Crownprince

Six-Danielle

The next day was a total chaos. Somehow, I ended up having to see my father and brother off to their own country. My father wanted to part in good terms but I was too mad for him abandoning me and leaving me to deal with everything. Both the King and Queen said their good byes and the Royal Regent sent her gifts to my fathers family in the west and I just stood there watching everyone do their formalities while I worry as to how I'll survive a day living with all the royals and learn who the freakin people wants me dead.

"Hey" A small familiar voice disrupts my train of thought and I was welcomed by my brother looking a little different because of his formal suit. "You know you can call me right?" He watches my reaction and by the looks he is giving me, he truly is trying to understand what i'm thinking.

Since the day he went with dad and visited us, all he is been trying to do is somehow get close to me. I've read tons of book and families with tragic secrets like what our family has tends to cause a huge rift between siblings or just with any of the family members. But he keeps showing me a different approach, even so, I just can't let myself trust him.

"I'll try but don't expect much from me. Now that I'm literally stuck here, I don't really think i'll have any interesting things to tell you" I answered. He looks dismayed for a second but he automatically replace it with his gentle smile

"Atleast know that you still have someone to talk when you need one" he pauses then smiles again "Well, aside from Lori anyways" he adds but I didn't missed that glint of joy passing his eyes after mentioning my best friends name. Something must be going on, I should probably grill Lori about this later.

"You know, if you want to start getting on my good side, keeping Lori out of the equation is a good start. Not the other way round" I teased him just to catch him off guard, maybe he'll spill something useful and entertaining.

"Woah...woah, nothing is going between me and Lori" he defends but I wasn't buying it. He must have noticed my disagreement since he raises both his hand in act of surrender. " I swear, I just like talking to her. Especially when shes the person who knows you best" He adds on. I watch him for another second and decided to give it up. Nows not the time for this kind of things anyway. "By the way, I almost forgot" He speaks up again, getting something behind is back pocket, he shows me a bracelet. It a silver bracelet that looks like it could e a charm bracelet but with only one charm. "Mother made each member of the family a charm bracelet with the families crest on it. I know that you already have your mothers necklace but mother made one for you as well. It was always in her jewelry box and she hopes for a day where you can go home and be with us. Though we never grew up together, you are still my sister and I would do everything to make sure you stay alive. You are family to me" Michael was seriously looking at me while waiting for me to accept the bracelet on in palm.

Being recognize by my fathers wife as family is one thing, but remembering me and making me the same jewelry as her own child, thats another thing. I don't understand how she can be so nice to me when I am the daughter of someone who almost took her husband away from her. How can she be so nice? Hearing all the stories about my identity and my real mother, Melissa took a risk by allowing my mother to live with them. She accepted my fathers mistake and helped my mother. And now even her own son is being so nice to me.

"Why is your mother so good to me? or to my biological mother?" I slowly ask, knowing that we only have so little time for explanations.

Michael smiles but he doesn't answer my question. He grabs my hand then puts the bracelet on my wrist, he moves his sleeves up then shows me his own bracelet. Now that its around my wrist the charm was now showing its hidden lines that is somehow connected to something. Then I saw Michaels own bracelet, you would think its actually a bit too much for a guy to wear something a girl would wear, especially when its actually a charm bracelet, but it didn't look so bad on his wrist. Then I saw the lines his own bracelet have.

"Each charm is connected to the other. Mom made sure that both our charms are connected so that no one can come between us. The reason why my mom is so nice to you is because" He pauses then looks to me in the eye "She accepts you as one of her own, she doesn't mind what your history holds. She cares for you the same way she cares for all of us. In short, she loves you like any mother would love a child" Michael smiles even more.

Even so, thats not enough reason for someone to be so nice. There must be another reason why she's doing this. I was about to answer but then we both heard the royals calling Michaels name.

"Sorry you two, but if they don't go now, they might reach the West by nightfall. Its a long flight and Melissa might be anxiously waiting for Michael and Sam by now" Queen Tatiana pointed out, cutting all conversation between me and my brother. I nod in agreement then I see my father walking towards me.

