Chapter 3: Families in Shambles

The Queen wrote a letter to our school and family. I and Belinda were excused for the lesson we will miss while we attend the wedding. The information was disclosed for safety and privacy issues. The story that went around the ears of gossipers, our family will go to New states to visit a dying close relative while Belinda’s family reasoned was because of the work of his dad. All was according to plan and we had a day before we could leave. “Mom! Where is my pleated skirt?” You know a girl will take forever to choose from her pile of clothes. We were given a week to pack our bags on what we would bring. Preferably they said we should travel light because Sasha’s family can provide us with everything we might need. The three families already met each other last week Friday for dinner.

*The family dinner, It was Friday, April 23, 2025*

 Mrs. and Mr. Mrithun were so kind. The way they seat was pure elegance. I thought the things I see in documentaries and movies in how meticulous the rich and nobles live were far from how we commoners do things were true. The whole time we were eating, I didn’t hear a single thing from their utensils. Now don’t get me started in how graceful Madam Mrithun seated in her chair. I felt their presence and for the first time ever I felt poor to the bones.

The families exchange some words to give clarity in what we should do and what are things we needed to prepare before going there. The most important part is if both families agrees to go there and stay for 2 weeks. My family, The Aurora, were fine with it. Especially with mom and dad because it was a free trip to a place we can’t even imagine going to. The night I told my mom about the situation, she just straight up screamed. She shouted so loud that the neighbors complained the next day. The Monied kingdom was her dream tour ever since she was five. To sum it all up, our family is head on to going there.

On the other hand, The Prasier, Belinda’s family, were arguing if everything the Mrithun family said were true. Like if their expenses were really going to be paid by the Mrithun Family. They had a point because hearing all this sure make no sense at all. They just wanted an assurance. Mr. and Mrs. Mrithun explained everything in detailed while the butler was giving out the next dish, specifically dessert. It was crème Brule. The crunchy top along with the soft, sweet and savory flan beneath. It was the best dessert I have eaten in 18 years.

 After a long talk between the three families. Everything was settled. The flight will be on Monday, April 26, 2025. We didn’t go home after we ate dinner. The Mrithun family hold us all for movie watching. They have a copy of a movie that wasn’t released yet. The movie was produced by them so they got it after it was finished to evaluate and see if the movie was good for public viewing. We were escorted to the movie room and seated accordingly. The Movie was about how space rangers defeated the aliens from destroying planet earth. The main character of the movie en titled “The last walk through” was played by the famous singer, actor and performer Alexander. The movie was amazing, if it were given a rating it was 10 out of 10. As the movie played, the excitement grew inside of Belinda. I was even surprise she kept it in while we were watching. When she watch Alexander in her smartphone she will make sure that everyone is watching also with her.

*The day before the flight. Sunday, April 25,2025*

Everything was now set in stone and tomorrow we will be soaring the skies then smell the fresh air of the Monied Empire. I am currently packing almost every outfit to make myself my own fashion runaway when I get there. I still can’t believe that I have a friend who is the Duchess and I am attending an extravagant wedding in a week! What kind of life will I have there? Surely I will meet some amazing people and do not forget I will be meeting the Queen and King. Can the time just go faster, I can’t wait to experience the rich world.

Did I pack everything I needed? I get up from my bed after scrolling through G****e about the great land of Monied Empire, I have seen such amazing places that I will surely visit the minute I have time to explore there. As I look at the packed baggage and wonder what I can shove inside of the bag when the zipper is crying for help. I just bought myself to go back down in bed and try to sleep. It’s already midnight and my serotonin was not gonna go down and our flight was 7 am. I put my phone down then convince myself that I was asleep.

*The day of the flight. Monday 26, 2025 it was 8 am in the morning*

Morning then came and everyone was running in circles. “Did everyone do a triple check if you have everything?” As mom tries to calm herself down while the butler helped us get inside the limousine which will take us to the private plane we will be boarding.The Prasier were there too on time and barely managed to keep their excitement in. The limousine first went to our house afterwards picked up the Prasier family. After an hour of driving from our houses to the Hangar of the Mrithun we reached their private plane. It was big.

