Queens

1.6: Ella

1.6: Ella

The best part of my morning begins when the bottle of pills is placed in front of me as I'm cutting up my waffles. Every day, I smile at the little white container, making sure it never goes unnoticed or unappreciated. I pop the tablet in my mouth and swallow with a sip of tea.

Mel comes to sit next to me, talking at me instead of to me. Her nervous hand-wringing and jittery legs strike me as odd, since her normally calm demeanor is falling apart. This conversation, of sorts, becomes more uncomfortable by the second. I make "help me!" eye contact with Josh, and he promptly begins his orchestration to get around to everyone in need; new plates and drinks are quickly set down, and the group visibly relaxes. A cup of chamomile tea is placed in front of me, and I thank the server gratefully. It's honestly enough to get me going through the meal. 

Once the immediate discomfort of breakfast is over, I retreat back to my unofficial bedroom in the castle. Later today is the United Nations meeting, where celebrities, and most importantly, the royals, come and show off their most recent charity projects. At best, real efforts are given to those most in need, but at worst, it's almost a competition of "whose philanthropy is the most ostentatious." Each royal needs to be aligned/pledge to help a charity, and this year, mine is electricity, especially getting electricity to those most in need, like in many regions of southeastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

I  rehearse my speech quietly, but I'm so anxious that the words, so elegant in thought, come out strained and jumbled. I hate large gatherings of people, and crowds make me sick to my stomach. Unfortunately, as a royal, that's what I get, all day, every day. I glance in the mirror, and nearly wail in despair.  My face is as pale as ever, and my raven hair is stringy and greasy. I don't know how the stylists are going to transform me to look presentable, but somehow, they always manage to get me there. Standing in front of the plum colored mirror, I adopt Melanie's hand-wringing. I brush my hands over my chest, picking and fiddling with my dress. I turn, admiring the fat on my hips and my thick thighs, things that so many girls take for granted. I love every inch of them.

Too soon, Melanie calls for me, and I nod one last time to myself. I can do this. It's just a few people (thousands), and a few cameras that'll broadcast it to a few more people (millions). I straighten my back, throw on a glittering smile, and with the feeling that ten thousand insects are attacking my gut, I tiptoe primly to the limousine awaiting us outside.

__________

Dear Readers,
This is the last chapter of the first cycle, and a real introduction to Ella! Thank you so much for reading!!
Love,
J
Ps. Who's your favorite character so far, or is it too early to tell?