| Fan Fiction |
by fairy219
I can’t believe he’s been lying to me.
I don’t know why I’m still standing here, backstage, watching him on the TV that shows what’s currently happening in the conference room.
He’s a jerk. He’s been toying with my feeling. What was his intention? Why did he have to lie?
Suddenly I feel someone touches my arms. I turn around and standing there is my best friend.
“Did you know?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“So what are you going to do?”
I shake my head again. “I don’t know. What am I supposed to do?”
“Oh Irene,” she sighs and put her arms around me. I lean my head on her shoulder.
“I guess it’s officially over now,” I tell her.
***
“On behalf of the people of Araluen, I thank you, Westralia, for your generous assistance and kindness towards us in this difficult time,” I say into the microphone in front of press before I walk down the stage.
Slowly I exit the conference room and enter the backstage area. Several people have waited to escort me to another part of the palace where I will have lunch with the King and Queen.
When I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure, I pause. She was looking straight into my eyes. “Irene…,” I call softly but she quickly turns around and walks away. She’s mad at me. I can understand why.
I want to run after her and explain but people have already pushed me out of the room.
-- oOo --
Everything went well today. I hope with Westralia’s generous help, Araluen can recover soon. Westralia sent its troops and volunteers to help rebuild the towns along the coast which was destroyed by the earthquake.
Now that my cover is blown, I can’t continue living in the dorm. As for tonight, I’m moving to the embassy. My parents won’t let me go home because they want me to attend Westralia’s prince’s wedding.
As I empty my drawers and pack my stuff into the boxes, a white envelope attracts my attention. It’s the invitation to the royal wedding on Saturday given to me by Irene. Now that she knows who I am, I guess I don’t need to worry about turning up as two different persons. Besides, she might not want Marco to accompany her to the wedding anymore.
I place the envelope in my pocket and pick up the next item in my drawer. It’s a small pink and white box. I smile remembering the day Irene gave me this. Sweet time. I wonder if she would still decorate a cake especially for me now that she knows who I really am.
What am I thinking? She’s with Michael now.
“Knock knock!” I hear someone knocks at the door.
I get up and open the door. Randy, my next door neighbour is standing there with her mouth open.
He points a finger to me, “Nooooooooooooo!”
I laugh. “Come on in. I’m moving out tonight.”
“So…it’s true that you’re a prince,” he wants to know.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“NOOOOO.”
“Yesssss.”
“I can’t believe this. I’ve been living next door to a real life prince!” he exclaims.
I raise my eyebrows. “Stop that. You sound like the young girls from my fan club. It creeps me out.”
“No wonder you confidently went after Princess Irene.”
“I like her not because she’s a princess,” I tell him. “She’s a sweet girl who happens to be a princess.”
“Does she know about this, mate?”
“She didn’t know any earlier than you do.”
“And what’s her reaction?” he asks.
I shrug. “I haven’t really had a chance to talk to her. Things were already tense between us before this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think her heart is for someone else.”
Randy goes quiet for awhile. I continue packing my stuff.
“She was here last night,” he suddenly says.
“Who?”
“Princess Irene.”
“Huh?”
“When I got up this morning, she was sitting on the floor in front of your room with one of her guards.”
What? She was here? “Are you sure it was her?”
“I’m pretty sure.”
“What time was it?”
“I don’t know. Six or something.”
“Did you talk to her?” I ask.
“No, I was half asleep. I just got up because I needed a drink and I left my cup in the kitchen.”
“You weren’t here this morning, were you, Marco?”
“No, I stayed in the embassy all night. I wonder what she’s doing here.”
“Obviously waiting for you,” Randy replies.
“I know but why?”
“Maybe she was worried when she heard about the earthquake? You should call her, mate.”
“I don’t think she wants to talk to me, Randy.”
“Why not?”
“I saw her this morning in the palace. She looked really mad.”
“I don’t blame her.”
“Neither do I.”
***
On Saturday early morning I woke up with lots of butterflies in my stomach. I still haven’t sorted out the boyfriend problem. Marco is out of the question now. I’m still super mad at him for lying to me. I was actually considering on asking Michael, but it will only make things more complicated. I don’t want Michael to get the wrong idea. I don’t have the heart to tell my parents that my boyfriend is non-existence because they will be very embarrassed because the whole world already knew about my boyfriend.
Maybe I should pretend I’m sick so I don’t have to attend the wedding.
When I hear Leila’s footstep, I quickly cover my head with the blanket and pretend to be asleep.
I feel Leila gently shakes my body. “Princess, wake up.”
I ignore her.
She uncovers my head and using her cold hands, she touches my cheek. “Wakie wakie!”
I groan and open one of my eyes. “I think I’m sick,” I tell her.
“You were perfectly healthy yesterday,” Leila says. She touches my forehead. “No temperature. You’re fine. Come on, get up!”
“I’m really sick.”
“You’re just lazy.”
“I’m not!”
“Yes, you are!”
“I’m not!”
“If you’re really sick, you wouldn’t have the energy to argue with me. Now, get up! Everyone’s up already. You need to get your face and hair done.”