This is we’re 2 weeks of our life will take a massive turn on our normal life. “Good morning Madam and Master Aurora as well as Madam and Master Prasier. We will be leaving the Plarie, Condaria in 5 minutes. Please make yourselves at peace and enjoy your flight.” The butler calmly explain that the plane will be leaving. From what I have heard, Sasha and Michael are flying too. Sadly, there not on the same plane rather they each have their own plane. The butler explained it was a custom of the nobles to ensure safety of the family, when a plane crashes for the unforeseeable future then at least a family member still be left to handle the affairs.

The chair inside the plane was covered in velvet cloth and the stewardess was always on standby to give anything we wanted, I first tried ordering some carrot soup and in the blink of an eye the stewardess came back with it. My younger brother who was 10 years old saw it then he asked for chocolates to see if he can also get what he wanted. The stewardess came back with a tray full of chocolates: White chocolate, with nuts, with caramel etc. I asked the stewardess if what we can order and replied that any kind of food we want was there. This was just the start of the fun and exciting life ahead of us. The flight was a 5 hours long. I had a blast in streaming a series while someone attends to me to make refills of my drinks then Mom just went to a room that had a small bed, she enjoyed the luxury while dad watched in the big screen of the sports channel. While my family seems to settle in the luxury plane, the Prasier were also doing great. They also enjoyed the flight by looking at the view and then later on ordered steak. Belinda was rewatching the movie we just watched some time ago. After an hour and a half of enjoying first class of flying. I fell asleep.

Oh, this is the Monied Empire. It’s beautiful, White and yellow chrysanthemum that covers most of the land, the vast green fields and the birds that wakes you up by their harmonious singing. It is nice to just sit around and see how colorful this sky changes color. From dark to having a cold baby blue morning then later on be switched by swift of heat by noon and by the time it was ombre of orange with a hint of pink it was afternoon. The place was magical, A picture out of the children story book. It was still early so I just went back inside and ask one of the maids for a blanket and a pillow for I plan to enjoy the fresh air plus the gorgeous view was meant to be enjoyed. Not long after, a man went up to me.

“Hi!” the man greets with a beautiful smile.

 “Oh, May I ask whom am I speaking to?” I pounder to ask for I haven’t see this man while we are staying here at Monied Kingdom.

 “Oh I am a guest of this estate too. Can you guess?” he replied with a grinning face. From what I know, a special guest will be visiting Sasha and said something about business.

“Are you the business partner of Duchess?” I replied with proper recognition whom I am acquainted to. This was ordered by the Ducal couple. It was for our own benefit to ensure our safety in staying at a foreign country.

 “I wouldn’t say business partner but future brother in law of the Duchess” he tells me with confidence overflowing. I take a longer look and he looks like a person who is not a businessman we commonly see.

“Ohh I am dreadfully sorry. I will call the Duchess immediately to announce your arrival.” I respond to him while getting up and started walk back to the palace. Suddenly a hand pulls me and stops me to take a step further.

“Lady?” he ask me for my name. “I am Freya G. Aurora, your excellency” I answer him while bowing down. “Please lift your head, I am not a king. Don’t misunderstood, I approach you because I wanted to meet you.” he responded in a sweet tone with his cheeky smile. I was taken back by his reason but I asked myself, What in the world did I do to make such a person come forward and wants to have a conversation.

 “Ohh, well I am here and so are you.” my awkward reply then he just burst into laughter. I couldn’t disagree with him or stop him. Firstly because he could really laugh all he wants because who am I to stop him from enjoying his time. Secondly is the way I responded. Anyone will also react in this way, actually I myself will laugh at my terrible behavior. After a good laugh he asked me to join him for a walk. I couldn’t refuse his offer to me because I wanted to leave a good mark on him.

 We started walking by his lead and he asked questioned like where I was from or what do I do in life. Like an 18 year old high school students life was worth telling. I think he got exhausted when he tried to struck up a conversation starters after a few tries, I asked him what does his family do or what do people call him if his older brother was the Duke of the West. I asked him this on a whim to make sure the air wouldn’t get much more awkward than this already. He only answered a few like who was his relatives but just laugh when I ask about work and business. I didn’t pry more on the subject I felt he didn’t want to talk about.

