HEY YALL IM BACK. unless u live under a rock (or fine, maybe this is your first selection), u would know i was @jynsongxvii during the dreaded obscurantism of ocnet selections, aka dom’s selection. back then, i posted a little thing to boost morale up when some anon stuff seemed to be getting hairy, so i’m doing it again. i should actually be writing my next crooks fic but,,, i mean,,, yeah, whatever. yall will live with the wait if you’re keeping up with that. let’s get started.
I find it amazing that you keep on writing an arc for Phanie! You go girl
Aww thanks! <3
I just have a mania that doesn’t let me leave the stories incomplete, so, knowing that the story will have an end calm me down. Also, Claire and Grace were really nice agreeing to the last rp which was great :D ( btw I haven’t written the last thing because I hadn’t had the time and when I have the time I don’t have the concentration and ASDFGHJKL I’m a mess)
((This is the first time of the end, guys. I had planned to write everything in just one fic but it would be too long and the last rp needed some explanation, so I think here’s everything you need to know before the actual end. I apologize because I had to work on this some time ago, and I tried, I swear but I was distracted by other things, like work, books and stuff ... ;) This is only 1K so yaay. Warning: This maybe contains too much drama, but it was required, I mean, she leaving so... sorry, about that lol. I mentioned @camille-marshall @maya-edwards ))
The wake-up call“Maybe green?”
“Green?” Rebecca frowned at Lili’s suggestion “It’s a Christmas ball, but she is not the Christmas tree” I chuckled discreetly, I didn’t want Lily to feel offended
“Well.. it’s not your choice, anyway” Lily replied annoyed; and then both of them turned to face me, taking me off guard. I hadn’t said a thing for while then, just watching them argue for a while, as they always did. Sometimes it could be entertaining.
“I guess it is my turn… umm… Sorry, Lily but I think turquoise will be better.” I reached for her hand “but we should do a green one for a report, maybe?” She gave me half a smile.
Suddenly the Swan’s dance began to play from somewhere near my bed.
“Sorry, it’s my phone, but yeah, turquoise is the color, ladies, thank you” They nodded, made a little courtsy and left the room.
“PIETRO” read on the screen. Some days ago I had changed my phone number to avoid unpleasant messages filling the RAM and bittering my days, but I did give it to Cam and Peter, in case there was an emergency at home, which is why seeing his name there made me worry.
I must have been in shock for more seconds than I should because the melody stopped playing.
Maybe he tapped the wrong name. I shrugged, biting my nail. The phone rang again. This time I didn’t wait
“Hello?” I realized my real fear was to hear a woman’s voice at the other side of the phone line, knowing Loretta she would have done anything to get what she wants, even stole the phone of the out poor driver.
“Miss Stephanie!” I left out the air I was unconsciously holding and smiled, relieved.
“Ciao, Pietro! I’m so glad to listen to you! How’s everything going at home? How’s Cam and the others? What about my little Moe?... Are you taking care of the car? You know you can use it, for your personal matters, right? Also, do you think you can keep it in your home?...” I slumped on the bed.
“I’m not sure your mother would like that, but, eh, Moe? … umm everyone, I mean, everything is okay, here” He replied with a nervous tone, it seemed that he didn’t even listen to what I said.
I sat on the bed again, something was clearly wrong “It doesn’t sound like it”
“I have something important to tell you, Miss...”
I remained silent, he didn’t know how to start but after some seconds and a lot of stuttering and long uncomfortable pauses he managed to tell me the story about a call that he had heard Loretta was having while he was taking her to the fashion house. She was talking with someone about getting rid of the other selected since I had decided to leave her out of my life and had preferred to look for the Queen’s forgiveness and advice.
“That soccioca ragazza thinks she can get rid of me so easily! I don’t even need her to get what I want” Peter, heard her say. The more I listened to the story, the more rage I felt in my veins
“ … and I didn’t mean to interlude in things that don’t concern me, but I talked to Cam and she told me you had to know all this”
“Don’t worry, Peter, you do the right thing, even though, I’m sure she wanted me to know this, that’s why she let you listen to it. It was meant to be a threat. Thank you and thank Cam for me, I have to go” I hung up and threw the cell phone on my bed.
I couldn’t believe this was happening, Loretta was really determined to make my life in the palace so miserable.
My life in the palace. The words keep echoing in my mind.
This time she was going too far, since manipulating me hadn’t worked she was going to make the rest of the ladies drop, somehow.
Is she just bluffing or she actually can do this? Who is going to help her? How does she always find out about every step I take?
