“The royal court will be most pleased. Well, I know I will be,” Rose adds somewhat sadly. “It pains me to know my fellow princesses have done nothing to help protect FTRS from Alva’s wrath. My job is to serve you as you serve me, and I will stand by you and this school in its time of need.”
“Thank you, Princess!” a girl calls out and everyone curtsies again. The move happens so quickly that several girls and fairies bump heads.
“I know together we RLWs will prevail against evil,” Princess Rose says. “Like Gillian here.” She looks at me. “I’ve admired the way you’ve handled yourself at FTRS since the first day I saw you. Never becoming too much like the masses or conforming. Just doing what feels right.”
I’m a bit surprised to hear this. “Really?”
“Yes!” She places a hand on my arm. “I myself am this way. Of course, you can only rest on one act of bravery for so long.” She smiles thinly. “If you and your family are going to continue to be seen in a wonderful light, you have to think about what you will do to help Enchantasia next.” My stomach plummets at the thought of my family losing what they’ve just gained.
She pats my hand. “Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out. You need to harness your own power. If you want something, you take it. Don’t wait for anyone to give it to you,” she says, sounding fierce. “That’s what I’m teaching the girls. It’s important to charm the world to get what you want out of it.”
I’ve noticed the princess uses the word “charmed” a lot, but the sentiment doesn’t sound too shabby, if I’m being honest. Power is something I could use more of. Think of how I could use it to help my family and others! “You’re a smart princess,” I say and am surprised to hear the words come out of my mouth.
“Thank you!” Rose smiles. “My fellow princesses might disagree, but a princess in power can do so much more than just sit and look pretty in a carriage. Look at me. I’m making things happen that no one would expect from a former sleeping beauty. I don’t just stay in the castle. I’m out at FTRS, meeting our people and working to help you all gain the power you deserve. Don’t you deserve a say in how your kingdom is run?”
“Yes!” the girls agree, and I find myself saying the same. We all need a say in how things are done around here. The royal court is wrong to leave FTRS hanging, and Flora is crazy to not want our help when we offer it.
“Alva is offering power,” pipes up a pixie in the back, and everyone turns and looks at her with a gasp. I listen closely. “She says if we follow her, we’ll have a say in running the kingdom. All we have to do is join her side.”
A troll girl speaks up. “Would that be so bad? If we’re with Alva, we’d have the kind of power you speak of, Princess Rose. No one messes with a villain.” A few people mumble in agreement.
“Look at all the attacks on the Royal Manor and FTRS and in the village that have happened by being against Alva,” Raza adds. “No one is able to stop her. Well, Gilly did for a half a second, but Alva will be back and this time she’ll have numbers.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I have to tell Jax and the others. I go to stand.
But wait. He doesn’t know I’m here. I need to get more than pixie bread crumbs before I go blabbing about a discussion.
“Having power is something we all want more of,” Rose says thoughtfully. “But you have to decide: Do you have power if you’re following Alva’s orders? I believe we should choose our own destiny. My goal is to make changes that will help everyone, not just one villain.” We take in what Rose is saying. “We should start today’s meeting. Azalea, could you tell us what’s on today’s schedule?”
Azalea stands and curtsies. Rose curtsies, the group curtsies, and I feel like we’re going to curtsy back and forth for hours. Thankfully, Azalea produces a scroll and begins to read. “Today’s Royal Lady-in-Waiting challenge is conversation starters. As we are working on our RLW conversation patch, we will practice having a chat with a fellow commoner and practice how to talk with a royal.”
The consensus in the room is that this RLW patch is very exciting.
“To help with the project, Madame Cleo will be beaming in,” Azalea adds as Dahlia goes to the magic mirror to dial up the Sea Siren who appears on-screen sporting pink hair and pearls laced into her sea-kelp top.
“Darlings! How wonderful to see you,” she drawls. “I trust you’re having a lovely meeting?”
“Yes, Madame Cleo,” the girls say as if on cue. I forget to respond.
“Splendid!” She claps her hands. “As Princess Rose told you, today we will learn the dance of language.” Madame is swimming back and forth across the screen. “As visitation day approaches, it is imperative that you show your parents how far you’ve come since you entered FTRS.”
“Mastering a conversation shows your maturity,” adds Princess Rose. “If you can go from talking to a royal to talking to a beggar, then you can appeal to the masses. Being adored has its rewards. People will follow you anywhere if they like what you have to say.”