Chapter 22: Drew

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"I believe we spoke on the phone," a woman said in a thick accent.

"Yes, I'm Drew, and this is my sister Meghan," I introduced.

"Andrew, I presume," the woman said crudely.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I am going to need some sort of identification before I can even welcome you into palace grounds," she said pulling her fancy coat tighter around herself.

Without saying another word I pulled out my passport, license, birth certificate, and social security card, then took Meghan's from her to hand to woman. She scrutinized over them and talked to the security guard standing next to her in a hushed voice.

"I am going to need some sort of proof that you truly do know the princess," she said after a moment.

"Would a photograph work?" Meghan asked.

"Anyone can forge a photograph. A recorded call would work."

"I don't have any recorded calls," I sighed frustrated. "What if I called her right now?"

"If I can verify that it is indeed the princess' voice, then it will work."

I pulled out my phone and eagerly dialed the phone number of the woman I loved and put it on speaker. The phone rang a few times before she picked up.

"Hey, babe," I said.

"Hey," she said quickly.

"Whatcha doing?" I asked, watching as the woman analyzed the voice on the other end of the phone.

"Getting ready for this ball," she grunted.

I chuckled. "How's that going?"

"Good, I'm just glad Fiona's off my back for the minute."

The woman nodded her head slowly and gave us the approval to walk through the iron gate leading to the palace, to the place my fiance was living.

"I just wanted to hear your voice, baby, I gotta go, but I'll talk to you soon," I said as I gazed on the large castle in front of me. "I love you."

Without another word the line went dead and I started up the driveway to the new future awaiting me.

Fiona nodded once at the guards as we approached the door, and they let us in.

"Hang on a second," Meghan said looking at me nervously. "Your tie's crooked," she said tugging my tie down to make it straight again before pushing the wrinkles out of my shirt.

"You look fine, Meghan," I said reassuring her.

"Thanks, but I'm not the one about to meet my in laws who own a country."

"They do not own a country, they run it, and the King and Queen are not your in laws, they are the mother and father of your fiance," Fiona proclaimed. "Now, let us get going."

We slowly walked up the stairs following Fiona to the second floor where we would be staying for the few days we would be here. There were green carpets that covered almost every floor, and where there wasn't a carpet, there was marble or hardwood. Every surface was shining and maids were bustling about.

"I assume you brought something for the ball tonight?" Fiona pulled me from my amazement.

"Um, no, I didn't know of any ball," I stammered. Why hadn't Kriss told me.

"I will have the tailor prepare something for the both of you if she has time," she rolled her eyes.

"We have nicer clothes than this, I don't want to inconvenience anyone," Meghan said motioning to her own dress.

"Very well," Fiona answered coming to a stop in front of a large oak door. "You will both be sharing this suite, there are separate rooms, but they are not large."

"That's fine," Meghan answered taking charge the way she always has.

"I will leave you alone to unpack and get settled. The house keepers will bring your belongings up as well as come summon you before the ball. You only have a few hours left to prepare."

Meghan and I walked into the room alone and our draws dropped. There was a black coffee table in the center of the room with a white diamond chandelier right above it. There were white chairs and a couch around the table. The floor was the same dark wood as the door. A ways after the table there was a large glass window that showed a beautiful garden, and past that rolling green fields. There was a door on all of the walls that the window was't. Meghan walked to the other side of the room as if it was the most natural thing she had ever seen. She opened the door on the right wall and her eyes grew. There was a king sized bed with a white canopy. The bedset was black, white, and grey. There was a large flat screen TV on the wall by the bed, and there was another door that led to a large bathroom, then another that led to a walk in closet.

"What did that lady mean that this is small?" Meghan asked smiling.

"I have no clue. This is bigger than our entire house."

I walked out of Meghan's room and into my own. It was an exact mirror image of my sister's. I had no idea about how long it would be before this ball thing, so as soon as the housekeepers brought my bags up I started to get ready. I showered, shaved, and tried to style my hair, then put on the nicer of the three complete suits I brought.

The suit jacket and pants were grey, the under shirt was white. The vest and pocket square were both deep green. The tie was the same grey as the jacket. My shoes were brand new and black.

Knock! Knock!

"Open it!" I yelled, trying to straighten my tie.

"The housekeeper said that in about forty minutes the ball is supposed to start. She told me where and everything, so I know where to go."

Meghan wore a dress that she wore to one of her proms. It was black that faded into blue at the bottom, and only had one strap that had silver sparkles. The back of the dress was cut into little strips. She wore heels, so she was almost just as tall as me. Her hair was styled into curls and her makeup was about half done.

"You look great," I complimented. I knew that Meghan was just as nervous as I was in this whole mess.

"Thanks, you too," she answered.

After Meghan left the room I realized how flawlessly she fit into this posh lifestyle. Meghan has always been the one in the family to want nicer things and the one to be able to fit in so effortlessly with rich people. We grew up the exact same, but she always has had the aura of being rich and well mannered.

Before I could dwell more on my thoughts Meghan knocked on my door telling me that it was past time to go. My heart was racing and I left the room and offered Meghan my arm the same way I had seen done on movies. We walked slowly down the stairs and I felt more out of place with every step I took, but more exxilerated at the thought of being able to see Kriss.

We finally reached the ballroom. Everything was gold and green. The music was played by a band on the stage next two four thrones. There were so many people elegantly dressed it was hard to tell who was royal and who wasn't. I searched the crowd for the familiar golden curls I loved so much.

I finally found her and she looked more beautiful than ever. She had a green dress on that hugged all the right curves, but flared out towards the bottom. Her hair was pinned in a bun, but her curls still framed that gorgeous face. Her makeup was so beautiful. God, I love this girl.

She looked gorgeous in sweatpants and a hoodie, but right now, she looked outstanding. When she cried her eyes still glistened with hope. When she smiled it drew the whole world in. At prom everyone was jealous of her getting to dance with me. She was beautiful because of her bravery. No one could even come close to being as beautiful as she is. Carmin has an amazing body, but she's not beautiful in the same way Kriss is. God gave me this perfect girl just to show me what true perfection and beauty is.

Everything about her was perfect, except she was dancing a little to closely with another guy. Smiling at him the same way she did with me. He spun her and she caught my eyes watching her.

"Drew?" she whispered clutching her stomach.

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