Chapter Three; Reflection
I jumped awake to Elijah bursting into my room with a tray full of different foods.
“Good morning princess! Your meeting with Headmaster Cruizer is in roughly one hour thirty-seven minutes and twenty-two-now twenty-one seconds.” Elijah explained, setting the tray down on a table a servant brought in. He bowed respectfully. My eyes widened at the portion size, but I said my thank yous.
“Be sure to get dressed after you are finished, princess. A servant can come and retrieve that tray, so that’s off your to-do list for the morning. If you need any help choosing a gown, Olivia will be happy to help you.” Elijah exited the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. I stared down at the food, trying to think of what everything was. It’s not like I’ve never had breakfast food before, but we didn’t really have much variety at my house. It was mostly cereal and the occasional burned eggs and stale bread if mother was willing to cook. I wasn’t a great chef. The last time I tried to follow a recipe I saw in a book, I almost burned the entire shack down! I took a bite of the eggs.
“Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed, throwing the fork down. I jumped out of the bed, humming while dancing.
“Princess, is everything alright?” A servant peeked her head in, a very concerned look on her face.
“These eggs are amazing!” I emphasized, jumping up one last time. The servant stared at me, and I chuckled nervously.
“They’re the best I’ve ever had.” I explained, going back to sit on my bed. She bowed her head and quickly exited. I sighed, eating the rest of the eggs.
“Wow! That could feed a whole family!” Aura squeaked, coming out from behind one of the pillows on my bed.
“You want some?” I asked, holding up a piece of fruit. It was blue and spherical. I popped one into my mouth while Aura nibbled on it. I jumped up to look inside the closet for something to wear. It was quite chilly yesterday when we went out, so I was going to have to deal with an actual dress. The Feast of Thanks was in a few weeks after all. I flipped through the racks, trying to find the least atrocious dress. The things I do…
“Princess! There’s an hour left till your departure.” Elijah knocked on the door. I groaned.
“Alright!” I replied, still scanning the racks. This all was too-well-princessy for my taste.
“Aura, can you help me?” I called, pulling at my hair with frustration.
“Shouldn’t you just ask Olivia? She’s probably better at this.” Aura flew over, getting caught between two dresses. I snorted, helping her out.
“Olivia? Have you lost your mind! She’d probably put me in a pink, poofy gown and laugh hysterically. Not happening.” I explained, pulling out a long, purple, elbow-sleeved dress with a purple beginning flowing into a white skirt. Not bad.
“That’s pretty!” Aura piped, swirling around the dress. I giggled, slipping in on. Aura flew towards a large shelf of hundreds of tiaras. He’s gonna expect me to wear one, isn’t he? I groaned.
“How do you pick one?” Aura cooed. I rolled my eyes.
“You just pick one and deal with it, I guess.” I shrugged. She looked at me.
“You’ve got hundreds of tiaras, thousands of dresses, and tons of jewelry to choose from, and you just guess?” Aura screeched, flying all over the place. I looked at a smaller tiara with purple gems on it.
“Wow! Are those real diamonds?” Aura gushed. I groaned. I walked out of the closet and put it on the large dresser. Aura flew out with a purple bracelet with her.
“Wear this! That way you’ll think of me!” Aura squeaked, flying over and placing the bracelet in my paws. I stared at the bracelet, then at Aura. I smiled. She was adorable.
“Of course.” I replied, slipping it onto my paw. I combed out my brown hair, which I still wasn’t used to. I braided it straight back, and tied it with my usual purple tie. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked-
“Beautiful!” Aura beamed. She flew around all over the place. I laughed, but stopped when I looked at the tiara. It was like this tiara was a mountain, standing in the way of my path. It felt like it was. This whole ‘royal’ thing was keeping me from being who I truly was and all I could be. I sighed.
I placed my paws on the tiara and looked into the mirror. I really was going to do this-lose my morals of hating royalty.It wasn’t like I had much more of an option here. Besides, how hard can it be to fake a smile and act mannerly in public? Who am I kidding? It’s going to be horrid!
I placed the tiara on my head with shaky paws. It fit nicely, and didn’t poke my head like I assumed it would.
“Gorgeous!” Aura complimented, flying over to my head. I gave her a quick smirk, turning when I heard a knock. Aura flew back into behind my pillows, where a small area was made just for her. You get to have a lot of free time when you’re basically kept in your room until meals are called. It’s like I’m a prisoner!
“Mariah?” I heard a familiar voice callーor as familiar as a father you never knew existed could be at this point.
“Come in!” I called Xavier, putting on a purple coat I found in the closet. He leaned against the doorframe, in his usual khakis, undershirt, tie, and jacket. I suppose that was the normal attire for kings. He often dressed fancier when we went out. His clothes were often red or blue, with gold mixed in. He wore a large, fancy crown with pure diamonds shining on it. I wonder how someone could make such delicate work like that. He always seemed to wear suits. Doesn’t he ever get tired of it? I suppose he isn’t expected to wear a long dress and heels the size of a giraffe. I refused the heel part immediately.
