Mondo Pastello | girlxgirl | Comple... - Chapter 38: Chapter 38

"What do you love?"
"You,"
"Try something else,"
"Smoothies,"
"How much do you love them?"
"A lot,"
"What are you not going to worry about?"
"The coronation,"
"What are you going to think about?"
"Smoothies," this was Sarina's method to calming me down. She took me to one side early in the day and began to set my mind focused on something I loved. Her reasoning is that if I think about something I really like, then with the thought of it at mind it will be easier to overcome other obstacles when you know that the thing you love was waiting on the other side. It certainly wasn't the worst thing someone has tried with me.
I took a deep breath and regarded myself in the mirror. It was a mere hour before the coronation, yet I felt as if I would be summoned any second.
The dress, oh my deities, I can't. It was a very gentle purple and had baby pink and white flowers surrounding it. It was also off-the-shoulder but it resembled more like an extensively rich wedding dress. It had an elongated back that I would have to drag along when I walked, my back exposed. The brace on my hand was removed weeks ago, and I was glad because if I still wore it, then it would upset the dress. I was already wearing it, my hair styled to perfection by, surprisingly, the Mother Queen.
This morning Mother Queen had woken me up at the crack of dawn, far earlier than anyone else in the palace. She pulled me from my room, forced me to dress in something appropriate before pulling me from the building and off we went. I was quite surprised when she took me to a salon.
"Please, Melanie. I know when my granddaughter is upset and that father of yours really needs to catch up with modern times. Come now, let's get your hair back," she had told me before proceeding to pay for the best dye job I had ever received. My hair was back to its perfect violet colour, but now it had a shimmer. As soon as my hair was dry and coloured again, Mother Queen took me to the venue where she began to style.
She was giving me tips whilst she did my hair when Sarina entered, wearing her own elegant dress my mother lend her for the occasion.
It warmed my heart to see Sarina allowed to attend such royally important events now. My father warmed up to her after a quick talking after the Royal Variety Performance last night.
As soon Sarina's eyes landed on the mother Queen, realization passed through her and before she could stop herself, she yelled out:
"It's the alien queen!" and I was dead inside. Luckily my grandmother had a sense of humour and I had to explain to her what Sarina meant. It was embarrassing.
The coronation was held at one of the biggest churches I have ever seen, even larger than the ones I saw in Spain. Regarding Spain, Alejandro was still here to witness my coronation. I was pretty sure he just wanted to see me trip and fall though. After Mother Queen left the room, I was left alone with Sarina offering me support and comments about my hair. I paced around because of my nerves, simultaneously gaining experience on how to move around in the dress.
Eventually Sarina stopped me, grabbing my face to look at me with intensity in her eyes. I shuddered slightly.
"Melanie, you are beautiful and courageous and one tough cookie. You will overcome this with ease, and you're not going to be alone. I will be in the front row with Alejandro and your brothers. We're going to offer you as much support as we can. This isn't you against the world, because you're not alone. Remember that," I nodded slowly before we both moved in for a passionate kiss. We were interrupted, however, by my father coughing from the doorway. Embarrassed, we pulled away and turned to look at him. He had a smug look that seemed a bit uncomfortable, but it was certainly better than the reaction he had about us a week ago. He was warming up to our relationship.
"You might want to go take your seat, Sarina," nodding, she quickly left the room, almost tripping over her own dress. When she exited the room, Alejandro was waiting in the hallway with a grin. He offered his arm to Sarina and escorted her inside, both of them secretly worried for me.
My father stepped into the room, his eyes brimming with tears as he looked over me.
"Oh look at you. I never thought I'd miss that colour but you just so natural with it," he told me, taking a few of my strands into his hand. "I feel like I'm going to lose you," he admitted, something I could only find amusing.
"Father, really, I'm not getting married," I chuckled, moving towards him to give him a hug.
"Maybe not, but I've always felt the need to protect you. Normal parents watch their kids go off when they turn eighteen and move out of the house, but for us it is different. And this is that time. To think, after so long of calling you my little princess, now it will truly be just that. You will get a crown on your head and you will be magnificent. Maybe even a better princess than your mother," he chuckled slightly and I joined in. "Don't tell her that though," I nodded. He sighed deeply and gave me a peck on my cheek. He regarded himself in the mirror, straightening out his crown while we waited. When a Royal Guard popped in and informed us everything was set, my father held his arm out towards me and escorted me towards the large hall.
