FAKING ROYALTY [rewrite]

chapter eleven

A tug here, a tug there, and all I can sense is a hidden headache rising. They've tugged my hair so tightly that it would not surprise me if I have already begun to lose circulation in my scalp.

"It's been quite a while since a royal portrait was last painted," Victoria, my new lady-in-waiting, announces to the servants behind me. "Why, the last time this was, Princess Cadenza had not hit her teen years yet!"

"Queen Cadenza now," someone says.

Little giggles emerge from behind me before I'm quickly ushered to stand up in my place. Gently I'm nudged forward to dress. Because of all the servants, this is done fairly quickly.

My stay is placed against my body and tightened to the desired tightness. I've already put on my shoes. Soon afterwards the following steps of my dressing is finished.

The servants stares me down before I'm brought back to the mirror once more and decorated in jewels.

My chamber doors open, and another servant enters. She smiles softly giving me a soft bow. "Your Highness," she greets, her gaze focused on the floor before she slowly rises once more. "It is nearly time for the portrait. I have been called to see if you are ready to go."

Someone clears their throat and tells the servant that I have finished dressing. I'm escorted out of my chambers and to the other two.

I take a moment to let my eyes linger. Laurance looks so regal, so. . . charming. He most certainly is an enjoyable sight for any female's eyes to land on. I've seen him in more formal attire before in the past, but this certainly tops those appearances. It's so king like. Is this the first glance that I can see of King Laurance?

"Where's father? Isn't he joining us?" I asks, looking around the empty room only to be met with air.

Laurance shakes his head, sitting down in the throne with a sigh. "Father doesn't wish to be a part of this portrait. He instead wishes for it to be us because the public sees his often enough. It's like an introduction to future rulers. . . even if it is uncertain which one of you will stand by Prince Leonardo's side in matrimony."

I nod my head slowly, trying to process the thought that I could stand by a king's side as his wife. I couldn't imagine such a thing happening to me.

Royals are trained their whole life of what to do with they're of age, and I was brought in from the kingdom when I was nearly adulthood. I don't have the experience that they all have. I don't know what they know. I wasn't raised that way.

Alex's voice is hushes for only the three of us to hear. "Are you. . . are you telling me that father has placed our engagements on hold for now?"

"He's considered it. The conversation sits between me and him before he even mentions it to the king," he says, shrugging a big before looking around. "As of right now, the prince has no knowledge of this talk and Y/N is still engaged."

"I have no engagement?" Alex asks, her eyes widening slightly. "What if. . . what if I were ought to find an eligible suitor to court me?"

"I would advice against it."

There's a sigh of defeat before we're advices to place ourselves in position. Laurance sits against the throne, his face ripped of his smile. I already long for his smile to reappear. I miss it greatly.

Alex and I stand on either side of Laurance, our body's faced to the painter. It's a long and boring time. I can only hear the sound of the painter while voices before to be silent. I do not understand how they were able to do this as small children. My legs already ache, and I have a strong desire to sit.

Alas, a great deal of time passes by, and the painting is finished. I catch a glimpse, my eyes shocked. No one has ever caught me in such a light. The most I have received when someone who draw me in the orphanage was when someone would do a stick figure of me. There wasn't much to it, but this awe struck me. I cannot get over the painting.

Alex's POV

By the time I get back to my chambers, I've already called for help to strip me of my clothing. Help rushes in before I have the chance to discard of my own clothing myself, and I'm placed into a much simpler gown.

I let out a sigh as I sit in my desk. My head rests in my hands in defeat. My eyes rise to the paper nearby while my hand reaches for a quill. Before I know it, I've already found myself writing.

Today I was sent into the kingdom. I have become nothing but a product to please the people for Laurance's rule. If I am to stroll around Scaleswind, I may cry.

The commoners were kind and grateful for a visit, but I couldn't control my pounding heart. After disappearing for as long as I had, returning and taking on this role once again was something I should've expected.

It isn't until you lay awake at night and realize what you have done. How many scandals you have trapped yourself into and little ways to get out. If I can marry and go to my deathbed without a scandal rising to the surface, I can only say that I would be thankful and surprised.

A royal portrait was constructed today. Father did not involve himself and insisted it was for the better of the village. I think it was for the better of him and Laurance. While it places Laurance in a positive light, father is instead praised for his daughters. One has returned while he was able to find the other. Cadenza has been shipped off to marriage. To outsiders looking in, father has managed to regain control.

Laurance speaks with me of the possibility of being free of engagements with Prince Leonardo. That burden has been placed upon her shoulders, but she seems to enjoy it very much. Perhaps if I hadn't met you, I could've found a way to love him. I asked if there was a way I could find my own suitor, but Laurance appears to be against the idea.

I can only fight for love to conquer duty.

Father has made it

My chamber doors open with a servant walking in with a silver tray. They bend over with another letter. It's addressed from Vylad. I thought it was my turn to return a letter.

I thank the servant before they quickly dash off. I sigh as I begin to open the letter. Had I messed up on our responses?

I have come with quick news of recovery. I have no doubt in my mind that my father is writing to your's while Garroth writes to Laurance.

I was given the news this morning of Zane's recovery. While the doctors feel he should rest a little while longer, there has been a huge relief within the Ro'meave residence from his recovery.

What happens from this moment forward I do not know, but it is with great happiness that I deliver these news even if Zane and I do not share the greatest relationship.

I wait excitedly for your response following this letter. For we have much to discuss.

V. Ro'meave

I look down at the paper before my own letter. Vylad's letter is casted aside as I pull my letter back in front of me. That letter of Vylad's can be placed on top of the hidden bottom. For now, I continue with my response.

Father has made it where there will be a ball. But now with the news of Zane's recovery, I can only assume it will be down the road where your family is able to attend. How I hope to see your smiling face present.

I yet offer my sincerest happiness for the news of your dear brother. I can only be thankful that he is well and such light has been casted upon him. I can only imagine the dark times you all have witnessed, and it pains me greatly to even have the smallest thought of it.

My charming rouge, I can almost sense a happy future for us both.

A. Zvahl.

Wax seals my letter as I stand to find a servant. Laurance bumps into me on the way, but I can see the smile present on his face.

"I'm sorry, Alex," he says, though it's clear to see he is more preoccupied with other thoughts in mind. "I must speak to father."

"I had already thought you would. I have received my own letter, and I am finding a servant to send one back."