Chapter 39 - British Invasion
-Vinar Palace; Isabella's Room; Morning, 6.30 AM-8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KlHghAHh1
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As the maid lifted the curtains in Isabella's Room at Vinar Palace, golden rays of sunlight flooded the space, illuminating the exquisite marble floors that gleamed like polished gems. The room was a sanctuary of elegance, adorned with intricate frescoes depicting serene landscapes and delicate floral motifs.
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Outside, the palace gardens sprawled majestically, a vibrant tapestry of colors bursting with blooming roses, jasmine, and lavender. The air was fragrant with their sweet perfume, mingling with the crispness of the morning dew. Towering cypress trees framed the garden paths, their silhouettes casting gentle shadows on the ground.
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Isabella stirred awake, her eyelids fluttering as she absorbed the beauty surrounding her. The soft rustle of leaves and the distant sound of a fountain's gentle trickle created a soothing symphony that welcomed her to the day. She blinked against the brightness, feeling a sense of peace envelop her as she took in the splendor outside her window.
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Maria stood by Isabella's bedside, her weathered hands smoothing the pristine white sheets. The morning light filtered through the ornate palace windows, casting a soft golden glow across the room.
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“Good morning, Your Highness,” Maria greeted, bowing low to show her complete respect, loyalty, and trust. The soft morning light poured into the room, illuminating the intricate details of the marble floors and the delicate frescoes that adorned the walls.
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Isabella, a vision of youthful innocence, lay nestled in her luxurious bed, her long blonde hair spread like spun silk across the pillow. Her emerald eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity, wide and bright as she looked up at her beloved maid.
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“Good morning, Maria!” Isabella replied excitedly, her voice bright and cheerful, like a melody that danced through the air.
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She wore a beautiful long white nightdress, delicate and flowing, emphasized her petite frame as she moved with flowing sleeves that brushed against her delicate wrists. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, catching the light and shimmering like spun gold.
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With a childlike innocence and uninhibited enthusiasm of a child that radiated from her very being, Isabella rubbed her eyes sleepily before her emerald gaze sparkled with curiosity. She crawled across the plush silk sheets, reaching out to Maria with open arms. In an instant, she wrapped her slender arms around the older woman, Maria’s waist, pulling her close with a beaming smile that lit up the room. Her embrace was pure and genuine - a moment of unguarded affection that transcended the formal boundaries of royal life.
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“Your Highness, do you know what today is?” Maria asked softly, caressing Isabella's hair with a gentle hand. Her own white hair framed her face like a halo, and her kind eyes sparkled with affection and her gentle laugh lines deepened as she caressed Isabella's golden locks, her touch both maternal and reverent. The contrast between the young princess's vibrant energy and Maria's calm, seasoned presence created a tableau of warmth and deep connection. Her white hair pulled back neatly, Maria looked down at Isabella with eyes that held decades of love and service.
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Isabella tilted her head slightly, pondering as she pouted playfully. "Hmm? Is it the Flower Princess Day?" Isabella questioned, her voice a melodic blend of innocence and excitement.
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Maria's eyes twinkled with a secret, her excitement barely contained. "Haha, no that's not it," she responded as she chuckled warmly, her laughter like a soothing balm, and her voice rich with anticipation. "The Flower Princess Day hasn't been decided yet. But! It is- Make a guess, Your Highness!"
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"NOPE!" Isabella's defiant declaration rang through the opulent chamber, her delicate features contorting into an adorable pout. Her arms crossed dramatically, she turned her face away with the theatrical flair of a young royal unused to being denied.
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"Awwee, Your Highness, please don't be like that-" Maria's gentle plea hung in the air, unfinished.
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*BAM*
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*The Door opens wide*
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The massive ornate door burst open with a thunderous sound that echoed against the marble walls. Luxana strode in—a vision of purpose and determination, her movements precise and powerful. Her presence commanded attention, filling the room with an electric intensity that instantly shifted the atmosphere.
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"HUH? Luxana? What're you-" Isabella's confused protest was cut short.
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Before Isabella could fully comprehend what was happening, Luxana's strong hand seized her right arm. With one swift, decisive motion, she yanked the princess from her luxurious bed, dragging her towards the bathroom situated to the left of the chamber.
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"HEY! HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING-" Her screams were a mixture of shock and indignation, her white nightgown billowing around her as she was unceremoniously pulled across the gleaming floor.
