Otherworldly Victoria

"Reunited"

"Mom!" I yelled through the crowd. Everyone went quiet. They looked at me, I didn't care, I saw mom again!

She turned around and.. It's her! It's really her! "Mom! You came for me! You know, I tried calling you but my phone says no signal! Then I was sent to Elite School and then I ended up here! Oh mom I miss you so much! And then we're here at the party! Oh and, it doesn't matter! You came for me!" My eyes are filled with tears again, I hugged her.

I closed my eyes and just embraced her. I felt relieved.

"Oh.. Er, Haha! I'm sorry everyone. Please don't let this ruin the moment—Enjoy the party!" She said trying to get away from me. What...?

"Mom?" I looked up to her. She pushed me away and dusted her self. "Listen. Not now." She narrowed her eyes and looked away.

She looked mad. She looks, disappointed. I've seen that look before. I thought she came for me? I just stood there, confused.

"Hey!" A girl yelled. I turned to the direction of where the noise came from. It's Charlotte, from Elite School.

"Oh, hi Charlotte." I looked at her and looked at the ground again.

"I saw you, you were making trouble earlier. What kind of royal are you? You embarrassed your kingdom." She said, crossing her arms and raising a brow.

"Oh, I guess you could say that." I just hugged myself. Too many things happened all at once. It's making my gut feel twisted.

"Stop with the long face! A royal never frowns! Well, at least not in parties. Come on. Let me fix your face. You've been crying, the make up wore off." She grabbed my hand and we made our way to a secluded place. We're still at the party, just not in the middle of the crowd.

She puffed my face with something and drew something on my eyelids. "Ah.. Perfect! Now you look like a real royal!" She handed me a small mirror. She's right, I look beautiful.

"Thanks." I muttered, still hugging myself.

"Is this because of your mommy? Look. You're almost sixteen. You don't need your mommy anymore." She said as she shoved all of her make up into a tiny bag.

I just shrugged at her. Then a flock of trumpet dudes came out of the crowd and started sounding their instruments. "King and Queens of this land, Dukes and Duchesses! We're here to celebrate, the return of Duchess Venice Lakes!" The King's voice filled the ballroom as everyone looked up. It's mom.

She smiled and waved her hand. Why would she attend this party? She never liked gatherings. She often would make up excuses to not attend a party. What makes this party an exception?

I didn't look at her for too long. Maybe she's angry at me for agreeing with the principal back at Commonary School. Maybe that's it. That's my first mistake. It was all mine. I'm so stupid!

I just stood there silently. I noticed Victor standing on the crowd, surrounded by many girls. As expected from him. He's the Prince of this land. Many would try to win him. It's a shame no prince approached me, I mean like hello? I'm just as important as him.

I guess I'll just stay here, with Charlotte. "This is boring. Can I go to your room?" She asked me.

"Err, Yeah, I guess." I just guided her to my room and we stayed there for minute.

"Can you believe it? I have to take care of the plant! My partner doesn't even interact with me! Worse project ever!" She said as she plumped on my bed.

"Well, you're lucky you didn't get paired up with Mr. coldy pants." I said, looking outside at the balcony.

"Hmph! You're lucky it's him! Both of you are cousins! Cousins get along just fine!" She said as she made her way over to the balcony.

"I saw you crying for your mommy. Why'd you do that?" She looked at me and raised her brow.

"We got separated, I guess. I haven't seen her for two days. I missed her." I just looked down. I've already caused shame to her.

Why didn't mom tell me she's part of the royal family? We lived in a poor town, we can't even pay our rent in time. Now she's a Duchess? She was loaded all along.. We could've lived a good life in the castle.

"Two days? Pffft! You're really a baby! That's nothing! I wish I had a vacation like that! Away from parents, freedom." She sighed and rested her face on her hands.

"When you lived life like a poor peasant for all those years, you'd understand." I looked at her. She didn't reply.

Maybe this is just a shock. Maybe mom did what she had to do. Even though it doesn't makes sense now. Maybe it will.

Me and Charlotte looked at the sunset on our balcony for quite some time, until I heard the door open. I didn't lock it! Damn it!

"Victoria, sorry for my little outburst earlier." It's Victor. He doesn't make eye contact with me. He just stood there and crossed his arms looking away.

"Cut it out. You're not sorry. You didn't even knock!" I pouted again. It's my room!

"Right! Right! I'm very sorry again! Anyway, I didn't mean to not knock. It was a bit open so I let myself in. Your mother wants you outside." He ruffled his hair.

I didn't pay attention to him anymore. I burst out of the room and hit someone. "Ow! Sorry!" I rubbed my head.

"Victoria." Mom! It's her.

"Oh. Hey mom." I looked away. Clearly she doesn't look too happy to see me.

"Victoria, I'm so sorry! You made me worry! You're safe and sound! That's good. Did you get into any trouble? Are you hurt?" She hugged me.

What's this? A while ago she pushed me.. Now she's apologizing? I've never seen this side of mom before.

"I'm not fine mom. You hid us away. You kept your identity a secret. You lied to me!" I went back to my room and locked it shut.

I'm sobbing again. Even if this is another world. It feels like I've known her for how many years. She lied about me. She lied about herself! I'm glad I got to the castle. I'm thankful I was moved to Elite School. My life would've been easier if she just told the truth!

What am I doing, I know there might be a reason, but I'm still so mad.

"Sweetie, I did what I had to do. I'm sorry if this upset you. I know you're mad at me right now, I'll leave you alone for a while." She sounded concerned. Then I hear silence. I still didn't get the explanation I needed. She still didn't explain why she pushed me away.

"Uhm, should I go?" I hear Charlotte question Victor. I'm lying on the floor right now cupping my face.

"You really should. Thanks for looking out for her." I heard Victor said.

"Yeah, I'll see you two at school." Then I heard the door open and shut.

I didn't move an inch. "Victoria. You're being a crybaby. Stop this. Crying doesn't solve anything." I can tell he's annoyed at me again. I got up and sat down. I burried my face unto my knees.

"You'll get your dress dirty." I heard him say. "Go away. I want to be alone." I muttered, sobbing.

"Alright. Just so you know, you need to change that attitude. My father doesn't like whining." Then the door was shut. I looked up and wiped my tears. All my life, I've been crying till I get what I want. I guess that doesn't work anymore, but I do know that I deserve an explanation. What's going on?