The grand dining hall of the palace was adorned with fortune as the KodaCait royal family gathered for their evening meal. The seating arrangement miraculously remained the same every time the family gathered to eat: A golden rectangular table with King Augustine on one side and Evie on the other. Odie was seated on the King's left, whilst Queen Pandora sat on his right. Next to Odie sat Posy, Mari and Stella in that order. Next to the Queen sat Bea, Isa and Bella, also in that order. However, the air was thick with tension as Mari, fashionably late as always, made a dramatic entrance. King Augustine and Queen Pandora, their patience waning, couldn't help but express their disapproval.
"Mari...what have we said about being on time for family dinner?" King Augustine questioned his spoiled daughter.
"Mariposa, we'd really appreciate it if we had the whole family together for family dinner" Queen Pandora chided, taking a small sip of water, "You're still part of the family, you know."
With a smug smirk, an eye roll and a shrug of the shoulders, Mari moseyed to the seat in between Posy and Stella, who both immediately lowered their heads and trembled, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
"My bad, you guys, I was just busy" Mari snarked casually, placing her feet on the table.
In response, Bella exchanged glances with her twin, before muttering "Busy snogging her boyfriend" under her breath. The words, though spoken in hushed tones, reached Mari's ears like a stinging accusation.
"What was that, Arabella?" Mari cocked her head towards the ten year old like an owl, giving her an intimidating dirty look, "Do you want to repeat that again, you little brat?" She threatened, slowly rising from her seat as she felt the anger bubble in her blood, causing her cheeks to go red and hot.
"Well, yeah, maybe I do!" Bella spoke louder and braver with raised eyebrows, "You're always kissing him, you can never control yourself around him!"
Fuelled by a surge of fury, Mari retaliated by flinging a glass of cold juice in Bella's direction. The orange liquid splattered across Bella's face, leaving her and everyone else momentarily stunned. The dining hall fell silent, a heavy tension settling over the room like a thick rain cloud. Bella's shoulders slumped in shock, her wide eyes welling up with tears.
"Keep my boyfriend's name out of your mouth, you stupid idiot!" Mari raged, slamming the empty glass on the table, causing the youngest three to flinch.
Isa and Evie had stern expressions etched upon their faces.
"Mari! Why would you do that?!" Isa yelled at her, while wiping juice out of Bella's face.
"She started it, Isa!" Mari argued in defence.
"Yeah, but you don't have to almost blind Bella with juice!" Evie chided, handing more tissues to Bella. A huge dark orange stain appeared on Bella's pale yellow dress.
"Shut up, Evie! No one asked for your opinion!" Mari barked back, finally sitting down in her chair.
The atmosphere, already charged with Mari's antics, took an unexpected turn as the parents unveiled plans for Isa's future.
King Augustine smiled and clapped his hands, his green eyes filled with joy, "Ladies, we have exciting news. Isa, our eldest, is to be engaged to Prince Edris of Casmen, in order to strengthen the bond between our lands!"
Isa blushed, covering her hands in embarrassment, "Oh, Mum, Dad, do we have to announce it like this?"
"Why not, my dear? It's a joyous occasion that must be shared with the family!" Queen Pandora teased, "How will you react when we tell the people of KodaCait this news?".
The revelation sparked a chorus of mockery from all the sisters. Laughter and teasing words echoed through the hall, each sister contributing to the mirth at Isa's expense.
"Isa and Edris sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" Evie began singing mockingly. The rest of the sisters burst into laughter, and Isa hid her face in her hands.
At that moment, a maid handed Queen Pandora a picture of the Casmen Royal Family with a smirk. The queen then passed the photo to Isa, causing all of the sisters to crowd around her eagerly like moths to a flame, all wanting to see their future brother-in-law.
The Casmen Royal family seemed very polished and refined. The King and Queen of Casmen- King Ellsworth and Queen Edeline had six children. The eldest- Prince Edris, was only a year older than Isa. He stood with an undeniable magnetism. His chiselled features, framed by rich brown hair and piercing blue eyes, emitted a fascinating charm that drew attention effortlessly. A confident and attractive smile graces his face, highlighting an air of charisma that has a particular allure for females. Yet, beneath the surface charm, Isa thought there lingered a subtle hint of arrogance.
Bea closely inspected Edris's face, then smiled: "Oh he's cute, Isa. You could do worse."
"Definitely! I wouldn't mind having a prince like him all to myself!" Odie chuckled, nudging Bea.
"Well Isa, if you don't want him, I'll take him!" Evie giggled, ruffling Isa's hair and winking at her.
"Evie, please!" Isa cringed, rolling her eyes.
Posy wasn't as thrilled as her sisters were. Instead of complimenting him, she squinted her eyes and muttered "I think he looks annoying." with a disapproving glance.
"Yes, Posy, exactly! Annoying." Isa quickly agreed.
"He's attractive, but not as much as my Hawthorne." Mari quipped with a proud grin.
"Isa and Edris sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!" Bella repeated the song again with a cheeky dance, causing everyone but Isa to erupt in more guffaw.
Stella began to twirl around the dinner hall, enthused in her own little world. "Oh, imagine the wedding! A grand affair with flowers everywhere, and-"
"Stella, please, spare me the details." Isa interrupted, clearly exasperated. But the relentless teasing didn't stop there.
"Awww, is Isa already picturing herself sneaking off to have secret affairs with Edris?" Evie jested, poking Isa's back continuously.
"Maybe they'll have midnight rendezvous in the castle gardens! I think I should start designing her wedding dress-" Odie laughed.
The sisters continued to snicker, and Isa's embarrassment grew exponentially.
"Can we please change the subject?" Isa pleaded with her parents, who were surveying the teasing with mischievous smiles. The King and Queen pretended to ignore the request.
"Isa, you're going to be a queen. Get used to the attention!" Evie jibed, slapping Isa on the back.
"And the scandalous rumours!" Odie chucked playfully.
Isa, humiliated in the face of the jokes, realised the weight of her impending responsibilities and the mockery of her sisters bore down on her shoulders. She adjusted her posture and cleared her throat, trying to eliminate her dread.
Perhaps, she thought, marrying a man like Prince Edris wouldn't be too bad. After all, she was Princess Isadora of KodaCait, able to withstand anything that came her way.
YOU ARE READING
8 Sisters of KodaCait: The Original
Teen Fiction"For the first time in the seven years since she first arrived, she began to think the Orphanage was a better place for her. She just hated herself, hated her life, hated everything. " King Augustine and Queen Pandora make a life changing decision t...
