Pretending to be a Guard

Part 7

I stare, dumbfounded. I'm going to cry. This was too much information for a day, my mother is here, Monirius isn't evil, there is something called the Gift and I have it, Destilas is free and coming after me, I misjudged Carlos, and I am sick and tired of today. So, very, very sick and tired. A tear spills on my pants, catching me by surprise.

"Oh, wow. Excuse me, I apologize," I wipe my tears, laughing weakly. "It's just a lot to take in. A lot of news in one evening. Sorry. Just a moment, please." I leave the room abruptly, in search of comfort. Maybe I could find my friends? They would make me feel better. Perhaps I should change, actually. I head towards my room, where I find Patri, Nell, Lo and Carletta pacing around in their gowns. Nell spots me first.

"Eva!" She cries. She ran to hug me, then smacked me lightly. "Where in the kingdoms were you- You didn't-" She stops, seeing my slightly red eyes. "Did something happen? Are you okay?"

Carletta, Patri and Lo rush to my side.

"And what happened to the dress?" Lo adds.

"Yeah, sorry about that. It's been an eventful evening. Can we.. Not talk about it?"

Carletta nodded fiercely. "Ooh, I know what will make you feel better! Cozy pajamas, and SLEEPOVER!"

"That would be great!" I exclaim, perking up. "Some hot chocolate would seriously make the day good again."

"For real- I could go for that right now." Patri agrees.

"Let me get changed into my pajamas, then." I smile, but Carletta shakes her head.

"Today requires Princess-style comfort!" She declares. "To my room!"

I am about to protest, but she drags us all anyway. At first glance, Carletta seems like a soft darling, NOT someone who could lift a car if she was determined enough.

When we arrived, she gave us pale pink silk pajamas, and we did some skincare and drank hot cocoa, playing board games, and styling each other's hair.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes, indicating that I had received a text.

I check it, curious.

-Mom: Are you okay?

-Me: Yeah. Just processing.

-Mom: I gave Carlos your number. He's going to tell his parents we found you. He'll also tell the Dwardous King and Queen. They'll announce it to the castle tomorrow morning.

-Me: Isn't that unsafe? What if there's a spy?

-Mom: The people in Dwardous are trustworthy. Also, the security will be heightened, and the King will do his best to keep everything in the castle, by only letting out and in trusted people, just until this is all over.

-Me: Alright. Can I tell Carletta, Patri, Nell and Lo?

-Mom: They'll find out tomorrow anyway.

-Me: Fine. Ok. I'm sleeping over at Carletta's today though.

-Mom: Fair enough. Good night darling.

-Me: Good night, Mom.

"Who were you texting?" Lo asks.

"Just an old friend of mine, don't worry," I respond. "Let's continue the game, shall we?"

We play a couple more rounds, finishing up all our hot chocolate. Carletta asked a servant to bring more comfy mattresses, and we settled into the beds, bidding each other good night. Carletta sleepily informs us that we can wake up late tomorrow, since she begged her parents to let us have the day off (although she didn't have to, since I would need time off to be announced anyways, but I appreciated it), and with a sad smile on my face, since my life will undoubtedly change tomorrow, whether for the better or the worse, I don't know, I fall asleep.

We do indeed wake up what is considered late for guards. At 7 am, I get out of bed, daring to wake the others up. Carletta lets us use her shower. I go first, trying to imagine I'm washing my worries away. Once I step out, I dress into the beautiful gown Carletta prepared. It is a deep, ocean blue, sparkled with silver beads, and layers.

"I'm going to go for a walk, alright?" I say, and my friends nod.

Of course, I'm not really going for a walk. I go to meet my mother who escorts me to where the announcement shall be made, and she kneels to my height, cupping my face with her elegant hands.

"Whatever happens, Evangeline, promise me you will stay strong, and you will be a kind, good and true person.."

I frown. I do not know why she brings this up. Nothing will happen. Nothing can happen. Nevertheless, I promise.

My mother smiles, and prepares me for the announcement, placing a delicate, silver tiara, with sapphires that sparkle like a lake on a full moon night.

At 9, the nobles gather below the grand announcement balcony. I see my friends chatting with each other, oblivious of the news that would be revealed. I desperately want to stare at the ground, but I need to keep my chin up. I needed to look the part. To look regal.

Unfortunately for me, Patri spots me, and says something to Carletta, which I cannot hear. However, through powers of great deduction, she was probably asking Carletta why I was here.

Her question would soon be answered, as the king of Dwardous came forward, and called for attention.

"Today, we relate to you what you do not know, my people, and my friends. I regret dearly keeping this information from you all, but I had to. To start off, the war between Silarius and Monirius is fake!"

At this, the crowd erupted in surprise.

A/N: Again sorry for the extremely slow update! Life is busy, haha