"Melanie, wake up. It's time to face the day," soft familiar cooing awoke me from my slumber. In my daze of sleepiness, I figured it was my mother. It did confuse me at first, after all, why would my mother bother? She usually sent in my handmaiden to wake me up, regardless if it was a special occasion or not.

But then I hazily opened my eyes to regard the scenario around me, and after spotting the gentle violet colour, I realized that it wasn't my mother. I quickly forced myself into a sitting position, my eyes crossing vision until I received clear sight. Sarina sat at my bedside in a nice white dress, shooting me a large smile. I blinked in confusion, shaking my head until I was a little more awake.

"Sarina? What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice still a bit sleepy.

"I'm here to celebrate your birthday, silly," she said with a little giggle, reaching over to move some caramel strands away from my eyes. I frowned slightly.

"What? What time is it?" I looked away from her to the bedside clock, and was surprised for it to read 5:48 AM. "Bloody hell, Sarina. Don't you think this is too early?" I looked back at her with wide, questioning eyes. She smiled gently in response.

"It is never too early to start preparing for your birthday. I mean, I went to all of the trouble of bribing your handmaiden to let me to help you today," I adjusted my seating position, finally feeling like a more awake human being.

"You did what?" she shrugged her shoulders casually.

"Yeah. Also, your brothers found out for me but it turns out you were born at about twenty past eight at night, so until then, you are still seventeen in my eyes," she casually flicked my nose, causing me to groan a little.

"Then why am I awake so early?" Sarina only chuckled in response, shaking her head. She climbed off my bed and moved towards my closet, a little sway in her hips.

"Breakfast is at eight, so I have two hours to pamper you to perfection!" I sighed deeply, shaking my head but inevitably swung my lungs over to the floor and stood up. "Now, what to wear..." Sarina debated, regarding everything in the walking closet. Meanwhile I headed into my private bathroom where I quickly brushed my hair into a more tameable position to work with before joining her side.

"How'd you even get in here?" I questioned Sarina once she was in my sight again. She hummed in thought for a second.

"Your brothers really do care for you, you know? Also, I've been here quite a few times before so they let me in at the entrance," my eyes widened at this.

"Really?" I asked in surprise. She nodded in response.

"They called me the 'Friend of the Crown' which is kind of cool. I have a title," she turned towards me with a large smile, her teeth glittering. When had she been given a title? Was it per request of my brother? Did this happen when I was in Spain? Most likely. "I think that you would look good in blue," Sarina commented, holding out a navy blue dress. She headed to my body and held it against my figure, inspecting it against my skin tone.

"And the verdict?"

"Ah, oui, oui, mademoiselle," she responded, walking past me to place the dress on the bed. "I think it will be perfect!"

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

After a relaxing bath, a foot massage and the longest hairstyling I had ever been a part of, Sarina decided that I looked presentable. She designed her own hair into something beautiful, the violet colours fitting perfect with the simple white dress she wore. She used some of my heels, not possessing such things herself. By the time breakfast swung around, we both were looking pretty good. Sarina looked angelic, but I wouldn't dare admit it out loud.

Ian fetched us for breakfast, seemingly aware of Sarina's presence. I was surprised at how calm she was now in comparison to the royal dinner she attended weeks ago. Then again, had she not had a private conversation with my parents? I'm sure all her fears washed away at that time.

The banquet hall was decorated beautifully, clearly for the festivities taking place later the day. For now it was just us six attending breakfast, and as I headed into the room, it was the twins who broke the formal code first as they rushed over to my side. They burrowed themselves into my shoulders, causing me to laugh hysterically as I almost stumbled off my heels. I could hear Sarina chuckle behind me, and I almost wanted to send her a sly grin.

"I cannot believe it! I didn't think it would happen but you are actually capable of maturing!" Bartholomew commented causing my jaw to slack in surprise.

"Excuse you!" I chuckled, ruffling up his jelled hair. He immediately began to screech like a banshee, trying to save his hair like a drama queen. Cornelius just laughed and hugged me tighter, my form having to bend down to hug him. I might be short, but at least I was taller than my brothers right now. I'm sure that fact will change soon enough.

"Happy birthday!" he cheered happily, and I couldn't help but return his bright smile.