 We ended our walk for a guard approached us to relay a message that Sasha was looking for me. I said my farewells to him and bowed. Before leaving he took my hand again and said “Let us meet again.” Then left with a kiss on my hand. I haven’t given my reply yet but he left already so how do I tell him I would love too. When I started walking with the guard I suddenly trip over.

I woke up. O my, that was a dream! I was sleeping for 2 hours while watching a drama where a rich man fell in love with the maid. I guess I watched too much that even in my dreams were affected. I felt sad though, I thought I finally met someone nice at the Monied Kingdom other than Sasha. I wouldn’t mind to if he and I were to get married. I mean from what he looks like he is charming and a sweet person. In seeing his physique, he was well toned and seemed strong to fight a bull. I giggled. Well too much fantasy can kill you. I stood up to the lavatory to do my business. I walked inside and saw even the toilet paper was high quality. It felt like I was touching feathers.

The longer I enjoyed the luxury plane we were in, the more I got bored. I slowly understood why Sasha’s family decided to move to somewhere else. If I were in an economy class plane things would be much more different. It would never be boring, why you ask? Because there is always a baby who will be surely crying on the entire flight then you will see strangers who fight for the window to be open or close. Maybe siblings who are fighting while their mother try to make them stop, then don’t forget the times where someone would propose like getting proposed on a plane is romantic. These are not all, when lucky you get on board with an influencer who will take videos and do mini interviews on how’s everybody. The stewardess that just walk by and ask if anyone needs anything. In the whole flight, it will be noisy but never boring. Unlike here where it’s just me, my family and another family who makes themselves busy. I felt lonely.

I couldn’t bother them saying we should karaoke or do something together, I saw them busy and loved what they were actually doing. I wanted to sleep again. Just maybe I can continue the dream I had earlier. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. I just watched a bunch of mermaid documentaries. Personally in all myths I love mermaids. It always seemed magical. Imagine people breathing underwater right? They have a voice that can bewitch sailors and beauty. The beauty they hold described in stories were beyond reachable. I do love to pounder on fairies or other mythical creatures too. But the mermaids is on a different level for me. I watched some pretty cool stuff too. I watch some scientific videos that tells that mermaids were impossible to be true. It wouldn’t hurt to believe on what I think is true. It sounds funny coming from an 18 year old student isn’t it?

The pilot just announced we are an hour away from Monied Kingdom. My body went into hyper drive again. I felt happy that we were closer to our destination again. I ordered coffee to make sure when we land I would be wide awake to explore the country. I look up some videos to see a glimpse on what I will see there. I realized by then I haven’t familiarize myself with who is the rulers and other people who are important too.

Francis Mrithun is the current reigning king and his wife, Queen Merinda Mrithun are the rulers of the Monied kingdom. Thou both King and Queen are healthy they didn’t have an off spring. Some say the Queen was infertile after eating a type of herb that makes you infertile. It was also said that she mistakenly ate the herb given by an admirer of the King Francis when they were still engaged. For the woman was hurt knowing Prince Francis was getting married. This was her revenge after getting rejected. The woman who did it to the Queen was exiled from the land. The woman was a person in high society so they payed a big sum of money to try to bale the woman out but what she did was truly heavy so the final verdict was to be exiled from the Monied Empire. Now the King and Queen have aged, they announced last year they were officially looking for the next King. They’ve chosen four candidates, one on each state. The Monied Empire had 4 states. The West, where Sir Michael resides. The North, which Sasha’s father was the candidate but back out and decided to support the West in the marriage of Sasha and Sir Michael. The East, where Duke Gunter who was chosen and finally the South whose identity has not been made public due to privacy. The ceremony of announcing who will be chosen to be the King is not until 5 years from now. For the Royal couple will be watching the candidates if they hold the skills and abilities of a ruler.

“Hello. This is your captain speaking. I am happy to announce we are at the beautiful Monied Kingdom. We will be landing shortly.” the pilot announced such amazing news. The stewardess guides us by telling to put our seat belt for safety landing. We were all ecstatic to view from the window the magnificent Monied kingdom. The Pilot slowly lands and can finally say. Hello Monied Kingdom.