Switched

Chapter 21

“There it is,” I said pointing the palace as our truck crossed the gates.

    “Woah,” Layna gasped her eyes in amazement.

    “I know, it's pretty cool, right?”

    “Way cool,” Jared whispered from the seat behind me.

    The truck came to a stop and four more guards emerged from the palace. They talked to Jonathan first, then came to open the door for me.

    “How was your trip, Princess?” one of the guards asked.

    “Amazing,” I answered smiling at Johnathan.

    “That’s great, Princess, but you are back at the palace and need to tend to your royal- who are these people? These commoners?” Fiona came out of nowhere.

    “These people are Officer Matthews’ family, and my guests for the ball.”

    “That simply will not do, I am sure they have nothing to wear, Your Highness,” she scoffed.

    “I will get a tailor to make them something,” I said evenly stepping closer to her. “I am the princess and these are my guests. I am not going to rule this country through fear, I am going to rule along side my people.”

    “Yes, Princess,” Fiona said bowing. “Please settle your guests in the rooms and I will call the Royal Seamstress.”

    “Thank you,” I said to Fiona. Then to Johnathan’s family, “come on, let’s go inside.” We walked inside the door of the palace, and were greeted with the hustle of preparations for the ball. I led the Matthews’ through the entry way, up the grand staircase, then the boys to a room; a few of the girls plus Morgan to room; then Adi, Tori, and Layna to my room.

    “Is John gonna be with us all the time?” Layna asked me as she plopped on my bed.

    “Yup, it’s his job to keep me safe,” I explained.

    “I can’t believe you live here,” Victoria said opening the walk in closet to examine the dresses made of fine cloth.

    “I know, it’s crazy,” I said joining her.

    “Princess,” Johnathan spoke. I turned to see Fiona standing with a woman I was unfamiliar with. They both curtseyed and moved closer to me.

    “Princess, this is Gayle, the Royal Seamstress, she will be in charge of making you and your guests something to wear for the ball,” Fiona explained.

    “It is a pleasure to meet you,” I said poliety.

    Gayle didn’t answer, she went straight to work. She measured my waist, my bust, my hips, my height, then she repeated the process with the other girls in the room.

    “Princess, I believe you should have an emerald green, with a silver sheer overlay, an illusion neckline, with full sleeves, and the body of the dress as an A line with a tattoo lace back,” she said explaining it all to me.

    “Sounds wonderful,” I smiled. I had no idea what she was talking about.

    She went on to explain to the other three girls what their dresses would look like, and explained that the dresses would be done early tomorrow morning. After she was finished with us she went to see everyone else.

    “You ladies need to learn how to dance before the ball tomorrow night,” Jonathan said from  his normal position in the corner.

    “It shouldn’t be that hard,” I commented. “You just have to follow the guys’ lead.”