The Royal Love Triangle

11: The Queen's Disappoval

Tessa's POV

I woke up in a panic. I had sweat dripping from my forehead, and I couldn’t catch my breath. I sat up and looked around. I didn’t recognize anything around me. Except for Callie. Then everything hit me. We weren’t in our small one-bedroom apartment anymore. Today was the day that Callie was officially introduced as New Biblica’s princess. Today was the day that she was also going to meet Prince Gabriel and the royal family of Newait. So was I. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t feel threatened. Then to top everything off, she was being thrown a ball tonight by the Queen to celebrate her long-awaited return. I don’t know how she was keeping her head on straight.

I looked around our makeshift fort and my gaze landed on Callie. She was still asleep, and she looked like anything except a princess. Her hair was everywhere, her mouth was wide open, and she was snoring like a grown man. She reminded me of Princess Ana from Frozen. I couldn’t help but laugh, I tried to stay quiet, but I must have been a lot louder than I thought. Callie’s eyes fluttered and she soon focused her eyes on me. I grabbed my mouth in attempt to cover up my giggling. She sat up and looked at me with a confused look. She scrunched her eyebrows together and c****d her head to the side.

“What’s so funny? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You look like Ana from frozen when she was woken up for the coronation.” I couldn’t keep a straight face. Her hair was sticking up everywhere. She rolled her eyes and started giggling.

“I can’t help it Tessie. I sleep better when you’re around. I’m really glad you snuck in here for my first night.” She put her head down and blushed. I smiled and grabbed her chin to bring her face up to my eye level.

I leaned in, close to her face. I brushed her lips with mine. Just as our lips connected, there was a knock on the door. I pulled away from Callie and sighed.

“Your highness? It’s time to get up and ready for the day. You have a big day ahead of you princess. I’ll be back in 5 minutes to help you get ready.”

Clara’s voice was calm and reassuring, but I guarantee that she was running around like a crazy woman trying to balance Callie’s day. It was Clara’s job to keep Callie in line and on time. She was going to be going everywhere with Callie. I looked at Callie and gave her a hopeful smile. Is this how it was going to be from now on? We would never get any time with just the two of us.

“We should start getting ready before we give Clara a conniption. I’ll see you later Cals.” I didn’t give Cal time to answer me before I got up and left the room.

I needed to gather my thoughts. How could I make sure that I stood out to Callie among all of these royals? What would I do if she actually went through with this marriage? I didn’t notice Clara had made her way back to Callie’s bedroom. She was standing in the door way, watching me expectantly.

“Morning Clara. Cals is awake. She should be getting ready now.”

I gave her the most convincing smile that I could muster up. It must not have been very good since she looked at me kind of funny. I moved from Clara’s way as she knocked and made her way into Callie’s room. I sighed in defeat and made my way back to my room. When I got inside, I shut the door and I stood there with my back against it for a few moments. There was an outfit laid out on my bed for me. Clara had already been here. I rolled my eyes and walked over to see what I would be wearing today. On the bed sat a pale-yellow business suit with a pencil skirt instead of pants. There was silver jewelry, earrings and a necklace. There was also a pair of black high heeled shoes sitting in front of the bed.

I let out a sigh and made my way to the bathroom to shower. I couldn’t help but think of the day back home when Callie ran me bath water. The bubbles were just as tall as she was! Thinking of that made me smile. I realized that I was here to be with Callie. If I had to dress in suits and stand in the background for the rest of my life, just to be with Callie, then I would. She was worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to be more than just friends with her, but I wanted her to want this as much as I did.

I jumped in the shower and quickly did what I needed to. When I got out of the shower, I quickly wrapped myself up in my towel and walking out into my bedroom. I glanced over at the clock sitting on my end table and shook my head. Was it that late already? I ran over to my bed and got dressed as quickly as I could. Once I was dressed, I ran back into the bathroom to dry and fix my hair. There was a quiet knock on my door and Clara stuck her head in.

“Tessa, we’re leaving in five minutes, with or without you. The press conference is going to be starting soon.” With that she shut the door and I wasn’t far behind her.

Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, Callie was sitting on one of the couches and my eyes lit up when I saw her. She looked at me and smiled. I’m pretty sure I unintentionally held my breath and my jaw dropped. She was in a dark purple dress suit, with black flats, silver jewelry and the tiara her mother gave her yesterday. She was breath taking.

I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I jumped and turned around to see Queen Melissa standing behind me with her arms crossed. Let me just say that she looked less than thrilled at my reaction towards her daughter.

“Your highness.” I said as I turned and curtsied to her.

“I trust your room is to your liking, Miss Tessa?” She said with a smirk.

“Yes, your highness. It’s exquisite. Thank you.” I said as politely as I could. I flashed her a smile and she quietly scoffed at me.

“Oh wonderful. Then there should be no excuse for you to be spending the night with Callie any more, is there?”

“No, your highness.” I didn’t break eye contact with her. I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction of thinking she intimidated me. With that, she walked away.

It took everything I had not to rip her a new one. I smiled as sweetly as I could at her. I looked back over my should at Callie and saw her watching us. When she saw me glance at her, she raised an eyebrow. I shook my head, there was no reason for her to get involved. I’m just assuming the Queen didn’t like the thought of the prince having any competition. The thought made me laugh.

After the press conference, we were all shuffled back into the limo to head over to the Saint-Clair’s palace for lunch. The entire hour and a half ride there, the Queen was bragging at how amazingly Callie handled herself and how excited she was for Callie to meet Prince Gabriel. The Queen went on and on about how great the prince was and how they would be a perfect match.

Callie was amazing, but I knew that before she had to be paraded around to the press like it was some kind of popularity contest. Somehow, I was going to prove to the Queen, the country and most importantly, to Callie, that I was the best thing for her. I wasn’t going to let anyone stand between me and my happily ever after with Callie.

My thought was interrupted by Clara announcing that we were pulling up to the castle. Outside the castle there stood four people. There was an older gentleman, whom I assume King Maxwell. Queen Allison was standing to his left and Prince Gabriel was standing to his right. Behind the prince stood a middle-aged looking man, I could only assume that was the prince’s assistant. I honestly couldn’t remember his name.

I looked over to Callie to try and gauge her reaction. Once the Saint-Clair family was in better view, her jaw dropped and that’s when I knew that I would have to give everything I had to prove that I was just as good, if not better, for Callie.