Chapter 29 - Preparations
Today was the big day, the Annual Edensville Christmas Float Parade. The city was buzzing with excitement and on my way here, I saw numerous, gorgeous floats being pulled in line. Thankfully, this managed to take the attention away from Crimson and I, at least for now. He’d been released from the hospital four days ago and since then, we haven’t fought or argued or even disagreed on anything! I took part in three charity events and they all were successful and went smoothly. Over $500,000 was even raised for a charity that pays medical bills for sick children!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0jIWQdXDy
Pinky and Lux are also flying in tonight, just in time to see the parade. I’m still a bit uneasy about seeing Lux and his mother since finding out he was my brother. I just pray to God that I’ll keep my chill, at least until we’re back in the capital.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeD17fZcHA
“The only thing you have to do Your Highness is smile and wave at the people. It’s really not hard at all.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01mlu35agk
“And how long will I been doing that for?” I raised an eyebrow at my assistant for the Christmas Float.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqwMeulH0Z
He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “For about five hours.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiqomvqPT8
My eyes widened. FIVE HOURS? Oh hell no! I thought this was like a one hour event! “Five hours? Are you insane? It’s twenty degrees outside and you expect me to stand and wave on a float for five hours while I succumb from hypothermia?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOp5Gc7O0w
“No no Your Highness!” He furiously shook his hands. “The float you’ll be on will have an incubator at the top for you. You and your escort will be perfectly warm.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuCFP3dlAG
“I’m sorry what?” I leaned closer to him. “An escort? Since when do I have an escort?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs73xws0OQ7
“Since always,” He said. “A student from Edensville Highschool is always chosen as an escort for the royal who takes part in the Christmas Float.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VXCvAQ8qO
You’ve gotta be shitting me.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9BvIdkHDO
“Well why wasn’t I informed of this!” I said annoyed. “Do you people not tell people things anymore?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpgV2PzY5o
“I-I’m sorry Your Highness!” He stuttered. “But I thought you would’ve been informed! I’m sorry but it’s protocol and the student is already here and prepared.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVbOiYxjic
Grabbing the bridge of my nose, I sighed deeply as Crimson reassuringly patted my back. “Ok ok fine, moving on,” I said. “Which float am I going to be on?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWYyM8jlop
He smiled. “The front one which has the theme “An Evening With Santa and the Snowflakes”.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVPZFjWoxO
Cheesy much.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dmupv32Em
“Are you sure I just have to smile and wave?” I asked skeptically. “Because if I get up on that thing and they tell me I have to perform Jingle Bells, their will be a problem!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMCWXt1Nf1
“I assure you that you won’t be Your Highness!” He smiled reassuringly. “I am positive that things will run smoothly for you and your escort tonight.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUVywi9fUA
“Who is my escort by the way?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXOLlGjkdN
“Well, that would be-”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtasxf5FX4
“YO CRIMSON? IS THAT YOU DUDE?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLjpA5e9tx
The three of us whipped around to see a big burly blonde guy in overly baggy sweats and a hat that was nearly falling of his head. “DUDE I HEAR YOU’RE WORKING FOR THE PRINCESS NOW!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7YIxS8JJS
What?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rmkfc3QDV
“Landon?” Crimson asked squinting his eyes at this guy. “Is that you? Hey man, it’s been forever!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlOW8ICaQd
Crimson walked over to him and gave him a man-hug. He’s acquainted with this guy?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZECcaVSmb
“Alex, this is one of my friends from Edensville High and their star baseball player, Landon Hunt. Landon this is Princess Alex, she’s mi- I’m her royal guard.” He quickly corrected his slip up.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MXVZRV2sY
Landon came over and began circling me like a lion before he stopped directly in front of me and held out his hand with a wide grin plastered on his face. “Nice to meet ya Princessey! You know, you’re really hot.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgN7xNmWkh
Was this guy never taught how to interact with royals in school? He could be arrested for talking to me like that! And that the hell was a Princessey?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LCsKj7gRM
My assistant looked appalled at Landon’s word and Crimson immediately intervened. “Hey man! You can’t say things like that to her! She’s a princess!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcVJwnySlt
“What did I say wrong?” He asked furrowing his brows. “She is a Princessey and she is smoking hot! Wait, do I need her permission to call her Princessey? Hey, Princessey, can I call you Princessey?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI98Wn39ZG
What the hell is happening?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9QDRyAluU
“What?” I scrunched my face in confusion. “I’m sorry but, who are you?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDvaf6cTEr
“Didn’t you hear Crimson?” He scratched his head. “I’m Landon Hunt.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7IiZmVyUb
“Well then, Landon Hunt,” I mocked. “What are you doing here?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XNpJT9Lfy
“That’s what I was trying to tell you Princess.” My assistant chimed. “He was chosen to be your escort for the float.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTdppF0tRt
“WHAT!” Crimson and I shouted in unison as our eyes widened.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3LbKKoEK3
“Yeah dudes!” Landon grinned. “I was just at practice the other day, baseballing, and the principal came out of nowhere and asked me if I wanted to be in the float parade as the princess’s escort. And I was like ‘Yeah dude!’ It was a truly awesome moment.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc4lnU2jDm
“Wha?” I said confused. “How? No, why the hell did they choose you? Just because you play baseball? Why didn’t they pick the smartest student?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF9xpDQfsI
“Brains are overrated now-a-days Princessey!” He casually slung his arm over my shoulder as if we were the best of friends. “People are into sports!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpd646FCjz
Absolutely horrified, I turned to my assistant and tugged on his coat. “Please don’t make me do this! PLEASE! FIVE HOURS WITH HIM?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUPNhVyZzv
He scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry Your Highness but their is nothing I can do at this point. The float starts in less than six hours.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxYHEbZpwP
So this was my sealed fate then? Trapped on a giant float for five hours with an imbecile?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs5UCEgcq8
Feeling as if I have nothing else left to live for, I began so sob as I slowly fell to my knees and curled up in a ball as I let out my frustrations. “OH DEAR GOD WHY?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DGnRPT7KF
The three guys were all unsure of what to do and Crimson knelt done beside me and began awkwardly rubbing my back. “There, there.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLADaH1Vpwv
“Aw man I’m sorry Princessey,” Landon said kneeling on the other side of me. “I knew Crimson was ugly but I didn’t know he looked so bad that it makes you cry like this.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK370ZeXpp
“WHAT DID YOU SAY PUNK!” Crimson flared up at him. “YOU SHOULD BE THE LAST ONE TALKING ABOUT LOOKS! YOU LOOK LIKE A DAMN DONKEY!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2zJOVPxyG
“AT LEAST I DON’T LOOK LIKE AN ASS!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWZP5IJpUT
“THAT’S THE SAME AS A DONKEY YOU IDIOT!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FovDtqTBb
“YEAH WELL, YOU’RE A TURKEY!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RKyufEGwG
Those two idiots continued to bicker back and forth as I lied on the ground and sobbed my life away.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bwQnUfAvd
“I don’t know if it’ll make you feel better Princess but,” My assistant said stooping in front of me. “Would you like some ice cream?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekpV5qDO03
My now teary and snotty face looked up at him as I nodded furiously. “Please!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBCIviId5R
...812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cvUJFmpbS
“Princess keep your head still!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G0tD0Dlb3
“How can I when it feels like Dominic is ripping out my scalp!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle1BcZXxo5
“THIRTY MINUTES TILL WE GO LIVE PEOPLE! GET THE PRINCESS AND HER ESCORT READY IN FIFTEEN!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBaAnwRbEX
“Princess stay still so I can button up your dress!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMNqOMSY1I
“WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE WANT FROM ME!” I shouted at my glam squad who flew all the way from the capital just to get me ready for tonight. I really have to give them a raise for this.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNpOCjq0bn
I knew I would have to dress up for this event, but Ava went all out with my dress. You remember that big gorgeous yellow dress the Belle wore when she danced in the ballroom with the beast in, “Beauty and the Beast”? Well, Ava got an exact replica of that dress made. Only difference was it was red and had over three hundred mini diamonds as sequences. I even had shimmering elbow length gloves to match.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eDAOzEPuL
“We want you to stay still!” Tiffany rolled her eyes as she painted my lips a bright red. “Now stay still! You’re making this way harder than it needs to be.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLGbqg1gTD
“Where is Landon?” I asked. “He better be dressed and ready in time. AND WHERE IS CRIMSON CROSS?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr6l23k847
“Here!” Crimson poked his behind my curtain as he annoyingly munched on some popcorn. Where the hell did he even get that from? “Wow, you look gorgeous! Red suits you.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV2RIoDr4L
