The Hybrid Princess

~2

Everleigh's POV:

1 hours before coronation 

My coronation was in one hour from my balcony I saw people were arriving in carriages, I guessed they were the people from our allies' kingdoms. I saw a few princesses and prince, duch and duchess and their children. 

"Come sit  your highness, I have so much to do with so little time", my personal hairstylist stated and I sat down in front of my mirror, I was already wearing my violet dress.She curled my long blonde hair then pinned it up with hair pins and left a few curled down at the side of my face.

"Makeup time", she smiled and I frowned.

"I'll stay as natural as possible, maybe a little blush, eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss." 

"No eye shadow", I shook my head.

"It's your day after all", she nodded and opened the small bag that was set in front of us on the tablet.

45 minutes later

"Wow, you look beautiful Eve", mom gasped when she came into my room, I just slipped on my silky, white gloves.

"Thank you, do you like the dress?"

"Its beautiful, my mother certainly out did herself this time. I am sorry about what had happened this morning", she apologized,"its just that-"

"It's okay mom", I hugged her.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm nervous, I can hear the large crowd outside from here", I chuckled.

"Yeah everyone has came out to see the all so famous heir". she smiled strolling to the closed glass doors to the balcony. I went next to her and looked out, wow.

"There are so many people...."

"I will be right beside you, don't worry", she kissed my forehead.

"Let's go, your grandmother will like to have a word with you", she led me out my room.

We walked down the corridor and down the stairs where grandma was waiting for us, the throne room was immediately to our left just down the hall and behind the double doors. 

"I dreamt of this day for so long", grandma hugged me,"you'll make a fine princess and a brilliant queen in the future."

"Thanks grandma", I wiped a tear quickly.

"No crying, it will make our kingdom look bad to the other kingdoms that were here", grandma teased and I laughed.

"Now remember, walk upright., head high and no slouching", mom reminded me.

The maid placed my coronation mantle on me, it was violet like my dress.

I nodded and smiled then I heard the trumpet sounded.

"It's time, we'll be right behind you", grandma assured me.

I walked down the hall and the doors immediately opened, my heart felt like it wanted to come out of my chest and I swallowed as I walked into the large throne room that were filled with people. 

All eyes on me.

I kept my head high as I walked to towards the throne, there was a single chair placed in front of the official throne.

"May I represent princess Everleigh of Gale", the announcer introduced me.

"Wow, she's so pretty,."

"No wonder they kept her away for so long, her eyes are so unique."

Everyone whispered as I made my way to the front of the room.

"Her majesty queen Fay of Gale and her majesty former queen Odette."

Levi was standing next to the chair that was placed out for me and the bishop was behind the chair.

I took push my mantle to the side of me and took a seat on the chair, facing everyone.

"Today, princess Everleigh will take her place as crown princess of Gale and future queen of Gale", the bishop began.

I saw my auntie Brielle in the mist and Miles besides her with his  best friend Gabriel who always seemed to go wherever he went.

Jaxon was standing to the far right by the wall.

"Princess Everleigh, do you take your place as princess and also fulfill all duties for the betterment of this kingdom?"

"I do", I answered and mom smiled.

"Do you promise to be just and fair to all who do wrong in this land?"

"I promise", I declared.

"Do you agree when you take your place as queen and is still unmarried you'll accept whoever is chosen to be your  husband?"

 Everyone gasped.

What? That wasn't in the rule book.

"What?" I demanded.

"What is the meaning of this?" Mom demanded and I saw my auntie Brielle smirked in the mist of the crowd.

How dare her? She was trying to sabotage my coronation.

"Your majesty, it is in the rule book", the bishop explained.

"What rule book? My rule book I modified had nothing with arranged marriage!" She glared at him.

"This rule book your majesty, I was told to read from this book", he handed her the book with shaky hands.

Mom frowned,"this book was cast out when I became queen two decades ago, who told you such blasphemy thing?!"

"I- I can't tell you, I'm sorry your majesty", he bowed.

"Guards take him away, I will finish this coronation", mom ordered.

"Please your majesty, I was told to use that book", he pleaded as he was dragged away.

