Chapter 3: Me a Princess!
We didn't have a second to spare with getting everything ready for tonight in a short amount of time. I was left in charge of the front end. I knew where everything was and where they needed to go.
"Put the programs on that front table on the right and the colorful flags and crowns on the front table on the left," I pointed out.
I talked with the few kitchen staff we had for the evening and came up with the idea of having each person responsible for one of the dishes that go out to the audience. Then, I asked that each server pick a color that represents each knight and they will be responsible for making sure that their side is covered and that they have received their food.
Everybody was in agreement with the plan and working twice as hard to make sure this night is a night that everyone will remember.
Master Neal and Eric are going over the breakdown of the line-up for the show. Eric was excited, but also nervous because not only is this the Championship Tournament, but because he will go up against Tristan.
I am already exhausted from finishing the final touches on the princess robe. I wanted to make sure the princess outfit stands out for tonight tournament.
"Ugh, we are done!", I said to myself. It felt like I have just run a 5k marathon. My lungs are burning and I know I will be feeling all the soreness in the morning, but we have finally finished the preparations for tonight's performance.
Cassie came running towards me and telling by her face, it's not good.
"What's wrong?"
Cassie catches her breath before she tells me what is the matter. She grabbed a gulp of air and started talking.
"It's bad Aubrey."
I'm trying to remain calm so can I figured out what has happened. "Cassie, please calm down and tell me in detail what's wrong."
"Tiffany is in the hospital in labor."
"What? Already? This early?" I was baffled with so many questions, but now we are without a princess.
So we stood in silence lost in thought of what were we going to do. Then when I looked up, my eyes locked with Cassie's blue eyes.
"What?"
Her lips begin to curl up into a smile. She grabbed me by my arm.
"You can be our princess!"
"What?!"
I was totally hit by a bus on this one. I cannot believe that the thought has even crossed her mind. I never ever thought of myself as a princess. I always thought that a young girl, who has a father in her life or formal house training can be considered a princess. I was raised in an orphanage around a lot more boys than girls with not that many rules. Plus, I trained daily in the stables with the guys in the way of being a knight.
"Hahaha. Good one Cassie, but I can't be the princess."
Cassie gave a strong look on her face.
"Why would I joke about something like that? You would be perfect."
"Cassie I don't know anything about being a princess."
"Girl stop it. There is not much to it. Besides you have been a lady in waiting several times."
"Yea, A-Lady-In-Waiting. Not royalty."
Cassie was refusing to back down from this. Eric walks in like he could feel the tension and could probably cut it with a sword.
"Uh, what's going on?"
Cassie crossed her arm and kept her eyes on Aubrey as she explains her frustration.
"Aubrey doesn't want to represent us as our princess."
I waited for Eric's response because I know he would side with me.
"Why not," he asked.
I was shocked.
"What?"
He pulls a chair up and takes a seat.
"I think you would make a great princess. Plus, you deserve it."
"Exactly," Cassie added in.
I am so lost and confused by what just came out of his mouth, and could see it too.
"What? It's no big deal…", he stopped realizing that to me it was a big deal.
He took a deep breath and stand up to look me in my eyes.
"Look, nobody is going to care about your background. Brey, if it wasn't for your efforts and hard work, we wouldn't have been as close as ready as we are."
Cassie reaches for my hand and held it tight.
"This night is happening because of you."
I was speechless what they were saying about me and I appreciate their faith in me.
"Okay. I will do it."
Cassie jumped up with joy and happiness as she hugs me tight.
"But it's just for tonight," I added.
I definitely don't want to make this a habit.
I gather myself as I walk towards the dressing room.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone