconvenience my lady but we were instructed to make sure that you get to your designated place this evening. This is to make sure that your identity remains hidden until the event day comes. I’m afraid we were also instructed to carry you if you wish to resist. And the Queen told me to tell you that it will be insubordination if you so choose not to follow” worry was lacing in each word spoken by the lady maid and the two guards standing behind her are looking reluctant, doubting even.

If I were to resist and choose stay, they’ll have to drag me out of this place and that would mean one of them has to either carry me or pull me around. Or they could just knock me out and get me to the car that would be the simpler method of bringing me without me resisting. We of course don’t like that to happen because that would be ridiculous and only happens in movie. I’m not in some kind of a mafia story and this people are just here in request of the royals. They are just following orders and so should I.

“And my stuff? Do I atleast have some time to pack some clothes?” I was hoping I could get her to say yes with a little persuasion. I do have some important things here that I wish to bring with me and some of those things are personal and I would really love to keep it as private as possible.

“We’ll give you some time to gather some of the things you wish to bring my lady, some of your things will be packed tomorrow by the maids and delivered to your place when everyone’s away. Nevertheless, we assure you that the royal family will provide you with whatever necessity you should ask. Just give me the details and I’ll fetch anything myself” she bows and gives me the time that I need to gather my thing. Without wasting anymore of their time, I rushed back inside my room and took out my luggage bag so I could throw in it everything that I’ll ever need.

As soon as I was done, one of the guards helped me to bring down my things and the guard kept his guard up as the lady maid led me to the car that was waiting for us. I didn’t bother change my clothes since I already took some time with my things.

I was only accompanied by the lady maid while the two guards went to another car to follow us behind. I still don’t think it was necessary for the guards to be present, well one should be enough, they didn’t need to send two busy people. I get that they are here to protect me from those who are curious but its already late and the only people roaming around the palace are the guards and maybe some of the lady maids. Plus I don’t think someone would be so interested about our whereabouts during this time, in fact, going out with two guards following us behind would only call for more attention than intended.

I was led inside one of the guest rooms within the second gate and I was instructed that starting today, I can only go out when instructed. Food will be delivered by our designated lady maids and if I do have something else that I need, I can simply call my maid or text her and she’ll deliver them to me right aways. I honestly didn’t like the idea but at this point I take it that I don’t have any say on the matter and that I have to just stay here like i’m in some sort of a prison, a beautiful one at least.

Just as promised the maid in charge of me, Lalita, served me throughout the weeks and because of that I was able to get to know her better. If it wasn’t for all the laws and etiquette issues we have in Estrella, I would really see Lalita as someone i’d be very close with. She’s fun and easy to like, plus she made sure that my gummy bears get to me safe and untouched. I had an episode with my monthly visitor so don’t judge, I badly needed the comfort of Mr. gummy bears.

After a few days of just staying inside the room designated for me, I was getting a little stuffy so when Lalita informed me that the Queen will be meeting me at the garden near this place, I was a little happy, though its not ideal since i’ll be meeting the Queen but being able to go out and smell some fresh air make a lot of difference.

“My lady her highness is ready for you” Lalita knocks and announces behind my door. I took a quick glance on the mirror to see how I look, luckily Lalita helped me earlier to prepare so I looked a little decent than I would normally do. I chose to wear a simple but classy yellow sunday dress, since Lalita told me that it would be a in the garden and that the queens requests that we dress comfortably. The weather looks really awesome right now so I’m positive that I chose the perfect dress to the occasion. Though I did contemplate as to whether i’m to wear a heeled strap sandals or my sneakers but Lalita was with me and she said I should still go for the heels since I am still presenting myself in front of the Queen. I chose to wear a white strapped heels so it would be a match with my dress.

As I see myself human enough, I open my door to see Lalita smiling while waiting for me.

“You look really great my lady.” She tells me and that just made me blush. I’m not use to people flattering me and Lalita’s constant assurance just makes me a little embarrass.

Lalita led me to the garden and this time its just her and no guards which was really great. I soon understand the reason why when Lalita led me to the elevator and pushed the button going up. I guess when they say garden they actually meant a covered one because when the elevator finally reached its destination, it opened up to what I can only imagine and describe as enchanted.

This garden is actually off the books so I am honestly clueless of its existence, though its also a fact that there is a lot of things inside the palace that’s off the records, needless to say, I can’t complain. I feel like I’m in some kind of a magical garden, trapped and being deceived by its beauty. Different kinds of flowers to mid-size trees, are randomly set in all spaces of the room. The smell of aroma and sweetness circulates the place that it pretty much calms every active nerve in my body.

I actually feel like I’m Alice of Wonderland, or I could be Wendy of Neverland, fact is I just feel magical as walk along the pathway in between flowers, grass and trees. Everything feels so light and refreshing. I look up but all I see was green, even when the rays of sunshine tries it best to peek through, the vines and flowing flowers covered the whole room, safe from the harms the sun could give. I get why the Queen chose this place, its refreshing and safe.

“Ah, Danielle, would you just give me a second dear and I’ll be with you in a moment” I almost screamed my guts out when a calm voice suddenly woke me up from my little moment with the area. I slowly look behind me and to where the voice came from and when I saw the Queen holding this plant scissors and a spray, I almost yelped in surprise before remembering to bow and cover my whole embarrass face. Its not everyday you see your Queen gardening and wearing this gardening clothes that made her look like a pretty normal person. Not that she’s abnormal or something. I’m just really used to seeing her in her lavish dresses and classy without dirt on the face and full on gardening mode. With her dressed like she is now, I feel a little embarrass that I’m even in a dress and heels.

“Oh you don’t need to do that here. No one is watching so you should just feel comfortable” I heard the Queen make this brief but cute laugh, so I slowly looked up to see her smiling from ear to ear. I turned around to see if Lalita was also witnessing what I’m seeing but to my surprise she was already gone and I was left alone with the Queen.

Queen Tatiana looked at me as I try my best to hold my tea cup properly while sitting in front of her. I didn’t really receive any form of class about etiquette so I’m just winging what I can, though I’m not sure if what I’m doing is lady like, I just know that i’m properly holding my cup and that it hasn’t spilled on anything yet so I should be doing fine, othewise , I might be reading the the atmosphere wrong.

“I won’t dilly-dally anymore, knowing that we both know the deal our families have for your safety” Queen Tatiana spoke to me in her calmest voice as I place my teacup back on the coaster, I guess all the looking was for her waiting for the right moment to speak to me and now she finally has it. “Truth is, if it was my choice, I wouldn’t put you in this kind of situation. But we are here and we’ll have to face this head on from now on. So Danielle…” Queen Tatiana clears her throat before facing me with this serious and somewhat worried look “I know that this time is supposed to be me explaining some of the things to you but before I do that, I need you to know something really important. You can’t trust any of the ladies that you’ll be competing with. One of them you might have already met but the others, they are new and they’ll have tricks to put their names on top. Its will be scary and most likely challenging but you have to be strong.” The Queens voice shakes like she wants to tell me something else but she’s trying her best to control herself. “No… I need you to be strong because i’ll need you during the choosing ceremony Danielle. I want you to be my eyes and ears, there is no one else I could trust but you. I may have all the power to move my pieces during the ceremonies but someone will play dirty and you must understand, I maybe Queen but someone is putting veils on every side. I need you to see things, otherwise…”

I never imagined I could witness a day where I’d see a strong, magnificent Queen, look so scared and frantic. A queen is always seen as light, someone who gives hope to its people in times of diversity, someone who would often shine their brightest even in times of war. Queens are always strong, caring, educated, and above all, they are people who would push themselves at any length just so they could protect their people. They’ll catch a bullet if they have to and even if it caused them their lives, they’ll stop every tyrant king that wants nothing but dominance.

However, this is not true for everyone else. There were Queens in the past that would use their Kings hard headed beliefs for their own benefit and those would usually lead to some of their subjects suffering and dying out of unlawful judgements. There were Queens in history that completely subjected themselves to their husbands and watched with them as their tyrant husbands enjoy the game of war. Its actually a fact that during the older days, loyal subjects would always pray for a Queen that come from low class families than those of the noble and royals. The mindset during those days is that if the Queen comes from a family that experience life at its poorest and most death defying situations, that they would at least bring with them this memories so they could someday make decision that are better and helpful for the public. During those times, what the people really need was someone who would speak for them and save them from the harms their King is putting them through.

Years have passed and those horrifying days are long gone. We are now in an era where royals would rather show how much they care for their people so they could all have peacefully live and not cause another series of royal subjects practicing their right and completely overthrowing their Kings and Queens. History had its fair share of those events and that made the succeeding royal family change their ways. Kings became much open to its people, the Queens lead by example and they kept this up, until today.