I sighed.

"Everleigh, do you agree to attend to royal duties such as meeting with allies kingdoms, attend invited balls and galas and whatever else is under the royal duties of a princess?" Mom asked.

"I agree."

"Then I queen Fay of Gale is crowning you princess Everleigh of Gale and future queen to the throne", she placed my official princess crown wore by her and my grandmother on my head.

I stood up and took the sceptre.

Everyone clapped.

"May I present to you, her royal highness, crown princess of Gale, princess Everleigh!"

I saw Jaxon grinned as he clapped.

I smiled and curtsied.

"Time to go make your appearance outside", mom whispered.

Me accompanied by family walked out unto the balcony that had the view of the entire front courtyard that was fill with a lot of citizens of Gale.

I gasped, they all came here to see me?

"Wave darling", grandma said next to me and I gave a wave, the crowd cheered.

"They love you", mom wave as well, the twins next to her then Levi on the other end.

"The royal family of Gale, king Levi, princes Grayson and Jayson, queen Fay and newly crown princess Everleigh and future queen!"

"Also today is the princess's 21st birthday!"

"Happy birthday!" They shouted and my eyes filled up with water.

I smiled and waved.

"Don't forget me I am part of this family too or did you forget?" Auntie Brielle came out with Miles, she stood next to grandma and Miles stood next to her.

"Princess Brielle and her son prince Miles."

My auntie smirked.

"Hello Brielle", grandma greeted her younger daughter.

"Hey mother, Fay, Eve", she smiled,"congrats on your coronation my dear, I hope you're nothing like your mother when she was your age."

"Elle", mom warned.

"What? I am just making sure she isn't as rebellious as you were."

"Miles, dear, how are you?" Grandma focused her gaze on her first grandson and grandchild.

"I'm good grandma, congratulations and happy birthday Everleigh."

"Oh yes, happy birthday", auntie Brielle added.

:"Thank you."

We returned inside the throne room and took our places on the throne, I sat down on the left side of my mother, that spot was always empty until today.

Each kingdom representatives came and greeted us and wished me happy birthday.

The sun was starting to set, dinner will be serve soon then the ball can officially begin.

"I hope you came prepared to dance", Grayson said next to me, I saw a few female teenagers were sneaking glances at him.

"Nope, I am not dancing", I shook my head.

"Well tonight you have to and I know you can dance", mom stated.

I sighed, maybe I should just lock myself in my room until tomorrow.

"And don't think about ditching", she added.

She knew me so well.

Jaxon was standing by the open doors to the balcony watching the crowded room.

****

"Tonight's main dish is the princess's favorite", the  chef said as the waiters and waitresses uncovered our food.

"Steak", I smiled down at my plate, ready to pick up my fork.

"Um..", mom cleared her throat and I looked at her, she looked down at the table and I followed her gaze to the napkin. I placed the napkin on my lap and took off my gloves, Grayson snickered next to me and I kicked his leg under the table, he glared at me.

"I must say this is very delicious, Everleigh you have great taste unlike your mother here", auntie Brielle complimented.

Mom scoffed lowly, but I still heard her. After all these years auntie Brielle still somehow can get under mom's skin.

"My taste is fine, thank you very much", my mother answered.

"I can see that, your  first partner was quite a choice back in the days", she sipped her wine,"tell me, did you know who he truly was?"

"Brielle", grandma gave her a warning look.

What was she talking about?

I saw mom's hands were clenched like she was trying to control her short temper.

The twins were in their own world or chose to ignore what was going on, same with Levi.

We ate in silent for the next hour or so then dessert arrived, chocolate chip muffins, my favorite.

"Can I have an apple instead? I am on a diet", auntie Brielle told the waiter when he placed the muffin in front of her.

I chocked on my drink, a diet? She was in her mid 40s and was skinnier than me,

The twins snickered lowly, they were thinking the same as me.

The waiter left.

"Brielle your days of a young adult is over, you don't need to be on no low fat diet, you need to be on a high fat one, you're skinnier than Eve", mom stated.

"I like to keep away from wrinkles as far as possible, you're already getting a little gray hair."