I tried to answer those and a lot more questions by myself. I guessed if everything that was told about her back in Spencer’s selection was true, she must have had allies, more specifically staff allies, guard allies and obviously she still had them.
Wow, that’s what I call loyalty, but in exchange for what? … no, no, let’s not get there.
I was a fool to think that changing my phone number would make a difference, but no more avoiding the problem, this time I was angry enough to find a solution, this time I felt no fear or frustration; I was sure the solution was in my hands, in fact, I had already thought of something, the one I called “The last resource”
I spent the whole day and part of the night thinking, I even skipped dinner, which made Maya knocked on my door to check on me and Marshall 10 min after that, but I used my real headache as an excuse. I felt tempted to tell them everything, but this was my problem after all and if the things turn out as I expected, no one else would have to worry about my mother’s threats, not even Nate; he was being so sweet, trying to adjust his schedule to spend time with us. Having to pick a future wife out of a small group of girls and in the less time possible was stressing enough…
The thought of him filled my heart with different emotions at once, and in my mind were all the kind words and advice of my true friends, again, the ones that have made me feel valuable and important beyond the cast, beyond my roots,d beyond my middle name.
There was also, Queen’s Aubrey’s voice “Do you care about my son?” And the answer was yes, yes I did care, enough to keep him far from this whole situation for good.
Suddenly, Loretta’s allies, her reasons, what she was capable of… all that lost importance and “The last resource” became the only one, I had to do this for Nate, but most important for myself and I had no time to lose.
((I know this is super late, I’m sorry, but it just had to be written, cause the rp is worth to remember. You all should know that Simee is the best at surprises, we had been planned to make Vic and Phanie interact again, but for some reason, we kept postponing it, so, one day we decided to start it. Tunnels let me believe I was in control, cause I came up with the scenario and the situation, so there was no way I could think this was her plan all along. So I discovered Vic was Phanie’s secret Santa at the same time she (Phanie) did, and I was so freaking shocked that I needed a moment to continue the rp. It was that shocking because we chat every single day and we had talked about secret Santa and she didn’t even give me a hint and I hadn’t suspected anything! So, thank you so much for the amazing and clever @victoria-seaberg I also mentioned @maya-edwards and @camille-marshall. I promise that the next one is the goodbye ;) ))
An undercover angel and a black swan (Secret Santa)
Days passed and Christmas was getting closer. We were in Angeles where there wasn’t such a thing as winter, so, we didn’t have warm chimneys, hot chocolate with floating marshmallows on top or ugly comfy sweaters, but we didn’t need that to feel the season. The palace was looking beautiful with all types of Christmas ornaments all over the place. The gardens brightened all nights with tiny smooth lights, the enormous Christmas tree was being placed on the main reception and I could bet all my money on the fact that in the kitchen were making meal tests to decide the best dishes for the upcoming ball, I could perceive the delicious smell coming from there, several times during the day. Who needs a snowy weather when you had the holiday atmosphere surrounding you?
“Miss, Officer Hensel is here with some boxes that came in the mail for you” said Rebecca keeping the door half open.
“Boxes?” I frowned at her after sipping my tea. “Oh, The Christmas presents! Sure, let him in!” I said running towards the door.
The uniformed man greeted me politely and then I indicated him to place the boxes in the coffee table located in the center of my room; I hold my excitement until he asked to leave and closed the door behind him. I pounced to the boxes and ripped them open, checking that everything I had ordered was there, the 2 pairs of lightning sneakers for Maya and I to match, the special earrings for Marshall, Misty’s camera… Oh no!
“Rebecca I’m afraid something is missing…” I whined, looking everywhere for the missing box. Rebecca let out a deep sigh, so loud that made me turned to face her, I smirked when I see the big smile on her face. I had noticed how she played nervously with her hair and tensed her muscles every time Officer Hensel took his watch turn at my room door, but since she hadn’t told me anything about it, I decided to respect her privacy, so, I just shook my head jokingly and let her dream.
Checking the website I learned the missing box had a delay and it was going to arrive a little late which made me feel relieved.
As I wrapped the presents I was thinking about my home, wondering how Moe was going to spend Christmas, I knew that Peter, Cam and the rest of the service staff were going to be at their homes so I was just hoping that someone would take care of my mini pig. Cam would never leave him alone. I thought, shaking the bad thought away.