"Thank you so much," I hugged him tighter before releasing him, the twins moving over to greet Sarina while I headed to my parents.

"My little princess, already growing up! It's almost a nightmare," I laughed at my father's words, allowing myself to be pulled to his chest.

"Eighteen years old. Good gracious," my mother commented, shaking her head with a smile as she joined our hug. It was clear that they were a little motional about today, and I was surprised at how composed they kept themselves. After a quick exchange between us, Sarina came over to greet my parents formally. My father found her slight stiffness funny, patting her on the back. It brought a smile to my face how well my family accepted Sarina, as if she was always one of us. Just this sight in front of me was a gift enough.

Breakfast was tremendously satisfactory. It held all my favourite dishes, moving from croissants to an English breakfast. My stomach felt torn by the end of it, and I couldn't help but wonder how dinner was going to be like. My father explained the schedule for today, although he explained minimal of what was actually going to take place. Merely that I had the rest of the morning to myself and starting the afternoon, we would be moving to St James's Park. That already gave me quite the idea about what was going to happen, and it frightened me a little.

But, as far as my mother's viewing of a birthday gift went, Sarina was allowed to tag along as long as she wasn't seen by the public eye. We could manage that, I'm sure. I was eternally grateful to now have Sarina by my side on this occasion, as I usually only spent it with my family and with Caleb. Now I had someone who understood my feelings.

That is why, for the rest of the morning, we did nothing but watch movies in the screening room. Time flew quickly because of it, Sarina making ridiculous comments through the films which made me ultimately laugh more than I should have. She loved pointing out director flaws, and that made me realize how imperfect even the best movies were.

Perfection couldn't be achieved. Not really.

Before we realized it, a few servants interrupted us to touch our appearances up for the festivities. We were then ushered outside where Ian was waiting patiently for us, and now I began to feel a bit nervous. If this was anything like the state ceremonies on my parents' birthdays, then this was going to be a lot more stressful than expected. However, if that was the case then we wouldn't not have been escorted in limousines but rather in carriages.

Luckily, it seemed my parents realised that although my coming of age was important, my coronation topped that.

There were three different cars: one for my parents, one for the twins and one for Sarina and me. She seemed a little surprised when she realized we each had our own individual limousine, but laughed it off sheepishly when she had to remind herself about my status. It was funny seeing how her thought process worked.

The ride was a long one, our conversations taking on the strangest of turns. We talked about Toro and how he hopefully got along with my handmaiden for the day. We talked about where I first adapted my love for rose flavoured items, eventually moving to Sarina's love for cookies and cream. She told me how she started gymnastics, and I told her how I began ballet. Although, our talking went a little sad there. I missed dancing.

I immediately knew when we neared the park, the crowd's loud voices washing over the kingdom like a tidal wave. We entered a back entrance to the park, everyone crowding at the front. A large open square was cleared, audience sitting around the square on pavilions. Above one of the pavilions stood a balcony, leaning over the square. Three thrones sat on top of it, and it was then that I realized that the twins would not yet be making a public appearance. It eased my heart a little.

Speaking of which, we were all in an enclosed room behind the balcony. The twins headed over to Sarina and my side, their clothes not as formal as expected of princes.

"We'll be at the top of one of the pavilions," Bartholomew said a bit cheekily, addressing Sarina. She nodded in understanding.

"Thank you... Cornelius?" she seemed sceptical.

"Bartholomew," he shrugged, not at all bothered that he was mixed up with this twin. The only way I could tell the difference between the two was by looking at their hairline, Bartholomew's being a little more retracted than Cornelius's. Still, I occasionally mixed them up as well.

"Sorry, Highnesses," Sarina apologized, but Bartholomew merely dismissed the notion with a flick of his wrist. He sighed and turned towards me.

"Good luck out there," he told me, and I was a little surprised to hear those words from him. From Cornelius it would be natural, but Bartholomew was cheeky and rarely wished anyone luck when his twin could just do it for him. I smiled and brought the twins into a hug.

"Don't worry about it. This is just like what I went through in Spain, except here I can actually understand what people are saying and no one is being killed by bulls," they seemed to find amusement out of it and after wishing me luck once more, they headed away. Sarina turned to me and quickly brought me into her arms, surprising me at the quick action.

