[Music Recommendation: The Wolf and The Moon ~ BrunuhVille]
"I can’t believe this! It’s happening so fast. You’re not just going to be Queen, I mean you’re also in charge of the Queen’s army and it’s been written in a book all this while." Freya couldn’t stop talking while she helped Oriana fit her leg into her shoe.
Oriana smiled, looking at her face in the mirror. She was very happy compared to the day she got married to Adric. This time she was happy to fully support him with something and sit beside him as his Queen.
"You even look like a bride. Now I don’t feel so bad for missing your wedding," Madame Rosalie sighed, standing behind Oriana while brushing her hair down.
Freya stood up, nodding in agreement. "You’re right, it looks just like your wedding again. Everything turned for good, don’t you think? I heard the King and Queen always spend a night together after their coronation," Freya blushed, hiding her face with her palm.
Oriana bit her lips. Others thought that she and Adric were good now, but she couldn’t have them know that her feelings had been rejected. Though she wanted to be of help so much, Adric didn’t feel the same for her anymore.
"Why are you not talking? Are you so excited?" Freya smiled, going to bring the earrings that had been set on the table. "You’re almost ready."
Madame Rosalie stepped back, "You will make the most beautiful Queen, how your hair and eyes shine so brightly like gold."
"You both should stop, you’re making me shy," Oriana touched her shoulder, looking down at her hands.
A maid walked into the room, "Your Highness, you’ve been asked to get ready."
"She’ll be out soon. Freya, let’s give her some time alone," Madame Rosalie suggested, leaving the room with Freya.
Now alone inside the room, Oriana touched the only pearl on her neck, which belonged to her grandmother. She was very grateful for the love the woman gave to her, even after she had left the world.
"Thank you, Nana," Oriana muttered under her breath. Inhaling deeply, she stood up and held her gown up, taking slow steps as she walked out of the room.
When she opened the door, she found her sister standing close to the door. Sophie was deep in thought, torn between knocking on the door and walking away.
"Sophie!" Oriana gasped. Her sister was the last person she expected to see in front of her room. Looking at her sister closer, she noticed a mark close to her eye; it was a fresh wound.
"What happened to your face? Who did this to you?" Worry creased Oriana’s forehead. She wasn’t in the best relationship with her sister, but she knew Sophie very well.
Sophie was someone who always carried herself with great pride, and hurting herself by mistake was something she would never do. She always retained the perfect image of a princess.
Sophie blinked, throwing her face to the side to hide the mark. "Why, do you want to mock me?"
Oriana folded her arms across her chest. "I’d have loved to if it was I who did it to you."
Sophie eyed her sister, touching the side of her eye gently. "I hit my head on the door last night. There was no light in my room. It’s nothing," she muttered.
"I guess bitter souls age faster then," Oriana murmured under her breath. When Sophie scowled, she chuckled. "I’m glad you’re here with me today," she said, turning to leave the passage when she heard Sophie say to her,
"Grandmother must have loved you so much to leave something so important in your care. I’m not jealous," Sophie touched her fingers, looking at the floor. "But I think I would make a better Queen than you."
Oriana smiled, going back to her sister. "Sophie, you can stay here as long as you want. I’ll need advice on being Queen from the favorite Princess of Orion. And you know how unprepared I am to be Queen."
"I do," Sophie’s face brightened. She had always loved to be honored. "That’s what I’m talking about. You totally understand. You’re not fit to be Queen or stay beside Prince Ad-"
Oriana shook her head, stopping Sophie from finishing her words. "I don’t know about being Queen, but Sophie, I really love the Crown Prince and I wish for you to support me as my sister. You’ve always had the men while growing up, and I didn’t care one bit, but this one man, I love him, and it hurts to see us fight so hard for his attention."
Sophie opened her mouth to talk, then she closed it. "Well, since you’re begging earnestly, I’ll take it that you’re scared of my beauty still, and I’ll let you win."
Oriana chuckled. Sophie just wanted to be in the spotlight, and it made her forget the right from wrong so quickly. Though it was just wishful thinking, Oriana wanted to have the best sister relationship with her only sister because no matter what, they were still family. Despite the years that had passed and the troubles Sophie made her go through, Oriana was willing to forgive it all as she also got back at her whenever she had the chance.
"Sophie, don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything during your stay. Remember, your sister is now Queen," Oriana raised her hand. She didn’t really know where to touch Sophie, so she just touched a tip of her gown and walked away.
Sophie touched the side of her gown that Oriana had touched, and she smiled. "Is she trying to show off that she’s Queen, that stubborn sister of mine?" She smiled.
Watching Oriana grow from the rebellious princess, who went against all norms and did what she liked despite the punishment, the both of them had always tried to fight for everything. But looking back now, Sophie felt like she was just the one in a hidden competition with Oriana. But their grandmother just broke the tie by making Oriana one of the strongest Queens that would ever live in Avon.
Sophie felt like a proud sister, and she truly wanted to wish her sister well, but she wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do after everything they’ve been through. And not once had she supported Oriana in the past.
"What are you doing, Princess Sophie?" Bessie stepped in, seeing the smile on the princess’s face. She looked around the empty passage, looking for what was making the princess smile.
Sophie shrugged. "Nothing at all. Let’s get ready for the Queen’s coronation. I want to wear the best dress."
"You have plans of seducing the Crown Prince tonight, right? I made the right dress-"
Sophie smiled. "Not today, Bessie. Not today. I’m going to let go of the Crown Prince and maybe find someone that is meant for me." She had seen Adric and the way he looked at Oriana; there was no competition.
The look on Bessie’s face changed to a frown. "What are you saying, Princess Sophie?"
"I’m saying, let’s enjoy today’s celebration." Sophie clapped, walking away from the passage with a bright smile on her face. She didn’t know why, but her heart felt really light.
Back in the passage, Bessie spat to the side. "That vermin," she cursed. "And I thought I got the perfect prey," she sneered, ready to leave but was stopped by Adelaide.
"Surprised to hear a lowly maid call a royal blood a vermin. When did the role reverse?" Adelaide blew the invisible dust off her fingertips.
Bessie cleared her throat and bowed. "You must have heard me wrong. I wasn’t referring to Princess Sophie."
Adelaide nodded. "And you’re even able to lie your way out smoothly. You’ll do. I have just an important task for someone like you." The corner of her eyes crinkled as she smiled, looking at the maid.
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