The room was glittering from my favourite shade of violet flowers which complemented my hair, the sun shining down on us as a positive sign. I could see many people I've been introduced to over the years as they were trusted with my secrets. Military leaders, religion leaders, the entire Royal Family including the extension of our family, easily moving to thirty people. TV crews and reports were all around, documenting the momentous occasion. I gave the biggest smile I could muster, moving in along with my father. I could see many shining faces as we moved to the raised platform, three thrones sitting on top of it. The middle one was occupied, my mother seated elegantly with her crown outshining anyone. Her face was only surprised for a second before she regained her smile.
We came to a stop in front of the platform, my father leaving my side to join my mother's now standing figure. I could tell she was already a bit tired, having given nearly an hour long speech before I arrived. She gave me a comforting smile and I returned it, kneeling in front of them.
"To everyone who has supported our family through our rough times, I thank you with the utmost sincerity," my mother started speaking. "And those who are with us now, witnessing the coronation of the princess, may you feel the same honour and pride I feel when I imagine my daughter take her rightful place," she turned to the side, signalling gently to the Archbishop. He stepped up, the crystal tiara sitting on top of the elegant pillow whilst shining its magnificence, and kneeled before the Queen. My mother picked up the tiara and held it up gently. "With the power vested in me by the United Kingdom as current All-Ruling Queen, I crown Her Royal Highness, Princess Melanie Annabelle Darlington the Fourth as the Crowned Princess of the United Kingdom and the First Successor to the Throne as Future Queen of the United Kingdom," and with that she lowered the tiara onto my head, securing it.
I was brimming with joy as I stood up, hearing the loud uplifting cheers from everyone surrounding us. I turned around to face the hall of people and bowed before them, their clapping rising in volume. I spotted Sarina and Alejandro in the row, both of them applauding with such severity that I fear their hands might fall off. The twins were giving me sly look. I smiled and rose my head when the sounds died down, readying myself for what came next.
"This was supposed to be the day that you all got introduced to me, but I am glad it did not proceed like that," I could tell everyone was curious as to what I meant. "If a total stranger was just crowned here, then I would feel as if I have already let you down. But because the world has already met me, although under the most peculiar of circumstances, I do not regret it. You all saw me at my worst of times and my best of times, and I grew from all my experiences. I met amazing people, I went to other countries and I formed relationships I never thought I would be able to form. I saw the magnificence of the Kingdom at my birthday and I saw the beautiful relationships the kingdom has formed when I was in Spain. I saw all of your talents just last night, and each and every one of the Kingdom's people has a special side that improves our standards. We set the bar high because we do not need it low. The Kingdom has extraordinary people and I feel honoured to be a leader in the evolvement. I want to help people realise their potential and reach for the stars, because that is the type of people we are. I wish to work to an important point, and that is that we don't need to discriminate and we don't need to hurt others. It is unneeded. You are all beautiful, beautiful people and I am truly honoured for you all to give me this chance to serve you all. For my Queen and Kingdom, for my King and Country; as long as there is poverty and hate and sickness, I will not rest until the last breath is gone from my chest. Everyone deserves a chance, just like the one you are all giving me. I thank you all from a full heart. God bless you all," and with that another round of applause sounded as I turned and headed to the open throne, seating myself next to my mother.
Everything was so blissful, but I still couldn't believe it. This was it. I was now the Crowned Princess, the thing I've worked towards to ever since I was born and I couldn't be happier. My family was finally starting to accept me for who I was, my brothers were growing for the better, my best-friend had jumped across borders just to see me, I had no enemies and I had the best girlfriend in the world, right by my side.
I was so happy that I felt nothing could bring me down now.
My eyes roamed over everyone, spotting people and remembering their name. I spotted my father's sister, Duchess Hannah, sitting along with her husband and her son. They looked absolutely elegant and ready to take out any enemy, as was the type of people they were. I spotted Princess Alice and how proud she looked. Her husband, Duke Piers, looked a bit uncomfortable but deliver bright smiles. Lewis and Matilda sat grudgingly next to their parents, clapping because they were required to. My eyes went on before I noticed something I had not done before.
Where was Jasper?
Even the previous night after the show, he had escaped quickly before I even had time to talk to him. It made me concerned.
♕♥ ♕♥ ♕
After the entire event which included me sitting down for an interview to documentary my rising to the throne, we returned to the palace for celebrations of our own. A large ball was held, everyone present at the coronation there. I greeted every single person, learning their name and what they did. War heroes bowed before me and I felt unequipped to handle such people and even deserve their respect. I got many fantastic comments about how I looked and my speech, any nerves I had from before completely gone.