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"YOUR HIGHNESS!" Maria's panicked cry followed, her aged legs scrambling to catch up to the rapidly moving scene.
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*BAM*
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The bathroom door flew open with another resounding crash.
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*THUD*
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Isabella landed on the pristine marble floor, her emerald eyes wide with shock and bewilderment.
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"Stop being a baby, and get ready," Luxana remarked coolly, her tone brooking no argument. As Maria finally reached the bathroom, Luxana swiftly intercepted her, grabbing her arm and—with the same effortless strength—threw her into the bathroom alongside Isabella.
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"10 minutes. That's all you'll get," she declared definitively, shutting the door with a decisive slam.
-Inside Isabella's Bathroom-
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The opulent bathroom, with its gleaming marble surfaces and gold-plated fixtures, suddenly felt claustrophobic. The air was thick with tension, punctuated by the rapid breathing of its two occupants.
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Isabella sat on the cool floor, her white nightdress pooled around her like spilled moonlight. Her emerald eyes, usually sparkling with childlike innocence, were now wide with shock, darting frantically around the room as if searching for an explanation. Her delicate frame shook visibly, each tremor sending ripples through her golden hair.
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"Wha- what- what the hell ju- just happened?" Isabella's voice quivered, the words tumbling out in a disjointed cascade. Her usual poise had evaporated, replaced by raw, unfiltered fear. Her slender fingers gripped the edge of her nightdress, knuckles turning white with the force of her grasp.
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Maria, still reeling from the sudden turn of events, turned to face the young princess. The older woman's weathered face was a canvas of concern and confusion. Her white hair, usually neatly coiffed, now hung in disarray around her face, mirroring the chaos of the moment.
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"Wa...was..........was Prin........Princ..Princess....La....La..Luxana so....so....so scary?" Maria's question came out in fragments, each word seeming to cost her great effort. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and maternal worry, searched Isabella's face for answers.
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The bathroom, usually a sanctuary of calm and luxury, now felt like a gilded cage. The ornate mirror reflected their bewildered expressions, multiplying their confusion. The gentle trickle of water from a not-quite-closed faucet provided an oddly soothing counterpoint to their ragged breathing, a reminder of the normalcy that had been so abruptly shattered.
-Vinar Palace; Guest Room; Morning, 6.47 AM-
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*Door Opens*
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“Oh, that was quick,” the King exclaimed, his voice warm and inviting as he took a leisurely sip of tea. A smile danced across his face, the kind that seemed to light up the entire room.
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I sat opposite him on the parallel sofa, my posture defiantly relaxed. One leg crossed over the other, I formed a fist and rested it on the armrest, leaning my head against it as if the weight of the world rested on my shoulders. The opulence of the room—rich tapestries hanging from the walls and golden accents gleaming in the morning light—felt distant to me. I couldn’t muster the energy to engage with him, despite the grandeur that surrounded us.
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The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed tea mingling with the faint aroma of blooming flowers wafting in from the gardens outside. I could hear the soft rustle of leaves and distant birdsong, but they barely registered in my mind.
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I was pissed. No, scratch that - I was THERMONUCLEAR-LEVEL-ABOUT-TO-EXPLODE-LIKE-A-VOLCANO-EATING-WASABI PISSED OFF! After playing the world's most frustrating game of where-the-heck-are-my-people for AN ENTIRE DAY (seriously, did they join a witness protection program?), Myla and Mylo finally appear at 4 AM... BUT PLOT TWIST...
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They're flanking my dear uncle, aka the self-proclaimed "KING OF DOMINO" (more like King of Ruining-Every-Single-Moment-of-My-Life), who apparently got his PhD in Terrible Timing with a minor in Being-The-Worst-Uncle-Ever. No crown because he probably couldn't fit it over his inflated ego.
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There's Myla and Mylo, my ride-or-dies, my chosen family, my partners-in-surviving-this-royal-circus, standing there looking like they just got caught stealing cookies from the royal kitchen (which, honestly, would have been a better scenario than this). Their faces screaming "SOS" in every known language, including interpretive dance.
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Then this man - this AUDACIOUS MAN - who has the emotional intelligence of a brick wall, hits us with "My beloved daughter" (EXCUSE ME? Did you just "beloved daughter" me? The last time you showed any "beloved" anything was when you found your reflection in a spoon).
