(Isabelle's P.o.v.)
I landed on the floor with a hard thud. Before I could get up to give this person a piece of my mind, I was rendered speechless. "Mamá?", I thought to myself, feeling my heart in my throat. She was returning from the village with the Grand Council, " but wasn't she just in the dining room?", I asked internally. I remained on the floor trying to remember where in this morning's conversation she mentioned visiting the village. I couldn't because SHE DID NOT MENTION IT. In a split second I remembered who I was and what I was doing. I got up quickly, bowed and greeted the grand council in one breath. "Your highness, Grand council, my sincerest apologies", I managed to say in the best British accent I could muster up. I tried my best to cushion the anxiety that washed over my entire being.
She stared at me for what felt like forever, using her keen green eyes to pierce into my soul. Finally, a heartwarming smile appeared on her face. " Lovely morning, isn't it? All is forgiven but you do need to be more careful", she finished still smiling. " It is your highness, thank you. I will be on my way now", I bowed once again to leave. "Wait! the accent, you're visiting from England I presume?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. My heart stopped as I turned around slowly, thinking about a believable answer. "Ahh good ears, your highness, London" I answered hoping that answer was good enough. I had to leave soon because I had no idea of what she would ask next, and my British accent was quickly fading along with my attempts to stay calm. " Well, that's wonderful and may I ask when you'll return home", she questioned, now intrigued. " The coming week, your highness" I replied wanting to run. " Well, that's splendid, you'll get a chance to meet the royal family. My daughter, Princess Isabelle will be visiting the village tomorrow", she finished enthusiastically. " It would be an honor", I replied, feeling the intense stare of the grand council.
"Well, I won't keep you waiting, and your name?", she asked now serious. "My uhm, my name is Cia your highness" I replied not knowing whether I was trying to convince myself or the Queen. " Such an American name. Is this your first time visiting? I don't believe I'm familiar with that name or is it that I just haven't reacquainted myself with the register?'', she stated turning to the grand council for closure. Her dark brown hair was pinned to one side allowing a full view of her side profile. " It's actually my third, your highness" I lied. "We will do it first thing upon returning to the palace", reassured Leo. He was undeniably tall and just as handsome with devilish eyes. Leo was the head of the Grand council and although he never revealed his age, he looked to be in his early twenties. I smiled at Leo and wished everyone a lovely day before strutting towards the village. " I just did that! I, Isabelle, just convinced my mom and the grand council that I was from London!" I screamed internally.
I hoped that at least five persons in this village had the name Cia or I'd be finished. "Cia? Of all the names I could have thought of", I sighed smiling sheepishly. I entered the village and was immediately greeted by the delicious aromas escaping the bakery. I was still shaken up by what just happened, but I felt my body beginning to slowly relax as I walked closer to the cozy building. This guy with curly hair was standing at the entrance of the bakery waiting for me as planned. Brian opened the door smiling as his eyes met mine. "You're finally here, what took you so long? I've been waiting for ten minutes now,' he stated pretending to be annoyed. "Sorry about that, I had to do a few chores this morning" I said mentally slapping myself on not being able to think of a better lie. "So... what are we buying today?", I asked him as we greeted Señor Calum, the baker.
"The almond croissant and strawberry cheesecake. We can have them in the village garden, but we'll have to return to the central village shortly afterwards ", he went on to explain. I stopped listening after the word croissant was mentioned. We bought two servings of each item, tipped the baker and exited the bakery. The villagers were up and about handling their businesses, warmly greeting us as we went.
We finally arrived at the village garden, and it was everything remembered it to be. There were exotic plants and flowers at every turn and thanks to the professional gardeners everything was well kept. This was the second time that I had been here, but I couldn't help but marvel at the creativity of the people. The benches were decorated with a variety of flowers, with each one having a small table directly in front with floral arrangement. The walkway was majestic with different varieties of flowers on each side and there was a fountain with a younger version of myself as the center of attention. We sat down on one of the garden benches, ready to dig in when I remembered him saying something about the central village. In that moment, it hit me. There was only one reason for anyone going to that specific place: a visit from the ROYAL FAMILY. Immediately, I started to panic, "This was not happening. Not today", I thought to myself.
"Mom would definitely put it together and I can't refuse to go with Brian. What would I use as an excuse? ", I asked myself lost in thoughts. I was snapped back to reality by Brian's voice, "So, Rosa, have you met Princess Isabelle ", he asked curiously. " Actualmente soy la princesa", I laughed to myself as the thought crossed my mind. "No, never met her", I replied. I was dreading the visit to the central village. "Why did you ask? Someone's got a little crush", I teased trying to lower my anxiety. "Not a chance! I'm not interested in helpless women", he answered a little too distasteful. This comment was a slap in the face for Isabelle. " Oh, I see", I replied indifferently, eating the last of my croissant. We got up and disposed the garbage in the bin close by before exiting the garden. "It is what it is" I mumbled to myself.
" I didn't catch that", Brian stated, " ohh, I said, I uhm, I really like your shirt today", I lied. He smiled at me before replying "So you didn't like the one I wore yesterday ". I rolled my eyes and we both chuckled. " Come on", he stated as he grabbed my hand and started running towards the central village. There was already a huge crowd there and Brian decided that we should be UPFRONT. "Stupendous idea since you're trying to maintain a low profile", I thought to myself as we pushed our way through the crowd. I turned to Brian who was already scanning the area. "Guess your bride got cold feet", I teased thinking it would annoy him. To my surprise, he started laughing. I looked around to see the grand council and my mother discussing what seems to be an important topic.
My breath got caught in my throat when my eyes met with my fathers. "YOU THERE! Come here! what is your name?", he asked in a stern voice. "Uhm, uh Cia, your highness", I stuttered bowing. Before he could ask any more questions, my mother started to explain who I was, or who she thought I was. I looked over to see Brian with a dumbfounded expression, "Cia?", he questioned. "She is the niece of Mrs. Bentley, one of the fashion experts in the village dear, she's visiting". Everything else was a blur. My heart was racing, and it felt like the crowd was about to swallow me whole. I took one last look at Brian who was still frozen before excusing myself from royal family.
I quickly pushed through the crowd and as soon as it was only me and the wind I took off. I ran back to the palace gates, took off my wig & headband, placed them in my side bag and loosen my hair in one breath. I was exhausted to the point where I couldn't even climb the gates. Luckily, Clara saw my arrival and came to my rescue. She saw my tired expression and just understood what had happened. That was one of the many reasons why I loved her.
I quickly entered the palace and ran up to my room where I changed into the velvet gown I had on before. I sat on my bed and thought about what just happened. I almost got caught in front of everyone and I left without explaining anything to Brian. My Mother thought I was Cia visiting from London while Brian thought I was Rosa who just moved to the village. Rosa was done for; Cia had an identity crisis, and Isabelle was barely holding on. It's funny to think that all this happened because I got tired of being a princess. Clara entered my room and walked over to sit on my bed. I started to explain what happened in detail to her. She scooted closer to comfort me and it was then I realized that I was crying.