A Queen Without A King

Chapter 9

The ball is in a couple of days and as per usual, Madeline and Luke are coming a little earlier than the event. We've always used events like these as an excuse to see each other since Luke and I seem to always be busy, and this way Madeline can't say we never spend time with her.

"Miss me?" I turn around and see Madeline running towards me. I meet her halfway and wrap my arms around her, pulling my best friend into a hug. 

"More than you realize" I mumble into her shoulder. We both giggle and hold onto each other a little longer than necessary. I've missed this girl too much to just let go.

"Isn't it my two favorite girls". I let go of Madeline and turn around to see Luke walking towards us. 

"Luke!" Madeline yells, running towards him to wrap him in a hug. I let out a giggle and stroll over to them. 

"The Royal Trio is back, once again! I've missed you both so much" I smile. "The ball is pretty much all set, so we can have this day to ourselves".

"Impressive," Luke says, throwing an arm around Madeline and I's shoulders. "Let's move this reunion elsewhere, shall we?" We nod our heads and Luke begins to steer us towards the stairs. 

"It's so much better actually being here than just seeing it through a little screen," Madeline says, as we walk up the stairs. "I forget how nice this place is".

I shake my head at her comment and think about the last time I saw Madeline. It must've been months ago because I can't recall the last time I saw this girl in person. Luke stopped by not too long ago, that day when Owen and I first fell asleep in the theatre. 

Shit. Owen. I forgot to tell him about today. I was so excited about seeing Madeline and Luke that I forgot to tell him they were even coming. Hopefully, he finds something to do today because today is Royal Trio time. 

We finally walk into my bedroom and Madeline is quick to fall onto the bed and begin talking. I giggle as her stories begin and fall down right next to her. She tells us about the past few months, although I already knew most of what's been happening, thanks to our phone calls every once in a while. 

I look over at Luke to make a comment when Madeline starts going on a rant about how her parents won't let her have her own ice cream stash in her bedroom. Madeline's love for ice cream is something else entirely. I mean, she could talk about it for hours, and it's only ice cream. I start to say something to him but realize he's staring at Madeline. That look. Luke smiles in awe as Madeline starts to state all the pros of having access to ice cream all the time in her bedroom. 

I look back over to Madeline who's in her little world of frozen desserts, she doesn't even notice Luke looking at her.

"One day, I will buy myself a freezer to put all my ice cream in and I will be putting that freezer next to my bed. I don't care", she finishes. "Anyway, let's talk about the ball! I mean, it is the reason we're all here right now, isn't it?"

I nod my head and we begin to discuss the upcoming event. We talk about dresses first. And then we move on to dates.

"Are you guys bringing any dates?" I ask. I look over to Luke who nods at me. "Who?"

"The princess of Adalia. My parents introduced me to her just before coming here and suggested I take her to the ball. I have to go back home tomorrow to get her," Luke explains. I look over to Madeline who's fidgeting with her fingers. She only does that when something is bothering her. I go to ask her if she's alright but she starts talking before I get a chance.

"I'm going with the prince I'm marrying," she mumbles. Luke and I's jaws drop. Madeline never mentioned she was engaged. "Yeah, surprise. I'm engaged".