Great, now I really have to talk to him. Thing got serious last night that i'm in no mood to talk to him or to even hear the rest of his explanation. But then I remember what mom used to say about dad "Give your father a chance" so for her, I have to atleast try.

"Danielle" My father speaks up but before he could continue, Michael excuses himself. "I know this is not the best situation for you after everything but I can only assure you that this is the safest place for you. I wish that somewhere in your heart you'll learn to understand the things I've done. This is not the last time we'll be seeing each other. You know my number and you can always call me" Dad tells me in soft tone "The Royal family will provide you with the things that you need, listen to them and learn. You'll become a proper noble lady worthy of marrying a Prince. Remember that this is all for your protection and as Lady Vals last wish for you. I hope that you embrace this new life. Whoever it is that wants you gone, he or she wont stop but I'll find them. As long as I'm alive I will protect you. Thats a promise I will never break" Dad whispers before pulling me into his embrace.

His action took me by surprise and it was just for a moment but it actually held to much emotion. He didn't have to say anything because I felt it all. I thought I was going to cry but before I could even do that he was already releasing me, he looks at me for a second then he nods as if understanding something that I don't. He walks back to the Royals then he bows his head as a sign of respect then with final greeting, he went inside the car that was waiting for him then both him and Michael are off to the airport.

I was left speechless by everything that just happened, I guess being hugged for the first time by a father who you assumed that never cared, could render someone speechless. If it wasn't for one of the lady court nudging me I wouldn't have noticed the Queen calling my name.

"Is everything okay with you my dear?" Queen Tatiana asks in worry

"Yes your Highness, forgive me for being absent-minded" I bowed in respect. One wrong move and the King might order the guards to take me, I can''t offend the King and Queen thats why I have to act accordingly.

"You must be tired thats why your spacing out. We'll have to talk about something later, so until then, why don't you go back to your villa and rest. I'll send for someone to get you. Also, I asked one of our designers to stack up your closet, it should be done by now so make sure to dress up nicely when we meet later" I bowed in understanding but my mind was flying to the last words she said then it hit me.

"I'm so sorry your highness but by stacking up my closet, does that mean..."

"Oh yes honey. Its all new and in your size. You don't have to worry about the amount because your father asked that he pays for them" Queen Tatiana confirm and I was again gobsmacked. "Then if you don't have any other question. I shall do my work now as the Queen of this Kingdom" She smiles and thats when I realized that the King is gone and that we were the only ones left in what they call courtyard but for me its just another huge place for a garden.

"I apologize for keeping you from your duties" I almost forgot that I was talking to one of the key people of this royal family. While the King do all the decision making and making sure the kingdom stands, the Queen becomes the mediator, shes the voice of reason for everything and her work doesn't end there. She has to make sure that the whole palace is running smoothly and in accordance to the royal law. Meaning a whole day won't be enough for her to do all her responsibilities and me wasting her time is not something a royal subject should do.

"Nonsense" she brightly smile "You are always welcome to talk to me Dani, as I am the Queen of this country, I also stand as the mother of all its subject. You can always come to me whenever you want" she stood in front of me the she pinches my cheek like Im some kid. Without another word, she walks with her other lady maid, leaving me with two of the lady maids that was with her when she arrived.

The lady maid left with me asked me to walked with her as she was assigned to help me out today. She told me that her name was Christie but I am not allowed to call her by her name when I'm inside the Inner Palace. She was very nice to me and even though I don't like the idea of not calling someone by their name, I also don't want to put her in any kind of trouble.

Now that Christie was leading me to another way going to my villa, I finally saw some places I didn't last night. Christie told me that the Inner palace is actually consisted of different villas housing different royals. But some family members of the royal family resides within the middle palace. Since I'm no family of the royal, why in the hell did they put me here? Christie saw my discomfort so she assured me that the inner palace is also welcome to those who are not part of the Royal family as long as they have the Royals permission. She also told me that they were instructed to properly address me as one of the Royal Ladies and that is why everyone was bowing to me while I was walking. Talk about awkward right?

