Chapter 2 THE BALL

The first thing the next morning, I was already at the airport, ready to go. Mom didn't even say a simple goodbye. No wonder she processed everything in one night, just to make sure I was far away from her.

"Make sure you don't cause any trouble, because if you ever get sent back to me, I will make sure I dump you on the street. And also, you now have access to the account that was opened under your name; if I were you, I would use it wisely." That was all she said before she left.

I stood there, staring at her car, until I couldn't see it anymore. I turned and headed inside before they would leave me behind. All the while on the plane, I was tensed and a little scared. What other phase of life am I going to see?

I was told a driver would pick me up once I arrived at the airport. But there are too many people here; how do I find this driver? I am also finding it hard to carry all my luggage; my mom made sure I packed every one of my belongings. I was about to give up on finding this driver guy when I saw a man in a suit. He has paper boldly written "Princess MIA" on it. Just the name on the paper alone was calling people's attention. In those minutes, I thanked God. I was wearing a hoodie, and I quickly covered my face and walked up to him.

"Hi, I am Mia," I said, extending my hands to him for a handshake, but instead of taking my hands, he smiled and bowed.

"Your highness, welcome. This way, please, and let me handle your luggage for you," he said.

"No, my name is Mia; there is no princess attached to it, and no one is calling me your highness. I should be the one showing my respect. I mean, you are old enough to be my father," I told him because everything was weird.

"You have royal blood, and all royals are to be respected," he said before he started putting my luggage in the very beautiful car he came with.

"But I still prefer my name; I am not a princess," I said before I entered the car and we drove off.

Getting to the cattle, two maidens followed me while the others carried my luggage. They led the way while I followed, then they stopped and bowed to a man who was standing at the doorway, but he had his back on us. I am guessing this is my father, the mighty king.

He turned and stared at me for a while. I had no idea what to do or say, so I stared back at him. I couldn't help wondering if he hated me as much as Mom did.

"Eva"

"Yes, your highness."

He said, and of the two ladies that came in with me, the one standing on my left hand answered him with her head bowed.

"Tessa"

"Yes, your highness."

The other one on my right answered the exact same way the first one did.

"See that the princess gets the best room and help her unpack her luggage. Also see that the designer gets here tomorrow to do something about her dressing; she needs to dress like a princess if she is going to be here," my father said, looking like my dressing irritates him.

I was wearing my hoodie and my favorite sports pants. I know I looked like I was about to go for a morning run, but spare me the shit. I hate gowns; I don't like them, and I don't even own one.

I can't believe I have to wear those big-looking ball gowns that princesses wear. Oh Jesus, please save me from this. I said a little prayer before waiting to see what my father had to say.

He kept staring at me with no smiling face; his face doesn't look happy or angry to see me.

"Welcome, Mia. You are to begin your princess duties tomorrow, and Eva and Tessa are your personal maidens. They will see to your feeding, fix you a bath when needed, and inform you when there is a ball or an occasion. All the assistance you want or need will be at your service.

He said it without even blinking.

"Quick question, please: what am I supposed to call you?"

"Mia, I am your father," he said, giving me the answer I was looking for.

"Okay, father, please, I object. Please, no one picks up my clothes for me, and what princess duties are you talking about?" I asked, trying to set things straight.

"You will know by tomorrow."

"Your highness, may I remind you that we have a ball tomorrow?" The lady addressed as Tessa said

"That is true; you must prepare her. I need to introduce her to my friends. Then maybe, in no time, we will find a perfect March for her," he said with a smile on his face.

What did he mean by saying he would find a perfect March for me? Then it hit me: No, no, no, no!!!! Wait, is he trying to marry me off at this age? That was why he wanted me back at age sixteen, because he could marry me off to another kingdom and gain more power.

"Look, your highness, or whatever you call yourself, or should I call you dad? Let me ask for a favor. Don't mess with me. I'm a little crazy sometimes, so if you know all the stupid plans you have on your head that are not in my favor, drop them," I said, surprising him and the two ladies beside me.

"What did you just say?" Didn't your mother teach you some manners?" He asked, looking furious.

But who cares? This is my life, and I must have a say in my own life.

"No, she did not; she was too busy chasing after her dreams to do that, and here I was thinking you were different, but no, you are even worse," I said to him and turned to the two ladies beside me.

"Take me to my room, now!!!" I turned and started heading upstairs, not waiting for them to bow to this man I called a father.

When I got to my room, the two ladies tried to help me unpack, but I dismissed them. I wanted to be alone. I think it is time I accept that I am not wanted, but before I leave, there are things I need to do. First, I need to see my twin brother. I wonder where to find him.

I started unpacking my bags, but not all of them. I knew my days here were numbered. It is time I face the truth. My family doesn't want me, but why? After setting a few of my things in my room, I decided to take a bath before going in search of my brother.

I wanted to try and fit in, but after hearing what my father said, I changed my mind. So I dressed the way I love dressing: I put on my jeans and a crop top, put my hair in a ponytail, and headed down. After walking around for a while, I think I got lost. This castle is big, and then I saw a girl about my age, but I am guessing she works here.

"Excuse me, my name is Mia, and I am kind of looking for Prince Andrew," I told the girl.

She smiled and led the way without saying anything. After walking for a while, she said something that surprised me.

"You know if you want to seduce the prince, that is not the best clothes to wear; you should go for something princess-like and expose," she said with a wide smile on her face.

"Thanks for the advice, but I am not here to seduce the prince, and if I ever think of that, I will definitely take your advice," I replied. She doesn't know me, and my dressing made it seem worse because I caught her a few times staring at it.

"So I am guessing you are a guest in the palace, or, wait, did you come with the princess? I really want to meet her or make her my friend."

"Yes, I am a guest, and I came with the princess. As a matter of fact, she told me to find her brother and inform him that she just arrived." I decided to go with the flow.

"Wow, can we be friends? Well, maybe you can help me make the princess my friend," she said with excitement. Why does she want to be friends with the princess?

"Yes, we can be friends, and I will make sure to tell the princess about you," I said immediately. She showed me my brother's room.

"Thank you so much; by the way, my name is Jennifer, and it was nice meeting you," she said before she left.

I stood outside the door for a while; we haven't seen each other in so many years. And also, why are ladies trying to seduce the prince, a fifteen-year-old teenage boy? That's strange.

I knocked; at first, no one answered, but I didn't give up so quickly. After a while, someone opened the door. Immediately after I saw him, I recognized him; he looked a lot like my mother. I stared at him for a while, and he stared back. Then he looked at me from head to toe, and the first thing he said was.

"What are you wearing?" He asked

"Clothes," I replied, walking past him and entering his room.