“I know right!” Ava beamed. “Well anything suits our beautiful princess but red just looks extra gorgeous on her!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLHMjz221V
“So where’s that dumb-dumb?” He referred to Landon.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfEhfg5psO
“Who knows,” I twisted my face as Dominic twisted my curly locks in an elegant low bun. “He just better be ready in time.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ys7kNcqeL
“Did I hear my Princessey calling for me?” Landon said as he magically appeared from behind the curtain, decked out in a velvet red and white suit, top hat and all, with a huge candy cane in his hand. When he saw me, he whistled in approval and pointed his cane at me. “My smoking hot Princessey, a sexy lady in red. It is my awesomely awesome pleasure to be your escort tonight.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSFFf2PFFB
He bowed in front of me, even taking my hand and kissed it. I snuck a glance at Crimson and he was not happy about it. He clenched his popcorn bag tightly, making them all spill onto the floor.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQq3yo1yU2
“Hey, watch the hands!” He said before pushing Landon away from me. “She’s still getting ready so get out until she’s done!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDuwwhnS72
“Well your here dude!” Landon said. “If I have to leave, why don’t you?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIXsYY1i9G
“Cause I’m her Royal Guard dumbass! I get paid to be around her 24/7!” Crimson seethed.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOqm1N10FU
“Well I’m her escort, so I have to escort her to the float!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhabgLKkdJ
“I’LL ESCORT HER!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbjwSQK9jE
“HEY!” I shouted grabbing both of their attention. “Both of you leave!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApVBqXyEIp
“WHAT!” Crimson’s eyes widened. “Alex, you can’t be serious? Why am I even in trouble? He’s the one who-”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaOdN4K7iH
“Crimson?” I said warningly as I narrowed my eyes at him.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgIruentGk
He sighed and grumbled under his breath before grabbing Landon harshly behind his neck and tugging him behind the curtain.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4b0Ylj5MK
“Honestly, they’re like children.” I huffed.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qo9qdJD20
Tiffany chuckled as she finished up perfecting my eyebrows. “That Royal Guard of yours really is a handful. But he’s a cutie! Don’t you agree Princess?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLwxyPHfwz
“Undeniably so,” I said trying to be nonchalant. Crimson was more than a cutie, he was sex-on-legs!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekfUxxtyjK
“How do you resist his attractiveness?” Ava asked. “Royal Guard or not I would’ve been all up on that 24/7!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY7rQy7jYU
If you only knew.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6od3D3UHk
“It’s against the law for us to be together like that,” I said. “Crimson’s a great Royal Guard and I don’t want him to get fired.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZQTXmOXRY
“Yeah, but sometimes you have to take risks honey.” Dominic said pinning my tiara in place. “Life’s way too boring if you don’t.”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEJTfZM46V
“Yeah but-”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6dtqXqKWj
“You should enjoy your life the way you want!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpW4GvJd0m
“It’s not-”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrdoRxH37A
“If being with him makes you happy then be happy!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXcTfxraEk
“LISTEN!” I shouted before regaining my composure. “Thank you but, their is nothing going on romantically between Crimson and I. He’s my Royal Guard and my friend, that’s all.” I lied.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhhHjagP0b
They all looked at me skeptically for a few moments before finally deciding to drop the issue. I wonder what even brought all that on? Were Crimson and I being affectionate and they caught sight of it? Or did they see us making out in the closet? Dear God, if they did, I just hope they don’t say anything!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dztd3na9Q
“Sorry for bombarding you so much Princess,” Ava said as they’d finally finished getting me ready. “But please, we’ve noticed that you seemed a bit more stressed lately and all we want is for you to be happy. Even if you are a princess, just do whatever makes you happy! You’ll be thankful that you did in the long run!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx9PE5Qc9h
I really wish I could Ava. But, reality prevents me from being happy; because of who I am, their are certain happy things in life I cannot enjoy. And to mock me even more, the universe sends a piece of happiness to me, but I am only allowed to skim the top, never getting to fully indulge without any restrictions, limits or doubts. But as for right now, I am content with skimming the surface for such a long time, because when I eventually reach the middle, it’ll be worth the wait.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt8TvPTbJB
“Your Highness!” my assistance came behind the curtain. “It’s time to get on the float!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINDnMwyihf
