The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)
Chapter 1

"Big smiles." Aunt Freya chides. "Just because we have no respect for them, doesn't mean we have to show it."

Our guests walk into the room with equally big smiles on their faces. I take in their appearances. The woman has pretty blue eyes and light brown hair. Her husband, half a foot taller than her, has brown hair, black eyes, and brown skin.

Their eldest daughter, Henrietta looks more like her younger brother than his twin. They have the same shade of brown hair, eyes, and the same bone structure. The female twin, Amber, is taller than everyone in her family, including her father. Her skin is also darker than her siblings, her hair is black and her eyes are a very light brown.

Aunt Freya made me learn as much as I could about them prior to their arrival. I know the twins are the same age as Grey and Henrietta is 21.

My eyes briefly fall on my aunt's face, she seems so happy to be meeting them. If only they knew how fake her expression was. Minutes before they walked in, she couldn't stop prattling on about them.

"These people are ridiculous," she said. "Everything about them is ridiculous. Why do we have to host them?"

"Simple," Seb said. "Because they're the royal family of Ferona."

She scoffed. "Please. They're not even a real monarchy. They're a joke. Their idiot great grand relative handed all the power to a parliament. They can't legally get involved in politics. They just prance around in crowns doing nothing. I bet the throne won't go past that airhead Caspian."

My aunt shakes the Prince's hand warmly. "Prince Caspian, it is so nice to have you here."

"It's nice to be here." His accent sounds slightly different from Aldean's. "Your country is so beautiful."

"That's such a kind to say." My aunt smiles. "Princess Matilda, you simply must tell me your secret. How do you always look so radiant?"

Princess Matilda, the wife, places her hands on her lap and smiles politely. "No secret at all, just lots of rest. People underestimate the value of a good night's sleep."

My aunt coughs, I'm sure she's thinking of the many ways she can insult her with that. She holds back her tongue for the sake of diplomatic peace. "It's clearly working for you, you look lovely. Henrietta, you just graduated from the Higher Institution. How are you getting ready to fully embrace royal life?"

Henrietta adjusts her skirt. "I've been preparing since I was a baby." She jokes. "But everything is going well, the future has never looked brighter."

My aunt nods. "Matthew and Amber, how is school?"

"School is good, your majesty. I too cannot wait to graduate and start fulfilling my full potential. The future is surely looking bright." Amber replies, there's a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Her twin bites his lip to stifle a laugh and her parents and elder sister look embarrassed.

Matthew wipes the tiny smile off his face. "School is lovely, thank you so much for asking, Your Majesty. I will be starting my third year soon and can't wait to study my major. I'm taking the history of Illyrian dances and a dead language, hopefully, I can use my platform to revive it."

I snort and block my mouth. My family looks annoyed.

"That sounds lovely, Prince Matthew." Seb intervenes. "I've always been saddened by the death of Gilliam as a language, you hardly replace any native speakers."

Matthew gets ready to say something. He's interrupted by his mother.

Princess Matilda sighs. "This palace is just beautiful, can we trouble you for a tour?"

"No problem at all, I cleared my schedule so I could give you one." My aunt is back to fluffy smiles.

"That would be wonderful," Prince Caspian says. "So Infante Matteo, how are you and your family?”

"We're all fine, Greyson joined Blue rose at the beginning of the year. Cassandra the Equestrians, why she did that, I don't know. She despises horses."

They all turn to me and their eyes light up a bit. "Princess Cassandra, how are you enjoying Aldean? I can imagine your experiences must have felt surreal." Prince Caspian asks.

"It was. But my family has been so supportive, it's almost manageable," I joke.

He doesn't seem pleased with that answer. "It's nice to know you've had a good time this past year." I keep nodding. "I watched the annual pledge ceremony last week, only snippets though. I was in back-to-back meetings with my father that day."

"I'm honored."

"Princess Cassandra." Amber starts. "I hope we can be friends, I would love to hear all about growing up on Earth."

I nod even though I know it's a trap. "I'll love that as well, it will be nice to hear about Ferona. I hear it's gorgeous."

She nods. "It is, you should visit soon."

"I'll add it to my list, thank you." Kat and Grey have been quiet this whole time. They expressed dislike for the family an hour earlier.

The Queen takes us all on a tour and uses every opportunity to showcase the wealth and luxury of the castle. "I could have sworn the Holden painting was in this room, or is it in a different castle?" She says this to herself but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Katya, darling, is the painting in the Tarwick castle or the Kenata Manor?"

"It's in the Wembley manor, mother," Kat replies.

"Hard to keep track of everything. So many houses, paintings, and artworks. You know how it is." My aunt shakes her head.

"Tedious." Prince Caspian replies. "So Queen Freya, how is Consort Maxon?"

My eyes go wide, he actually went there. "He's at Malone, unfortunately, work has taken him away." My aunt replies stiffly.

"It seems to be taking him away quite often, he spends more time there than he does at this beautiful palace."

"You know how it is. When your country has a powerful military, it needs a lot of care." She sighs. "Unfortunately, some countries don't understand that."

"You're right, powerful countries have powerful militaries and large ruling families. Like yours, you must be ecstatic at the new addition. It's so nice how you all just welcomed her openly into your lives." Prince Caspian smiles. "And how your laws made it so easy for her to join, your country really does set good precedents."

My cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Why am I in their passive-aggressive argument?

