Annika the Fifth

Chapter Fourteen

The ball started and when we made our entrance, I tried not to laugh at Lady Mary's face. Who knew grotesque could be so funny? Soon the ball began and Eliza, Cora, and Maya drifted off to who knows where while Addie and I stayed put. "I think I'm going to be sick," she blurted.

Before I could respond Saige ran up to us. "You made it!" I exclaimed

"I couldn't miss it," Saige said, "You two look so beautiful,"

"Thank you!" Addie and I said.

Saige turned to the Fortune Relic which was up on this stand and covered with a fancy cloth. It was guarded by two guards. "Is that the Fortune Relic?" Saige asked.

Addie and I nodded and I could see Addie's face turn slightly pale. I wish I could say I was sure about her being queen but I was super nervous. And I didn't even want to be queen! Saige was the only one who looked happy and kept gushing about our dresses or asking where our tiaras were. I was so zoned out by Saige's constant talking I didn't hear someone saying my name from behind me. I only realized when Saige stopped talking for a second. "Oh, hi Noah!" she said cheerfully.

I turned around, it seemed like Noah could find me anywhere. And I did not like that. Even worse when he pulled out his cards he never seemed to leave behind. "I'm glad I could find you, Anne," he said, "I almost didn't recognize you--"

I pulled Addie in front of me, "She wants to talk to you,"

Addie's face instantly turned red, matching her dress almost. I knew she hated me for this but maybe she was going to thank me later. Noah looked at her quizzically. "Hi..." he said slowly and then squinted at her. I'm pretty sure he was trying to find out if she was Addie or Eliza.

"It's Addie," she sighed

"Oh, hi Addie," he said, "Aren't you excited? You look nervous,"

I saw Addie's hands going up to cover her face and I quickly put them down. I could hear Saige sigh but I pretended not to hear that. Addie just shrugged, tugging on her dress. "A--A...a uh...a little," she stammered.

There was silence and then Addie ran off. She didn't leave the ballroom luckily but unfortunately, she left on an awkward note with Noah. He didn't look awkward or anything, just confused. "What's wrong with her?" he asked.

Oh if only he knew.

"She's just nervous," Saige said, stepping forward, "Anyways, you look really nice,"

Yuck, here she goes. Even though Addie wasn't in sight, I couldn't just stand there and watch. I didn't even want to stand there and watch or else I'd die of disgust. So then I squinted my eyes looking behind Noah and for some reason, he noticed immediately. "Is that Maya?" I asked.

Noah gasped and looked around. "Where? You know what? I think I'm going to talk to my friends or something,"

He quickly walked away but waved to me and Saige, "Talk to you later, Anna, and...uh...Sarah?"

"It's Saige," she muttered under her breath.

I didn't expect Noah to react like that. Okay, I did partially but I sort of thought he'd go and talk to her. Although the relationship between Maya and Noah seems sort of forced. And one-sided. Saige huffed and looked at me. "What gives?" she asked

"Oh," I said, forgetting she was affected by that.

I shrugged and I had no idea why I thought Saige would brush it off. Because clearly it didn't look like she would and she didn't.

"So I can't talk to him too?" Saige said accusingly, "I mean you talk to him all the time,"

"I know what you're trying to do," I said defensively

"Well, I know what you're trying to do," Saige carped.

I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. This was just stupid. Maybe I wouldn't have minded much if we were at school in our boring old uniforms but right now I was in a ball gown. I was dressed too pretty to be arguing about some boy. I frowned at that thought, was I starting to sound like Maya?

Saige snapped in front of my face. I blinked and then instantly glared at her. Didn't she know it was rude to snap at people? And the audacity to do it in my face? Saige didn't care so I guess I shouldn't care all too much. "Hello?" she asked, "Are you even paying attention?"

"Listen," I huffed, "You can save whatever you have to say for school,"

"As if," Saige fumed, "I--"

But the loud trumpets cut her off. Oh no, that was my cue. But my feet stayed glued to the ground. I didn't want to walk past all those people to get to the Fortune Relic. Saige motioned me to go. "Well?" she said, "Hurry up!"

I walked as fast as I could to the front where the other princesses and their parents were standing. I remembered Lady Mary's speech and I sighed. We'd be standing in front of these people for a long time.

Lady Mary went on rambling about the former princesses' death but she was mostly talking about Alexandra (of course). I glanced at Addie's whose hands were shaking and she put them behind her back. My heart was beating faster especially when the cloth was removed from the shiny crystal ball. I think that's when I fully realized the queen could be anyone. Now just Maya or Addie. I hoped it wasn't me, then I'd never get to find my brother. Then Lady Mary asked the most important question: "Who will be the future queen of Destinia?"

This was the first time I saw the Fortune Relic in action. It glowed and shimmered and it stopped but I didn't look to see what it showed. I didn't need to, almost a second later, Addie was out of sight. She dashed past the crowd of people, even pushing them if she had to get away. There was a hush in the ballroom. Lady Mary let out an uncomfortable chuckle which is something you'd definitely want to do in that situation. I looked at the Fortune Relic and before the image faded away I knew for sure that it wasn't Addie who was going to be queen or me. They were right. It was Maya.

***

Wow this chapter was short (just like my other ones). It hurt to write this chapter but it needed to be done. Fun Fact: This book was based off one of my stories I did in like 2021. I just typed it on a Google Doc and it was horrible (since I was like in middle school during online school). There's like a few similarities like five princesses and that five girls were chosen, one from the village. Except they had to take a princess test and there was no Fortune Relic. Also there was no Lady Mary or Alfred. I didn't even finish the story which happened often. But thanks for reading! :)