Wednesday, July 22nd, The Year 2220

Talise Jaleh / Brooke's POV

"Am I going to have to go through this with every occasion we have?"

"Yes, my queen," answered Karael Aarin. She is the head of personal servants that I have available to use.

Karael and several other servants are helping me get dressed. "I appreciate your helping me get dressed, but it's not necessary."

"My queen, it's our responsibility to help you with whatever you need. I have got to say that you are the most pleasant royal to work with."

"You have worked with others before?"

"Yes, my queen. I have been a servant since I was a teen."

"May I ask how old you are?"

"I am 28 years old."

"Listen, I promise not to tell a soul about our conversation. Don't you have dreams? You know, like to become a singer? Teacher? Or, something like that? Did you graduate from school? Sorry for all of the questions."

"It's okay. I graduated from high school but was then thrown into being a servant. I planned to further my education, but that was cancelled. My parents like to gamble or take risks. Let me just tell you that I was the one who was offered as the payment for those risks."

"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry your parents did that to you."

"Thankfully, King Lachlan and Queen Nerina rescued me from the previous royals that I served. As for my dreams, I wanted to become a ballet dancer. And, I love to read." As we continued talking, each of the other girls was in similar situations as Karael - terrible parents.

"Ladies, I will do what I can to make sure your dreams become a reality. Nobody should be forced into something they don't want to do."

"We appreciate it, my queen. But right now, we need to get you ready for your luncheon."

"Aren't you all coming?"

"As servants, we don't attend royal events."

"That is nonsense. Your my personal servants, right?"

"Yes, my queen."

"As of today, that will change. I want you to attend as my guests. Besides, Dalis loves spending time with you. And, if anyone has a problem with you attending, come to find me. I will handle it. You ladies can wear some of the non-maternity outfits."

"Thank you so much."

Karael helped me into my dress, which I love.

We heard a knock on the door.

"Enter."

It was Tristi and Dalis.

"You look amazing."

"Thank you. I want to invite some additional guests to our engagement luncheon."

"That's fine. Who are the guests you want to invite?"

"My personal servants - Karael, Lailah, Maliel, and Chasan."

"Sweetheart, servants have never attended royal events."

"Well, as my first official act, I want my personal servants to attend every event we host. And, to every event I travel to outside of the castle."

"I don't have a problem with it. I'll make sure the ladies are added to the list. See, you are getting a handle already on being a royal. I love it."

"Thank you so much, Lady Talise and Prince Tristian."

"Now, get to stepping so the ladies can get dressed. Dalis can stay."

After sitting Dalis on the bed, Tristi just grinned and walked out of the room.

"Ladies, pick whatever dress you would like. I'll put on your makeup."

***************

Like last night, we waited for us to be announced to enter the dining room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise as the future royal family enters - Prince Tristian Rimulus, Lady Talise Jaleh, and Princess Dalis Raina."

I linked arms with Tristi as the doors opened for us to enter. Our guests began to applaud us as we walked to our seats. I didn't know what to do, so I waved to everyone.

"Is it okay to wave?"

"Yes, sweetheart. Or, nodding is okay too."

Dalis saw me waving, so she did the same. My little princess is so cute.

One of the security guards helped me into my throne. After sitting Dalis in my lap, Tristi sat on his throne.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending this special event. Please enjoy the food and entertainment that were prepared for this occasion," Tristi says. He signaled for the food to be served to us first, then to our guests.

"I am starving." I had salmon, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and mac and cheese. Dalis had a small amount of mashed potatoes and small pieces of chicken nuggets.

"If I keep eating food like this, I am going to be as big as this room. Everything tastes delicious. Okay, I have a question. What am I going to do about my wedding dress?"

"You will not have to leave the castle. Your dressmaker will come here."

"Well, can they come to the castle tomorrow? October will be here soon."

"Of course. I'll make the call for tomorrow afternoon."

"Thanks."

*****************

"I'm satisfyingly stuffed. Is it time for us to dance?"

"It can be. I will have it announced."

Tristian waved one of his personal servants over and explained to him what was to be announced.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for Prince Tristian and Lady Talise to dance."

Tristian grabbed Dalis and handed her to Karael. Them, he took my hand, and we walked to the dance floor.

We are dancing to the same classical music like last night. As Tristian turned me around, I focused on Dalis, who had the biggest smile on her face.

"We have a silly little girl."