Seeing me still curling under the blanket, she goes to the bathroom and I hear the tap being turned on. Few seconds later she comes out carrying a bucket of water.
“Alright, alright, I’m up! Jeez !” Knowing Leila, she won’t hesitate pouring the cold water on me if I don’t get up.
-- oOo --
“I think everyone is more excited to see your boyfriend than the wedding itself, Irene!” my cousin, Mary, whispers to me during make up time.
I smile weakly at her.
“Is he cute?” my other cousin asks.
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” I reply. “Has anyone seen Julia?” I try to change the topic. I haven’t seen my evil sister in law this morning.
“She was here earlier but then she left.”
“Oh.” I was expecting her to be here bossing and rushing everyone.
After I finish with my hair and make up, Elena pulls me aside. “Are you still going to introduce Marco to everyone as your boyfriend?” she asks.
“Of course not,” I reply.
“Then who’s this boyfriend you keep telling everyone about?”
“I…have…no…idea.”
Elena shakes her head. “Are you crazy?”
“Probably.”
“What are you going to tell everyone?”
“I’ll make something up,” I try to sound confident.
“Bridesmaids, please make your way to the church!” we hear Barbara, the wedding coordinator, yells into the room.
“I have to go,” I tell Elena. “I’ll see you later.”
Suddenly my hands turn cold. The truth is, I still don’t know what I’m going to do.
-- oOo --
Okay, so far so good. I didn’t make any mistake when I walked down the aisle and people believed me when I told them my boyfriend would only come to the reception and not the church ceremony.
Now we’re in the bus to go back to the palace for the reception. I have to think of something really fast.
***
After I sign the guestbook, a girl escorts me and the ambassador to our seats inside the grand ballroom. The girl looks very familiar. I feel like I’ve met her somewhere.
Just as I’m about to sit down, she tugs my arm. “May I have a word with you?”
“Sure,” I reply.
“In private,” she whispers.
“Okay…”
“Follow me,” the girl says.
I try very hard to remember where I have possibly met her but I just can’t.
The girl brings me to a quiet corner of the ballroom.
“My name is Elena. I’m Irene’s best friend,” she introduces herself.
Ah. Irene’s best friend. No wonder.
“You’re Marco, right?”
“Well…uhm…yes.”
***
Okay, here we go. I take my position next to Antonio. We need to once again make an entrance, but this time, to the ballroom.
“Ready?” Barbara asks me.
I nod. Suddenly the music blares and all the guests stand up.
At Barbara’s cue, I start walking. Step, stop, step, stop, step, stop. I try not to think about what I should say when people find out my boyfriend is not there. Wait. Is it step or stop now? I feel Antonio pulling my arm. So I guess it’s a step. Step, stop, step, stop, step, stop….
Once the bridal party make it to the stage, glasses are raised and toasts are made. After several speeches, the formality ends. We’re allowed to sit down to eat.
I make my way to my table. My brothers and their partners are already there. I sit down quietly and try not to meet their eyes. The seat next to me is empty.
“So, Irene….”
“I’ve got to go the bathroom,” I quickly stand up. Maybe if I hide there until the party is over, I’ll be safe.
But as I turn around to leave the table, two of my cousins are walking towards me. They’re all grinning and excited. The grab my arms and pull me back to my table. They greet everyone at my table, and then they turn to me. “So where’s he?”
I can feel my face is burning.
“Yes, Irene, where’s he?” Julia asks.
“Err…he’s….around….”
“Where? What clothes is he wearing?” Mary asks.
“Err…”
Julia eyes me suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you’re making this up, Irene.”
“No, of course not!” I quickly say. “He’s here. Somewhere. He probably mingles.”
As though I’m not embarrassed enough, my mother has to come and loudly asks, “Now, where’s this mysterious guy of my precious daughter?”
Oh no. Now people from other tables around us are looking.
“He’s not here, Mother,” Julia replies for me. “And I’m not sure if he’ll ever be here.”
“What do you mean, Julia?” my mother asks.
“I have a feeling that Irene is maki…”
“Excuse me,” a deep voice interrupts her.
“Ouch!” I complain when Mary pokes my ribs with her elbow. “It’s the Prince of Araluen,” she whispers.
What?
I turn around.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” Marco asks pointing to the empty seat next to me.
Okay, what does he want now?
“The seat is taken,” someone answers for me.
Marco puts on a frown. “That’s strange. Because my invitation says this is my seat.”
Casually he takes out the invitation that I gave him. Everyone gasps.
Marco turns to me and grins. “Hello, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I was too busy mingling with others.”
“Hello, everyone,” he smiles to everyone at the table.
I look at him in disbelieve.
“Wow, Irene. Is this the big surprise that you’ve been keeping from us?” my mother asks.
Then everyone starts asking questions at the same time. Marco seems to be prepared and answers everybody’s questions calmly and casually like he had planned this all along.
I slump back into my seat. What’s going on?
Marco tells everyone the truth. Almost.
He says that we met at the bar, we went out, but because he didn’t want his identity revealed, he asked me to keep it quiet for awhile.