The palace was nothing I imagined, I always thought it would look like some old fairytale castles where series of pillar line alone the main room and where the King and Queens throne awaits. Well, its all a fairytale alright. The real things doesn't even amount to what the story says. The whole palace is giving me this korean style kind of look and its refreshing. Some of the houses look a little bit old but there are some that actually looks a bit modernized.

Christie told me that the inner palace is divided into three areas. The center area is where the King and Queen reside, both of them leave in two different villas but they share a common room where they can do whatever they want. A same room was made for the crownprince once he gets married and have his own crownprincess. For now the crownprince resides on the left side of the inner palace where all the other wives and children of the king resides. They each have their own villas and to avoid fights between the royal siblings, each are separated.

On the right side of the inner palace is where a few of the houses are made and I happen to be staying at one of them, then theres the royal kitchen just located at the far back. The courtyard is upfront but you can't miss that the awesome garden of eden out there. Most of the offices and other important building are located inside the second wall. So that means, my favorite place might be there as well.

"Miss, if you need anything else, I shall excuse myself for now. If you need me, you can just pull the string on the left side of the controllers. Every string in this villa is directly connected to the lounge, the lounge is where we all do our work and it is directly connected to the kitchen so lady maids usually gather there. Every Lady of the palace has their own set of Lady Maids but since our late head servant" She pauses to look at me, assessing how I'll react at the mention of my mother but I wasn't giving any sign of discomfort so she continues "is no longer with us, a new head will have to take her duties and assign your own personal lady maids. Until then, i'll be the one to serve you" Christie finishes off still looking like shes wondering if i'm fine or not.

"I'm okay, you don't have to worry. Thank you for giving me a quick run through of the inner palace.I think I'll be fine for now. You can go and attend to your own work" I told her with my outmost sincerity. She might be deliberating whether she should stay with me or attend to her duties as the Queens lady maid. I'm no royal or lady of the palace, I don't deserve to be served like the way shes serving me. She's been accommodating and patient while telling me all about the inner palace, she was also respectful when it comes to my mother so in return, I don't want to burden her by thinking about my welfare. "I'm fine, plus my friend is here as well so i wouldn't be alone" I pushed

"Very well then young miss. I shall excuse myself now" She bows in respect to which i'll need to get accustomed to from now on because nothing i'll say will make them stop. She leaves me alone and thats when I found myself going to my assigned room only to find Lori rummaging through my things.

"Lori?"

"You!" Lori faces me with a her murderous look while holding what I assume a pair of lingerie "Since when did you go shopping without me and why do you own this kind of things?" she raises both the s.e.xy lace bra and its other piece that could barely cover anything. Now I don't really wear those kind of things. I might wear some satin u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r but only if it covers my most important parts right. I don't wear u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r that could potentially make me look like a p.o.r.n star, that is not how my mother taught me.

"Lori do you really expect me to wear those things?" I ask her since shes supposed to know me better than anyone "Plus, I wasn't the one who bought those. The Queen asked one of the their designers to stack me with new clothes since I literally don't have anything and my father offered to pay for everything" I explained before she accuse me of anything else.

"Oh so that's why. I was wondering why there was so many people gathered to your room awhile ago. I came in as soon as they were done" Lori drops the lingerie "Although aside from this awful u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r, you my friend have tons of new clothes and not just any clothes." Lori pulls me toward my closet, one that was empty earlier this morning. If it wasn't for the maids bringing me a change of clothes i'd probably be wearing my clothes from last night. But now, Lori shows me piles of neatly folded blouses and organized set of hanged dresses all in soft colors."Girl you own Channel and Gucci now. And this are all limited edition set of clothes. Your father is one damn loaded one" Lori chuckles.

"This are all too much" I let my hand touch all the fabrics inside. I was never brought up to envy noble ladies wearing dresses from famous brands, I was always satisfied by the normal clothes you could buy on street shops and one on malls but this, this is something a lady would wished for. I understand why Lori was being bitchy about this, I mean if I was in her shoes and I see her receiving this kind of things without telling me anything, I might assume a lot of things.

I don't think I belong in this kind of life, the amount my father spent on this clothes is not something I deserve even after everything that happened between us.

