La Bella Regina [The Princess Diaries Fanfic]

Ch. 31 You both will officially live with me

Aurora and Mia stood at the entrance of the San Francisco Aquarium, their breaths catching at the sight of the mesmerizing blue waters visible through the glass. Their faces lit up with excitement, mirroring the shimmering waters before them.

Behind them stood their entourage: Annalise and Rosalba, Aurora's maids, and Hugo and Jaxon, her attentive bodyguards. Mia's maids, Holly and Poppy, chatted quietly while her bodyguards, Alastor and Emmanuel, scanned the surroundings.

"Can you believe we're here?" Mia said, nudging Aurora gently. "I've always wanted to visit this place."

Aurora smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. "I can see why. It's like another world in there."

As they stepped through the entrance, their anticipation was noticeable. The first exhibit greeted them: a colossal tank overflowing with vibrant coral reefs and schools of fish, each one a tiny burst of color darting in and out of its hiding place. Mia, unable to contain her excitement, pressed her face against the glass, her breath creating a foggy canvas as she observed a clownfish gracefully navigating the anemones.

"Look at that one," Mia pointed, her voice filled with childlike wonder. "It's so tiny and cute!"

Aurora laughed softly, her heart warming at her sister's enthusiasm. "It is. I wonder if it has a name."

As they moved deeper into the aquarium, the group stayed close, their bodyguards maintaining a discreet but protective distance. Hugo's icy blue eyes constantly scanned the crowd, while Jaxon's presence was a solid, reassuring force beside Aurora.

Annalise and Rosalba, walking just behind the sisters, glanced knowingly at each other. "They look so happy," Annalise whispered.

"Yes," Rosalba agreed, her blue eyes softening. "It's good to see them like this."

Aurora and Mia stopped before a tank filled with graceful jellyfish, mesmerized by the ethereal creatures gliding through the water. "They're so beautiful," Aurora said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mia nodded. "I wish Dad could have seen this with us."

A shadow passed over Aurora's face, but she quickly replaced it with a smile. "He would have loved it."

Holly and Poppy joined them, their faces reflecting the same awe. "This place is incredible," Holly said. "It's like stepping into another world."

"Definitely," Poppy agreed, her eyes following a giant jellyfish.

The group continued to explore the aquarium, each exhibit bringing new wonders. When they reached the touch pool, Mia eagerly rolled up her sleeves, ready to plunge her hands into the cool water. Aurora hesitated for a moment before following her sister's lead.

"Here, try touching this one," Mia said, guiding Aurora's hand toward a small, spiny sea urchin. 

"It's not as prickly as it looks."

Aurora laughed, the sensation tickling her fingers. "You're right! It's fun."

As the day wore on, the sisters grew more comfortable in each other's company, their laughter echoing through the halls of the aquarium. Their bodyguards and maids kept a watchful eye, but they couldn't help but smile at the sight of the two girls enjoying their time together.

Standing closer to Mia than the others, Emmanuel often found his gaze lingering on her. She was full of life and joy, and he couldn't help but be drawn to her infectious energy.

By the time they left the aquarium, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city. Aurora and Mia walked side by side, their arms linked, a new bond of sisterhood forming between them.