Chapter 51
Avelyn peeked out of the tent and almost freaked out. There were so many people out there!
Why couldn’t they have gotten married up in the woods, away from everyone except their closest friends?
Sometimes, she wished she wasn’t a princess. Always being in the front was tiring for Avelyn. She would rather be in the back instead of having to always parade up front. Oh well. She sighed. Turning around, Avelyn took a minute to survey the activity going on inside the tent. Her closest friends scurried about, readying themselves for the ceremony and chattering excitedly. Cassiopeia fixed Nyssa’s hair as Ayleah fixed hers. Their voices were loud and filled with joy and laughter.
Avelyn smiled at her bridesmaids. She was so blessed by her friends. They had all gathered around and supported her over the last six months. Things had been very difficult but she had survived and come out so much stronger. But despite the joy she had at the reality of her upcoming marriage to Jaxon and her happiness watching her friends, there was still something missing. No, not something. Someone. Someone very special. Avelyn brushed away a stray tear. Even after all this time, she still desperately missed Demi. The sharp pain had ebbed to a dull ache but it remained even still.
A gentle hand was laid on her shoulder. Nyssa looked into her eyes and without a word, gathered Ava in her arms.
“I know babe,” she whispered, “I know. But being sad won’t do any good. You know what Demina would say. She’d say, “Crying doesn’t do anyone any good. It’s just a waste of salt and water. So stop crying. It won’t bring me back. Nothing is going to be changed about it so it isn’t worth crying over.” She wouldn’t want you crying over her. Seeing you cry would break her heart, so honor her memory by not crying unless they are happy tears.”
Avelyn sniffled and gave a weak nod, trying to smile. Nyssa grinned, her eyes sparkling as she let out a light laugh.
“Do you remember that time when you were crying after your father yelled at you for switching the pompous queen’s wigs with mops that we had dyed purple?”
Avelyn laughed a little at that memory. She, Nyssa, and Demi were bored out of their minds.
It was another one of those official seasons where all the rulers gathered to discuss the interworking of their kingdoms. The three girls had already gotten into trouble for running up and down the halls, belting out their favorite childhood songs. As a punishment, they had to sit through an entire session, quiet as church mice. Unfortunately, they behaved like the mice Demina joked were in her old church, “magpie mice.” After a burst of excited chatter amongst them, one of the elderly foreign queens turned and glared, her eyes shooting daggers at them. At the end, Avelyn had been so intimidated, that she decided to never misbehave ever again.
Unfortunately, the punishment had had the opposite effect on Demina. It had provided her with plenty of time for her young brain to think up a devious, yet hilarious plan of retribution. And also justify it in her mind.
As soon as they were dismissed, Demina gathered Nyssa and Avelyn together.
“I have the most brilliant idea ever!” she exclaimed.
Immediately in, Nyssa smiled knowingly and eagerly leaned forward. Avelyn was more hesitant as she shook her head.
“No. No, Demi. We are in enough trouble as it is. We can’t get into anymore.”
Demi let out a sigh of frustration.
“Oh, come on, Ava! Don’t be so boring! Live a little. Where is your sense of adventure!?”
Avelyn stood fast, unwilling to be bullied into something she knew was the opposite of brilliant.
“No,” she said, crossing her arms. Demina flopped on the ground, going silent. She looked at the floor for a moment. Nothing was said for awhile until there was a sudden sniffle. Avelyn and Nyssa looked at their friend, startled. Demi let out another sniffle.
“D-Demi?” Avelyn asked hesitantly. She crawled over to sit by her friend. Her heart suddenly broke as she spotted a tear rolling down Demina’s cheek. Avelyn panicked and Nyssa looked down the hall, trying not to laugh. Avelyn gripped Demina’s hand in hers and Demi looked away, “Demi...please don’t cry. Please don’t...”
Demi’s shoulders shook as she cried silently and Avelyn felt tears sting her own eyes.
“That l-lady was so m-mean,” Demina whimpered.
“Please don’t cry, Demi. We’ll do your plan. Just don’t cry.”
Demina looked up at Avelyn, wiping her tear-stained cheeks. She held out her pinky and Avelyn gripped it.
“Promise?” she asked quietly. Avelyn nodded.
“Promise,” she replied.
“Okay, good,” Demi chirped happily. She stood and brushed herself off. Avelyn stood with her, her eyes wide.
“You’re not crying anymore.”
Demi shrugged.
“Tears are a waste of salt and water. I try not to cry too often.”
Avelyn glared at her and Demina gathered the two of them together.
“Here’s the plan,” she whispered.
Nyssa burst out laughing as she finished the story.
“We dyed a mop purple and left it in the queen’s room. She was so angry and...”
“And I got into so much trouble with my father,” Avelyn finished, smiling slightly and wiping away the tears, “But Demina took all of the blame for it. That was the only time I had seen her be so disrespectful towards my father.”
“She always got us into trouble.”
“And she always got us out.”
