Chapter Text
Alexandra Privet, age 25. Approximately 8 years after her graduation from Princess Charm School.
She had been invited by her friend, now queen of Gardania, to a gathering of sorts, very typical for royals. She had been chosen many years ago to be her lady royal and she had taken the role with great pride. Despite this, she never attended any gatherings which she had admitted to herself didn't seem right. But she figured they were really only meant for the actual queens and kings, yet Isabella had insisted.
She got ready, putting on a sleeveless ballgown colored in a light blue paired with some white opera gloves. It wasn't as big as a lot of ball gowns, which suit her quite nicely. Isabella had gotten the dress made for her some years ago, though she preferred wearing suits since they looked better on her in her opinion. Still, it was for her queen, so she wanted to dress accordingly. She had a few fairy assistants help her tie up the back of the dress which made her feel very stiff. She put her hair up in a bun and brushed her bangs to the side so her face was more clear. Her lady royal tiara topped it all off and she checked herself in the mirror a few times making sure everything was in place. She twirled around for fun and to shake off some nerves. She's never been to one of these so she wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but she was hopeful her many years of experience in royal court would pay off.
Off she went, walking down the halls of the royal palace to the ballroom. She needed to find Isabella first and foremost since she figured she might want to see her. The queen of Gardania, while appearing posh and elegant on the outside, was actually quite clumsy and even a bit of a prankster on the inside. When they first met, Alexandra quite despised her for such ignorance, chalking it up to privilege, but the more she got to know Isabella, the more she started liking her. Her family was strict, hailing from a grand legacy of kings and queens. Isabella had expressed to her many times how she did not like that aspect of royal life. At times Isabella had wondered what she would do if she had been born a commoner instead, free from the responsibility of a royal.
Still, she lived up to her duties well. The people loved her and she would repay it often, bringing fortune and peace to her people. Alexandra supposed that was why they got along in the end, for without her good nature, she might have continued despising her even now.
She was getting closer to the ballroom entrance, judging based on the classical music from the room getting louder. She went up some stairs and was met with two double doors delicately covered with ivory and gold embellishments. The distinct sound of a harpsichord and some violins could be heard along with a cello. She was reaching for the shiny and branching door handle to slip into the party, when suddenly, the door opened on its own and out came her majesty, Queen Isabella.
"Alex! I was wondering when you'd show up. I was about to come get you myself…", she trailed off and closed the door behind her. "What took you so long anyhow?"
"Oh. Sorry, I'm not entirely efficient when it comes to wearing, well, these.", Alex gestured to her own gown.
Isabella was wearing a much nicer gown in comparison colored in pink with delicate looking golden embroidery that traced the edges of the skirt and sleeves. She had opted for an alternate crown with pink diamonds in the shape of flowers since Gardania's magical crown was being kept in the royal vault for safe keeping. Her hair was down which was very rare for her now ever since she got married. She said herself it didn't seem right anymore since she really is an actual queen now and wanted to look more regal. However, she still looked quite the same even with her change in hairstyle.
Isabella moved away from the door signaling to Alexandra to follow her. She was smiling a very genuine smile, one that causes joy in others to simply appear.
Alex was a bit confused, "Shouldn't you be in there?", she pointed to doors to the ballroom.
"Yes, yes I'm gonna go there in a bit but I wanted to talk to you without being bothered.", Isabella explained, a little annoyed. "No matter how many of these I go to the people here are always insufferable.", she joked.
"So, how's the little princess doing?", asked Alex.
"Oh Sophia? She's with her nanny right now. Ugh, there's so much work now though from all the trade deals, peace talks and whatever.", Isabella lamented. "Sophia's probably the best thing I have right now.", she smiled a different smile this time.
"I can only imagine.", Alex smiled too. "I'm sure the king is also quite happy?", she asked more reluctantly this time.
Isabella got married at 23 if she remembered correctly to a lone Reginald Devin. He was quite the charmer and Isabella fell near head over heels instantly. It was a good thing too, their marriage secured an alliance of a lifetime. Alex got to talk to him a few times, though most of it was always about politics and business. But she could see why he liked Isabella so much from when he talked about her.