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And instead of letting me have ONE MICROSECOND with my actual loved ones, he's got Myla playing royal dress-up-doll with me while Mylo's serving tea like we're having a 4 AM British invasion. TEA? At 4 AM? What's next - midnight croquet? Dawn bagpipes?
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Uncle dearest, I'd rather attend a dance class taught by a three-legged elephant than play happy families with you at this ungodly hour! But here we are, your royal pain-in-my-neck, turning what could have been a beautiful reunion into your personal episode of "How to Ruin Everything in Under 5 Minutes: A Royal Guide"!
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Next time, I'm installing a moat around my bedroom. With alligators. And maybe some passive-aggressive signage: "No Kings Allowed, Especially Uncles Pretending to be Fathers".
I sighed. Oh, wait a minute, did I tell you what I was wearing?
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I wore a fitted long-sleeve riding shirt in brilliant turquoise that hugged my form, accentuating an athletic build. The shirt's mandarin collar framed my neckline elegantly, while subtle white piping along the edges added a touch of refinement. Delicate coral and gold embroidery danced across the shoulders, catching the light with every movement and creating a mesmerizing interplay of colors.
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High-waisted breeches in deep navy blue provided both comfort and functionality, their sleek design featuring zippered pockets that blended practicality with style. Coral accents along the seams tied seamlessly into the ensemble, echoing the vibrant details of the shirt and enhancing the overall aesthetic.
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Knee-high black leather riding boots completed the look, polished to perfection and exuding sophistication. The intricate turquoise stitching on the boots gleamed softly, adding a final flourish of elegance that harmonized beautifully with the shirt.
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Flowing behind me was a light coral cape that began at the waist and cascaded down to cover my backside. Its scalloped hemline lent a touch of whimsy as it billowed gently in the evening breeze, creating a captivating silhouette. Fastened at the front with a delicate turquoise brooch, the cape shimmered like a whisper of color against the fading light, drawing attention to its graceful movement.
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Soft turquoise leather gloves adorned my hands, offering both grip and poise as I prepared for my ride. Atop my head rested a classic riding helmet with a matte black finish, accented by a vibrant turquoise band that framed my fiery cascade of orange hair—a striking contrast that glowed like embers in the dusk.
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This outfit was more than just clothing; it was an expression of confidence, adventure, and elegance—an ensemble that came alive with movement, transforming me into a vision of strength and beauty against nature’s breathtaking canvas. Each element worked in harmony, creating a stunning portrayal of style and spirit that resonated with every heartbeat.
I got up and sat properly, my hands placed one over the other on my thighs on the small two-person sofa right next to him and closed my eyes. I could feel his gaze on me, and when I opened my eyes, I noticed him turning his face away, a silent question lingering in the air.
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His expression was soft, a blend of curiosity and concern, as if he was trying to understand my choice without uttering a word.
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And then suddenly,
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*BAM*
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The door swung open with force.
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"Your Majesty!" Daleyza rushed in, her voice sharp with urgency, as if she’d seen a ghost. She wore an exquisite emerald dress that flowed gracefully around her figure, the rich hue accentuating the warmth of her brown hair and the striking brilliance of her emerald eyes. The dress featured a fitted bodice that flattered her silhouette, with delicate cap sleeves that added a touch of femininity. A subtle shimmer danced across the fabric, catching the light with every movement, enhancing the dress's luxurious appeal.
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The skirt billowed out in soft layers, creating an enchanting effect as she walked. A delicate gold sash cinched at her waist, contrasting beautifully with the deep green and adding a hint of opulence to the ensemble. The gold not only highlighted her curves but also complemented the warm undertones in her hair, which cascaded in soft waves down her back.
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Her accessories were thoughtfully chosen; she wore elegant gold earrings that dangled lightly, catching glimmers of light and drawing attention to her radiant face. A matching bracelet encircled her wrist, its intricate design echoing the elegance of the dress.
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On her feet were strappy sandals in a muted gold that added height without overpowering the outfit. The soft metallic shimmer harmonized perfectly with the emerald tones, creating a cohesive look from head to toe.
As she moved through the room, the combination of emerald green and gold created a captivating aura around her. She exuded confidence and grace, each element of her attire working together to reflect her vibrant personality and timeless elegance.
To be Continued...
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