“I never knew what a beautiful princess you were. This suits you well.” Xavier smiled, straightening his tie.
“Yeah well don’t expect this.” I snapped, suddenly feeling angry and hurt. This was my future. Why couldn’t I just accept it?
“Mariah-” Xavier began, making his way toward me.
“No it’s fine. We better get going.” I shrugged it off, but I still felt a bit angry-and honestly-a bit guilty too.
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“Olivia and Liam have already gone off to Magestia Prep for school. They left around eight for class at eight-thirty. It’s on land named Aprender. It’s just north of Balloosh. The whole island is reserved for MP, so there is no need to worry about anyone besides your teachers and classmates.” Xavier broke the silence in the carriage as we rode into the gates of Aprender. A large archway appeared in my view.
“Welcome to Magestia Prep, Princess.” The royal coachman said, taking us under the archway.
“Magestia Prep; Royal Academy of Jamaa”
I rolled my eyes. I was just glad there wasn’t a slogan decked out on this place. Then I would be annoyed as heck. The coachman stopped right in front of the large, castle-like building. The large doors stared into my soul like my mother used to do. I shivered. There-standing before me- was an older horse in a jacket and khakis. He wasn’t as dressed up as Xavier, but he was still dressed properly.
“King Xavier! What a pleasure!” I heard the man exclaim, walking up to shake Xaiver’s hand. I didn’t even notice he already got out of the carriage. I decided just to stay in the carriage. Maybe if I stayed in here long enough we could just leave.
“Mariah? Would you please come out and meet your headmaster?” Xavier called. Great. I got up, straightened my dress, and peeked my head out.
“Hello, your highness. I am Headmaster Cruizer. I’m in charge of Magestia Prep. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Cruizer bowed. The urge to laugh was very tempting, but I held back. I hopped out of the carriage, landing on my feet. I looked at my head, which was holding a tiara that was holding onto a few strands of my hair. I chuckled nervously, straightening the tiara on top of my head.
“Hi. I’m Mariah.” I expressed, waving. I wasn’t sure what was expected of me.
“I’m suggesting a royal manners course, your Majesty.” Cruizer turned to Xavier. I snorted in my head, but stayed calm on the outside. The urge to just snap myself out of here was great, but I had to do this for Xavier. He was counting on me. It wasn’t like I could say no to the King of Jamaa himself.
“We’ve already discussed that, Cruizer.” Xavier chuckled lightly, putting a hand on my shoulder.
“Let’s get started then, shall we?” Cruizer asked, opening the door for us.
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“Philosophy of Phantoms? That’s more of a third-year course. That class is full of our fifteen-year-old students and older. I don’t believe you’d like it.” Cruizer noted, flipping through a large pile of papers. I groaned, leaning back on the chair. This was already taking forever. He insisted on checking through Every. Single. Class.
“Well what year am I?” I asked.
“First.”
“I’ve read that first years in schools are usually like fourteen.”
“This is a middle and highschool for royalty essentially.”
“Then why can’t I take this course?”
“You wouldn’t be prepared for it.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Are you doubting my abilities?”
“No, Mariah. I’m simply saying I don’t-”
“I can do well in this class. I know all about this topic, sir.”
“How so?”
“Well… I, uh, took a lot of phantom-themed classes in my school back in… uh… Siri.”
“I see. Let’s propose a deal. You can join this class, if you can keep a straight A grade.”
Cruizer put the papers down and stared intensely at me.
“Sir, she-” Xavier began, but Cruizer held up a hoof. I thought I was the only one who
had sass against the King of Jamaa. I was starting to warm up to this guy already.
“It’s my deal. She’s going into a class full of kids that have taken much more classes than her in this topic. I believe there are a few more seats open.” Cruizer looked at me. I nodded.
“Deal.” I exclaimed. Xavier chuckled, leaning back into his chair.
“You’re very persistent. You get that from your father for sure. He was always into mischief.” Cruizer chuckled, putting his papers back into his desk.
“It’s settled. Your schedule is set up. When have we decided her first day is?” Cruizer looked at my father, who was looking at me.
“After her coronation. I think that’s fair.”
“I think so as well.”
“And all of Jamaa will be there. You’re more than welcomed to be with the family-friend section.”
“Thank you, your Majesty. It’s an honor. Wednesday, correct?”
“Yep. Two days.” My eyes widened. Two days until I sign my life away to a life of faking. I shuddered at the thought.
“Here is the official schedule. We can’t wait to have you.” Cruizer handed me a paper. I thanked him and rushed out the door. Xavier followed suit, laughing at me quietly. I was grateful to have someone who didn’t mind me totally being myself. We got into the carriage again.
“I just got a text that your gown is completely finished and ready for the coronation.” Xavier informed me. I nodded, playing with a loose string I had fiddled with on my dress. This wasn’t going to be easy, but I think I’m willing to give somewhat of an effort. Even if I have my own personal thoughts-and Olivia breathing down my neck- that I’m not good enough for this, I have to shut those out. I have to. I have to play the role, even if my reflection in the mirror isn’t who I am inside.
Thank you SO MUCH for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! Jam On!