After all, she was quite fond of Isabella too.
The two of them had been close friends after being paired as roommates. Alex trained to be a lady royal while Isabella trained to be the next queen of her kingdom. She was always getting in trouble somehow from getting caught pranking the teachers and other students. But a lot of the times they were harmless enough to where she got off easy. Alex remembered at some point though, she stopped after her parents had a long discussion with her.
She cried in her room that night. Alex comforted her the best she could. She kept rambling about how she wasn't sure what she was going to do. She was indecisive in a world that relied on her choices. And now she had to make a choice: either take on her duties as princess and future queen, or leave Gardania to ruin.
She chose the prior. Her heart couldn't bare to see others suffer. So she stopped. She stopped pranking the students and teachers and she worked even harder than ever before. That smile and laugh she once had faded very quickly. Yet, she still smiled when she was with Alex, or at least tried to. And the more time they spent together, the closer they got. Until, eventually, her smile returned to her. She had found a way to balance it all. An accomplishment that came with the greatest hardships but the greatest reward.
And as they got closer, Alex could feel a strange feeling inside her.
It became more apparent to her after a night they had after their dance lesson at the school. They were just friends back then—no formal titles or greetings ever had to be made. She was precise with her dance as they were all instructed to be, no missteps and no faults were made. Whenever she looked at Isabella she could see a slight wobble and uncertainty which made her cringe at times. But it gave her character even through all her mistakes. However, they still talked lots afterwards. Isabella was a fast talker as she was running through all the things going through her head when she was dancing in mere seconds. On the other hand, the only thing that went through Alexandra's head were Isabella's steps, and her own. They sat outside together for hours, pointing out stars, taking about the future and whatnot. And the more they talked, the more she fell into Isabella's gaze until she wasn't able to respond to a question she was asked.
Isabella must've noticed too since she had looked away after that, a little embarrassed. It made Alexandra feel bad; after all, she didn't want her friend to feel pressured or see her differently. So it surprised her that when she stood up to leave, she felt someone tug on her arm and hug her. It was a good hug, but one she knew wouldn’t satisfy her feelings. Still, it was better than nothing.
That's why it hurt even more when her friend had asked her to be her maid of honor on her wedding day.
She was overjoyed for her friend, but she couldn't help but feel something stab her when she asked her that. Alexandra wondered on that day, as Isabella walked down the aisle in her pale white dress, if things might have been different if she had been more honest. If she had just said something sooner. She wondered what her answer would have been, would she have been happier, would anyone have objected even…
"Of course he is! Y'know, after he got to see Sophia for the first time, he cried for three hours! Three!", Isabella laughed. "He spends every moment he can with her."
They laughed together some more, exchanging stories and even squeezing in some talks about work plans.
Isabella paused, looking more serious now, "Actually, I do have something pretty important to tell you. It's actually why I asked you to come here today.", she looked at her directly.
Alex looked a little puzzled but straightened still. "What is it?", she inquired.
"Well", the queen started, "The headmistress of Princess Charm School is—well, retiring. So, I wanted to ask if you wanted to be the new headmistress?", she shrugged sheepishly.
Alex was taken aback by the request. "I wasn't aware the queen could do that.", she fidgeted with her gloved hands.
"Well, I can since Gardania's royal family is technically the 'owner' of the school.", Isabella twirled her hair and laughed nervously, trying to look away but returned urgently. "You don't have to if you don't want to—obviously. I'm sure you’re already insanely busy being my lady royal and all."
Alex gently grabbed her friend's shoulders to stop her sporadic movement. "Calm down, I'll do it if it'll make you happy. It wouldn't be so bad after all, I did really like the school."
Isabella stood there for a few moments biting her lip on the verge of squealing. "Cool, cool. COOL! I will get that set up right away. Uh, not like right away…I mean, like, take your time, right? Uhhh…", she said with haste. "I'm…I'm really glad actually…", she breathed out.
They looked at each other happily for a few seconds before Isabella took Alex's hands in her own, looking down.