“Wasn’t he the one who proposed to you five years ago?” suddenly Mary whispers to me.
I freeze. Now I remember about the proposal five years ago. It was him! So he hasn’t given up. He’s just cleverer this time. He wanted to win my heart by pretending to be a commoner! And this whole boyfriend thing works out to his advantage. Now that everyone thinks he’s my boyfriend, he knows it’s hard for me to say no.
“Marco,” I suddenly stand up. “I need to talk to you.”
Marco looks at me for a bit, then he tells the others, “please excuse us.”
***
Irene looks pretty mad. She walks really fast so I’m trying hard to catch up. There are so many people in here!
“Irene, wait!” I call. But she doesn’t stop.
She walks straight through the sea of people and out of the ballroom. She walks along the corridor and up the stairs. Finally she disappears into a room.
The room’s door is half open so I let myself in.
“Irene, I’m…” Before I can finish my sentence, a pillow lands on my face.
“I hate you!!!!” she yells.
I try to approach her while avoiding all the pillows that are flying around the room.
When she runs out of pillows, she sits at the edge of her bed, pouts, and crosses her arms in front of her chest.
“I’m sorry. I don’t blame you for hating me, but please let me explain.”
***
Explain? Hah! He didn’t let me explain when I needed to explain things to him the last time.
“If you think I would be thankful because you rescue me from embarrassing myself just now, you’re wrong!” I yell at him. “This is all part of your plan, isn’t it? You lied to me to win my heart because you know how much I didn’t want to marry a prince!”
“You weren’t totally honest yourself,” he replies calmly.
WHAT? That’s true, but…“That’s beside the point!!!”
“Alright, I’m sorry. Look, Elena told me that I was supposed to come as your boyfriend…”
“Elena?”
“Yes. She told me everything and she asked me if I could somehow help you.”
Damn it, Elena. Now you make me look like a fool who’s desperate for a boyfriend in front of Marco.
“And Elena told me that you’re not with Michael…,” he says slowly.
I squint. This guy listens to everyone else but me.
“So I’m also really sorry about accusing you the other day…”
Silence.
“I’ll make it up to you,” he suddenly says. “That is if you still want to be with me.”
“You’re a prince,” I remind him.
“Yes. I’m hoping you don’t mind that.”
“And you didn’t trust me.”
“I was stupid.”
“And you lied.”
“So did you.”
“MARCO!”
“What?”
“I lied because I thought you were a commoner!”
“Well, I lied because I knew you would hate me for being a prince before you could get to know me.”
“But you like me just because I’m a princess!”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. You proposed to me five years ago without even knowing me.”
“I did. I was young and reckless and stupid and I thought you’re beautiful.”
I suddenly blush. “You did?”
“Yes.”
“What if I grow old and no longer beautiful?”
“I don’t care because what’s inside you is more beautiful than anything else. And so you know, I didn’t know you were Princess Irene when I first get attracted to you at the bar that night.”
“You didn’t?”
“No.”
“But you proposed to me five years ago…”
“Five years is a pretty long time.”
“Right.”
“I love you, Irene. Please give me another chance,” he suddenly says.
***
“I don’t want to marry a prince,” she replies.
“I’m not asking you to marry me.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s start over. If at the end you still think you don’t want to be with me, I will accept.”
She keeps quiet.
***
“You liked me, didn’t you?” he asks.
I did.
“If I weren’t a prince, you would like me, right?”
I would.
“Please, Irene. Let me prove to you that my prince-self is capable of loving you the way my commoner-self would.”
But I’m still mad at him. “Give me one reason why I should give you another chance after all the things you did to me,” I finally say.
“I know you still care about me. You came to my place on the night of the earthquake.”
“How…how did you know?”
“My neighbour told me.”
“Oh.” I guess I still do care about him.
“Is that a good enough reason?”
***
She doesn’t reply. I sigh. “I guess I’ve gone too far for you to forgive me, huh?”
She still doesn’t answer.
I turn around and make my way to the door. “I guess I will just tell everyone that we’ve broken up.”
“No wait!” I feel her hand on mine.
“Do you like my chocolate chips cookies?”
Huh? “I do, very much.”
“Is there any cottage house in Araluen?”
“Err…I’m pretty sure I can build you one if you want to.”
“Okay, I’ll give you another chance.”
I can’t believe my ears. “What?”
“I’ll give you another chance,” she says smiling.
I don’t want to ask why she suddenly wants to give me another chance, just in case she changes her mind.
“Thank you.” I take her in my arms and bend down to kiss her.
***
Mmmh. So what if he’s not a commoner? What if our love is not forbidden? At least he still likes chocolate chips cookies and we may still be able to live in a cottage house once in a while.
And he’s a good kisser.
================================
A/N
Is that it? you ask.
Well, for now it is. I'm so sorry if it sucks ><
But I'll write an epilogue soon and maybe a sequel.
For now, there are plenty of princess stories out there to read!!!
Here goes the list:
http://dream.fairycorner.net/entries.php
Thank you all for supporting me until now. My thank you list will come after the epilogue.
So don't go anywhere because I will be back!