Rotten to the Core

Family Day (Part 2)

   By the time that the VKs had arrived, there was a party already underway. The top of the class --Rose, Karayan, Audrey, Kiara, and Lacey-- were singing their rendition of "Be Our Guest" as the parents arrived.
   The VKs felt a twinge of jealousy as they watched their classmates excitedly hugging and saying hi to their parents.
   Finally, the last to arrive was the King and Queen in a white and gold limo. The song ended just as the parents pulled up.
   With that, everyone started talking with their parents. The VKs decided to split up and just talk. Merlin had to find Rose and Ruby went to find Percival. Gideon joined the members of his Tourney team and Elsa caught sight of Cinderella.
   Merlin found Rose chatting with her parents.
   "I'm so glad you found someone who makes you so happy!" Rose's mother was saying. "I didn't wanna say anything but Karayan was not a good fit."
   Her father simply shrugged before asking, "When do we get to meet him?"
   "Right now." Rose responded.
   The family was standing on a raised dias surrounded by flowers. A tall, overweight Russian man was in the middle of taking their photo.
   That's when Rose decided to spill the beans. She gestured to Merlin and smiled as she said, "Meet Merlin, son of Regina, and my boyfriend."
   The look on her parents' faces turned to shock and disbelief right as their photo was taken.
   "Oh! This photo didn't turn out right! We'll need to take another!"
   Demetri spoke, gritting his teeth as he responded, "Later, old friend. We have a previous engagement."
   "Catch you later, Uncle Vlad!" Rose called.
   "Of course!" He turned to Merlin. "You're a lucky man y'know. Take good care of my goddaughter."
   With that, he grabbed his camera and disappeared into the crowd.
   The King and Queen turned their attention to Merlin. Rose smiled as she introduced them. "Mom, Dad, you remember Merlin? He's one of the transfer students."
   "Yes. We do." Demetri said, his irritation and anger growing.
   Anastasia thought it best to step in. "Merlin, it's nice to see you again and under better circumstances."
   "How's your mother?" Demetri spat at him.
   "Um...last time I saw her, she seemed fine." He said, shrugging off the king's rudeness.
   "Well, it was nice talking to you, Merlin, but my husband and I have some business to attend to. But, please, meet with us later for tea and croquet."
   "You do know how to play, don't you?" Demetri spat out.
   "Yes. My grandmother taught me." Merlin responded.
   "Marvelous! See you then! Dosvidanya!"
   With that, Anastasia pulled her husband away for a talk. Rose turned to Merlin, her smile fading somewhat. "So...want some brunch?"
                           * * * * *
   Gideon and Ruby made their way over to where the Tourney team was.  
   Ruby immediately hugged Percival who turned her around to introduce her to his parents. They seemed to like her, Guinevere responding that Ruby seemed "charming" while Arthur said she seemed "quite beautiful".
   Gideon's team members introduced him to Mulan, who always picked the best troops for battle. She seemed quite impressed with him.
   Meanwhile, Elsa was busy talking with Cinderella. Everything seemed to be going well. Of course, that's when everything went to hell.
                           * * * * *
   As promised, Merlin joined Rose and her family for croquet. A few other families had started to mingle after their game so Rose had gone to chat with Kiara and her parents while the King and Queen themselves were deep in conversation with a few other kings and queens.
   Around that time, a woman who must obviously be a queen walked over to him. "Hi. How are you?"
   Merlin nervously answered, "Oh I'm just fine."
   The woman smiled. "I'm Eva."
   "Are you a queen, milady?" Merlin asked politely.
   "I was. My daughter is queen now though she will one day soon hand over the crown to one of her children."
   "Oh. I'm Merlin. I'm Rose's boyfriend."
   "So I see. Youre very lucky y'know?"
   "Don't I know it!" Merlin muttered.
   "You look familiar..." Eva said.
   Before she could figure it out, however, Karayan appeared, hugging Eva. He looked over and noticed Merlin.
   "Grandma, I don't think you should be talking to this man."
   That's when Merlin realized. "Eva? Snow White's mother?"
   And, just when Merlin thought his luck couldn't get any worse, he suddenly heard a scream from across the way. And it was followed by Ruby growling.
   Just like that, chaos ensued.