4 Chapter 3 : Give And Take

Valentine looked at the box our father sent last night curiously before turning to me and asking,

"What's in the box?"

"I don't know. it's probably the family picture we took last week. You know, the one that Auntie Zoe said I looked more like Father." I said, looking at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a beige dress coat over a simple white dress and nude heels. I saw Val look at the package once more before turning away from it and looking at me. His tie was still untied as he crossed his arms over his chest, as if waiting for me to say something. "Full or Half Windsor." I said.

"Choose one, Eli."

I stayed silent for a moment. I bet he wants to impress Heather, I thought.

"Full Windsor." We both said at the same time. I smirked and he rolled his eyes, causing me to laugh out loud.

"You've only known her for a few minutes and you're already head over heels for her."

"I am not. Unlike you..." He turned away from me to a mirror and fixed his tie into a Full Windsor knot.

"What are you talking about?" I turned to him, finally finished fixing my hair.

"You were nearly shouting Vernon's name this morning. I should have left you sleeping and seen where it would lead to." He grinned.

"I'm pretty sure you were under the influece of SOMETHING to make you think I'd be saying Vernon's name in my sleep. You know who's name I'd be screaming?"

"Ugh..."

"Definitely. I still remember when we-"

"I'm out." He began to walk towards the door when I heard him say, "so improper.. And you call yourself future Queen of Eredhen."

"Of course I do, Val, you gave your spot to me."

"And I can take it back." I stayed silent at that. He wouldn't take it back. He couldn't. Could he?

"I'll be waiting outside.." He said as he walked out the door and closed it gently behind him. I thought about what he said as I looked at myself in the mirror. I will be Queen, right? Obviously. I deserve the title. I always have.

I blinked and took a deep breath before walking to the door. I heard voices on the other side.

"Vernon, Heather. It's a pleasure to see you both once more." I heard Valentine say.

"Likewise, Valentine. Where is Elizabeth?" Asked Vernon.

"She's inside, being an emotional teen." I furrowed my eyebrows hearing a chuckle and a small giggle and opened one of the double doors, revealing myself to the three.

"As if you're any different." I told Valentine. I saw Heather bring her hand to her lips, hiding her smile. Vernon fixed his tie and cleared his throat at the sight of me. He looked at me shyly with bright eyes for a second but recollected himself quickly.

"Today, we will be touring the first two floors. During this tour," he began as he walked away from our dorm and we followed, "we will see paintings of the best Woodlock Alumni, teachers, celebrities and more. You will be introduced to a number of teachers and student council members."

He went on and showed us around the first two floors, but the thing I was mostly paying attention was Heather. She stood next to me and looked at Valentine, a visible shade of pink appearing on her cheeks.

"Do you like my brother?" I asked and caught her startled expression from the question. "I'm sorry, but you've been looking at him alot and I couldn't help but ask."

"Uhm.. Well.." She started. I waited for her to finish her sentence.

"It's fine if you tell me. We may be twins but I don't share everything with him."

__________

"She likes you." I said. Valentine looked at me with his eyebrows raised. We had finished the tour and came back to our quarters for the day.

"And you're telling me because...?"

I opened my my mouth to speak but closed it again, feeling it was useless to talk to him about her and his feelings. He would still act like he doesn't care about Heather.

"What the hell, Elizabeth? Stop trying to play matchmaker and call our parents." He said before turning around, his eyebrows furrowed and loosening his tie. I rolled my eyes, taking out my phone and called Father. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Good afternoon, Sweetheart." He said, once he picked up.

"Good afternoon, Father."

"What do you need?"

"I... don't need anything."

"Why is it you're calling, then?" He asked.

""Valentine wanted me to call you." I looked at Valentine for a moment.

"Ah, what does he need?"

I remembered what Valentine had said earlier about taking back his spot for the throne and my mouth went dry. What if he's going to arrange a meeting to take it back? But what if he's just going to ask about our horses? He's obsessed with Polo. Maybe that's it.

"I don't know. I'll pass him onto you." I answered. I passed the phone to Valentine and excused myself to my bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror for a moment. I had always seen myself with my Father's crown and ceptor, but nothing else. I had always thought that once I got something, no body could take it away. I pressed my ear on the door and tried to listen in my brother's conversation.

"Can you send our horses now? I'm tired of sitting in this room, doing nothing but waiting for another tour." I heard my brother say. I sighed in relief before running my hands through my hair. There was silence for a second before my brother spoke again.

"Great... I also wanted to ask you to arrange a meeting. I want my spot for the throne back."