Annika the Fifth

Chapter Thirteen

The next day was the day of the coronation. I noticed Addie wasn't eating so I assumed she was nervous. "Don't worry," I said to her after breakfast, "Everything will be okay,"

"I hope so," Addie said quietly.

I don't know if it was bad timing or what because the castle door was opened by two guards and in came two adults, a male and female, and...Noah?

Maya pushed Addie and me out of the way and wrapped her arms around Noah. "Eeeee!" she squealed.

I then noticed Maya's parents walking in and I realized that this might be some sort of plan. But it seemed to affect Addie because she looked down and backed away. Then Lady Mary pushed us out of the way and greeted all of them. "What are they doing here?" Eliza asked coming up from behind us

"I think I have an idea why..." I said quietly.

When Noah caught my glance he rushed over to me. "Annie!" he said excitedly, "I'm glad you're here. My dad got me three new legendary Knightly Cards. I know you don't like them much but--"

"Hey, Addie wants to say hi," I said quickly.

She looked mortified but Noah waved to her and Eliza. "Hi," he said, "Addie or Eliza,"

I sighed and Eliza rolled her eyes. Addie just looked away and blushed. I made the mistake of looking at the adults who gave me terrifying glares. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I was scared of them. Luckily Lady Mary pulled Noah along, saying something about tea, I wouldn't know she was talking too fast. Maya and Noah's parents hurried along, each giving me glares. Maya came last and threatened, "When I become queen, the first thing I'll do is exile you,"

Then she marched off. "What a happy crowd," Cora said sarcastically

"Seriously, Addie," Eliza said, looking at her sister who was still flustered, "His family are just a bunch of jerks. If anything, he'd be perfect for Maya,"

I was going to say something but then I realized that I would be defending Noah. I didn't think Noah was spoiled, he was just...as I said earlier, a boy. Still, I didn't want to defend him and it wasn't because I didn't want them to think I liked him (which I didn't). There was another reason I couldn't fully explain.

Noah's family left an hour later and that's when preparations for the coronation were being set up. Alfred was talking to so many people at once, that the cooks thought they were supposed to hang balloons while the maids that they were supposed to frost the cake. Which is pretty dumb if you ask me.

Before I knew it, the sun was going down and I could see carriages coming on the bridge to the castle. I came out of my room and rushed down the stairs but then I heard a very loud scream. If I didn't peek inside the dressing room, I thought somebody was getting murdered. "Oh no..." Cora said quietly

"What happened?" I asked.

I knew immediately Isabella was the one who screamed, also, it looked like she wanted to cry. The princesses stepped aside and there I saw it. I don't think I ever thought I'd scream over a dress, but here I am now. "My dress!" I cried.

My dress was stained with some sort of purple juice. I knew they could never come off. It was ruined!

"It's okay, Annika," Addie reassured

"It's not okay!" Isabella sobbed and started fanning herself. Eliza quickly went behind Isabella just as she fainted. Lady Mary came in with Maya and by the looks on their faces, they already knew what happened. I knew I'd give them the satisfaction of being visibly angry but I couldn't help it. Were they that shallow? "What did you do to my dress?" I yelled.