Below is Chapter 28, continuing directly after Chapter 27.
This chapter shows M
Chapter 28: Princess Training Is Hard
The limousine finally stopped in front of a tall luxury hotel in downtown San Francisco.
Mia looked out the window nervously.
"Why are we here?"
Clarisse closed her notebook calmly.
"This is where your training will take place."
Mia stared at the building.
The hotel looked expensive enough to make her uncomfortable.
"You're teaching me how to be a princess… in a hotel?"
"Yes."
"That seems unnecessarily intimidating."
Joseph opened the door.
"Your Majesty."
Clarisse stepped out first.
Mia reluctantly followed.
Anshul stepped out last, looking around with mild curiosity.
The hotel lobby was elegant and quiet. Marble floors reflected the warm light from large chandeliers, and several staff members immediately greeted Clarisse respectfully.
Clearly the queen had already arranged everything.
Mia whispered to Anshul as they walked inside.
"I feel like everyone is staring at me."
"That's because they are."
"That doesn't help!"
Anshul chuckled softly.
Inside a private conference room, several items had already been prepared.
A long mirror.
A stack of books.
And a pair of high-heeled shoes sitting in the center of the room.
Mia stared at them in horror.
"No."
Clarisse folded her hands gracefully.
"Yes."
"I refuse."
"You will try."
Mia groaned loudly.
"This is torture."
Clarisse ignored the complaint.
"The first lesson is posture."
She gestured toward the mirror.
"A princess must carry herself with confidence."
Mia walked reluctantly to the mirror.
Her reflection looked exactly how she expected.
Messy hair.
Oversized sweater.
Awkward posture.
Clarisse shook her head slightly.
"Stand straight."
Mia attempted to straighten her back.
"No."
Clarisse adjusted her shoulders.
"Like this."
Mia wobbled slightly.
"This feels unnatural."
"That is because you are not used to it yet."
Meanwhile, Anshul leaned quietly against the wall, watching the scene.
Mia noticed him looking and immediately felt embarrassed.
"Stop watching!"
"I'm not doing anything."
"You're judging me!"
"I'm observing."
"That's worse!"
Clarisse glanced at Anshul briefly.
"Young man."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Would you kindly refrain from distracting my granddaughter?"
Anshul raised his hands slightly.
"Of course."
Mia rolled her eyes.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
"Traitor."
Clarisse picked up the high heels.
"Next lesson."
Mia's eyes widened.
"Oh no."
"You must learn to walk properly."
"I can walk!"
"In those?"
Clarisse held up the heels.
Mia looked like someone being handed a dangerous weapon.
"This is a bad idea."
"Try."
After several seconds of hesitation, Mia finally put them on.
The moment she stood up, she nearly lost her balance.
"Whoa!"
Anshul instinctively stepped forward and caught her arm before she could fall.
For a brief moment they were standing very close.
Mia's face immediately turned slightly red.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Anshul quickly stepped back, suddenly feeling a little awkward himself.
Clarisse watched the interaction silently.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Continue."
Mia carefully attempted to take a step.
Step.
Wobble.
Step.
Wobble.
After three steps she nearly fell again.
"This is impossible!"
"It is not."
Clarisse demonstrated a smooth, elegant walk across the room.
Mia stared at her.
"Show-off."
For the next hour, Mia practiced walking across the room while Anshul occasionally tried not to laugh.
Occasionally.
Not always successfully.
Finally Mia collapsed into a chair dramatically.
"I'm exhausted."
"That was only the first lesson," Clarisse said calmly.
Mia groaned again.
Anshul walked over and handed her a bottle of water.
"You survived."
"Barely."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"You really think I can do this?"
Anshul thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because you're stubborn."
Mia blinked.
"…That's supposed to be encouraging?"
"It works."
She couldn't help laughing.
Outside the window, the sun was slowly beginning to set over the city.
The first day of princess training was finally over.
And for Mia Thermopolis—
The journey toward becoming a princess had truly begun.