by Nikki Gaspar
“Claire?” I was prepared to take the phone away from my ear the moment she starts shouting, but her voice was surprisingly low, albeit clipped.
“Aunt Emily, I’m sorry I didn’t call you when I was poisoned.”
“Do you have any idea how scared I was when I turned on the television and saw your face in the news? I told you to call me anytime you’re in danger, didn’t I?”
I grimaced. Her disappointed tone was worse than if she shouted at me. “It won’t happen again.”
“You’re right. I’ll make sure that it won’t happen again. I bought our old home back; my husband and I will come back to Bellanmuse.”
“Really? When?”
“We’re just tying up some loose ends, but it won’t be long.” She sighed. “I know that I cannot take you away from the royal family because you are the heir to the throne. And now that the bastard Anthony was dead, they could give it to you anytime soon. All I can do is to be there for you when you need me.”
“Thank you, Aunt Emily.”
“All I want is what’s best for you, Claire. We’ll talk more when I get there.” She hung up on me, obviously still upset.
I hope she’s mistaken about the elders giving the crown soon, though, because I was far from being ready.
***
A month passed since Uncle Ant’s funeral and Adam’s trial. The palace was almost back to its normal routine. Grandma was not that sad anymore and even joined us for movies a few times.
We resumed our classes and were almost caught up in the homework that we slacked off when we were busy in the investigation. The teachers said that they were confused when the king commended them for keeping us busy with homework but were too chicken to tell him that we were not really submitting all of them on time.
Vincent took over their business while juggling with his studies. In just his first month, investors and clients flocked to the company as soon as word came out about the new management, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
“Hi Claire, how was your class?” Lady Graciel said as she let me inside grandma’s office. Jazaael found me after class and said that the elders were requesting to see me, so I must go meet them immediately.
“Good morning, Lady Graciel. The class gave me a headache, as usual…” I noticed that the elders were looking at me strangely. “Is there a problem?”
“Why don’t you sit down first?” Lady Elisa said.
Grandma was sitting behind her office table while the rest of the royal court were seated on her many furniture. All of them looked like they were going to announce something unpleasant, and it made me nervous.
“As you already know, when your father was alive, he was the first-in-line to the throne, and you were second.”
Oh no! Please tell me they did not ask me to come here for this conversation.
“After he died, however, you were moved in the first position.” Grandma continued. “Anthony was crowned king upon your grandfather’s death only because we cannot find you. Now that you are back and the king had died, you can assume the throne.”
I groaned. “But I’m only eighteen, Grandma.”
“There is no law in Bellanmuse that forbids an heir to assume the throne just because of her age. If you were here when your grandfather died, you would have been crowned queen even if you were only eight years old,” she said.
“When you came back, we only allowed Anthony to continue being king because you needed to adjust to the life here in the palace, but we planned to give you the throne when you reach the age of twenty-one,” Lord Romulo said.
And now that Bellanmuse doesn’t have a king anymore, they will give the title to me, ready or not. How am I supposed to rule a country if just doing my homework was already a struggle?
“Do not worry, Clarissa, we will guide you. The royal court is intended as the king or queen’s advisors,” Lord Josef said.
“Jazaael started making the preparations for your coronation ceremony. It will take place two months from now, so prepare yourself,” grandma said.
***
I went out of the office in a daze. A queen? Me? It’s been only months since I found out that I am a princess, now they want me to become a queen. How is that fair?
“Hey, kid! Are you okay?” a voice woke me up from my stupor.
I looked around and noticed that my feet brought me to the cottage.
“I have a problem, Mr. Taz.”
He ruffled my hair and said, “Come inside and tell me about it.”
I told Mr. Taz and Mrs. Luminaire about what the elders just announced while I nibbled on a sandwich.
“I’m not surprised, kid. Bellanmuse cannot run itself, and you are the rightful heir, it’s only natural that they would give you the crown,” Mr. Taz said.
“But I don’t know anything about being a queen! I’m not queenlike at all!”
“What are you talking about? You are the most queenlike person I know!” Mrs. Luminaire said.
“Even when I pooped on your favorite quilt when I was a baby?”
“Well…not then.” She chuckled. “But on the most part, you are queenlike, Claire. You did not lose your head when you were orphaned. You traveled into an unknown country to find your relatives and adjusted well in the palace. You fought bravely even after you almost died, and helped bring out the truth about your father’s and the former queen’s deaths. I cannot think of anything else to look for in a queen.”
That was the sweetest thing I have ever heard, and I couldn’t stop the tears that have fallen from my eyes.
“Ahem, that’s what I was about to say, she just beat me to it,” Mr. Taz said.
Mrs. Luminaire and I looked at each other and then burst out laughing.
“Humph!” Mr. Taz said, which resulted in another round of laughter.
I’m so thankful that my two neighbors decided to accept grandma’s invitation to come here to Bellanmuse. They never failed to make me feel better about myself.
Chapter Forty
During dinner that night, grandma gave another announcement. “Claire, you will have lessons in the afternoon starting tomorrow.”
