Chapter Twenty

I don't know how long I sobbed on the main bed, but it was for quite some time. I couldn't tell why I was bawling my eyes out, I just was. I heard my phone ringing, that's why I stopped. I check to see caller ID and see it was a video call from Mamá. I answer and place the phone so it faces the ceiling before wiping my face with my sleeves.

"Hello? Mija?" Mamá always calls me that when she's worried

"Yes Mamá," I hold the phone in front of my face and put on a fake smile.

"You don't have to pretend in front of us mija," Papá says, entering the frame. I drop the act and start sobbing again.

"Mija, what's wrong?" Mamá asks worriedly.

"I don't know!" I hiccup in between sobs.

"It's okay mija, just breath," Papá tries to comfort me. I nod and take a deep breath in, but I only exhale choked sobs.

Panicked, they try to comfort me again, but to no avail.

"What's all the crying about?" I hear Cami in the background. she walks toward the phone. Her eyes were red from crying, and her hair was in a bun. She was wearing an overly large hoodie and sweatpants. She scowls when she sees me.

"Wait! Cami," I say as she turns to leave. "Can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about," she says before leaving.

"We're sorry Carmen, we've tried talking to her," Papá apologizes.

"It's ok," I sniffle. "Um, I got to go, talk tomorrow?" we say our goodbyes and they hang up. I was too numb and tired to get up and shower. I just fall asleep.

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"Your Majesty," I hear Léa whisper next to my ear.

"Hmm?" I rub my eyes.

"It's time for dinner, should we get your bath ready?"

"No, no. didn't I give you the rest of the day off?" I yawn as I stretch.

"His Majesty directly ordered us to get you ready for the signing. We've got your gown ready. Are you going to shower?" she asks.

" Yes," I answer, getting up from the bed and entering my room. On my bed was a fluffy bathrobe. I quickly strip out of my clothing, put on the bathrobe, and enter the bathroom. I take a quick shower before deciding I was going to swim in the pool.

I take off the bathrobe a set it a few feet away before climbing up the highest diving board not realizing how high it was until I got to the top.

"You can do this Carm," I tell myself. I take a few steps back, before running forward, jumping off with a whoop and landing with a loud splash. I stay underwater for some time before resurfacing after hearing muffled yells of concern.

"Your Majesty!" Camille yells, running into the bathroom, followed by Emely and Léa. "Are you alright?" Léa asks.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" lowering myself so they only see me from the neck, up.

"We heard screaming and then there was a splash, we thought you fell," she tells me.

"I'm fine, I jumped from there," I point to the diving board, and Léa and Camille look visibly relieved, Emely was indifferent. They leave, and I get out of the pool and put the bathing robe back on before exiting as well.

I gasp as I see the gown they prepared for me. "Do you like it?" Camille asks dusting it with her hand.

"Like it? I love it!"

It was a blush pink, floor-length, short-sleeved, silk dress with several layers. The chest area showed just the right amount of cleavage, which is just how I like it. "You made this by hand?" I ask, gently touching it. It looked so fragile as if the smallest harsh gesture will have it tearing at the seams.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Léa said giddily.

"No, I was born with white roots. We've tried to get it dyed brown, but it doesn't stick."

I gasp as I see the gown they prepared for me. "Do you like it?" Camille asks dusting it with her hand.

"Like it? I love it!"

It was a blush pink, floor-length, short-sleeved, silk dress with several layers. The chest area showed barely any cleavage, which is just how I like it. "You made this by hand?" I ask, gently touching it. It looked so fragile as if a single harsh gesture will have it tearing at the seams.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Léa said giddily.

"We have to get your hair and makeup done first," Emely reminded them.

They took me to the vanity in my bathroom. Emely started on my hair, while Camille did my toes and Léa my fingers.

"Did you dye your roots?" Emely asks.

"No, I was born with white roots. We've tried to get it dyed brown, but it doesn't stick."

"Hmm," she says, skeptical.

"You have pretty nails!" Léa exclaims.

"And toes!" Camille added.

Confused, I look down and see the nails I got done before the ball. "Clip em'" I say without a hint of hesitation.

"Are you sure?" Léa asks.

"Yes," I look away as they clip the nails from my toes and fingers, one by one.

"What would you like me to do with your hair, Your Majesty?" Emely asked, running her fingers through my hair.

"Something simple?"

"And your nails?" Camille asked.

"maybe something natural?"

Thirty minutes later, they were done. Emely had done a double dutch braid leaving the ends undone and tied them into a ponytail, while Léa and Camille gave me the classic french nails. My nails had grown while the fake nails were on top, they are now almost as long as the fake ones, and they had a coffin shape. Emely also made my makeup light, as per my request. They brought me my dress and waited outside as I carefully put on the dress they made for me. I smiled at myself in the mirror before joining them.

"You look absolutely stunning, You Majesty," Léa breaths, awestruck.

"Absolutely," Camille repeats, equally as stunned. No comment from Emely.

"Thank you."

They open the door for me and we walk down to the main dining hall, where I will be signing myself over to a royal stranger, whom I accidentally slept with.