Six Months Later, Ellie's 17th Birthday

I'm sitting next to my wonderful sister of seventeen years and my other sister (not by blood) at the dining table of Ellyria-Halbelle kingdom. Now united in democracy, this land is now the town of Ellyribelle. It's a cold winter day outside, and we spent some of the time playing outside in the snow. And thanks to our new government system in place now, the people of the land are able to enjoy a cozy day in the living room to stay warm. I couldn't be more proud of myself and my family for helping them.

It was then time for Ellie to make her wish, after all of us got a slice of the birthday cake. She blew out her candle on her slice, and said: "I wish to be able to know the people more and be more inviting to them." I smiled so wide at that wish because I wanted that, too. I wanted to be able to get to know the people of the town more. We could invite them to events and stuff. Letting them vote was one step closer to knowing and helping them, but, as Ellie continued, "I'd love to interact with them more."
          "Good wish, Ellie!" Mom finally said.
          "Why can't you guys go outside tomorrow, maybe, to play with the other kids in town in the snow? I think that would bring them lots of joy. Especially for Christmas coming up soon," Dad suggested.
          "Yeah!" Bella exclaimed. Ugh she's so cute. She's never been this happy before. Probably relieved and excited that her abusive older "brother" is in jail on the opposite side of town.
          "We should totally do that," I nodded in agreement, smiling and winking at Bella.
          "Those old traditional laws that, in the age of technology, these people had to follow before this town became a democracy were so stupid. I will never wear a dress or skirt again for as long as I live!" Ellie exclaimed.
          I cheered along with her in agreement. "Me neither, sis! Let's give the girls more freedom in that realm. We are so far from the days where women were treated as objects and property. I'm so glad those are changed!"
          "Me too, Evee. It's nice to get away from that pressure. I'm realizing how wrong it was to preach them, too," Mom agreed.
          "I would love to start playing some sports myself," Bella's mom said. "Who's up for some hockey on the frozen lake tomorrow?"
          "I am!" I shot my hand up in agreement. "Skating, in general. Let's do it! Invite everyone to skate with us or watch or play the game."

So, the next day, we spent the entire day in our snow gear. Ellie and I skated together, mostly, spinning each other around on the ice and laughing over falling on our butts at some points. I met another girl, my age, who was playing on my team in hockey; her name is Valencia. Her name is as beautiful as she is. Just a regular resident of town... but I think I really, really like her. Mom and Dad wouldn't have previously approved of me having a crush on a girl while I'm also a girl. But they're a lot more understanding and considerate now, correcting the mistakes they've made in the past.

But now, I'd say that life is going great.

Bella's POV

I love that Mommy, Daddy, and I are living with Evee and Ellie. Evee has become like a big sister to me, since she moved into Halbelle Castle for a short time. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have realized how bad Brandon actually was. What turned him into the untruthful and mean boy he is? Mommy and Daddy were kind to him and gave him so much, as they did for me, too. "He took advantage of it all," Evee told me a little while ago after I asked her about that. Luckily, I'm away from my mean old brother at just nine years old. I can spend my days happily as I play games, skate, sing, dance, and eat amazing meals with Evee, Ellie, Mommy, and Daddy.

I hated that royalty system. I still have my bad days now and then, but at least it's a better life overall. "You are amazing, kid," Evee said to me earlier tonight as I had just gone to bed.