The Girls from Downstairs

seven: meet the parents

TERRIBLY sorry about the long wait for the upload, but here is chapter seven!  A lot of drama in the next few episodes, but things will calm down and just rock (lol) anywho, enjoy! <3 XDee

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I stared at myself in the mirror.  The girl staring back was hardly me.  She was pretty, but in a super girly way.  Jinx had fitted me with a gorgeous gown that flowed to the ground, pink flats to match the bodice, a flower in my hair and gloves on my hands with bows everywhere.  It was pretty, but just too much.  There were ruffles upon ruffles and lace and silk and I think some cashmere, and the bows were literally everywhere. 

“Do you have scissors?” I asked.

Jinx frowned. “Why?”

“This outfit is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not me.  You said yourself that the king and queen need to fall in love with me, not who I should be.”  I stared into the mirror sadly.  “And I really need them to like me.  Felix said his mom could show me what’s going on back in Reality.  There’s a friend in who’s probably in need.  I will do anything to make sure she’s okay.”

She groaned.  “Fine, but only because you care for a friend.  They’re in the drawer on your left.  But I’m going to stare out the window.  I can’t bear to watch a good dress be mutilated.”

She turned away just as I began to snip off some of the fabric.  I started with the bows; two at each elbow, six around the waist, twelve around the hem.  The only one I kept was a giant one at the back.  I managed to get rid of the ruffles, until there was only a thin layer of dress.  I took some of the lace and tied it at an angle, so it sculpted my shape more.

“Sorry, I’m late.  Mother took longer than normal to get back to the castle.  She was stopped along the border due to some ‘Robin Hood’ fellow, but worked... it... out...” When his eyes met mine, his speech slowed.  He regained composure and cleared his throat.  “I’m... wow.  You look beautiful!”

I blushed.  “Thanks.  So, am I meeting them?”

“Y-yes!  Yes, you are!  They can’t wait to meet you!  Come this way, this way!” Felix grinned as he took my hand.  “Mother is nervous.  She hopes you are as sweet as a dove and caring like a mother.  Father hopes you’re as strong as a phoenix, wise as an owl, and beautiful as a rose.”

I snorted.  “Why?”

“Queens need to be strong if their husbands are hurt, wise enough to help lead their king on the correct path, and beauty and kind and caring enough for the people to love her,” he recited.  He stopped staring into space and smiled at me.  “From what I can tell, you’ve got those qualities.  Especially the beauty.  And the care, for your friend.”

We reached a pair of huge wooden doors at the end of the hall.  He raised his hand to knock; I pushed it down.

“Wait.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I... what if your parents don’t like me?” I whispered.

He shook his head.  “I wouldn’t worry.  My parents will love you, so long as you’re the same girl I remember you to be.”

I laughed nervously.  “Things have changed since then...”

He winked as two winged people opened the doors from the other side.  I caught a glimpse of light before Felix immediately led me into the room.  I was only meeting his parents, after having only been in this dream for a few hours, but it felt more like judgment.