Becoming a Princess

Chapter Nine

After I have settled into my room, I go and search for Annie. Everyone's door is closed, so it is difficult to tell who's room is who's. I decide against finding her and instead explore all the vast hallways that make up the Palace.

I turn into a long hallway. There are paintings of anything anyone could think of. At the end of the hallway, there are two passages, one going left and one going right. I decide to go to the right and see a door at the end of the hallway.

Hesitantly I open it and peek inside. It appears to be a dark room, where pictures are developed. The luminous red lights guide me towards a table that has a numerous pictures. I pick up a camera and examine it. I never was fond of photography, but I know my mother was.

"Who are you?" says a deep voice behind me.

I turn around quickly, the camera hitting the person in the cheek.

"Ow!" he exclaims.

I put my hand to my mouth. "Oh, no! I'm so sorry! I don't know what happened, I-"

"What are you doing here?" his bellowing voice asks, still clutching his cheek.

"I was, I was just-" I stammer.

"Never mind that," he says, annoyed. "What is your name?" he asks.

He then takes his hand off his cheek and for the first time, I can see his face in the light.

Prince Liam.

Good job, Victoria, I think to myself. You've managed to ride a plane, create an enemy, and assault the prince all in the same day.

"You've got a name, don't you?" he asks.

"Yes, yes. I do," I say, flustered. "Um, my name is Victoria Waters."

"Well Victoria, I think it would be best for you to go up to your room." he says, still clearly annoyed.

"Yes, your Majesty," I say.

I do a quick curtsy and run out of the room. I run into the main hallway and then wander back towards the stairs. I see a guard and ask him if he knows where Annie's room is. He directs me to room that is three away from mine. I open up the door.

"Annie, I need to talk to-" I stop when I see that Emmeline is in here as well. I pause at the door. Annie gives me a smile while Emmeline gives an enthusiastic wave.

"I'll just leave," I say as I shut the door.

"No! You can come in, Victoria!" Annie exclaims.

"No, no, it's fine. I'll see you later." And with that, I run into my room, lock my door, and cry into my favorite pillow.

At least when I leave Annie will have a friend.

I continue to cry into my pillow until I fall asleep. My maids wake me up a few hours later and tell me that it is time for dinner. They also tell me that the Royal Family will not be present.

Thank goodness.

My maids pull out a gorgeous dark blue gown. It has lace sleeves that run down to my elbow. The skirt of the gown feels like water as I run my fingers down it.

In awe, I whisper, "I love it."

This will be a great last-dress, I think to my self.

Gwen is doing last minute sewing on the hem, Beth is braiding my hair into a crown braid, and Belle applies minimum makeup. Gwen then puts dark blue stud earrings in my ear and ushers me out the door.

I see Annie come out of her room and I go to meet up with her.

"Hey, are you alright?" she asks, referring to what happened earlier. "I knocked on your door, but you didn't answer."

I shrug it off. "Yeah, it was nothing. I was sleeping."

When we reach the stairs, we hear Emmeline call our names.

"Annie! Victoria!" she exclaims as she rushes up to us.

"Hey, Em!" says Annie.

The three of us walk together towards the dining hall. When we enter, we find that we are one of last people to get there.

We quickly take out seats and watch as Silvia gives us a presentation on "which fork is appropriate for salad, which fork is appropriate for fruit, which fork is appropriate for fish..." Watching paint dry would be more exciting than this.

As Silvia drones on about different types of cups, I look around the room. I notice Beatrice is sitting next to who I remember as Blair Pearson. She has dirty blonde hair and startling dark brown eyes. They both look terrifying.

I also remember Naomi Cox, who is sitting next to Blair. Next to Naomi is Valerie Norman. I recognize her from earlier today.

When we are finally allowed to eat, I have forgotten which fork is which, so I just guess. I look over and see Annie is also struggling with deciding which fork to use.

I lean in to Annie and whisper, "I didn't pay attention to her lecture either."

Annie gives a small laugh and finally picks the third fork. After I have eaten, I feel as though I am about to burst. I have never had that much food in my life. I look over at Annie and can tell she is thinking the same thing.

Just as I am about to excuse myself, the cook brings in desert. Truffles and chocolates and cake and so much more.

"Oh, no," I mutter to myself as my mouth waters.

Annie must have heard me because she says, "We should probably go."

I nod and we excuse ourselves. Once we are out of the dining hall, we start giggling.

"Oh, my stomach," Annie groans, still laughing.

"We should go upstairs and do some jumping-jacks," I joke.

We both laugh and make our way towards our rooms. I open my door and collapse on my bed. Annie sits herself down on a chair.

After a few moments, I sigh. "I need to tell you something," I finally say.

"What is it?" Annie asks.

I pause. "I don't know if I will be here tomorrow." I state.

She looks at me in disbelief. "And why would you not be here?" she asks skeptically.

I wince. "Because I kind of whacked the Prince in the face with a camera?" I close my eyes at the end. When I open them, Annie is staring at me.

"You did what?" she asks, a little angry.

I put my head in my hand. "I was exploring and then I found a dark room. He sneaked up on me and I accidentally hit him in the face with a camera," I explain.

I look over and Annie is shaking her head. "You've been here one day and you've managed to assault the prince." She smiles at me and claps her hands. "Good job," she jokes.

"Ugh!" I whine as I fall head first into my pillow.

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Another chapter, done! Comment what you think so far!

P.S. I changed my username to Catz111!