"Well, that will still have to wait on second thought since I'm leaving the country for a bit.", she admitted, backing away nervously.
"Wait, what? Why? Also, why didn't you tell about this?", Alex gave her a very confused look.
"Uh, it's just more politics and alliance stuff. I'll be back before you know it!", Isabella looked at her sheepishly again.
"'Back before you know it.' Are you leaving without me? You're sure I shouldn't come with you?", Alexandra questioned her.
"Well, as my lady royal, I want you to look after the kingdom while I'm gone. I trust that you’re going to do the best job so…", Isabella looked deflated now. "It's only a few days. I need someone to make sure Sophia's safe and you always know what to do.", she paused. "You're the only person I know who could do it, right?"
Alex stood still. She couldn't say no but she was a little conflicted having to be alone for some time. She worried what might happen to the queen while she wasn't there.
"Do you promise? Do you swear you really will be back before I know it?", she tilted her head at her.
"I pinky swear!", Isabella showed her pinky to seal the deal.
"How could I refuse to that?", replied Alex, sarcastically.
Isabella hugged her much to Alex's surprise once more. "Thank you, thank you! You really are the best person I could've picked! We can talk about all the school stuff when I get back. Ooo, like maybe over some afternoon tea, that would be fun, right?", she bounced around merrily.
Alex was laughing the whole time, "So, when do you leave?"
"At midnight. We're heading to the airport early, it's really bad I HATE early flights.", her friend pouted.
"Wow. Sooner than I thought." It was already pretty late, though Alex couldn’t be sure without a clock. "I figure we should get back into the party then. I'm sure Reginald is waiting for you.", she suggested.
"Oh please, he's probably just talking with his friends too.", Isabella responded back. "But yeah, I guess we have been out here for a while, huh?", she reconsidered.
Alex offered to take her hand as they pushed open the doors into the brightly lit ballroom. An ornate crystal Chandelier hung over the massive room and reflected off the shiny marble floor. People were dancing in perfect unison to a classical tune neither lady could name off the top of their head. A large flight of stairs was to the right leading up to a small area on the second floor. There was the king with a sleek black uniform with gold trimmings. He was holding a crystal glass filled with something red and caught sight of them, raising his glass to them. Isabella speed walked toward him as Alex followed close behind as happiness seemed to radiate across the ballroom.
It was thirty minutes past midnight now. The king and queen had left in a long black limo at precisely twelve o'clock as Alex waved to the queen who had peaked out the car window to sneak one last look at the palace. She went back to her office almost immediately without even changing clothes yet just to write a letter. She wanted to write it to her mother, who was far off in the country of England, wanting to tell her all the good things and the bad things that had happened that night—from her new role as principal of her old school and even temporary ruler of Gardania to her sadness from her dear friend leaving. Who could’ve imagined how eventful one night could be. She hadn't seen her family in ages. She tried to find some time to but found herself helping the royal family more often than not. Not that she was completely unhappy, but it was difficult at times to choose between her family and her job.
She was writing away dipping pen into ink and writing with neat handwriting (something she always struggled with oddly enough). Suddenly, her phone rang. It buzzed loudly on her wooden desk, rattling around frantically and causing her to smear the ink on accident. Something about the phone call she was about to pick up felt ominous somehow. As she picked up the phone, she felt her stomach sink in.
"There's been an accident."
It was the king and queen. A horrible car crash had happened on their way to the airport. She rushed to the castle exit, calling in a carriage. She waited on that carriage for what seemed to be forever filled with nothing but dread. She couldn't fathom what had happened.
She would have jumped off the carriage had she not been in a full dress. There were police and other royal guards everywhere, bright red and blue light blinking on the dark street.
This wasn't the usual route to the airport. The main road must've been closed off. Bright yellow police tape blocked the car and a massive crowd of reporters crowded around, stopping Alexandra from seeing anything. Her legs felt weak as she tried pushing through the crowd with urgency. She finally got through as white flashing camera lights illuminated the car and its surroundings.
