Chapter 6: Who's Whose Cousin??
[Zory's POV]
Proud of myself after obviously putting the Prince on his toes, I blushed.
Truth be told, I don't even know what those words meant, put together... but let's see.
If this is going to be my new home, I think I will love it. I basically already have a "little secret" with the most important person here (after the King and Queen, of course). Not to be sinister, but I could use it to my advantage.
I know life outside your horizon could be... well, chaotic. I read too many books, honestly.
And since there's a female my age? Screams trouble, if you ask me. I just hope they know how to tame Danielle.
Wait, why am I still using the "they" pronoun when they're clearly male? Sigh.
"Time to feast!"
I heard the announcer yell. What even was the mic for at this point?
I struggled to find my way because it seemed like every noble person had an assigned seat and they just knew it. Just as my confusion was about to swallow me whole, a familiar hand took mine.
It was my grandma.
"You belong here, so act like it."
Those words rang in my ears as I sat down.
It wouldn't be so hard. My grandma had made sure I went to etiquette schools every summer. I always wondered why. Thought it was because I'd someday marry a Prince Charming... ohh, the dream.
We dined, and the royal bell signaled the end of the eventful occasion. Everybody slowly stood up and immediately got lost in conversations with themselves... or maybe not. Because you could clearly see their gaze gauging the Royal Family's every move, who seemed to be approaching the nobles. Slowly, they swapped partners for the King and Queen.
Young girls were obviously drooling over the Prince's aura, and the boys were simping around the Princess.
I stared, clearly confused, curious, and embarrassed on their behalf all at once. Because the Prince and Princess looked like they had somewhere more important to be.
All of a sudden, our eyes met… again.
I looked away almost immediately, for reasons I couldn't tell.
A tiny smile spread across my lips when I saw him struggling to find his way to me.
Why, though?
Before I could figure it out, my grandma pulled me away like I was about to get shot or something.
We went upstairs, deeper into the castle, past ornate mirrors, polished wooden staircases, and chandeliers that sparkled like frozen stars. Velvet drapes lined the halls, and the faint scent of roses and old books filled the air. The guards saluted as we passed.
Wowwwww.
Eventually, we reached what looked like the main chambers.
The royal chambers glowed with soft gold light from a chandelier shaped like a blooming flower. Velvet curtains the color of crushed wine framed arched windows, and everything...,from the walls to the carpet,
whispered luxury in every stitch. A grand portrait of the royal lineage watched over the room like history refusing to be forgotten.
Before I knew it, I found myself in a queenly room. The walls were painted with rich, warm gold. A carved bed stood in the center, draped in crimson and silk. The air felt heavier, like secrets were buried in the very curtains.
"Elena."
"Sofia."
I watched a woman; who I assumed was the Queen, and the King's mother, call out my grandma's name: Sofia.
They held hands for a few seconds, just staring into each other's eyes. Cringe!
They must miss each other... a lot, a whole lot. I guess.
I had met her before, I remembered.
Wow.
"Zory. Zorayda."
She called my full name. The Queen Mother called my full name.
Nobody ever calls me that.
"Meet your Abuela," my grandma said.
Nobody ever has two abuelas. At least not from the same side, I thought.
My father wasn't already orphaned before my birth... or so I thought? Still, there were more possibilities of her being my mom's mom than my dad's, but still.
I never really questioned not having an abuelo, but now… two abuelas?
"¿Qué, mama?"
(What, Mama?)
At this point, the confusion wasn't thrilling anymore.
Please don't tell me I was or am royalty but had to clean a shoe shop all my life because of some family drama.
I don't think I'll move on from this.
It's bad enough my parents died and I was orphaned at five, but please don't tell me I had a whole family, a rich one at that... and you're just telling me???
"Well, she... la madre reina (the Queen Mother)... is my… hmm… my…"
"¿Qué, mama?"
Now I was visibly boiling.
"She's my… sister." – Sofia
"Cousin." – Elena
[Audible silence]
"Cousin." – Sofia
"Sister." – Elena
They both spoke almost at the same time.
Now I'm wondering what's wrong with these old women. Are their memories fading??
"Who is who?" I asked, not even pretending to be respectful.
"Well, your parents and my kids are cousins. So you and my grandkids are cousins,"
Elena replied.
I don't have any feelings for the Prince, but still. I don't want my chances of being with a Prince Charming to get ruined this easily, all because our abuelas claim we are cousins.
He's the closest prince I can get to.
"It doesn't work like that. Are you and mama sisters?"
"No!" they both thundered at the same time.
What could be so bad about the two of them being sisters?
"Zorayda dear, it's complicated. And if you don't want to be cousins with them, it's fine. Then your parents are cousins and you can now stay here."
Her calling my full name irritated me for some reason.
And she was making the whole story sound like a plot she just came up with and was asking the director; who happens to be me—for approval.
"¡Abuelaaa! ¡Está aquí!"
("Grandma! I'm here!")
A familiar voice called out, slightly pitchier than I remember. Must be the excitement.
They...
...he walked in.
The Prince, of course.
And just like that, the fourth eye contact hit harder than a morning slap.
I swear I wasn't counting, though. I didn't realize how eidetic I am.
"You," he faced me. Nothing too rude.
"What is she doing here, abuela?"
"Well, she's staying. As a cousin."
I watched, feeling a little embarrassed being spoken about like I wasn't standing right there.
The Prince finally replied after taking a moment to sink it all in.
I don't know the reply or question I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't what came out of his nicely shaped lips.
Instead, it was:
"Who's whose cousin??"