Since my talk with Queen Aubrey, I had been feeling lighter, happier and had been keeping myself thinking positive. And it wasn’t all my talks with Maya, Marshall’s wise words and even Nate’s little comments had helped me to do some reflexion about my life. I wasn’t going to be afraid of what other strangers think of me, the media was never going to stop talking, no matter what I do, so why bother and last but not least it was time to take full control of my life and that meant, not letting Loretta tell me what I could or couldn’t do. I was feeling renewed.
I finally finished my wrapping job I admire the beautiful presents on the table, satisfied.
“What are you doing here?” Victoria sighed when our eyes met
Why? Why I had to come here looking for Maya? I should have just text her or anything
I rolled my eyes, which at this point, it was like our personal greeting.“I didn’t know this place was your private property now” Not her private property but kind of her territory. I knew Victoria used to spent her time on the sports field, but I since I was thinking positive thoughts lately, I imagined she would just ignore my presence. Clearly, I was wrong.
“It isn’t but you don’t like sports, so why are you here?” She asked again, walking towards me
I shrugged jokingly “I don’t like sports, but that doesn’t mean I’m not good at them” Shoot, I shouldn’t say that. I knew exactly what was coming.
“Oh sweetie, you wanna show me what you’ve got?” Her challenging tone was tempting, but everyone would know who will win this battle. I was pretty decent at tennis, even the table one, but I was pretty sure she was better than me.
After some seconds of hesitation, I found my excuse “I would but I’m afraid I’m not dressed for it”
“You can go change, I have to pick up some of my baseball stuff anyway. Meet me back here in 5 minutes”
Who does she think she is to give me orders?
“What makes you think I have time to play your games?” I crossed my arms and stare at her before she had time to walk inside the palace.
What better things would you have to do right now? She raised her perfect left eyebrow, which I always suspected it was fake, I mean, no one has such flawless eyebrows. She continued “And you could obviously use the exercise. Or are you scared?”
I faked a laugh “you are funny! ... okay, you get it, see you here in 5 min”
Maybe baseball is like tennis but with a bat instead of a racket.
When I came back to the field trotting, Victoria was already standing there, she was wearing the same clothes than before but instead of baseball equipment, I noticed she just had a black box in front of her feet.
“Okay, so what’s the plan, Jennie Finch?” I asked getting closer to her.
“Pick up this box” Victoria used the bossy tone I had always hate and pointed at the black box. “or don't pick it up, but just open it.” The last words came out softly which made me suspect something weird was happening
I narrowed my eyes at her and then stare at the box raising an eyebrow “You opened it”
She sighed, losing her patience “Don't be so annoying, just open it”
I wasn’t planning to spend my whole day with her, I still wanted to find Maya to give her the present, so I decided to do as she said “Ugh, fiiine!” I leaned to pick up the box and opened it slowly, hoping this wasn’t some kind of trap and I will find a snake or a tarantula, but when I opened the box I was shocked.
“Surprise, I'm your secret Santa” She made jazz hands to emphasize her excitement, which wasn’t much, but the little excitement I noticed, was genuine.
Maybe
I tried to say something but I couldn’t find the words. After a few awkward seconds, I finally managed to say something. “You are joking!” I looked up at her and then back at the presents inside the box, they were perfect. “Niiiice!” I chuckled, holding the bottle of Vodka, then I took out the pair of ballet shoes, I pass my fingers through the soft black silk. “Okay, I can’t lie to you... these are awesome! How did you know?”
“Because I'm secretly an angel” she looked proud of using my own words I had used to joked about her “and I have eyes and ears everywhere”
I smirked but on the inside, I was shocked. I had never said the angel thing in front of her either… “Yeah, I believe the eyes and ears everywhere part…” All of that felt suspicious but the new me decided to ignore the mystery and enjoy the presents. At the bottom of the box was The Black Swan movie, until I saw it I realized the connection between all the presents.
She’s brilliant!
I put everything back in the box and then stare at her with a confused look “Thank you, Victoria...I mean, it must haven’t been so ... funny for you to get my name on this secret Santa thing, although the presents are perfect! So, thanks”
“You're welcome” she sighed and then continued chuckling “...yeah it must have been faith or something”
I was moved, confused, thankful… All those feelings were new between us, that’s why an awkward atmosphere was surrounding us, it was clearly time for a joke to get rid of that. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep the Vodka?”