Seeing Queen Tatiana letting her guard down and showing me her raw emotions, are slowly convincing me that she’s sincere and in need of help. Its no secret that there will be some who’ll take the choosing ceremony as an opportunity, may it be for power or for something else, everyone will have their own motive. Its just how the world molded its generation, as it moves forward so is those good and bad with it. Even with the media following the whole choosing ceremony, news and stories can be fabricated. With money and power, everything is possible.

“Your plan your highness, its like a double-edged sword. It could either help us or it can create a huge headache for the whole family. If your enemies find out and with me being someone whose head on the line, things could get messy and I don’t have enough courage to face that. I don’t want to disappoint you and I know that this is something I should do after all the help I received from you and the royal regent…but as much as I want to help, I don’t know if I’m the right person. I don’t want to endanger you and the royal family if the people finds out I am not what I claim to be and when your enemies gets a sniff of this plan, they could use this to change tides. At the end, all efforts will be wasted.” I tried explaining myself to the Queen because no matter how hard I convince myself that I should help, there that fact that I’m also running from someone.

I may just just be overthinking things but I don’t want to endanger this people who without a doubt helped me. The whole choosing ceremony will become one of the highlights of Prince Luke’s like. He is the Crownprince and every detail about his life will be recorded from dot to dot. I’m not saying I maybe included in his autobiography but if my real identity gets out, every person that’s interested with the royal family and those who follow the the West Kingdom will have a lot of things to say and they’ll do everything just to know more about me so they could either choose to like me or scrutinize me. And this kind of things will make it to records. Who doesn’t like a good gossip right? May it be in the past, present or future, every detail that is beyond anyones mind will always have a place in the records. And I don’t like that.

Choosing to accept my fate and compete to this ridiculous event was already taking a lot from me, being the Queens spy is just too much of a job. If I somehow fail and the people find our that all this time I’ve been supported and protected by the King and Queen, they’ll question the credibility of the royals. That is why I already have something planned in my mind, I don’t want to put pressure on Queen Tatiana and I don’t want worry to keep on knocking on our peaceful lives, so to make this all things run smooth and sailing, I need to win.

Its that simple.

Well not. But in my mind it was.

If I win, then the Queen would no longer need to worry about the next lady joining the royal family and potentially become the next ruler of Estrella. My victory would mean safe path for the royal family and if someone tries to reveal who I really am, it would be very easy to explain to the public the reason why once I become their favorite. And, if I do win and become the next crownprincess, I won’t need to worry about the person who’s hunting me. I could help the royal regent find this person and we can turn things around. I would no longer need to hide and I’ll have the opportunity to make a change.

This thoughts honestly took a some time to come around, with me being in denial and hopeful that there is another way, it clouded my better judgement and made me someone whose stagnant. When Mom was still alive and telling me this things, I already knew then that this is the way, but I didn’t want it to be the only way. I was just too proud to yield, but now I do understand. I guess being stuck inside the palace for such a long time made me realize that I just don’t like this anymore. This is why I need to rise, power can make a lot of difference and that’s what I need.

“But…I do have an alternative in mind. I just need to win the choosing ceremony and you won’t need to worry about anything else.” I confidently told her which made her look at me in shock, nevertheless, she slowly leaned back to her chair and relaxed while assessing me.

“What if you don’t? At the end of everything, it will be my sons choice and we both know you two didn’t really have the nicest impression of each other” Her tone is now back to her usual happy and hopeful voice. She looks at me with a little doubt in her eyes but it was immediately replaced with a smile.

Yeah, I didn’t have the nicest firsts with the Prince, they were all a little rush and a little unspoken but I’m not scared. After all, the Prince and I, we have the most entertaining relationship and even if we do end up killing each other, it should be hilarious for the people. If he doesn’t choose me in the end, I’ll instead make him do it everyday.

“I may not be someone he’d like or even choose at the end, but i’ll still make him do it anyway. I know what my goal is now and for someone like me who is always been in a single path with no shortcuts, this should be easy¨

I actually sounded more like convincing myself than the Queen. I know its lame but it’s the best I´ve got. I just hope that what I said would go through because the Queen was convinced and I know I have to make sure the Prince notices me and picks me before all my confidence fades and I fail. Send help maybe…