Little Queen

Chapter 3

I straighten my already ironed dress. I don't know why I am so nervous, the Royal News has been part of my routine since I was a baby and I'm not even talking tonight.

The stage lights flash on, blinding me for a second. I look down at my deep green, off the shoulder gown. The skirt of the dress has sequins placed at random that shine under the stage lights. It is perfect.

"Look up for me please, your Highness." A makeup artist I have seen around touches up my already touched up makeup. The Royal News is always such a drama.

William Miller, the R.N (Royal News) host, comes jogging up onto the stage.

Oscar is running around the stage, his tie loose and shirt untucked. I wonder were he's put Duke. I am secretly worried that he is running rampage around the palace foyers again.

"Come here, son!" Dad calls. Oscar comes running over and dad attempts to fix his suit once more.

I glance over at Ethan who's looking as sharp as ever in his new navy blue suit, but I can tell he is nervous when he runs his hand through his dirty blonde hair. I think the Duke secret is getting to him.

"Everybody take your positions!" The stage producer, Mike, yells.

There are four seats on the right side of the stage, a podium in the middle, however, when dad is speaking, the podium is moved off stage since dad has a microphone attached to the arm of his wheelchair.

There is a set of interviewing chairs on the left, several heavy duty cameras with the film crew behind them set up on the front of the stage. Then, some chairs below the stage, were people can come, sit and watch off camera.

Our whole family sits down. Dad has his wheelchair to the right of my seat, Ethan is next to me, then Oscar.

Mum's seat is still there. I wish the producers would just take the stupid thing away. It would save a lot of emotional breakdowns our family used to have on the R.N when she first died.

I catch dad looking at the seat, so I reach for his hand and give it a comforting squeeze. We all need to look out for each other.

I pull my hand away after a second and make sure all my hair is still intact. Thankfully there are no loose strands, due to the whole bottle of hairspray Fawn used on it today.

"Lights, camera, action!" I jump a little in my seat. Jeff, the head cameraman, is so loud.

Dad wheels himself to the centre of stage. "Good afternoon my beloved people of Pivvotlee." He says sweetly as he adjusts his microphone.

After the course of about 10 minutes, he talks about new roads that are going to be put in and the training centre we are going to be making for guards. I had mentioned it to him on our walk earlier this afternoon.

I can't help but feel a little jealous since it was my idea. People would be thinking dad came up with it now, but it is just one of the con's of not being queen yet.

I don't really want to be queen though. I believe dad can still do it. He will be able to perform his duties again, I know he will. Everybody else has lost hope in him, but I promised myself a long time ago that I never would.

Once he's finished, Dad wheels himself off the stage and William wraps up the show. "Thank you all and goodnight!" He yells, looking straight into the camera with his winning smile.

"Cut!" Jeff shouts

Standing up, I lean down and kiss dad on the cheek. "You did great, dad."

He smiles "Thank you, sweetie," Then his face goes serious. "Would it be all right if I came by your room tonight? We need to talk."