"Oh...ow, I know that look" Lori rushes to my side "You're starting to overthink things again" she rubs my back then pulls me towards my bed.

"My mom just died, my fathers back to wherever he needs to be and then I get things handed to me. Do I even deserve all of this?" I asked Lori in hushed tone and for the first time since all this shit happened, I felt really vulnerable.

Lori hugs me but she doesn't say anything. She doesn't need to. She understands me more than anyone else and she knows that right now, all I really need is someone to hear me out.

"I don't even know who I am anymore, what if I do wear those clothes, will I still feel me?" worry was lacing itself on my words. I mean who wouldn't, one day your this normal lady living the life of a simple girl now your about to live a life full of eyes and ears and drama. Lori must have figured out what I was thinking so she speak up.

"Oh Elle, you do realize that I wont let anything happen to you right? If things get south, I'll definitely drag you north no matter what it takes. You need to stop thinking like this. You'll be fine and I'll be with you. You are not alone in this fight and you are still you Elle. No matter who you real mother is and what you become after, you are still Danielle, the little nerd I met and my best friend. You just have to keep faith in your own identity. You made you. No one else and no one will change that" Lori taps me cheek "Plus, even if you wear yourself with thousands of beautiful fabric, you still belong to the street section. And we both know why!" Lori chuckles reminding me of our days as a teen who would go all out on street stalls just to find the right clothes for us. Remembering how Lori and I used to be made me smile a little bit, we were crazy and free.

Somehow, Lori made me realize that I shouldn't be focusing on whats happening now and just keep going. Like a busy street, coping with various changes and doing its very best to ride the tide, I should also do the same. I've read tons of novel about a heroin going through the same hurdle as I do, things eventually gets better and thats what i'll hope for. Except for one tiny detail that I haven't told Lori.

"Lori, I think you should know before you hear anything from someone else" I started and its was Lori's turn to feel nervous.

"What?"

"You know already that I was asked to be wed with one of the prince's right" Lori nods without saying a word "Well, I guess he is no ordinary prince. The royals and my father set me up to marry the Crownprince"

"Wait you mean the Crownprince from another country or OUR Crownprince? Like Prince Luke?" she confirms in hushed tone. Well I don't really know why shes whispering.

"Our Crownprince and yes its Prince Luke. Why are you whispering all of a sudden?" I asked after saying yes to her question. I know it must have been a big news but it doesn't mean that we have to act like culprits planning something.

"Are you insane?! Dont you know the rumors about him? I know your a nerd but I atleast expect you keep tract of whats happening between the royal family!" Lori scolds then she goes off grabbing her phone. She then types something on the phone making me wonder what that is until she literally pushes her phone on my face.

An article about the royals was published a few months back and what I saw on the title page made me even more curious.

'Young Prince spotted drunk and n.a.k.e.d, Royal family denies all alligation' I read in my mind and right beside the article was a blurred photo of someone I'm not really familiar with, he was only wearing a ragged shirt with no pants and boxers on. After that another article was written for the same person only this time they deliberately blurred out the persons face but he was wearing a dark suit with luxury watch trying to hide the lady besides him. This time the article was titled 'Young Prince in paradise, Caught dating Older brothers women" Thats just gross if it was really true but I don't understand how all this things are related to me. So I returned my attention back to Lori who seems like she was waiting for me to react or something.

"You still don't understand, do you?" She asks and I shake my head. She through her phone softly beside me before placing her two hands on both my shoulder. "The guy they were referring to on both article is your soon to be husband idiot" She proclaims and thats when it struck me.

Of course his a total a.s.s, I mean things could eventually get better right but if what the articles say about him is true, that his a total drunkard and an a.d.u.l.terer, he could be more but I mean who knows because no one really saw him in action and the only thing that proves the he exists is his past issues and public disturbance. I'm finally seeing where my EVENTUALLY is going. I mean the articles could be exaggerating and maybe he is different, I can only judge him once I met him and maybe get to know him. I mean things on the internet and some news can be fabricated. Right?

"I know you are big on judging others after meeting them first but you need to be careful. I once asked my mom hows the royal siblings, all my mother ever told me is that they are different" Lori warns me but it wasn't enough.