“Lessons for what?”
“You will learn how to walk.”
I stared at grandma to see if she’s serious, but she just continued slicing her chicken. I turned and looked at my cousins incredulously and saw that they were both biting their lips hard to stop their laughter.
“Grandma, in case you haven’t noticed, I know how to walk.”
“You don’t walk, Claire, you slouch.”
Ysabel and Sofia stopped pretending to have a straight face and guffawed.
Grandma looked horrified, probably wondering how she got stuck with three unladylike princesses.
“Your teacher, Miss Luna, will teach you the graceful way of standing, walking, and sitting. Oh, and waving as well because there’s going to be a parade where you will greet the Bellan People. This is very important, so work hard.”
***
My walking teacher, Miss Luna, confirmed what Grandma said, I slouch.
On our first afternoon class, she made me walk around with a book on top of my head because according to her, my head should be sitting squarely on top of my shoulders.
“Do we really have to use a hardbound book, Miss Luna? Can’t we use a little paperback instead?”
“No. This way, you will work harder to keep the book on top of your head if you don’t want it to land on your feet.”
What a sadistic lady. I think I’m going to pass out if I have to walk, stand, and sit the way she told me to, all day.
***
One thing happened that made my preparations a bit easier, though. I was waiting for Lindy in my bedroom because she would get my measurements, and when she came in, Mari followed behind her.
“You’re back!” My heart jumped in happiness to see her free. I leaped and gave her a bear hug.
“Thank you, Princess, I appreciate that you and the other princesses m
ade sure to clean my name.”
“You’re a good girl, Mari. Even if we didn’t do anything, the truth would still come out eventually.”
Mari wiped the tears from her face. “You should let Lindy take your measurements, princess. We don’t want you to be crowned while wearing your pajamas.”
Lindy brought out her tape measure and didn’t stop until she listed the measurements of all parts of my body.
“You won’t be choosing your gowns this time, Princess. The queen mother wanted them to be a surprise for you,” Lindy said while she put away her things.
“That’s okay. I’m not picky.”
“I better leave now; stunning gowns take time to make.” She smiled. “I’ll make sure that you’re the most beautiful queen on your coronation day, Princess.”
As soon as Lindy left, Mari started cleaning my messy room. She filled my wastebasket in a span of five minutes—incredible.
“Mari, tell me what happened.”
She leaned on my study table and stared pensively out the window. “After you visited the prison, I was hopeful that I would be free soon. My appetite came back; food really helped me to become cheerful again.” She chuckled. “Until one day, my lawyer came to tell me that my trial would happen in a few days. I got scared again. I trust that you are doing your best, but what if you can’t find proof?”
“Yeah, it was really difficult,” I said.
“When my lawyer came back with a prison guard, I thought he would bring me to the trial, but he grinned at me instead. He told me to get ready to see the outside world because I am free. I hugged him and cried so hard. I’m sure his expensive suit still has my snot on it.”
My loud snort prompted a fit of laughter for both of us.
Gasping for breath and wiping her tears of laughter, Mari changed the subject. “Did Sir Vincent ask to be your date for the party yet?”
“What party?”
“The party on your coronation day, of course!”
“Oh…I didn’t realize that there would be one, and no he didn’t ask,” I said.
Mari waved her hand. “He will ask, I’m sure of it.”
***
She was right. Vincent and I were walking towards class the following morning, joking about my walking lessons when he suddenly turned serious, stopped walking, and then turned to face me.
“I want to ask you something, Claire,” he said, then looked down at his shoes. “Can I be your date for the party?”
Having Vincent as my date would surely make it better. For once, I would probably enjoy a party.
“Don’t worry about it. I just thought that there’s no harm in asking.” Vincent took my silence as saying no to his question.
“I want you to be my date, Vincent.”
His eyes lit up and walked with a spring in his step.
Chapter Forty-One
The palace was buzzing with activity as the staff made last-minute preparations for the coronation ceremony the following day.
Miss Luna finally gave up and admitted that she couldn’t make me walk the perfect way she wanted me to. I just looked like a robot instead of a graceful queen, and that’s worse than my slouch.
“Oh, Claire, there you are,” Grandma said when I ran into her in the foyer. Three women walked behind her, and all of them were carrying huge bags.
“Hi, Grandma, what’s happening?”
“Let’s go to your bedroom,” she said.
“Why?”
“You will find out in a while.” Grandma, as usual, did not wait for a reply. She just walked away and gave me no choice but to follow.
Once we were inside my bedroom, the women opened their bags and extracted numerous bottles, towels, and some devices that were foreign to me.
“Please take your clothes off, Princess,” one of the women said.
“Excuse me?”
“Your clothes, please take them off.”
“No way. Why would I do that?” I said and crossed my arms tight on my chest.
Grandma sighed. Finally, she’s putting a stop to this woman’s ridiculous request.
“Just take your clothes off, Claire. And then lie on your bed. Now. Allow them to do their job.”