"We sure do. Thankfully, Dalis is not a handful like my mother said I was."

"Not yet, at least. I just realized something. Since we have known each other, I never asked or found out how you were as a kid."

"Hopefully, Dalis or Tristian will not act like I did as a kid. I was so destructive that my parents sent me to an obedience school."

"Yeah, I'm hoping the same thing too. I wasn't a saint either. My pretend parents said I was mischievous - always hiding my sibling's toys or things. I even broke some stuff and blamed it on my brothers."

"I was an only child, so I'm guessing that is why I acted out the way I did."

"Well, considering I just found out about my parents and that I am royal, how do you know that you don't have a brother or sister out there somewhere in the Galaxy?"

"Woman, if my parents did that, I wouldn't know whether to be angry or happy. That would mean I missed out on sibling activities."

"I can't tell you how to feel, but I can tell you that I am not angry at my parents. I am thankful they protected me when they did. Yes, we missed years of being apart. But, the other night, they told me how they always kept in contact with Deabora. She would send them pictures of everything me and my siblings did. I saw the pictures myself. You know I will always be there for support, whatever you decide. That's if you have a sibling. You can share my siblings with me."

"Isn't that sweet of you? The music stopped, so let me introduce you to some of the guests. Before we walk around, I need to tell you some of the women here were always after me. So, I already know they are jealous because of the dirty looks they have given you."

As everyone clapped for us, several dancers appeared on the stage to entertain the guests.

"Well, why are they here?"

"Their parents are a part of the royal court. I didn't invite them at all. For the most part, only royals attend events like this. If they harass you or bother you, let me know. I will have them escorted out of the castle. You also have the authority to put them out."

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but if necessary, I will. I don't need any drama because of my pregnancy. I need to check on my friends first. I'll be right back."

I went to talk to Karael, Lailah, Maliel, and Chasan first to see how they were doing. I saw them sitting in a corner, away from everyone. That's not good.

"Hey, ladies. Are you okay? Is the party too much?"

"Lady Talise, we were having a good time until being harassed by Lady Mariel, Lady Pronoia, and Prince Cadriel."

"This is your castle too, and I will not have my friends made to feel uncomfortable in their castle. Where are they now?"

"They are the three that is talking with King Lachlan," Karael then says.

"Ladies, follow me." The king was standing near the balcony, so that is where we walked.

I curtsied before the king. "Excuse me, King Lachlan, but I have something to say to these three. I don't appreciate it when my friends feel embarrassed or humiliated. This castle that you are standing in is mine. It is also my friend's castle. So what they are my personal servants. They are my friends also, and I won't allow any of them to feel hurt in their castle."

"Is this true, Lady Talise?" King Lachlan asked.

"Karael, don't be afraid. Tell the king what they said."

"They questioned your decision to invite personal servants and said why would Prince Tristian pick you to be his queen. They also said we should be somewhere cleaning around the castle or lying in a cold ditch getting ready to die."

"King Lachlan, we said no such thing! They are lying!"

"No, they are not. Every word Karael said is true. I recorded the whole conversation," my brother Drake says.

He played the tape, and I was absolutely disgusted. The king was angry as well.

"That's disgusting! How would you like someone to tell you to die in a ditch?! Security! Escort these people out of my castle! I will not have them abusing any of my friends or servants. And, make sure they NEVER attend any more royal events held here."

"And, add to that any royal events held by the royal family, period," King Lachlan mentioned.

"Yes, Lady Talise and King Lachlan."

"As the three of them were dragged out of the room, one of them yelled, "You will regret making that decision!! You'll regret it!"

"No, I won't!" I yelled back.

"Excuse me, everyone. If anyone else has an issue with me inviting my personal servants, I suggest you leave now. If I hear about anyone else harassing my friends, you will be dealt with. Thank you. Now, enjoy the rest of the party."

The ladies all curtsied. "Thank you so much, Lady Talise."

"You're welcome. I will always have your back. Always remember that."

"I'm proud of the way you handled that."

"Thank you, King Lachlan. I couldn't stand by and let my friends be subjected to abusive speech."

"And, I want to commend you on your first official act. Prince Tristian informed me, and I agree. We will also implement the idea at our castle. It's time for a change in Paerus."

"Thank you again, King Lachlan. And, thank you, Drake."

Tristi brought Dalis over to me. "It's mommy and daughter time. Let's go dance, Dalis."

Hopefully, no more drama happens tonight.

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