“The vodka is for you, so you can learn how to properly drink”
I put my free hand on my hip “I do know how to-” I didn’t want to ruin the only conversation we had shared without arguing, so I didn’t finish that sentence “Ugh! Forget it”
Suddenly I remembered the baseball challenge, so, I decided to run away before she does too, but before that, I had something else to say “... I know you we are going to see each other at Christmas dinner, but ... Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you too. Enjoy your gifts”
I walked inside smiling and looking at my gifts and thinking about the Christmas miracle I had just witnessed, when I looked up I saw a bunch of perfect black curls walking towards me. “Maya! ...You won’t believe what I’m about to tell you…”
((Sorry for the spam but I had all this almost ready for some time, so this is the third part of apparently a very busy day in Phanie’s life haha. Thank you, Claire for this sweet rp. @aubrey-schreave is lovely.))
Sandcastles in my head
Dinner went as usual, delicious dishes, quiet murmurs between the ladies, Victoria rolling her eyes at me at least two times and the daily conversation with Marshall, although this time I wasn’t much into it, I was glimpsing at our Queen occasionally, checking if she was in a good mood as always or if I should wait for tomorrow.
I finished my dinner and waited until most of the ladies had left to their rooms to stand up from my place on the table and start walking towards the end of the room where the Royals used to sit.
“Introduce myself, explain, apologize” I repeated in my mind until I reached Aubrey’s place. I was trying to look determined, not pretentious but secure, in that way I could force myself from shaking.
“Good night, your majesty” I said making a deep vow in front of her.
“Hello dear, you have a good night too!” She said with a sweet but regal smile.
I have seen our Queen on TV thousands of times and during my stay in the palace I was used to see her from my sit every morning and every night for a month now, but being this close to her was totally different. She has an imposing beauty combined with motherly warm vibes.
Part of my determination flew away and I gave her a nervous smile “Thank you… Can you please give me a moment of your time? I would like to talk to you in private”
She looked at me with a concerned face and I felt a little guilty for the inconvenience “Yes of course, would you like to sit?” The Queen pointed to the seat next to her, which I believed was Nate’s place, the thought made me shiver, but it wasn’t like I was going to sit on the throne or something, so I accept the offer.
“Yes, thank you” I said sitting at her side. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to make you feel preoccupied”
“You are good darling, what’s up?”
I took a deep breathe and sit straighter so I didn’t choke on it. “Introduce myself” my mind reminded me.
“I think I should start introducing myself. My name is Stephanie Castello… I’m Loretta Castello only daughter” I tried to look into her eyes as I speak but I couldn’t. My hands were playing with the edges of my dress under the tablecloth. When I forced myself to look up I saw the Queen curling her lips at the sound of my mother’s name. I waited for the hatred words but they never appeared.
“Nice to meet you… Stephanie, I hope in my heart that you are nothing like your… mother.”
Now I know why Loretta hate her so much, she’s totally different from her. She’s thousand times better than her.
I looked down for a second, remembering how I used to defend my mother, when I was younger and I didn’t know everything about her, when I believed in her words she used to tell me, promising she was going to change. This time I felt embarrassed by the fact that the Queen had every right to say anything wrong about her.
“It’s a real pleasure to meet you too, your majesty. Actually, that’s the matter that made me want to talk to you… I-” I made a pause not knowing how to start the second part of the talk “explain” “
“I’m aware of the things my mother did to you and her behavior during King’s Spencer selection. Maybe you didn’t know I was a selected, but before you could find out about it by someone else I wanted to let you know, I don’t share my mother’s thoughts about you. We always argue because I don’t like the way she talks about your family and I know she has done it publicly and for that reason, I want to apologize…” I wanted my words to be clear and precise but they came out quick and confusing.
Damn I the apologize thing was at the end.
I guess she was used to talk to nervous crazy people because she understood every word I said. Resting her hand on my knee she answered “You have no need to be apologizing for this. You were no part of it, that I know of. You feel guilty that your mother has done and said the things that she did and you couldn’t have controlled that. So what if we don’t get along, that’s okay. I knew you were a selected and I had high hopes that you would be more respectful and caring than your mother, and wanting to have this conversation really shows that you aren’t anything like her.” She gave me a genuine smile.
Her words gave me the sense of comfort I was looking for since I arrived at the palace and I found myself wishing I had talked to her since the beginning, but at the same time my brain was showing flashbacks of the past Stephanie. The naïve child, listening to her mother’s lies, then the young one, unable to find the courage to leave and start a life on her own.
Blank staring at a random point in the wall I continued “For some time, she made me think maybe she could change, but then I decided to apply the selection she got all… she’s unbearable now.” I turned to face the Queen “It’s not a secret which were her motives to apply to the selection, back then. But I can assure you, your majesty…” I put one hand on my chest “my reasons are totally different.”
