8 Chapter 8

"After tonight, everyone who lived in this realm will acknowledge that our princess is the most beautiful princess." Victoria said.

I twirled in delight to show off my dress.

"I don't think I have ever looked this beautiful before." I piped, my eyes admired the dress again.

"Please don't flatter me, Princess." Victoria blushed. "You will look beautiful in anything."

"That's a big lie." I giggled. "You know how to make a girl look beautiful."

Victoria blushed again before glancing at the wall clock that placed on the table beside the queen's sized bed.

"Thank God I could get you ready before 7:30." Victoria sighed.

"You are too much." I mumbled.

"Meaning?"

"Nothing." I chuckled with an innocent smile on my face.

"Annabelle, you better say what's..."

Victoria could not complete her statement because she was cut off by a knock. I suggested the person was Richard or a guard, but a part of me wishes it will be Richard and don't ask me why.

Richard came into the room because Victoria allowed the person to come. He was dressed in a ruby suit with black shoes and a black handkerchief was placed in the suit jacket. He looked so hot!

Richard eyed me from head to toe before giving me a wink. "You look hot, love."

I blushed but tilted my head to the floor so that none could notice it.

Victoria faked a cough. "Richard, you are to take Annabelle to the ball not to flirt with her."

"I am not flirting her." he defended himself. "I am being serious."

"Whatever!" Victoria scoffed before leaving the room.

"Victoria will never change." Richard muttered with a broad smile on his handsome face.

"You know that she is not lying." I said with folded arms.

"What?"

"You were trying to flirt with me." I raised my head up so I could look into his eyes.

"No, I wasn't." he said. "I am serious, you look hot and stunning."

I blushed again.

"Anyway, come it's time to be coronated." Richard announced.

I rolled my eyes at Richard before slipping my ruby heels on. The heels were short, so I know that I wouldn't have to worry about falling while walking.

"Are we ready to go?"

"Yep." I gulped.

I followed Richard down the hallway. I admired the palace I will live in for the rest of my life. 

I am ready for this new life?

"I think you are ready for this new life." Richard's voice brought me back home.

"What?" I asked. "How did you?….."

"I think you have forgotten that we can read minds." Richard chuckled at my shocked facial expression.

"Hey, who gave you the right to read my mind." I questioned before giving punching him on the shoulder.

"I do not understand why I read your mind, but I want you to know one thing."

"Which is?"

"During the coronation party, all you need to do is relax and be yourself." Richard declared in a semi loud voice. 

"Shut up!"

We walked past a vast mirror and I couldn't help myself but admire the reflection the mirror produced. I looked pretty, and it was all thanks to Victoria. The ruby gown looked amazing on me because it was well fitted. The black designs also enhanced my wings and eye colour. 

"See, I told you you look beautiful." Richard said seriously, catching my gaze. 

"Okay, I admit, I look beautiful." I said, before twirling for the third time today. "Now lead me to the ballroom."

"Your highness." Richard said in a fake British accent. 

"Shut up!" 

*******

"You need to breathe dear." Richard muttered. 

"I am nervous." I admit.

"All you need to do is to breathe and have fun and also remember that you will sit next to your grandfather." 

"Duh, I already know that." I snapped at Richard. 

"Come down, love." he chuckled. 

"Who sits beside him normally?" I asked. 

"Well, the prominent ministers and officials sit beside the King." 

"I am too scared." I bit my lips and closed my eyes. 

"When we wanted to see your grandfather you were scared but did anything go wrong?" 

"No."

"Then stop panicking because everything will be alright." Richard assured. 

Richard opened the door that leads to the throne room and a mixture of unique fragrance filled my nose.

I pray Richard will accompany me in. 

"I am accompanying you." Richard said with a smirk on his face.

"Yes... I mean, why?" 

"Well, because I sit beside your grandfather, princess." He winked at me. 

I wanted to ask why, but I know that Richard will not answer me because of the coronation party we need to attend. 

"Ready?" he asked. 

I nodded, took a deep breath before stepping into the enormous room. 

The throne room looked the same, the only difference was the decorations that had been put in the palace by Richard. Everyone was sited in an arranged manner, some were chatting among themselves while some praised the throne room. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a grand standing ovation because The Firce Princess has finally arrived." A guard announced upon seeing Richard and I. 

Everyone rose to their feet, and all eyes were on me. I took in deep breaths before glancing at Richard, who gave an encouraging smile. 

Recalling the walking lessons my mum taught me, I held my head high, straightened my back and stepped slowly towards my grandfather while Richard followed me from behind. 

My grandfather rose and extended his hand for me to accept when I got close to the elevated platform where the five sapphire thrones were placed. I accepted his hand and smiled at him. 

"Victoria is wonderful." my grandfather mumbled close to my ear. "If your mum and dad were here, they would have been the happiest parents alive." 

I smiled and wiped the tears that had fallen from my eyes I really wished my parents were alive to see me in this dress; I wish there were present so they will witness my coronation party. 

I miss you so much, but I know that you are in a much better place.

"I welcome you all to The Coronation Party of Princess Annabelle." my grandfather announced, his voice boomed throughout the room because of the microphone. "Annabelle has been away from us for seventeen whole years and we have patiently been waiting for our princess to return to us. As you all know Annabelle is the daughter of my late son Loius and my late daughter-in-law Indra, so this makes her the rightly Princess of Firce. This coronation party is only a formality so that all the people that live in the Mystic Realm know about her arrival." 

I looked around the entire room, some people were dressed like Firce while some were dressed differently. Could be the dwellers of the people of the other kingdoms in the Mystic Realm. 

My grandfather brought the same crown he got from the safe while we were discussing. He walked to me with the crown in his hands and a broad smile on his face. "I crown you as The Firce Princess, you are our Princess, which means you are entitled to all the rights a person from the royal family gains." 

My grandfather placed the crown on head and everyone presented clapped and cheered for The Firce Princess.