When I just stared at her with my mouth hanging open, she rolled her eyes and ordered the women to help me remove my clothes.
My whole body was scrubbed, moisturized, and shaved until no unwanted hair was left behind. My hair was also treated and conditioned until all the tangles disappeared. It surprisingly felt good. No one told me that queens were pampered that way.
***
I was asleep because of the pampering that I received when my door burst open.
“Here are your gowns, Claire,” Mari said as she and Lindy came into my room, pushing a clothes rack. Grandma walked in behind them. No one seemed to notice that they startled me awake.
The ball gown Lindy made for the ceremony was off-shoulder, with full sleeves, and made of nude lace all over. And the gown for the party was an embroidered lavender tulle ball gown.
“Both are beautiful, Lindy, thank you.”
“The lace gown for the ceremony is not new Claire,” grandma said. “That was your mother’s wedding gown.”
I touched the soft material and found that it felt good on my skin. It looked even more beautiful now that I knew my mother wore this during her special day.
“I thought that you would appreciate having something of hers during your coronation.”
“Thank you, Grandma,” I said, tears welling in my eyes.
***
I slept early that night, but it felt like I just closed my eyes when I heard Mari’s voice interrupt my sleep.
“Claire…Claire…Princess, you need to wake up.”
“Hmm? The sun isn’t even up yet,” I said groggily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“You need to eat some breakfast and take a shower. The stylists will arrive soon.”
The coffee’s aroma helped me focus on what she’s saying, and I saw that she brought me a plate of toast, an egg, and some fruits. I drank half the cup of coffee to wake me up and just nibbled on some toast and fruits because my stomach started turning when I remembered what would happen later.
The people who were assigned to do my hair and make-up were waiting when I went out of the bathroom. One person was assigned for my makeup, and she didn’t hesitate to apply products on my face as soon as my butt was planted on the seat. Another person ran a comb through my hair, making me thankful that it was conditioned properly because I didn’t have my usual tangles. And another person took my hand to start filing my nails.
It took two hours for them to finally announce that they were satisfied with how I look.
“Congratulations, Queen Clarissa,” the women said, curtsying.
Being called a queen was really uncomfortable, but I couldn’t do anything about it anymore. They were just the first to call me that, but the moment the crown was placed on my head, I really am a queen.
“Thank you for this.” I gestured awkwardly to my appearance.
They curtsied again and then left the room.
Mari helped me change into my mother’s wedding gown, and I was happy to see that it fits perfectly.
“You look very beautiful, Claire,” Mari said, her eyes moist.
“You can’t make me cry, Mari, I would ruin my makeup.” I sniffed, fanning my face in an effort to dry my eyes.
A knock on the door interrupted us, and Jazaael called out. “Are you ready, Claire?”
Mari opened the door while I stared at myself in the mirror.
“You look exactly like your mother,” a familiar voice said.
From the mirror’s reflection, I saw Aunt Emily standing beside the door, she was looking at me, and her eyes were flowing with tears.
Any concern I had about my makeup was thrown out the window when I saw her. We hugged each other until a loud nose blowing put a halt in our moment.
A flowery handkerchief was in fro
nt of Jazaael’s face, and he turned red when he noticed that all of us were staring at him. “I have colds,” he said, fixing his mustache.
The loud snort from Mari prompted everyone’s laughter. Thank goodness the makeup used on me was waterproof and survived the emotional rollercoaster.
“Come on,” Aunt Emily said, “let’s make you a queen.”
Jazaael offered his arm and escorted me down the stairs.
Chapter Forty-Two
The palace was packed with people. The entire royal family was present, and I felt their eyes follow my descent to the stairs.
“You look like a queen,” Sofia said, awe in her voice.
“Yeah, I think Vincent just swallowed his tongue,” Ysabel said.
Vincent didn’t seem to have heard Ysabel; he stood at the foot of the stairs and offered his hand to me. Jazaael gave my hand a squeeze and allowed Vincent to take over.
He guided me through the crowd and brought me to a group of people chatting in a corner.
“Surprise!” he said.
Mr. Taz, who looked dashing in his suit, Mrs. Luminaire, and grandma, who were both absolutely elegant in their gowns, were entertaining Rosy, Christine, and Ben!
“Oh my goodness!”
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Christine said with a curtsy while Ben bowed.
“I’m so glad that you came!”
“The queen mother invited us.”
I think I mentioned Christine and Ben to grandma only once, but she remembered and took the effort to find and invite them for me.
Even without me saying, she knew that I would love to celebrate this day with them, instead of those foreign dignitaries who would not look twice at me if I was not Clarissa Grandis. These people were not my relatives but helped me wholeheartedly even when I was Claire Dava, the orphan girl and not the princess.
“Claire, the parade will start in a few minutes. You should sit in the car now,” Jazaael said.
I nodded and then turned to my guests again, including Aunt Emily, who joined the group with a man holding her hand—probably her husband. I’m glad to see that she and grandma were okay. “Please stay for the party.”
