Becoming a Princess

Chapter Thirteen

I open up my door and walk quickly towards my closet. I only have a few minutes before tea starts. I pull out a pale pink strapless dress and put it on. I stop in front of the mirror to check myself over and then head towards the gardens.

Almost everyone is there already so I blend in and try to find Annie and Emmeline. I finally spot them sitting on a bench and make my way towards them.

Annie catches my eye as I approach. "You need to sit down, Victoria," she says with a smirk.

"What is it?" I ask skeptically and take a seat next to Emmeline.

"We know what you did," Annie says with a laugh.

"Anything you want to tell us?" Emmeline says, wiggling her eyebrows.

I suddenly realize what they're getting at. I swallow the lump in my throat and say, "What are you guys talking about?"

"We saw everything," says Annie.

"You guys were spying on me?" I accuse.

"It's not spying when you can see it through a window!" exclaims Emmeline.

My eyes widen as I come to a realization. I lean in and whisper, "Everyone saw us kiss?"

They both nod their heads. I sigh in frustration and rub my eyes with my hands.

"You've got to be kidding me," I mutter.

"We're not," replies Annie apologetically.

I look up and notice all the selected are in groups with scowls and frowns on their faces.

"You know what?" I ask as I sit up and smile. "I don't care what the other girls think. What happened, happened, and they're just going to have to live with it."

Annie smiles. "You're right. Let's have some fun!" she says and the three of us stand up.

"I'm going to go get a drink. I'll be right back," I say and start to walk over to a table.

The table holds tiny sandwiches, fruit, and other summery hors d'oeuvres. I pour myself some sparkling water and pop a strawberry into my mouth.

"Hello, Lady Victoria," says a voice behind me.

I turn around and quickly swallow the fruit in my mouth.

"Hello, Princess Celia," I say with a curtsy.

She gives a small smile. "How are you liking  the party?" she asks as she picks up one of the small sandwiches and puts it on a plate.

I take a look around. "It is very beautiful," I reply.

And it was. There was a quartet playing classical music in the background. The flowers were big and vivid and the weather was perfect. The sun was out, the sky a vibrant blue, and a slight breeze to cool the summer air.

"It is indeed," she responds, eyeing me. "Enjoy the party," she says before she glides off to meet her mother.

I decide to go to the bathroom to freshen up and escape from everyone's eyes. As I am walking toward the bathroom, I see a familiar head of blonde hair disappearing around the corner.

"Liam?" I call out and turn the same corner.

"You caught me!" he says and walks towards me.

"You were spying on me too?" I ask with a smile.

"Wait, who's been spying on you?" he voice becoming serious.

"Oh, no one. I was joking. I just mean that you're not the first person to watch me today," I respond.

"Who's been watching you, darling?" he asks.

For a moment, I am taken back by the nickname, but I quickly recover. "Every selected, plus your mother, oh, and your sister," I say sarcastically. Did you know that the Women's Room has a window that looks out into the gardens?"

His eyes widen as he realizes what that means. He runs his hand through his hair and looks frustrated.

"Oh, I didn't know it was that bad to be caught kissing me," I say quietly and look at my shoes.

"No, no it's not you," he says, looking at me. "It's just, that was my first kiss and I didn't want everyone to know about it. I wanted it to be special."

"That was my first, too," I whisper.

We look at each other and start to lean in when a guard comes around the corner.

"Good afternoon, your Highness," he says and walks down the hallway.

After an awkward silence, Liam says, "Have you tried a scone yet?"

"I don't even know what they look like!" I exclaim and we both laugh.

"Well, let me show you," he says and grabs my hand.

We make our way towards the gardens, him still holding my hand. We reach the table that has all the food. I try and ignore the fact that almost every pair of eyes are on us, but Liam seems oblivious.

He finally finds a scone and holds it up for me. It is a small pastry with blueberries inside it. I take the pastry and give Liam a worried glance. He gives me an encouraging nod and I take a bite. It is awful. I immediately cover my mouth with my hand and squeeze my eyes shut. I force down the bite and hand him back the pastry.

"I do not like that," I say.

He chuckles and says, "Neither do I. Celia made me try it one time and I almost puked."

I start to giggle and see the queen giving us an amusing look.

Liam leans in and whispers into my ear, "I would love to stay, but I am afraid this is an all girls party." He pulls back and gives me a kiss on the cheek before walking back towards the castle.

I go to grab another strawberry when I am greeted by Queen America.

"Hello, Lady Victoria," she says with a warm smile.

"Hello, Queen America," I smile and curtsy.

"You and my son get along very well," she says with an amused expression.

I wonder if she is thinking about the kiss...

"Yes, it seems we do," I respond.

"I must compliment your maids," she says. "They have made the most beautiful dresses for you."

"Thank you, your Majesty. Though, I must say, your maids are remarkable. You always look so regal and sophisticated," I compliment.

"You are too sweet, dear," she says. "One of the advisors told me that your mother was in the last Selection. Is that true?" she questions.

"Yes your Majesty. She was sent home on the first day though. I doubt you knew her," I say.

 "I did not know her but my friend Marlee said she talked to her once. Marlee said that she was very kind. I'm so sorry for your loss," says the queen.

I can feel tears coming to my eyes and the queen wraps me in a hug. "It's alright dear. I know what it is like to lose a parent at a young age. My father passed away during the Selection. We were very close." she pulls out of the hug to look at me. "If you ever need anyone to talk to, my door is open."

I give a weak smile. "Thank you, your Majesty," I say and wipe the tears out of my eyes.

"You can just call me America," she says with a wink and a smile. "Now, you go enjoy the party."

"You as well, your- America," I call before she makes her way around the garden.

I spot Annie and Emmeline and walk towards them.

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In this chapter, I wanted to introduce America and Celia so you could get a feel for their personality. Really excited for the upcoming chapters! Enjoy!