Royal Bliss

ℴ𝓃ℯ

The wise words of a man who lived long, long ago went something like, "Splish splash, I was taking a bath." Bobby Darin did a wonderful job describing my situation at this time and there is simply no better way to put it.

"Liliana! Get the mail!" Mother yelled to me as I got out of the tub.

"One minuet, please!" I called back.

"No, go and get it now!" She scolded from the living room where she sat reading a book.

I groaned and pulled on my robe. The mailman rang the doorbell for like the tenth time. I walked unladylike behind my mother's chair where she sat elegantly and with perfect posture by the fire place.

I opened the door and sat in my hip with my bare leg sticking out of my robe and my hair wrapped in a towel. "Can I help you?" I asked in annoyance.

It wasn't a mail man. It was a royal official. He looked to be about fifty and was wearing a suit with the official symbol of the palace on his breast pocket.

His face turned bright red at the sight of me and his eyes widened. "Um, yes." He stuttered. "Is this the home of Miss Audriana Kent?"

My mother turned quickly at my older sister's name and I watched her face go from excitement to horror in one moment. "Liliana Marie!" She scolded heavily as she walked briskly towards the door. "Go to your room at once!" She whisper-yelled.

I ducked my head and walked slowly to my room. "Don't mind her," I heard my mother say, "she's just the maid. She'll be fired soon."

I am not the maid. I'm just her youngest and most disappointing daughter.

Once I was in my room I dressed quickly in a cute little pink dress with a loose skirt and tied my hair back halfway with matching pink ribbons. I didn't bother with shoes as usual.

I wondered out to the living room where the official sat with my mother, sister, and father. I sat down as gracefully as I could in my chair so I could listen to what was going on. I leaned back comfortably and stared at the floor while I listened to the official talk in a very regal voice.

Regal. That seemed to describe everything around here. Except me, of course. I've never quite mastered the effortless grace that comes with being considered lady-like. My older sister, on the other hand, took that in stride. She was the definition of an ideal daughter. She was graceful, respectful, beautiful, and perfect at everything she did.

She and I looked strikingly similar. We both had the same color of golden blonde hair, but her's was medium length, straight and professional. Mine was long, slightly curly, and playful. While our eyes were the same color of blue bird blue, Audriana's eyes told you that she was of higher status than you as soon as you looked into them. My eyes told you that I have no idea what I'm doing and that I'm probably going to screw something up.

Our skin tones are the most obvious difference between us. Her's was a luringly glowing tan. It was beyond unfair because I spent more time outside in a week than Audri ever had in her whole life. I was very fair skinned and most of the time my cheeks were highlighted with painful sunburn from all of the time I spent outside doing anything except be in the same place as my family.

My sister and I shared a flawless nose, heart face shape, and pink lips. Audri painted hers dark red most of the time, though. Sometimes I feel like she does everything in her power to avoid looking anything like me.

I finally realized my mother was glaring at me and trying to signal that I stop slouching. I quickly scooted up in the chair when I realized I had slid and slouched so much that I was almost laying down.