"You as well, but you dye your hair to hide it."

"Stop it, this is Everleigh's day, leave your bickering for tomorrow or when the ball is over", grandma intervened.

"I'm sorry Eve", mom apologized.

"It's okay", I assured her, auntie Brielle ignored us.

__

"Happy birthday!" Everyone said when I entered the decorated ballroom, it was in my favorite color blue with a hint of white and violet.

The five layer cake with the number 21 on the middle layer and on top was on a table at one corner of the room with other bite snacks treat and waiters going around with champagne on trays. 

"Thank you", I said.

"It's time for the princess to blow out her candles then cake will be shared later", the announced explained.

I went to the cake and the candles were lit, I made a wish,'I wish I am led to where I am to go.'

I blew out the candles and everyone clapped.

Music began to play as the dance began.

I walked over to where Jaxon was,"hey."

"Hey princess", he bowed,"enjoying your party so far?"

"It's alright."

"Do you wan-"

Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned around, the gentleman bowed,"princess Everleigh, I am Asher, son of the duch of Woodfox", he introduced himself.

He had honey blonde hair and icy blue eyes.

I knew of the Woodfox, they were one of the first kingdom my grandfather made allege with.

I curtsied.

"Nice to meet you Asher."

"Will you like to dance with me?" He offered with a smile.

I could have sworn I heard Jaxon scoffed behind me, but I probably was imagining that, Jaxon been in a relationship before.

"Yes I would."

He bowed and offered his hand, I took it and he led me to the center of the room.

"You look beautiful, sorry for my boldness but I can't lie", he commented and I blushed,"also happy birthday."

"You don't look bad yourself", I retorted as we began to dance.

I saw my mom smiling when I caught her gaze while Grayson gave me a thumb's up.

"Your features are different from your family's, why is that?" Asher asked a few minutes later.

"Um.." 

"You don't have to answer, s- sorry for my inquisitive b- behavior, I am normally not like this", he stammered and I giggled a little and he blushed.

"This is so embarrassing, this wasn't how I plan it will go when I get to meet you", he sighed.

"It's okay, so how old are you?" I asked.

"22 years old."

"In line for the throne of Woodfox at any time in the future?"

"I might die before that even happens, but at least I am still part of royalty, right?"

I nodded.

"I'm just like your cousin Miles, he is part of the family but the line of succession runs under your mother to you and to your future children expect if something happens to this bloodline then the throne goes to your auntie of course."

"I know."

I tried not to think about it because I know this kingdom will crumbled quickly with her as ruler, I think that was why grandma was cautious when I came into existence; she didn't want this bloodline to get erased before I can experience life.

We danced for a few minutes before Asher bowed and kissed my hand then left.

I walked over to where my mother was with my grandmother,"thank you for dancing, Asher is a nice gentleman", mom smiled.

"Mom it was just one dance, don't go there please", I sighed.

"I wouldn't be surprise if he court you in the end", she teased and I blushed.

I glanced over to where Asher was talking to his father which I presumed was duch of Woodfox, they both shared the same color eyes.

I saw Jaxon by the table where the food was, he smiled when he caught me staring at him.

"Be careful not to get too involve with the workers especially your security details", Levi whispered.

"He's my best friend", I told him,"you know that."

"I am just saying, but the rules stay the same."

"I know", I sighed.

I swear when I am queen I will be making an upgrade to that so call rule book. I don't care what the elders think, I am queen and I make the rules.

"Will you like a light snack your highness?" Ariel curtsied.

Where was she?

"Of course", I  nodded.

Mom went and sat down with Levi and grandma, the twins were occupied taking to their friends from the royal college.

"No princess should be alone on their milestone birthday", Gabriel approached me and bowed.

Ugh, he was so annoying, I think Miles influenced him to get on my nerves. 

"Who said I was alone?"

"Well you're not surrounded by that guy you were dancing with or that bodyguard, so you're alone", he shrugged.

"Excuse me", I went to where Jaxon was with his mother who was preparing a small plate of snacks for me.

"What did he want?" Jaxon asked.

"Probably to get on my nerves as always", I sighed.

He chuckled.

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