“Do you care about my son?” It was a simple and direct question, but it took me off guard. I had the simple answer it required but instead of that, I took a long way.
“I have always admired him, I mean he’s doing a very good job as prince…” I chuckled remembering the conversation I had with Nancy before taking the decision to fill the application letter, not even thinking of the whole mess I was getting into “I used to talk with one of my assistants about how he seemed so … down-to-earth even when he was one of the most powerful young men of the country. Most of the people of our age with so much less money in their pockets start behaving as if they own the world” I blushed when I remember it was her mother I was talking to, the Queen of Illèa, not some random friend I can vent with. “Sorry, am I saying too much?”
“No, not at all, I’m glad that he is the person that you thought he was. Sadly people think we act a certain way for publicity”
I nodded while we stood up together and start walking towards the door. “I know exactly what you mean. Can I ask you how do you manage that problem? … because it’s so not easy”
“The things said about my family are probably different than what would be said about you. But most of the time we just don’t get into it too much. Just don’t talk back to them”
“I think that’s the wisest thing to do, too… I wonder if they will get tired sometimes” I chuckled
“No they will never, they will always come up with some type of drama” She answered and sadly she was right and I had always known it, but the hope is the last thing that we lose.
We crossed the dinning door and enter the big hall “Thank you for accepting my apologies, your majesty. I think Nate is really lucky to have such a supportive mother” I said sighing
She smiled “Awe thank you, he is really amazing, I’m happy that you are here to get to know him”
I grinned at her words. I was amazed at the fact she was happy that the daughter of the woman that hurt her so much in the past, was there trying to get her son’s heart. “Those words mean a lot to me. I won’t take more of your time. I hope I can have the opportunity to talk to you again, soon.” I bowed.
“You too darling, goodbye” She waved walking away.
Later that night, laying on my bed I felt lighter, happy, excited that now things would change for me. I was going to get a new phone number, soon in order to stop the cyberbullying from Loretta and all her pressure on me and I was going to talk to Nate, which was the only hard part to come, but I decided to stay positive on that, hoping he would understand like his mom did and let me stay.
I hope he cares enough to let me stay
I fell asleep holding to that thought, not knowing I was building sand castles in my head.
((Well, now all Phanie’s fics are side fics haha. I had this rp with @camille-marshall that happened the same day of the conversation with Mal so it is like the second part and there’s even a third one. I know is late but holidays got in the middle of everything. Thank you for this one Anya! Enjoy!))
In life as in chess...
What would I say? How would I approach her?
After the argument I had with Princess Mallory, I felt like the way to my room was going to be eternal. I could felt my steps heavy but delicate at the same time as if each violent movement could cause the release of a pair of tears I had been holding.
Queen Aubrey had always seemed a sweet, comprehensive woman, but the curse of my middle name could change that for me. “Hi, I’m Stephanie, Maleficent’s daughter” Even the kindest soul could react badly meeting a close relative of a person that had tried to hurt her the way Loretta did or still does.
I finally took the last step up on the stairs that led to the second floor, where the selected room where and mine was a few inches away. I took a deep breath and looked up meeting a pair of blue eyes behind a pile of board games. I gasped
“Oh, hey there, Castello” Marshall greeted
I brushed my cheeks with my finger the most discreetly way possible. I knew I had managed to hold the tears but I did it just in case. “H-hey Marshall. …” I frowned at the sight of the boxes “what are you doing with those?”
“Uh... I was just going to play with these... I just finished a book and I was bored again. She squinted focusing on my face “Umm, I'm sorry... but are you... alright?”
I wave my hand dismissively “I’m fine, I was just feeling dizzy but it passed, thanks for asking” I answer trying to sound unconcerned “You were really boring, huh?” I pointed at the board games, trying to divert the subject from myself.
She laughed “Yeah, I'm just not used to having so much free time on my hands. Sure you're okay?”
I nodded smiling more determined to be convincing “Thanks”
“Do you want to join me in a good old game of chess? Or do you prefer monopoly?”
I hesitated for some seconds, all I wanted to do in that moment was to lay in my bed and think of the right words to say to the Queen later that night, plus I wouldn’t be a nice company in that state.
“Oh, it's okay... you don't have to ah... accept. Would you like for someone to listen to you though?” I saw concerned in Marshall’s face.