We had a banquet, the same size of my birthday's if not bigger. When I turned on the television I saw incredible things and how the Kingdom celebrated. There was a parade in my honour and countless shows were tuned in to talk about the coronation. It truly was a momentous occasion. There was a school that planted trees for me, and many more things that warmed my heart. I had truly expect the Kingdom to dislike me after I punched Caleb, but that was not the case. They were giving me a chance and I wouldn't give it up.
"Your speech was... moving," I was surprised when Lewis confronted me at the banquet, having branched off from his family. "Princess Melanie," that topped the cake. Never before had Lewis addressed me by my title.
"Thank you, Earl Lewis," I decided to use his own title. He bowed his head before heading off, leaving me stunned. Many of my family members had beautiful things to say, with the exception of Matilda who was ordered by her mother to stay silent. Luckily, she complied.
"You have expectations now," I felt intimidated. This was one of my cousins I rarely spoke to, as I rarely had anything to say to that side of the family. I feared them. He was a part of Duchess Hannah's, the sister of my father, household. This was her son, Count Palatine Victor. He was tall, not close to the towering two metre Lewis, but he was tall and broad and scary. They were a bit aggressive. After all, Duchess Hannah had punched my father through the jaw.
"And I will try my hardest to live up to them," his eyes stared coldly into mine, but I could tell he wasn't hostile. He was trying to be friendly.
"I look forward to your work," he kneeled before me, taking my hand to place a feather kiss on top of it. "Princess Melanie," I had never been addressed by my title so often before.
The party moved towards to the ballroom where I was expected to deliver the first dance. This was going to be the first time in history that a royal first dance be initiated by two females. We headed to the middle of the dance room, Sarina's hand on top of mine as I lifted our hands eye-height. She was nervous, admitting to me that she wished she didn't stay angry so that she could have practiced for this.
I had laughed it off, and reminded her of when we danced under the moonlight.
We curtsied to one another before we began, my form leading the waltz and Sarina quickly getting the hang of it. She followed my moved, dancing with my in the circle made for us. The surrounding people gave us gentle claps at the end before grabbing their own dance partners. Everyone danced elegantly, just like a true ball. This was just like the Spaniard ball, but so much better because I had Sarina with me.
I spotted Alejandro as we moved across the ballroom. He had the unfortunate hand given to him, having ended up dancing with The Honourable Lady Matilda. It certainty is not an honour to dance with her. His expression reminded me of Toro's when I refused to give him an extra serving of food. Complete desperation.
The night slowly ended, many people tapping me on the shoulder to bid farewell. Eventually it was just the family left, and of course, Sarina in my arms. We were still in the middle of the ballroom, just swaying gently as we enjoyed each other's presence. Alejandro had retired for the night, as did the twins. The King and Queen were also still dancing, whispering conversations between each other as apologies came from both. So much has happened with their children that they had not yet have time to revaluate their standings as parents, and chose to do that now. The Duchess Hannah had threated my father not long ago before leaving with her household, smugly as if they were mafia bosses rivalling each other. Lewis and his father had slipped out secretively, but I hadn't the faintest idea of what they could have gone to do. My guess was to go search for the missing middle sibling. Princess Alice, Matilda and the Mother Queen were all in an intense conversation, but I had no interest in what.
I was only focused on my girlfriend in my arms.
"You really look beautiful," I commented, softly for only her to hear.
"It's your mother's dress,"
"And she doesn't look half as good in it as you," Sarina blushed at my words before lowering her head to give me a kiss. My heels were higher than hers, so I didn't have to reach up to her face. I had never felt anything more spectacular than Sarina's kisses, Caleb's nowhere near in comparison. It made me wonder how much experience she had, leaving me out of breath from just slow and tender movements.
It was magnificent, and I doubted that anything could ruin.
But this was the palace, and I was the Crowned Princess. Nothing ever goes my way.
The doors to the ballroom were thrown open in such harsh severity that everyone jumped from what they were doing and looked towards the doors, completely bewildered. Lewis came bawling inside, almost tripping over his feet as he was hasty. His breaths came out in short pants, his face resembling someone who had seen a ghost. Maybe even something even more horrifying.
"Lewis dearie? What is the matter?" Princess Alice was immediately concerned, her eyes full of worry. Lewis shook his head, as if in disbelief. Everyone stared at him, patiently awaiting the news he came rushing in to deliver. Where was the Duke Piers? Was he not with Lewis?
When Lewis finally spoke, it was as if time slowed. My heartbeat began to sound loudly in my ears, louder than I have ever heard it pound. Disbelief and thoughts of falsehood began to cloud me and I felt as if I would fall unconscious. My face turned pale, just as everyone in room. A girly squeal erupted from Matilda, but no one blamed her after the words Lewis spoke.
"Jasper tried to commit suicide!"