Sigh, let’s just get this over with.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcENPCynBaE
This dress was very heavy and it slowed down my walking speed by a lot; but damn, I looked gorgeous! I was lead outside where I saw Landon waiting on me with his goofy grin on his face. But I couldn’t even say anything because the freezing cold air of outside slapped me in the face like a bitch!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjm81KATdO
“HOLY SHIT IT’S COLD!” I screamed as my body began shivering. “SOMEONE GET ME A BLANKET...AND SOME HOT CHOCOLATE!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahV8KhRTN0
“SOMEONE GET THE PRINCESSEY A BLANKET AND HOT CHOCOLATE!” Landon repeated.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciXNOaH6i9
“HOW THE HELL AREN’T YOU FREEZING?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17i36v1hD6
“I play baseball dude!” He said as if it was the most logical response ever. Why do I even bother questioning him?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wx89GB8Ga
“Don’t worry Princess, I told you we have an incubator ready for you.” My assistant said as he lead me to the back of a humungous float that I nearly broke my neck trying to look at. From the back, it looked like a giant replica of Santa’s workshop, with a huge snow globe at the very top that I assume where Landon and I will be situated.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2SfhVcu0m
“How that hell are we supposed to get up there?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWTfoJoecw
“If you would come this way,” He led us over to a small lift.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIs0E8husy
“Are you 100% positive that this is stable?” I asked hesitantly as I stepped onto the lift; gripping Landon’s biceps tightly so that I don’t fall.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nTpFWOI0U
“Positive!” He gave me a bright smile before a loud machine sound was heard the lift slowly elevated upwards.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaifPBbJ9vS
“You think they couldn’t have installed railings on this contraption?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyjyvuSWUw
Finally after what felt like hours, Landon and I made it to the top of the float where we were inside the snow globe. And true to my assistant’s word, it was very warm and toasty in here; their was even two fake thrones for us to sit on. This was a bit scary though. Elevated God knows how many feet in the air in a giant clear ball! A banner was in front of us so the people wouldn’t be able to see us until it moved a few feet ahead. But I see streetlights that lined all the way down the long road!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSv99HrgRN
“This is some view!” Landon said as he stood directly in front of the banner; which would mean he can’t see shit except for the back of the banner! “Nice, really nice I tell ya!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqIsDWgDw2
“This is gonna be a long five hours!” I sighed to myself as I plopped down on my throne. “Might as well make myself comfortable.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer6wm2mgyZ
“WE START IN FIVE MINUTES EVERYONE!” Someone shouted from below us.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWmd8U1rNG
Just smile and wave Alex, that’s all you have to do and then you’ll be done. That’s not hard. You’ll be fine! Everything will go smoothly!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWK22YqHa7
“NO STEVE! THE COUNTESS GOES ON THE FLOAT BEHIND THE PRINCESS!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrLwzT2HMa
Say what?812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0Aky1mdI1
I immediately shot up out of my seat and opened the door below this contraption to look down at my assistance. “DID YOU JUST SAY COUNTESS?” 812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6QbUtAa89
“Didn’t you know Your Highness?” He tilted his head to the side.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAJzVTREWF
YOU DUMB FUCKERS DIDN’T TELL ME ALOT OF SHIT!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NkDjZJzP8
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Keep your chill Alexandra. KEEP YOUR MOTHERFUCKIGN CHILL!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRAh0ru0Rt
“Obviously not!” I spat. “What the hell is going on?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8wcNH0pv3
“The countess, your cousin, is also taking apart is the float!”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lS9SGom3k
You.have.got.to.be.shitting.me!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN9tJX0UJ5
Very calmly I shut the door and returned back to my place on the throne. I calmly folded my arms and began taking deep, calming breaths.812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjLpHeH9F0
“Find your happy place!” I said to myself. “Find the peace within your soul?”812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO6fgXsU6X
I WILL KEEP MY CHILL, EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dkYRcotp2
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Next chapter is the Christmas Float!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1kazbpm0X
Follow me on Twitter: @wonderstruck797812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNRccGU9W9
Keep on Reviewing Beautiful People!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBPMSBTqLz
Peace Out and Be Kind!812Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCcUeTZ37w
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