Annika the Fifth

Chapter Four

We were all excused from breakfast and we were greeted by Alfred from outside the door. "Hello there, princesses," he said.

I was the only one who said hello back, the rest just stared at him. I bet staring isn't foreign to them. And talk about decorum.

"Lady Mary told me that I will be in charge of showing you around," Alfred said, "But I decided to do it in a fun way. A scavenger hunt,"

Since everybody else still had the same facial expression as before I smiled and clapped. "Yay, fun!" I said.

I think Maya glared at me. But Alfred looked so happy that I seemed excited. He handed us each a paper with a list of palaces in the palace and pens to check them off. "Okay, now," he said with a grin, "Carry along and don't get lost!"

It took a while for everyone to get moving but once they did Maya scoffed. "He can be so annoying," she said.

Adelaide, Elizabeth, and Cordelia all giggled like little mice. "You seem to know him well," I said.

I didn't exactly mean to say that, it just came out of my mouth without me thinking. They just stared at me and I stared back. I was about to ask them if they had a staring problem but Maya spoke up. "I do know him quite well, actually," Maya said, "In fact, I know all about the palace because I came here often,"

"Wow," Elizabeth said, "Really?"

Maya smiled and nodded proudly, "I was even best friends with Princess Alexandra herself,"

"Oh my goodness!" Cordelia gushed, "That's amazing,"

I would've thought Maya was lying but it was believable. I mean, why else would she be so haughty? Maya then balled up her list. "I say it's pretty useless to do this," she said, "We are not seven-year-olds after all. I can show you my favorite places instead,"

All the other girls clapped their hands excitedly while I frowned at my list because I wanted to do the scavenger hunt. Besides, are Maya's favorite places useful to know? I doubt it.

She led us to the room and she opened the door. Inside, there were several glass cases with jewelry inside. When we walked closer, they each had labels under them. "Whoa..." I said.

There were necklaces, bracelets, and sparkling tiaras with many more. "Will we get to wear them?" Adelaide said

"You have a better chance of wearing them when you're queen," Maya said but she sounded like she was bored.

Maya then led us to another door which was guarded. "That door is where the queen's crown is," Maya said, her voice suddenly brightening, "When I--you're finally queen, you get to wear it. But of course, it would take too much time to see it. Anyway, follow me,"

I rolled my eyes but nonetheless, we followed her out of the jewelry room. As we walked, Adelaide was talking about how much she hoped to be queen. "I think I would make the perfect queen," she said to her sister, "Don't you think?"

Elizabeth nodded and Maya snorted. It was clear Maya thought she was going to be queen in the future. Even though it was more of a likely chance, I rather it be Adelaide. Destina would be in the very wrong hands if Maya was ever chosen to be queen.

We walked some more until we got to the end of a hallway. It was a huge ballroom with very shiny floors. Maya smiled and twirled around. "I can't wait for the coronation on Saturday," she said dreamily

"The coronation is on Saturday?" I asked.

Maya glared. "Yes, it is. You would know that if you came on time yesterday,"

I glared back. "It's not my fault because I had no idea about this,"

"Oh right," Maya said, waving her hand dismissively, "You live in the village and you were the last princess chosen,"

She smirked, "I was the first,"

Cordelia, Elizabeth, and Adelaide all looked at the two of us nervously. I really didn't want to argue but Maya was being so annoying and bratty. "So?" I asked, "Does the order matter?"

Maya turned to me and crossed her arms. "Well the Fortune Relic always has a reason," she said, "And since I'm the first then most likely I'll be queen. I'm sure of it,"

Aidelaide's eyes widened slightly. "Wait...but I was the fourth chosen,"

"Seriously?" Maya snickered, "And you thought you had a chance,"

Maya turned around, heading towards the door. "I suggest you all start calling me queen from now on,"

With that, she left the ballroom, the sound of the door closing making an echo. I glanced at Adelaide who looked awkwardly at her feet. I couldn't wait for the coronation so maybe there was a chance Maya could get humbled. She really needed it. "Don't listen to her," I said, "I'm sure you'd make the perfect queen, Adelaide,"

Besides, I'm sure Maya just wants to be queen for attention. As if she's already getting enough favoritism and I could see more of it happening in the future. Still, Adelaide smiled at me gratefully. "Thank you, Annika," she said then hesitated, "You can...you can call me Addie by the way,"

"And you can call me Eliza," Elizabeth added

"Call me Cora," Coredlia said.

I smiled a little, which was probably the first real smile and nodded at them. "Alright then," I said, "Addie, Cora, and Eliza,"

"What should we call you?" Addie asked.

I frowned a little and tilted my head. "You mean a nickname?"

Cora nodded. "Yeah, like Annie,"

"Or Anna," Eliza suggested.

I shook my head. I've been called Annika all my life, I didn't want to change it now that I was starting a new one. "You guys can just call me Annika," I said.

They looked at each other and shrugged and we all left the ballroom. "Why are you friends with Maya anyway?" I asked, "She seems pretty mean,"

"She is mean," Addie said, "And we're not friends with her,"

That confused me because it seemed like they were all in a group. But whatever she said. I was kind of sick of this whole Maya topic so I pulled out the list from earlier. "Does anyone want to do the scavenger hunt?" I asked.

Addie, Eliza, and Cora looked at each other and then turned to me with excited faces. I assumed that was a yes. So we did the scavenger hunt until lunch. I was in a much better mood and I figured it was just because of Maya. I had no idea I was supposed to live with her for the rest of my life. Actually, how could I even stay here for the rest of my life? It seemed so odd. My life just changed overnight.

***

So what do you guys think of this chapter? Also, do you guys know a Maya in real life. I did...sort of, except I'm not friends with her anymore. Anyway, thanks for reading and I'll be sure to put another part soon!