Kingdom's Queen

Act 1: 9

I slam my face into my pillow, screaming. "You're overreacting." Emily pats my back.

"No, I don't think she is." Winston pipes up, angry. "I should have him banned from my kingdom for that." He sighs, rubbing his eyes. "My poor sister, how she must've felt."

"Honestly, she'll get over it. You know how she likes Tristan's charm, how he talks to her. He can soothe her through anything moronic he does." Emily sits next to me and pulls me up. "The better question is: How do you feel about what just happened?"

"Oh, that was so AWKWARD." I throw my pillow to the wall, watching it cling to the curtains. "Trisha, I truly hope he NEVER speaks to me again."

Trisha sits in the corner, politely holding a cup of tea. "So... You and Winston? That's funny, considering-"

I hold up my hand. "AH, don't finish that. I'd rather not let him know about it."

"Wait, about what?" Winston smiles. "C'mon, tell me."

"I'd rather not hear this." Emily interrupts. "And, please, Trisha, respect our rules."

"Rules?" I ask, chuckling. "What rules?"

"The rules of our friendship, remember? We keep on topic until the person who first started it decides to move the topic along or change it. I hope you'll do well to remember that." She points to me. "How did you feel?"

"Horrible." I sigh. I fall back and grab my hair. "It made my heart drop the way he said it, holding my hand and everything."

"Alright, what about you?" She looks at Winston.

"Ugh, I don't even know where to start. He had his chance when she lived in his castle, I don't know why he suddenly decided to start liking her now. He had way too many opportunities when she was REQUIRED to spend time with him. Now that she's suddenly a princess, AND taken, he thinks she's a good match for him? I don't think so." He glances at Trisha. "No offense to you or anything, I just dislike your brother right now."

"No, I dislike him as well. And I'm sure everyone else is too."

"She doesn't even look that different from before." Winston grumbles, standing up. He walks to my suitcase, pulling out my hairbrush. He walks back and starts to brush it, admiring the length. "I've always liked you... And I'm the happiest man alive knowing that we're going to marry." He reaches over to hold my face, smiling softly.

"Dang." Emily watches with a serious face. "If only August was like that." She laughs.

Trisha slams her cup down and walks over to me. "You broke your promise, I just remembered."

"What?" I look up at her.

"You promised that no matter what happened, we'd have no secrets between each other, and that we'd always be together and-"

I stop her. "I sent you thirty-four letters."

"And I didn't read a single one because you were supposed to tell me in person."

"I wasn't allowed to leave the castle grounds back in Harmony. My mother wasn't taking any chances in losing me again."

Trisha stops, backing up a little. She points to Emily and Winston, "So you two went to her?" They nod. "Oh."

I stand up and brush my dress off, the ruffles bother me. A long-sleeved, long-length green dress clothes me today. As sunny as it was, I'd rather not let anyone see what ten years of work in the Belle kingdom can do to someone's arms. I adjust the gold chain in my hair before walking to the door.

"Ok, I don't want to be in here anymore, let's go."

"You're not the boss of me," Emily says as she stands. "You should be happy this is your room."

"My love, Darling." Winston stops me, twirling me into his arms. "I've got your dress for you in my room. My mother asked me to bring it for you and I haven't mentioned it until now. I wanted to see you try it on."

I push his face away. "Fat chance. I'd rather you wait until the big night." He chuckles and points to the door, opening it. In walks one of Moda's staff with a green dress in his hands. "Oh. Yeah, no. You can wait. But thank you." I joke as I admire the dress.

"Of course. I made sure it would compliment your icy eyes and golden face."

I wish I could joke about that, "my golden face". Just like Declan, I got my golden lines. One down the middle of my face, and two on either cheek, marking along the bone. I don't like them, but they developed the more I used magic. Outside of Harmony, only Tristan and Trisha know about my abilities.

"Truly, I am the luckiest man alive. My first love is my true love."

And I am lucky to have Winston.