It was completely destroyed with the front being crumpled in, blood and a stained white airbag being visible from what used to be a window. It had crashed into the side of the road where a large wall was in place to block the view of some residential buildings. But the back was much worse.
Something must have came from the side of the car that caused it to crash in the front since the car looked completely bent with the opposite side of where the car was caved in had been torn open and shattered. There she could see it, the corpse of Isabella and a glimpse of the king behind her.
She was laying outside the car nearly, her face looking up at the sky. Her stomach had been stabbed through with a piece of debris from the car and the blood had leaked onto the pink dress she was wearing, blending into it. One of her arms was caught inside the car, bloody and bruised while the other lay outside on the street, lifeless and hand open. The crown she must've been wearing was shattered next to it and her blonde hair falling outside the car, nearly touching the floor.
It was her face that hurt the most to look at. She looked like she was letting out a final sigh and her eyes looked cold. There was no color in them anymore and the only light in them was from the stars reflecting in her eyes. From those eyes Alexandra could see every hope, wish, and dream she had—each one returning into the the stars she was staring up at, where they had once gazed upon many, many nights ago.
The worst part? The amount of blood.
She never thought about how much blood would disturb her. While there wasn't enough of it to create puddles per say, it dripped everywhere and stained everything from the ground to the car to Isabella's hair, and looking far back in the car, to the face of the king.
But Alexandra wasn't disgusted. She felt too much sorrow for that. It took up all the space in her heart as it welled up, nearly bursting out her chest. She could feel and hear her slow heartbeat, and in the background, the noise of reporters trying to reach her for a statement now. How would the world see this? Her majesty, Queen Isabella's lady royal at the scene of the crime, failing to protect the queen now standing and staring at her lady's dead corpse. She couldn't even cry. It's like something stopped her tears from leaving her eyes.
It was tragic really. So, so tragic.
"Weren't the princes all super cute! We have to be the luckiest girls in the world to get to dance with them!", Isabella exclaimed.
It was a tradition to share one joint lesson with Prince Charming Academy in order to practice dance. The day before, there were rumors about the princes and how handsome they all must be. Isabella had been ecstatic the whole day. She remembered the fairytales her mother read to her about prince charmings and true loves kiss. She pined over movie actors all day, hoping one day she might find her true love too in someone just as handsome.
So it was a little strange when Alex asked her to go view the stars with her immediately after the dance.
"I don't know, it was kind of boring after a while.", Alex said plainly.
"Aw c'mon! Isn't dancing fun at least?", Isabella asked her with suspicion.
"I don't know if that kind of dancing is necessarily fun, but it was fun doing it with someone else.", Alex looked at her happily in response.
Isabella wasn't satisfied with that answer. But she got over it quickly and she went back to looking at stars. Alex was looking at them quite carefully as if she was searching for something in them.
"Oh, that one's kind of pretty isn't it?", Isabella pointed into the air at a particular shiny star.
Alex tried identifying which one she was pointing to, struggling. "That one must be the north star.", she explained.
"Cool…", Isabella seemed entranced by its beauty. "I guess it's called that 'cause it's in the north?"
"Yes.", Alex looked over at her.
Isabella kept looking at it. There were no clouds so the stars were all visible, spread across the sky. She never bothered star gazing until now. She would sometimes gaze at the stars before she went to sleep but that's it. She never got to do it with a friend.
But Alex was still staring at her. She noticed after a while but wasn't sure what to do. It wasn't really Alex she was uncomfortable with, but she had wondered what she was thinking about. For the past couple of months, she'd been a little depressed. She had a whole talk with her parents about responsibility and all that. She had hated it because it was always the same thing with her parents but also because this time, it made her realize something important.
She had no idea what she was going to do with her life.
The future scared her more than anything. An entire kingdom at her fingertips was a lot to fathom, and the fear of failure was imminent. It pained her more that she might not be able to be as carefree as she liked. It tore her up inside. She knew people were counting in her, but if she couldn't live up to their expectations, she would have to brace for the worse. She figured that's why she really hated her parents so much.