"Different in what way?!" I asked

"She didn't say much after that but knowing my mom, i'm going to say in bad way. She never uses the word different on someone unless they are super crazy and hilarious" She explains.

Lori's mom is after all just like my mother. They tend to speak good rather than bad, so no matter how difficult and negative a person is, they always try to speak positive and they always give chance.

"I still need to meet him though. My father said that after the King and Queen talks to me, i'll be joining a training then I'll be married to him. Maybe things could still change by then" I told Lori remembering what my father told me last night.

"But if you do get into marriage with him. Does that mean?" Lori looks at me with glee on her eyes "You'll also become the next Crownprincess of the country"

"What?" Wait? We still have our Crownprincess so thats impossible "Thats impossible. We still have our Crownprincess so that would only mean that I'll become one of the Ladies of the Prince" I explained while trying to remember the ranks between or monarchy and where the ladies stand in this hierarchy

"Idiot, Princess Amber was Prince Marks wife, she is still the Crownprincess even after Prince Marks death because Prince Luke hasn't found his own lady yet. If you become his highness wife, you become his first lady making your the eligible Crownprincess on the Country!" Lori clears out my confusion because I totally forgot that tiny detail. I almost forgot that this country has suffered a loss because of Prince Marks death a couple of years ago. Everyone did mourn because pf his death, he was after all a great ruler.

"But I can't be the next Crownprincess, i'm not of noble blood..." And then it clicked to me again. I was of noble blood because of my father and now I'm in need of training so that I can become a lady that deserves to be called a princess "Damn! This is one hell of a twist in my life"

"You definitely need a lot of history making, you keep forgetting what happening and what happened during the last years. If you truly become the next crownprincess of this country you need to straighten up now do some changes. Because this Country need a lot of changing and that Prince of yours. He'll need someone to guide him" Lori reminds me while smiling like she won a lottery.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"Like what?" she nonchalantly answered but still with a creepy smile on her face

"Like you just one a lottery" I plainly told her but I'm slightly getting scared at how she is looking at me right now

"Oh thats because I did and you are my lucky card" She chuckles before tackling me "Who would have thought that my bestfriend would someday become the next ruler of this country" She laughs "The same girl who never gives a crap about royalty and would rather be stuck at home reading God knows what than be dragged to different places. Girl your life is about to change from one eighty to three sixty" She keeps laughing teasing me like a horrifying baboon. How could she even take this as a laughing matter, all my nerve are gone into wozy mode in here she is laughing at my own troubles. A few seconds ago she was all too good and supportive of me and now shes acting like a total different person. Though I know that this side of her exists too but still, nows not the right time.

"You do realize that I'm about to get screwed right?" I complained but she kept laughing

"You need to chill Elle, you are about to become a Princess. Things are about to change but you are not screwed" she pauses before snorting "Well not entirely anyways"

How am I even going to survive this? Its all new to me and I don't have anyone else to trust but Lori and her mom. God what a mess?

Me a Lady

Me a Princess

Me a Crownprincess

and someday if my life did turn that way, oh God

I'll become a Queen.

A Queen who doesn't even know how to make her bestfriend shut up and turn her life back to the way it should be. Who am I even kidding? I'll probably become the worst Queen in all history.

Is this also part of you plan mom?

I wish you were here to tell me.

I really do.

'I am with you' I snapped my head and my eyes wide. I turned around but there was no one else in this room but Lori and I.

I thought I heard my moms voice but maybe it was just a memory. Something that will always remind me that she will always be with me. No matter what, she'll guide me. I squeezed the last thing my mom gave me and thats the necklace my real mom used to have. Now both their memories will be engraved in this necklace. Then a thought came to me. I am still lucky for having two amazing mother whose willing to give their life just to protect me. Even though I never got the chance to meet my real mom I can feel that shes as awesome as my mom. I will never forget their sacrifices and I will try my best. Even with all the negative things happening in my life, there are still things that I should be thankful and happy about. I just have to look to the brighter side and face each day like how my mother faced them.

A sweet smile on the face and the kindest of heart for everyone.