Hidden Royalties

five ༉‧₊˚.

MS G WAS pleasantly happy with today's practice that she let us finish early. Or maybe it's because it was the first class of the day and people were talking about the Gleyvanian Gala. I adjusted my blonde wig as I placed my violin and bow back into its case. While gathering together my music sheets, I overheard Penelope in the flute section gloating once again.

"Yeah, Mina Jeong complimented my dress. I talked to all the Goldens actually, Princess Mary invited me to her after-party," she bragged to her admirers.

I don't remember this after-party I apparently hosted. All I remember was falling into my bed and having to listen to Elias' lecture on how eating is a very important part of living. But he would get it. He might even lecture me more if I were to tell him.

"Aren't Prince Elias and Princess Mary in an arranged marriage?" One of her admirers asked.

"I don't know about the marriage part, but they're definitely together. I saw them all over themselves in the drawing-room," she said as if she was informing everyone of an enormous scandal. Her petty admirers gasped.

We were definitely not 'all over ourselves. We kissed and then we went home. It's like she saw two horny ass teenagers in a room to themselves.

Penelope's coterie then started to talk about the Winter Formal due to looking at pictures of the celebrities' dresses at the gala. From what I recall, it's only about three months away. However, I won't be attending. I've been to countless balls, galas, garden parties, you name it. It's not like it's that important, it'll probably be boring.

"Here's your gift!" Alice said as she brought out a small golden keychain with a jade dragon. "Sorry, I kind of forgot until I was at the airport."

I pulled a small box that held a silver bracelet embedded with some diamonds. Alice's appreciation was shown by her joyous expression. I'm so glad that there was a nearby jeweller at the airport.

"So how was London? What did you even do?" she asked while putting her sheet music into her folder.

"Oh, it was just my cousin's wedding," I lied.

"Any pictures?"

"Unfortunately not."

"That's a shame. Want to go get food now? Heard a new cafe was opening five minutes away," Alice said excitedly.

"Sorry, I have a piano lesson now," I said as the morning tea bell chimed.

"Damn, it sucks to be you. I'll see you next class?" she said as we walked towards the door. I nodded then we went our separate ways.

I took out my phone and looked at the articles from the other night about the gala while I walked to the piano room. Journalists were competing for the top new article for the event with their titles. They were kind of hilarious in a way. Many insinuated Elias and I's 'love'. We were trending on Twitter.

I opened the door to the piano room still scrolling mindlessly through my newsfeed before I was hit with a shower of sheet music.

"Ah, I'm so sorry," I started apologising before looking up and realising who it was.

"Don't stress. I was on my phone as well. We should've been paying attention," Peter said as he was on his knees picking up his papers on the floor. I bent down to help him as well.

I noticed it was a mixture of blank lines as well as pencil-drawn sheet music. I played the first line of one of them in my head. It was a gentle first line.

"You write sheet music?" I asked giving him some papers from the floor.

"No, well, yes? It's for our music class. The teacher says that I should write music to improve with how I play," he said as he grabbed the last few papers. "Remember to look where you're going next time!" Peter left with a smile and a small wave.

I made my way to the chestnut wood piano before hearing my phone alert me of a text message. I sighed at the name of the sender.

E

princess

E

come meet me

E

I have a little present

E

behind you!

I was confused by the last message. I turned around and the devil was standing right behind me. I was taken back, stepping back onto the piano seat.

Elias laughed watching me fall into my seat to which he came closer. Close enough that his face was in front of mine. My heart started to be out of my control.

"Remember what happened last time we were in this position princess?" he teased.

"Kiss me again and I'll personally castrate you."

He stepped away with his hands out, throwing a small shiny object at me.

I looked at him, wondering if it was legal to kill your soon to be husband.

The object he threw was a ring. A very gorgeous ring I might add. It was a teal blue pear cut diamond surrounded by white diamonds and encased by a gold band. I inspected how the sapphire gem changed colours against the light coming in.

"I actually sat there and listened to the woman talk about rings. I'm just glad I'd never have to do that shit again," he groaned.

"Poor you, but why are you giving this to me now?"

"We are having an engagement photoshoot in," he looked at his silver watch, "two hours."

"And no one wanted to tell me this?" I said. "Why didn't we do this while we were still in Gleyvania?

"Because our photographer is stuck here. In Sweden."

We arrived at my parent's property in Sweden. It was very secluded by the amount of forestry and lush gardens surrounding it but was still an amazing venue for photoshoots with the architecture and bright natural lighting. Inside, my mother was chatting with a very serious tone to the royal photographer. She was then made aware of our presence and then ushered us to get ready.

Elias and I came out wearing modest clothing. Elias wore a dress shirt with the first two buttons undone and dress pants. His hair was more curly than usual since having to curl it using tools. My mother had prepared for me a Maude pink knee-length dress.

"Ah wonderful, we can start now!" my mother announced. The photographer led us towards our first location.

Elias placed his hand on my waist and posed for the camera. His touch made me shiver but I knew that I couldn't complain, especially with my mother there. His hair looked ridiculous curled from using a curling wand that I nearly laughed at in front of my mother. I took my hand and ran it through his hair, loosening the curls. He looked at me with daggers to which I gave a passive-aggressive smile back.

We continued to take photos in various locations around the property with multiple poses that mostly showed off the engagement ring. I took moments in between shots to admire the ring some more. Even though the situation was shitty, it was indeed a beautiful ring.

The photograph finishes and returns to my mother to let her see the photos. She looks defeated then comes towards me. Elias manages to stray away with a phone call.

"You shouldn't have eaten before this. You look bloated in half of these photos!" she said angrily.

"I apologise to my mother." Yeah right. Would have been useful if she would have told me beforehand.

"Are you still taking your medicine?" she asked frustratedly.

"Of course, mother," I said defeatedly.