Hidden Royalties

two ༉‧₊˚.

I SAT IN the music room, trying to feel the music I was playing with the violin that was resting on my shoulder. The notes, the sombre, the feeling wasn't connecting. It didn't feel right. I stopped playing as I became frustrated by how blemished the piece I was playing seemed.

"Marcella dear, maybe we should try it again another day. See if you'll be in the right space," the music teacher said as he sat in his chair criticizing.

I sighed deeply before regaining my composure and adjusting the violin. "No, I can't. My mother wants a recording by tomorrow."

"It's not like you're trying to impress the queen," he chuckled. If only he knew who my mother was. "Very well, I'll leave you to it. I have another student to attend so I must be off. Take it easy, Marcella."

"Thank you, sir."

He left the room, leaving me to the deadly silence of my own thoughts. I studied the musical notes on the sheet once more as I prepared to play the piece. I let my hand guide the bow as the musical vibrations let out a tune.

The feeling was uncomfortable. It felt wrong. It was wrong. The piece was meant to sound powerful and bellow a strong tune however I needed to sound graceful to my mother's liking. Grace and poise were the most important aspects of playing the part of a princess which in other words was a prince's personal handbag. I was forcing it into the piece just like how my mother forces her ideals onto me.

I stopped once more to restart. Perfection, poise, grace.

Parties at Petunia were a common occurrence. It didn't matter if there wasn't an occasion, the excuse to have fun and enjoy our youth was good enough. The loud gatherings always involved alcohol and some explicit substances some person had snagged. I wasn't one for them, but I wasn't one to police them. I mean who was I to them? The no named goody two shoes scholarship student wasn't going to stop them.

I wasn't one to party, not even when I came to Petunia. Back then the Goldens and I were plenty of company, no need for other children that were leeching of the successes of their parents. I guess that's why they're all here at Petunia.

Alice jumped in her seat with excitement as she placed her second last card down whilst screaming UNO. "I can't believe it's you that's leaving instead of me this weekend. What a revelation."

"My parents need me back in London for a bit, I won't be gone for long," I said while placing down a blue card.

"At least bring me back a present," she said, pouting about having to draw another card. "Anyways, I am leaving for Shanghai as well."

I facepalmed. "You're so dramatic."

"I just want a present! It means more coming from someone else. I'll get you something, don't worry," she reassured me. "Oh, you know how I've been talking to you about some of the jobs I'm being scouted for? I've been offered to walk in Paris Fashion Week for Chanel! I think this is going to be my big break."

Alice has always had the potential to be a model but just hasn't had the opportunity or the exposure to show her talents. She had done smaller shoots for magazines and brands but nothing that was in her field of interest, high fashion. With school coming to a close, I presume she's been more active in trying to find work. She wouldn't want to be stuck working for her father for the rest of her life.

"That's great Alice, I'm excited for you," I said sincerely.

"You better come; I want you to be there for my first big show." Her eyes shifted behind me, her face showing an expression of shock, "Oh, that's new."

I was confused about what Alice was looking at behind me but was indeed new. Alice's eyes fixated on a slightly tipsy Elias talking to Elenor. She laughed with a huge grin as he told what seemed like a joke. Elias bids her farewell as he walks away, leaving Elenor alone to smile to herself.

Elias had always been known as the school's fuck boy. Girls fall to be the victims of his charms and flirtatious ways. He had the brains and a respectable athletic career. He was the stereotypical alpha male.

Elenor on the other hand wasn't popular but she also wasn't hated. She would usually be blurred into the background along with the other rich kids in this school. Never really had a voice for anything, wasn't outstandingly attractive to a model standard. She was just normal.

Seeing these two was new.

My red solo cup became empty as I took the last swig of mysterious jungle juice. I put down two of the same cards symbolising my win. Alice scoffed it off as not being the rules as I stood up to go grab myself another serving.

The glorious bowl filled to the top with fruits and lollies sat like a king amongst the other snacks of the table.

All students that went to Petunia resided in their apartment. All with the same layout with the only difference being with how the students decorated them. Only the richest high school could afford to build an entire apartment building for their dorms.

I winced in pain as a person turned a corner too quickly, hitting me and spilling the bright blue jungle juice all over my clothes. The cold liquid made me shiver. Then my mind went to something else. My Dior shirt was now ruined. Dry cleaning would not get this out.

The person uttered a bunch of profanities and then looked up at me.

"Ah shit, my bad Marcella," Peter said with a worried look.

I laughed it off, "No it's fine! It's only a shirt." A $300 shirt that my aunt gifted. I wasn't one to cry over materialistic items but sentimental? Yes.

Peter tried to help get me cleaned off but I just told him I could handle it myself. I collected myself and went to go find the bathroom. The corridor of the apartment contained other students talking amongst themselves, too intoxicated to see my freshly dyed blue Dior. I managed my way to the door of the bathroom.

Pushing it open I was welcomed by two people making out. More specifically Elias and Rachael Parker. They were very immersed in their little saliva donation to realise I was there. I scoffed at Elias' disgusting behaviour. He was flirting with another girl just a few minutes ago and now he's locking lips with another? This man was unbelievable.

I walked away trying to erase the cursed image in my head while texting Alice.

me

I'm just going to go back to my apartment. my flight is pretty early tomorrow

The music from behind me drowned out as I started listening to my thoughts. I had a moment of realisation. I was leaving for Gleyvania tomorrow morning with my fiancé since I was six. I was going to be in public to the media for the first time in years since I was fourteen. I was scared. Scared of how the media would present me. Would I be dubbed the princess that strayed too far from home and wanted to come back? A princess that gave up on her country? They never knew the true story. They never will.

I was to be in a gown tomorrow. All dressed pretty to please the public. What if they make a fool out of me? What if the dress isn't modest enough? Or what if the dress is too modest, not showing how I've grown up. But what I was most concerned about was my date. My future husband, my future king. I could barely tolerate his childish and immature behaviour, how could I deal with him for a whole event with watchful eyes?

I heard the chime of my phone ring. Picking it up, I saw it was an unknown number wanting to video call.

I accepted the call and lo and behold was another devil in disguise.

"How on earth did you get my number for this phone?" I questioned with a huge grin. Mother had thought that having separate phones to communicate with was the most she could do for me. 'Better be safe than sorry she would always advise me when lecturing me.

Morgan let out a huge chuckle, "Your 'husband' of course." I nearly gagged at the mention of the word. Husband? "You two are madly in love according to the media or so this royal insider tells."

I managed to reach the door of my apartment. I dug around in my hand to find my dorm keycard and swipe the sensor to unlock the door. "You mean my insanely delusional mother? Then yes, we are totally in love!"

"So I assume that the rumours are true and that Princess Mary will be in attendance at the Gleyvanian Gala tomorrow?" Morgan asks.

"Yeah doesn't it seem like a fairytale?" I said sarcastically. "See you then Morgs."