"I'm not quite sure what you're going to do but whatever it is, I wish you well!" she squeezed me tightly before releasing me, showering me with her bright smile. She headed after the twins out of the room, leaving me with my parents and a few guards surrounding the room. Wireless microphones were fitted into our clothes. I was a little fidgety, but after my experience in Spain, I was a lot calmer. I was good with handling surprises now.

My parents were introduced by the trumpet introduction, their bodies stepping elegantly into the spotlight on the balcony. I heard the surrounding people, honouring their Majesties by singing the national anthem in union. I stood watching from the side-lines, barely able to see anything from my angle. I could see Royal Guards surrounding the balcony and the entirety of the square, a portion of the massive square filled up with soldiers. If I had to guess I'd say there were about two thousands soldiers there, which meant that this was either a regiment or a brigade from the army.

Now I felt nervous. This was a lot worse than Spain.

"Be seated," I heard my mother's command, numerous sounds indicating the audience surrounding took their places. She stared over them for a moment before nodding slowly, looking towards my father in signal.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the United Kingdom. I thank you all for joining our celebrations on such sort notice. We had not expected for the Princess to be revealed so early to the public, and not under these circumstances," a few chuckles rang from the crowd, myself feeling embarrassed at this. "Nevertheless, we are here today to officially introduce the only Princess of the Kingdom and to honour her eighteenth birthday today, the age of maturity," my father shortly summarized, not wishing to drag out a long speech. "Without further ado, I introduce to you Her Royal Highness, Princess Melanie Anabelle Darlington the Forth," I took that as my que, heading out into the spotlight. I was deafened by the many voices, the entire regiment of soldiers saluting me at the exact same time. It made me marvel at their discipline. I stood gracefully, my chin a little up and my posture noteworthy. I could see my mother nodding slightly at me with a smile, proudness on her expression.

The crowd all bowed respectfully, the large band I had not previously seen also saluted although a little struggled with their large instruments. This was basically a pintsized version of my parents' birthday pageantries.

After a few more formalities, none of it including me speaking to the public, the three of us took our places on the thrones. Mine was considerably smaller than my parents', but because this was my birthday celebration, I was placed at the front of the balcony. The mass band played music in the background, their beautiful sounds warming my heart. The colonel of the regiment began to march the regiment into the middle of the square, their synchronized movement almost creating an optical illusion. I was even more surprised when the band began to march to the sides of the square, their movements identical even though they were splitting up.

I felt proud of my country.

The colonel took charge and began to shout out various commands, the regiment following them instantaneously. They walked through one another, changed their weapon arms, uncloaked themselves and more; all while doing them synchronized. I was thoroughly impressed, and I could see the crowd was to. This was the quality of British Royal Guards.

The band and the regiment's movements went up to an hour, and I began to debate how hot they must be feeling after all that tedious labour. I respected them and I told my parents that, giving me proud nods in reply to my comment. I could tell they practiced quite a lot for this.

At the end of the event I was struck with even more surprises, such as the Royal Air Force sending a flyby right over our heads. I was truly amazed and to end it all off with something that made me feel unworthy of it, the regiment performed a forty-one gun salute including four canons. I felt truly honoured.

"Let's return to the palace for the banquet," my father said at the end, following my mother and me as we stepped from the balcony. I felt like I was on a happy high, not caring for his words as all I could think about is how special I felt. A portion of the army and so many spectators came today for a performance entirely just for me. There was nothing that could make me feel connected to the kingdom than this.

"Melanie!" I heard calling and saw Sarina entering the room with the twins in pursuit, her face revealing how she felt about the heat as I saw her glistering. I could see my mother give her a quick glance and it took me a moment to realise why my mother would do that. It was probably because she called me by my name. "That was amazing! The Royal Guards really are amazing! I have so much more respect for Ian now," she told me honestly, shaking her head a bit in astonishment. I chuckled at her reply, taking her into my arms for a quick hug.

"Your Majesties, the cars are ready," a guard appeared, bowing his head. Nodding, my mother took the lead and we all followed her outside, full of excitement after the brilliant display of loyalty and talent.