Chapter 3

Viviane

 

A knock at the door took my attention away from the call I was having with my sister. “Who is it?”

“My Lady, your ride is waiting.”

 

“Tell the driver I’ll be right down in a moment, please ask him to wait a minute.”

“As you wish, my lady.”  The young woman retreated and left me alone.

 

Once the maid shut the door I returned my attention to Lilli who I muted while I attended the servant. “Sorry babe but I have to go now. They have come to pick me up for me to take me to the city today. I’m expected to move next week to the palace before the wedding and there are things I still need to look at. You, on the other hand, must learn to behave yourself, got it little sis?”

 

I love my younger sibling very much but nothing made me lose my mind so much than her rebellious antics at school. Thank god she was almost about to fish and hopefully enroll in college not far away. She can't be trusted to study anywhere else without our supervision. My grandfather is our custodian and has watched over us since our father died. He is a very strict man and ensured for us the best boarding schools.

 

“As always, the perfect sister, are you not? The prim and proper future Princess.”

 

“Don’t  be silly, I will always be me, no matter what.” Before I ended my phone call, I had to admonish my kid sister, she is only seventeen. If  I was all prim and proper, she was the queen of mischief. “I already talked to your headmistress and she agreed to let you go before the graduation. She is afraid of you doing something nasty during the ceremony.”

 

“I wonder what that old crow thinks I might do, I’m so pleased to be here.” I could only imagine her rolling her eyes. “Right, who would think you would do anything during your graduation ceremony.”

 

“Cross my heart Viv. I don't plan on doing anything.”

 

Could I believe my sister though? I'm thinking to myself.

 

You know very well how I would answer that, the cricket of wisdom lodged in the back of my head chirped.  The little voice came in handy sometimes. I'd like to think she is my guardian angel. But I guess I will never know for sure exactly what or who she is, I’m afraid of the psychiatrist diagnosis. What if I have schizophrenia?

 

Her feminine voice came through the day I woke up in the hospital, it was after the accident and they left me alone in the room. I got terribly scared the first time I heard her. I have not gone to counseling to make sure if it is all part of my imagination.

 

“Anyways Lilli, I need you soon to fit your dress for the wedding. I have a surprise for you, I contacted an organizer firm to help you with your 18th birthday preparations. How's that sound, is it okay with you? I promise to help you plan the most lavish birthday party you can imagine when we return from the honeymoon.”

 

“So, you're doing it during the honeymoon, uhh?"   I sigh and lose my patience rubbing my hand over my face. I can imagine her smiling and having fun at my expense on the other side of the phone.

“I won’t talk to you about something so private as my sexual life Lil, it's simply rude on your behalf and furthermore, it doesn’t concern you.” I scolded her. She didn't have to know that Philip and I were not having exactly a honeymoon for the movement. We plan on taking things slow and know each other better.

Instead we are traveling to each city and town to salute people the traditional way all the reigning families had done after their wedding. “Yeah yeah, whatever you say sis, but I’m sure someone is going to pop her cherry.” She giggled like it was the joke of the year and I only wanted her to shut up.

 

“Okaaay. Time for me to go. Love you, see you soon.” I sent her a kiss over the phone and hung up.

 

Finally, I descended the stairs to the foyer where I gave the final instructions to the house staff. Sadly, I was never coming back to my ancestral family home. I was bound to stay now in the royal palace and after the marriage we selected a cottage not far away from the city.

 

A couple of generations back, one of my great grandparents had a sour disagreement over a feudal territory with the monarchy of the time. Thanks to the land acquired we developed a real estate empire. With my upcoming wedding with the prince, my family name will rise even more. and privileges were being restored.

People didn’t know this, but I could care less for the aristocratic title. I’m satisfied I’m going to play a role helping the reigning monarchs with the demands of the new generation.  This is a new era, an opportunity to make things better.

On my trip back to the city I took a last look at the country site. Nostalgia already sipped through my pores and I couldn't help sniffing my nose.  “Are you ok ma’am? The driver asked, perhaps concerned.

 

“It’s nothing, I’m just going to miss all this.”   I lower my head and start  fidgeting with my fingers.  Putting my hands on my sides, I concentrate on the road ahead.

 

“Ohh I see, don’t you worry my Lady, I’m sure you will sort something out and come up with a plan to return one day.”

 

“Thank you, that is nice of you.” Only if he knew. I was making arrangements to transfer the state to my sister.  I wanted her to have our family house to call her home and wanted her to have a place that would welcome her no matter what.

 

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize we were already at the gates of the Council building. The car made the round in the rotunda so I could walk less the distance from the parking area to the big front stairs. How thoughtful of the driver. I was not the princess yet but people around here already started to treat me as such. I made a mental note to remind myself to reward their kindness and efforts for making me feel welcome. This was going to be my first stop before arriving at the palace later.

 

I entered the big vestibule and marveled at the grandiosity of the architecture. This was indeed a heritage for humanity, a contribution from the finest arts of the 17th Century to the world. I was admiring the details on the dome when soon two government officials escorted me to the grand chamber where the Council meetings were held. Just when we were approaching the doors a mouthwatering smell hit my nose making me step into the room. I was surprised it was empty, “There’s no one here”. I exclaimed. “I beg your pardon my Lady, are you looking for something?

 

“Or someone, I could have bet I smelled something fresh and woodsy like coming out from the forest.” At the same time someone cleared his throat behind me.

 

“I hope my fragrance is of your liking Lady Viviane. Thank you for the compliment."