I wasn’t used to be around ladies that really cared about how I feel; before Maya, I hadn’t had a real female friend before. Marshall had been nice to me during meals, but I never thought she really cared about me; maybe because of the invisible wall I used to sense sometimes when I talk to her, like if she was scared to be more open, but at that time with those simple questions she was offering me her friendship and I didn’t want to let that pass. Friendship would be the perfect antidote in the middle of all this mess. Besides, no matter how many times I practice a speech for the Queen, I know I will end up saying what my head dictates at the moment.
“I’m up for the game... you pick one”
We both walk into her room. Marshall picked chess so we started to put our pieces on the board. After 5 min and maybe 10 movements in the game, we dropped the game to focus on our talk. At first, it was just me, talking about random things to distract her from my discouraged mood, but after a while, I managed to relax. We talked about the Royals that we had met, the good and bad things we expected about the upcoming ball and then she told me how much fun she had shopping with Jace.
“..Oh! Before I forget!” Marshall said before standing up and disappearing into her closet, then she came back and extends a bag to me “Here”
I raised my eyebrows surprised “what’s this?” I knew it was a present but sometimes surprising moments made me ask stupid questions and regret them immediately. Also, I felt embarrassed because I didn’t get her anything.
I really have to get used to the having friends thing!
“Merry Christmas! I... uh.. got you a gift!”
“OMG! Really? Thank you so much!” Inside the bag, I found beautiful Christmas pajamas. Marshall explained to me that she had bought the same design for her, Venus and Maya.
Tears threatened to fall again. Ugh! What’s wrong with me lately!? I’m not a fan of awkward emotional moments. But this time the feeling didn’t weigh in my heart, on the contrary, it felt like an oasis in the middle of the desert. I was finally getting real, honest friends like I always wanted. They weren’t with me looking for a job, they weren’t with me to get close to one of the most famous designer, some of them didn’t even know her! I grinned.
“... I hope this makes you feel better, you didn't look so good back there in the hallway” She acknowledged
I looked down knowing she deserves an explanation, but I decided not to involve Mallory or any other Royal, so, I omitted details and focused the story on the people that dare to judge before getting to know someone or by the mistake of their ancestors, which was my real problem.
“It's difficult to stop listening to those kinds of people, but you'll only make yourself unhappy when you're trying to please everyone”
“I know, you are right and I keep telling that to myself but …” I sighed
“Don't let your roots have power over who you are and who you want to be.... you're Stephanie Castello! You're so much more than who your parents are.”
“Thank you” I said with a half of a smile.
Suddenly we realized it was time for dinner. I went to my room where my maids help me to get ready for it.
Marshall was right, I didn’t do anything wrong to anyone and now that I had the support of real friends, the only thing left to do was to talk with Queen Aubrey to let her know I didn’t have any hide intentions, offer my apologies to her in Loretta’s behalf to close that matter and… talk to Nate about it; no matter how scary that idea was for me, but it was the only way to continue in this selection feeling free, with no secrets and nothing to hide.
(( I finally had my rp with my fave @mallory-schreave haha. Thank you, Grace. (2.002K) ))
The ghost of the past and present
Another elimination, the second one to be exact. Two girls left the palace. I didn’t know them at all, but one of them used to give me the impression of being quiet and reserved, and the other one seemed to be the opposite. I knew where those thoughts were leading me anyone can be the next
Thankfully I was able to do several things at the same time, torture myself with scary thoughts, scroll through my phone trying to find a good Secret Santa present for Misty and feeling the urge to go to the kitchen for snacks. I quitted the first, postponed the third and gave my full attention to the second. Going through tons of photography gadgets that I wished I knew for what exactly, were they for.
My eyes stopped on a small, silver colored, square-shaped, camera. It claimed to be as good as any professional one and it was so light you could clip it on your clothes. I instantly remembered seeing Misty carrying her camera around the palace all the time, it couldn’t be much comfortable.
I guess that’s when you know someone is passionate about something, when no matter the obstacles, inconveniences or how uncomfortable it might be, you just feel the need to do it because the happiness and satisfaction are worth any difficulties. Those kinds of feelings could apply to people too. That’s how I felt about art, and I find myself hoping one day I could have that someone, too. The thought came with an image in my mind, that made me startle.
The gift. Focus on the gift.
I tapped on the ´buy now´ button and it was charged on my account instantly, according to the shopping site it was going to be shipped in a few days, just in time for Christmas.