Yet, she couldn't help but feel better when she was around Alex. She was a diligent student always getting full marks in class. However, she was training to be a lady royal. Isabella had suspected that could be the reason why she was working so much harder than everyone else; her role's effectiveness was determined by how hard she was willing to work with and without others. She must always be reliable and knowledgeable and any gaps in that would certainly lead her to failure.
Even so, Alex could make time for her friends, she always did. They had become inseparable and Isabella never wanted that to change. She had a strange feeling about it, but she was very certain of it. She wondered if Alex felt the same. Does everyone feel this way around a friend?
"Uhm…", Isabella, still looking up, started, "I have to ask—what was he like? The prince you danced with, I mean.". She turned to meet Alex's eyes.
But Alex said nothing. She looked deeper into Isabella's eyes and Isabella seemed to start falling into hers, without warning.
"Uh…", she shifted a little.
"What? Oh…I didn't…", Alex snapped out of her trance.
Isabella turned away, facing the opposite direction. Why would she do that?, she thought to herself. It shouldn't bother her this much! Even stranger, she started feeling her face turn red.
"Ah! I didn't mean to…I…Did I…", Alex stumbled over her words. She leaned in a little closer to check if her friend was okay.
"No, no, no! I just-", she turned back around rapidly, leaving her face to face with Alex. "I, uh…", her face was completely red now.
She messed up. Alex took one look at her and stood up to leave. She walked away, without looking back for a second, eyes closed.
"Wait! No, stop!", Isabella panicked. She was scrambling to get Alex's attention as she walked away. Without thinking she ran up and gripped her arm, pulling her in.
She held her as tight as she could in her arms. She didn't want to let go as she could feel the skin beneath her eyes go hot.
It was an awkward and silent two minutes.
"I don't-", she let out. "I don't know if I really get you, but I just want you to know, I really love you. Like, a lot. So, please…don't go…"
Almost at the same time, a pair of arms embraced her back. It was warm—really warm. Despite the chilly wind out at night, it felt like she was wrapped in several blankets. Is this what love was supposed to feel like? Like a bunch of blankets? What an interesting feeling it was.
"Why are you the one apologizing?", Alex asked her calmly now.
Isabella sighed, "I told you. I love you. I don't think I've had another person care about me this much that weren't my parents. We're, well…", she looked out in front of her. "Where are you going after you graduate?"
Alex thought for a moment, loosening her grip on Isabella.
"I might have to go back home. I'd work there as a lady royal. And then-"
They were interrupted by the school bell ringing, signaling it was lights out soon. They had to start getting back to their dorm.
"Come on. We'll get in trouble if we stay out here longer.", Alex pressured.
"Y-you can go first. I need to go get something from my locker.", Isabella shuffled around on her feet.
Alex hesitated for a moment, but soon started walking away for real this time, going into the building, out of sight.
Isabella had lied. She stood there for what felt like hours. The lights in some of the rooms around her were shutting off. It gave her an even better view of the stars which painted the sky with light. She found the North Star again, the one Alex had labeled for her. It was shining brighter than the other ones, and for a second she saw a glimpse of the future in it. One where she would be queen, where she'd spend the rest of her days happy. One where she'd make everything better, for everyone. She dreamed she'd be free of her parents control and her own duties, but deep down, she could understand that wasn't entirely what she wanted. Somehow, when she's with Alex, she doesn't feel the pressure anymore. In fact, it makes her determined to be Queen even more. So that she can be with Alex, working side by side as students and maybe even—
Shooting stars were coming down. They danced across the night sky, leaving behind colorful trails of light. She found the one that burned the strongest.
"I'm going to build the future. For us."
Alexandra Privet, age 42. Approximately 17 years after the death of the royal family and the accident.
It was just a few minutes before the announcement of the Princess Charm School lottery winner. One lucky person would be chosen to become a student at the academy and potentially become a lady royal. Hundreds upon thousands of people enter every year and only one person is chosen, picked by the current heir of Gardania them self.
Alexandra sat patiently inside the entrance hall of the school in her headmistress uniform. She had paid extra attention to it today. Just outside, thousands of people gathered to watch in person and thousands more watch on TV as the event is broadcasted. She went over her speech in her head, making sure she didn't miss anything.