My aunt smiles too and nods. "Thank you, Aldean prides itself on its rules. It's all about making decisions that will benefit your monarchy in the long run. Thinking about the future. Not like you have to worry about that." She laughs. "A lot of people are wondering if the crown will make it to Henrietta, some skeptics don't even think you'll get it. Anyway, let's move on to this wing, built in the 19th century by one of our greatest Queens."

I'm too stunned to move, I hang back at the door. Prince Caspian looks ready to fire some shots. I quickly excuse myself. This was fun, at least till I become a bullet. I ask Seb if I can leave.

"Yes," he replies. "Maybe take Matthew and Amber with you, catch up with people in your age group. Grey, would you like to go with your sister?" Seb asks.

Grey shakes his head. "No, thank you, I'm really enjoying looking at these old paintings." He watches out aunt and the Feronian prince with a joyful glint in his eyes. He and Kat are enjoying this too much.

I leave them and walk off with the royal teens in tow. I don't know where to take them so we go back to the room we first met.

I text my friends on my phone while the twins walk around the room, taking the interior in. I don't blame them, it's gorgeous.

It's the same room where Kat and Grey took their profile pictures. The day after the pledge, I took some pictures here. I wore a lilac dress, the family brooch, and jewels from the vault.

The floors are polished wood, and the white and gold walls are adorned with old and expensive paintings. In the center of the ceiling is a gold and glass chandelier. A dark brown chair is in the middle of the room, opposite it is an equally big white sofa. In front of both is another white sofa, beside it is a gold armchair. Opposite the chair is a large vanity mirror, in the corner of the room is a metal and glass cabinet stacked with trinkets and figurines.

The twins take the white sofa and focus all their attention on me. "So Princess Cassandra, tell us. What is life like as a world-famous Harrington?" Amber leans forward.

"It's fun, what about you? What's life like in Ferona?" I drop my phone on my lap.

"Scarily boring." Amber sighs. "Just stupid functions to attend. Don't know why we even have to go, people are only interested in meeting Henri. They just hope we screw up and they'll have something for the tabloids."

"Tabloids are the worst." I think back to the negative headlines I tried my hardest to block out this past year.

"I imagine that must have sucked for you, being a confused, scared child in the most powerful family in the world. I can only imagine what the press was saying."

Her brother tsks. "Don't be rude, you're upsetting the poor princess."

I keep a straight face. "Don't worry, you're not. It was uncomfortable at first but as I said, my family has made it so much better."

"And they were fully supportive of you taking the pledge?" Her eyes land on my wire tiara. "That piece is breathtaking. I heard it's special."

"It is." I hold her gaze.

"Lucky you then."

My smile is tight. "Excuse me, will you?" I get off my seat and walk out of the room. I'm starting to see why Kat and Grey don't like them, they're awful.

I shake my head. It doesn't matter, they're only staying the night. I just have to see them during dinner and when they're leaving tomorrow. Then I can go back home. And I'll be able to see Tristan.

Later that evening, Kat knocks on my bedroom door.

"Cass." She opens the door. "I need you."

I look up from my laptop. "What's wrong? Where are the Feronians?"

"Settling in the guest wing." She replies. "You missed the greatest battle between Aunt Freya and that Caspian bloke."

"Rude."

"Whatever, he's a prick. Anyway, Milton's is on Sunday."

"I'm aware." I nod.

"What's your plan?"

I wince. "Will there be lots of blood?"

"Yes, and stab wounds and face bashing." She walks into my room. "But that's not why I'm here. I need your help with something." I notice the two pairs of shoes in her hand.

"You want fashion advice?" I'm shocked.

She snorts. "No. I need you to hang out with Caroline for me."

"Who?"

"Our cousin." She explains. "Distant cousin, she's a Harrington."

"Oh. Great Uncle Geoffrey's granddaughter." Our grandparents were cousins, her grandfather was a Harrington, and so was her father. She didn't inherit the dragoit. "Isn't she 21?"

"Yes, you missed her by a year. You're lucky."

"Why am I just meeting her?"

"It's summer, the capitol's social season. Three months of networking and attending charity and sports events. Milton's match just kick-starts the first month. There are so many parties in August, people crawl from the four corners of the country to be here."

"Tristan's going to Sanders for two weeks."

Kat sighs and settles on her bed. "The Oisins do that. They leave right after the games and come back the first week of August."

"Do you know his cousin, Dillon?"

Kat smiles. "Oh, Dillon. I almost forgot he was coming back." Her face is bright. "Miles will be here as well."

"Who is he?"

"An old friend. We were the other's comfort at the boring events we were dragged to as kids."

"Okay?" I urger her on. "Who exactly is he?"

"His full name is Myles Wester, his dad died when he was 10. He's been a Liege ever since. He's rich, he's spoilt, and he's fun."

"Your friend sounds..." I think of the perfect words. "Like he should be Garey's."

She laughs. "I guess. Anyway, his mother put him in military school, long story." Kat is silent for a second, she claps. "Yes, Caroline. Hang out with her."

"I don't know, what will we talk about?"

"Nothing, she'll do all the talking. Just accompany her to this Equestrian event on Monday. You're free that day."

"I wanted to spend the day with Tristan, we haven't talked in a week."

"Go with him then, the three of you will have so much fun."

"No."

"Please, I will do you a massive favor."

"Kat..."

"Come on." She groans till I agree.

"Fine, two hours." I feel defeated.

"All I'm asking." She beams.

There's a knock on the door. "We have to start getting ready for dinner," Grey says. "Don't want to keep the Feronians waiting."

"I hate them," Kat says.

"Me too." Grey and I say at the same time.