whenever you are | j.hook

two

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–WITH EVERYONE NOW separating and herding together to find their assigned seats before the opening ceremony began, Felix left to find his family's. He hoped he wouldn't be seated near his cousins, but with their relation being public knowledge, he may not be able to avoid a full reunion with his extended family.

It seemed luck was not on Felix von der Sonne's side; as he slipped through swarms of royal and commoner families, he found his family's assigned seating. There sat his mother and father with an empty seat between them (clearly reserved for their son), Queen Anna on Rapunzel's left and her two kids, Alma and Amund, between her and their father, Kristoff. Shit.

"Fetter!"

Alma waved the brunette over to the rest of the family with a carefree yet bright grin that seemed genetic. She was always so happy to see him, even if he didn't seem to share that same sentiment.

"Cousine."

Felix smiled politely, taking a seat between his parents and greeting the other adults. "Tante, Onkel." He leaned forward enough to see his cousins, letting his smile relax. "Hello, Alma. Pleasure to see you once again."

The blonde girl scrunched up her nose at the brunette's formality but smiled kindly at her younger cousin. As the oldest child of their families, Alma always took it upon herself to include each child in family events as she could, always pulling Felix and Cassandra into conversations and activities whenever there was an opening. She wanted her cousins to never feel excluded from their connected family.

Queen Anna smiled softly, lovingly, at Felix. "Hello, Nevø." His aunt tilted her head with a cheeky glint in her eyes, "Have you grown more since we saw you last?"

King Kristoff poked his head into view, grinning brightly at the brunette. "Hey, Nevø, you look comfy."

Felix was the only one to be wearing casual clothing, which he was now regretting, as the rest of his family wore regal clothing. His mother and aunt were in beautiful flowing dresses of their own signature colours, both embroidered with flowers and petals that brought them together. His father and uncle were wearing more casual regal wear, as they both despised the kingly attire they had married into. His cousins both wore their standard regal button-ups and blazers, their ties askew as they would constantly readjust them, and plain yet posh slacks.

"There is no dress code, Onkel." Felix leaned back and slumped into his chair, almost pouting.

He should have known every royal family would dress so, but he didn't want to look too prestigious to those without royal status. He wanted to make friends, not be stuck in the suffocating crowd of princes and princesses.

Voices soon died down as Fairy Godmother walked on stage, clearing her throat. Every family, royal or not, faced the woman.

"Attention, please." The woman smiled kindly, gazing across every adult and child in the crowd as she talked. "Oh, parents and students, it has been a great privilege to serve you. But the time has come for another to take my place." She moved to the side, smile brightening, "So please join me in welcoming Auradon Prep's new principal."

Felix watched as Principal Uma walked through an open path of her pirates, singing her signature song with more maturity and grace as her pirates were back-up.

Alma leaned closer to Felix, her voice low so as to not interrupt the performance. "You should've seen what the opening ceremonies used to be. This is much better."

When the song came to an end, claps and cheers filled the air, encouraging the new principal that she was doing something right.

"That's Principal Uma to you." She pointed to the crowd with a cheeky grin, "And you better get it straight, or you'll be walking the plank."

The crowd laughed. Felix even chuckled when Fairy Godmother tried to reassure with a chuckle that the pirate was 'just kidding.' He was pretty sure Alma had once complained about how sheepishly controlling the Godmother could be.

Principal Uma chuckled, letting the crowd's noise die down before she spoke again. "Now, I never got the chance to go to Auradon Prep." She walked the stage, smiling casually as she let her words carry. "But as its captain, I'm proud to be charting a new course into a bright future, beyond the old ways of heroes and villains." She paused, looking to Fairy Godmother quickly before announcing, "So, in that spirit, I'd like to welcome Princess Red of Wonderland."

The crowd once again cheered, but Felix could almost feel the tense atmosphere that was hidden beneath it. He knew not everyone would be happy with the new principal's decision, just like King Ben's proclamation to give the children of the Isle of the Lost a chance at Auradon.

"Excuse me," The principal's sweetened voice cut through the crowd, effectively silencing everyone besides the murmurs of gossip. "Hi." She waved her fingers, lips sarcastically curled into a smile.

Felix poked over his father to see what was going on, finding the principal looking down at the Queen of Hearts who was shuffling her card deck. He noticed Red beside her mother, silently pleading with her to stop whatever it was she was doing.

Principal Uma dropped the sweet act, scowling at the queen. "Do you mind?"

The Queen of Hearts seemed unaffected, replying without looking up, "I do, actually." She hummed.

Red grabbed her mom's arm, eyes begging her to stop. "Mom, what are you doing?" She looked around self-consciously, finding everyone watching the scene. Why was she doing this?

Her mother laughed, rising from her seat as she continued to play with her cards. With a grin, she said, "We're playing my favourite game."

Red looked at her mom with horror and realisation, turning to face the principal with a pleading look.

The Queen of Hearts walked into the centre below the stage, flicking her cards across her fingers and in the air.

"War."

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So fun fact this is the shortest chapter so far idk just thought I'd share. I think Chapter 4 is gonna be the next shortest cause I chose to split Chapter 3.

They were meant to be in the past by Chapter 3 but thats not gonna happen til Chapter 4.

Hope you're enjoying the book so far!

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