She heard the clicking of heels walk down the hall as Dame Devin fast approached.
"Headmistress Privet. You didn't happen to see Delancy walk through here did you?", she asked her with a sharp voice.
Alexandra stood up, "Not yet unfortunately. She must be getting ready. It is a big event after all.", she replied politely.
"Hm. I guess I'll have Wickellia go get her. How much time until the ceremony starts?", Devin asked quickly.
Alexandra checked her watch, "About 30 minutes left, Dame Devin."
"That girl ought to be more prepared…", she muttered. "Well, it's certainly an exciting day isn't it.", she let out an exasperated sigh.
"It must be quite the trip down memory lane for you. You must have been overjoyed when they called your name.", Alexandra smiled at her.
Devin didn't notice though. She had her back towards her having walked ahead of her to face the door. She didn't say anything for a while.
Finally, "Yes, well, it was certainly an…experience.", she cleared her throat.
"I wish her majesty got to see this. She would have been so happy seeing you here. She pulled your name out that day…", Alexandra trailed off. "It's such a shame about what happened."
"We can't keep staying in the past Alexandra.", she answered coldly. "We can't change what happened anymore. You know that."
She waited before saying something. "You're right. We should think about the future. For the students. For the school."
"Precisely.", Devin finally looked over her shoulder. "I understand however. You two were close, to say the least."
"We all were, weren't we?"
"How strange of you to see it that way."
"I think it's stranger just how far we've gotten."
There was a long silence again. Through it, the distance between the two only seemed to get farther.
Devin clapped her hands together, "Well, good talk! It's good to be working with you again. Such a shame it will be the last time we do."
"It must be a lot of pressure, having your daughter inherit the kingdom so suddenly.", Alexandra stood firmly, still waiting.
"Please, I've been through worse.", Devin placed a hand on her forehead, smirking.
"Do you ever wonder if princess Sophia might still be around. It's a myth that's been going around Gardania for a while.", Alexandra asked innocently.
Devin stayed silent again. She seemed to contemplate something. "It's just as you say. A myth. Princess Sophia died that day. No one's seen her since. I doubt she'll ever come about again."
"Hm."
Truth be told, Sophia really only disappeared. Though, It only added to Alex's anguish. When she returned to the palace, Sophia along with her caretaker had vanished from the castle. They searched for hours and no one found her. She had been pronounced dead with her family, framing it as if she had died in the car crash as well.
But Alexandra wondered if maybe she really was alive. Maybe Isabella knew she'd die that day, and she left behind Sophia. If only they knew where she was.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Delancy finally walked down the hall. She was in her school uniform, blue vest and pink skirt. Her hair matched her mother's, a bun that vaguely resembled a rose, placed high up. She walked gracefully and with poise.
"Ah, there you are. Stand here. This has to be perfect.", Devin directed to her. She turned around to look at her daughter. She was a spitting image of her.
Delancy stood silent and did as her mother told her. She was still, not a single muscle being moved.
Privet faced forward with them, ready to walk through the doors to make her speech and present the lottery. As they all walked out, the heavy doors closed behind them, making a loud boom noise.
She looked forward into the audience, and after, she looked at the lottery basket. A large spinning hexagonal basket colored purple. Inside was the hopes of little girls everywhere, having put their faith in the small pieces of paper labeled with their names.
She had made a promise to her, that she'd be back. One day.
Maybe this was it. She had once been at this basket, drawing out a name and placing her own faith in the name on that paper. She wanted for every little girl to be a princess, to get to live out their dreams. And now, she was back. To place her faith in one lucky girl once more, so that she may fulfill the dreams of hundreds more and bring about something even better.
This was the promise she made to her all along. She did return. Not as a person, but a hope in all of them. And whoever the person on that paper is, would inherit that hope and pass it on to future. She may have died that day, but she had left a legacy behind. One that would outlast generations.
One that Alex put her faith in too.
As Delancy finally picked out a paper, she unfolded it, announcing the name:
"Blair Willows."