Ok, done. Now snacks
I entered the palace main kitchen with a whim for nachos with guacamole. It was my first time in there, but I always had imagined it full of professional chefs and the best backers of Iléa, some helpers running all over the place and vapoury pots on the enormous stoves; but I couldn’t see any kitchen staff when I came in, it was very quiet, although I could still smell trails of strong coffee, teas and … perfume?
I looked around the place and my eyes founded a girl standing in front of a counter. I recognized the blonde, beautiful hair and smiled for myself. I was hoping to meet her for a long time and the occasion was finally here.
“Good evening, Princess Mallory” I said doing a small bow.
The Princess turned around facing me “Whatever” She said and then went back to her business; I wasn’t able to see what it was.
I frowned confused by her attitude and tried to remember what could I have done for her to behave that way, but I couldn’t find anything, besides hitting her youngest brother I haven't done anything wrong.”Have you seen anyone from the kitchen staff around?”
“I sent them out.”
Goodbye to my nachos. I could felt my stomach complaining and I thanked God it didn’t make any sound because that would have been more than embarrassing. The idea of making my own guacamole crossed my mind, but since I had never done one by myself before, I hesitated for some seconds. It just had 3 ingredients so, it couldn’t be easier. Suddenly I understood Nate’s disbelief when I told him I knew how to make pasta. If it wasn’t for my grandmother I wouldn’t know such a thing.
I walked towards the opposite counter. “Okaaay, I guess I will have to try to do this by myself... sorry if I’m disturbing you, but I need to eat something... Do you want some nachos with guacamole? I made the offer opening all the drawers in front of me, looking for the bowls, kitchen tools and ingredients I needed.
“God no! That's way too many carbs” She said playing with her bright hair ends.
I bite my lower lip feeling guilty for a moment that didn’t last. “Well, yeah, you are right... but it would be just this time, they won’t hurt…” I teased smirking.
She looked at the ingredients I put on the table, while I was chopping the tomatoes carefully, trying to get small and similar pieces.
When you see those kitchen shows on tv, it looks so easy
“Fine, whatever.” Mallory said.
“I have to confess I have never done it by myself before, but it’s not like I’m making paella or whatever is complicated in the kitchen world” I cut the avocados in halves and put them in a bowl to be smashed “can I ask you what were you... preparing?” I asked.
“A wheatgrass recipe” I could sense a proud tone in her voice. It was obvious she likes to take care of herself from head to toe. I was sure she was going to grow up to be as beautiful as her mother.
“Uh... yes, wheatgrass juices are popular among the models. They don’t taste very nice if you ask me” I tried to dissimulate a disgusted face. I used to have nightmares about wheatgrass when I was younger, Loretta used to make me drink those juices at least 3 times a day.
“You're a model, right?”
I nodded “Yep, my mother is a fashion designer…” My muscles tensed a little, I had tried to avoid mentioning my mother. My conscience could be clear, but if regular people used to get judgmental when they heard her name, Royals had a free ticket to do that.
I finished the guacamole and put the bowl between us. ”Here, hope it tastes good” I said crossing my fingers, then I opened a bag of nachos and spread them on a plate.
Mallory gave a suspicious look to the mixture and then finally decided to taste it. “Omg, It doesn't suck!”
I scoffed a laugh. Even though I knew my recipe wasn’t the best one, I suspected the young Princess wasn’t exactly easy to please. Men will have to work hard to get her heart.
“Thanks... I guess I can add guacamole to the things I can cook, right behind cereal and instant soup” I winked
“More than I can make” She shrugged
“Well, you are Princess you don't have to know stuff like this if you don't want to... what do you do for fun or...?” I guess it could be horse riding or maybe fencing. I had always like to learn some fencing.
“What I'm told”
Okay, maybe I’m watching a lot of movies
I narrowed my eyes at her with disbelieve “With all my respect. you, but you don't seem like a person who does what it's told…”
She turned and leaned on the counter “I'm proper when I need to be, but I've always reserved the right to voice my opinions”
“mhmm, I understand” I had tried to use that method myself, but the difference was, my mother, doesn’t even care about my opinions, and I wish I was brave enough to make her listen “but at least you like what you do, right? I mean being a princess and stuff” I continued, shrugging
“It's nothing exciting” Mallory said.
“You can always find something entertaining to do... a hobby”
“I have hobbies” She rolled her eyes at me
“Okay, okay” I kept eating the nachos, while I tried to get things straight. I asked what did she do for fun, the answer was: what she’s told, but now I’m learning that she also had hobbies….maybe hobbies aren’t enough for her to have fun. That’s when a crazy idea came to my mind and before I could think through it, I opened my big mouth “I just had an idea, but I don't know if it would be possible, obviously we would take care of a lot of security issues... would you like to go to one of our fashion shows someday? I mean, you are clearly interested in fashion” I said pointing at her outfit.
“Oh right, you're Stephanie Costello” I shivered at the change of her tone. Then she crossed her arms and continued “I know exactly why you're here”
I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together. It was happening again, my mother’s reputation was ruining my life. “It’s Castello” I corrected her, let me guess, is it fame? or... maybe power what you have in mind?” I tried to remind myself this time I wasn’t able to fight back like I used to do with all the pretentious girls that surrounded back at work; it was the princess standing in front of me. I already knew this could happen, I knew the royals might think the worst about me, that was one of my biggest fears since the beginning. My job now was to change it.
This is going to be harder than I thought
“Nope. You have a very nice mother, don't you?” She said sarcastically.
“Huh ... define nice” I said playing innocent. “She’s definitely different from conventional mothers”
“I heard she just adores my mother” Should I run away or? “What are you? Living out her failed dream or a form of revenge?” She raged.
My nerves tensed and my head hurt so bad, I have started to feel dizzy. I massaged my forehead and then I let go a deep breathe “Look, I-I don’t have nothing to do with my mother’s past. I guess it will be hard to believe but we have never shared opinions …”
She raised an eyebrow and gave me an evil smirk “Mmhm. I believe you”
I tried to stand as straight as I could when what I really wanted to do was to disappear. I could feel anger and frustration flowing through my veins, but I knew it wasn’t the Princess fault after all Loretta had said and done terrible things about the royals in public, even if she had promised me not to. “I don’t blame you, probably I would think the same if I were you.” I mumbled the next words “I’m also used to it.”
She crocked her hair mockingly “Tragic”
I realized the conversation wasn’t making any sense at all, there was no way I could make her believe in my words and I was just making a fool of myself.
I rolled my eyes and dropped my arms at my sides, giving up “Since I don’t have any physical proof of what I’m saying I guess you have 2 choices: You give me the benefit of the doubt, cause you know, I think you are intelligent enough to get your own opinion about someone or you just keep judging without even knowing me”
She came closer to me and taped my nose. “Mmhm” I crossed unconsciously, my eyes following her finger and then hold my breath, trying not to scream, holding the tears that were threatening to fall. I put my hands on my stomach as brushing my dress. “I-I will go now, you can have the rest,” I said tilting my head towards the nachos She grabbed a chip and dips it in the guacamole “Much appreciated” I bowed and quicken my step out of there.
In my way, to my room, I was still trying to keep myself together meanwhile my thoughts weren’t helping
If Mallory knows about Loretta who else knows? Does Nate know? Was he being nice to me just because he has to? He’s a gentleman, a Prince.
I felt my heart heavy on my chest. All I wanted was to prove the media and everyone else wrong and get a life for my own for once.
Before the meeting with Mallory I was waiting for the right time to talk to the Queen, but in that moment I just felt the urge to do it, no matter how nervous I was about it, I needed to speak with her that night.
Thank you so much for the interviews! Stay tuned for more Selection News by following @illeaillustrated. Tell us what you thought about the issue by sending us asks~! Want your character to be featured in the #Stylection? Check out our desktop Illea Illustrated site on tumblr to see the submission guidelines.
Editors’ Note:
Anya: HIIIIIIIII Sorry for this issue being a week late :( As you guys may already know, I was having my midterms examinations and a lot of projects that require the time I usually reserve for editing ILL2- so I only had the time to lay everything out today (yes today HAHAHAHA) and I’m glad that I was able to do everything YAY! I’m on Christmas Break for the next two weeks so we hopefully will see another issue soon. I hope you enjoy this issue, and I’d really just want to thank you guys for all your support. :D Also, shout out to Chris for always being the best co-editor EVER <3 (Also, don’t be afraid to send ILL2 asks!! We like to answer them when we can~! ALSO FEEDBACK!! We’d love feedback on our content :D )
Chris: Heeey!!! So the issue is finally here, and it’s looking great! haha. I hope you think it was worth the waiting cause I do ;) I just want to thank you all to be so cooperative and nice at the time of the interviews; personally I have so much fun doing them and getting to know more about your character’s personality… i don’t remember if I had said that before... we would want to know your opinion about the questions, too. I mean if there’s any of them that you don’t like, or you want us to ask your character something that needs to be known, you can tell us about it and if it fits with the issue theme we will add it. ENJOY :D
