Mary POV: Saturday, September 14th

Today was gonna be a long day, today was our important meeting. Jacob decided to stay behind since it was just a meeting for us three royals. We just slipped on casual clothes, jean pants, and a top to match. Susan chose light blue jeans with a black cardigan and brown zipper heel boots. Lucy wore cream colored pants with a darker creamed colored button up top that is tucked in her pants, and light yellow strap heeled sandals. For myself, blue jeans with a white blouse and black ankle strap heels.

I just finished brushing my hair as Susan sprays a bit of perfume on herself.

"I'm so nervous." Lucy looks at herself in the handheld mirror.

Susan stands up, "You shouldn't be, you'll be fine. It's gonna take about 45 minutes, or more for the meeting."

I gathered all of my items up and put them away.

Susan finishes what she was doing and cleans off her bed, "Jacob says that our driver is here. Let's go."

Lucy puts away her mirror and grabs her phone. I also retrieved my phone before we all left our dorm. Descending down stairs and out towards the front gate. Our ride was already there waiting for us.

The driver opened the car door, "Welcome, your highnesses."

We entered, and buckled as our door was closed and the driver returned to the driver seat. I looked out the window at Cherryton as we pulled away.

Hopefully this goes smoothly.

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After a long drive that took over half an hour, we reached the gates of Archeania. The city bustling with movement and talk. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the partly cloudy day. Our car passes a road that doesn't exist anymore but has changed into an open area for more people to walk down it. There were shops and restaurants, almost like a mall but outside. At the moment, somebody was hanging up a large banner that went across the area. From building to building, it read "Autumn Season: Farmers Market".

"Looks like the farmers market is being set up." I pointed out.

"That's good." Replied Susan.

Lucy leans up against the window, "Ohhh... I can not wait until autumn is here. All the leaves will turn orange, the smell of Fall."

"Indeed." Susan looks over, "Especially with the spooky season approaching."

Lucy looks over at us, "That's another thing, what are we gonna do for that?"

"I'm not sure." I rubbed my chin, "We will probably tell principal Gon about it so that everyone doesn't get freaked out. But we'll discuss it with the others when they arrive next week."

Both of them nodded to my statement.

After a couple of minutes, we finally arrived at the palace. The car pulled up, we noticed a couple of butlers waiting by the front doors. One of them walks over to our car.

He opens the door, "Welcome back, your highnesses." He bows.

"Thank you." We all said after exiting the vehicle. The rest of the butlers bowed.

We entered the main hall as the butler who opened the car door for us stood in front.

"Your whole family is with his majesty in the drawing room." He turned to lead us.

We followed the butler up the stairs and down the long hallways. I was nervous but I just had to tell myself... It was just a meeting.

We're gonna be fine... it's just gonna be a meeting.

After walking down a couple of hallways, we get to the drawing room. The butler knocks before entering.

"Our royal highnesses have arrived." He bows before stepping aside.

We entered the room to see our family waiting patiently. Dad said in a chair, grandma sat on the couch near my dad on my left reading. She is joined by Aunt Jessica and Uncle Harry. On my right was Uncle Edward and Aunt Alexandria on the other couch.

Grandma lowers her book, "Mary, Susan, and Lucy." She greeted as he removed her glasses.

Everyone got up and greeted us.

"Dad." Susan smiles as Uncle Edward kisses her on the head before giving her a hug.

So did Uncle Harry with Lucy. Until my dad approached, and enveloped me in a hug.

"Hi dad." I looked up at him.

"Hi Mary, how's summer classes holding up?" He takes a step back after hugging me.

"They're going good, we're prepared for school to start up."

"That's good. Now let us begin." He announced to the room.

We all went back to the couches, I gave grandma a kiss on the cheek before sitting down. I sat across from her so that we're both sitting next to my dad. Susan and Lucy sat in between their parents. Then dad clicked one of the buttons that were on the side table next to him.

It alerted the kitchen down stairs. After a couple of minutes, there was a knock on the door. I turned to see Mr. Carson enter with a couple of other butlers holding trays of tea.

"Your tea has arrived, your majesty." He bows.

"Thank you, Mr. Carson." Replied Dad.

Then the butlers walked in and placed the trays of cups and tea pots on the coffee table. Then one butler walked in with a level tier tray. It had small tarts, cookies, mini sandwiches, and other pastries.

Dad turns to Mr Carson, "Thank you again, Mr. Carson."

He bows, "Your majesty." Before turning to lead the butlers out of the room.

It was just my family here, and we began tea time.

"So how's one of my favorite nieces doing?" Uncle Harry shakes my shoulder.

"Great. Cherryton is going good."

"That's good." He bends over a bit to pour himself some tea, "What was the event that you three were helping at in July?"

"It's called the Meteor Festival." Lucy chimes in, "It's an event that animals celebrate which according to them marks when the asteroid hit the earth. And killed the Dinosaurs."

"Interesting..." Uncle Harry sits back up with his tea, "Even though we have no way of finding what date or time when the asteroid hit the earth."

"But it's just something for them to enjoy." Aunt Jessica shoves a pastry into Uncle Harry's mouth.

"I liked Dinosaurs, specifically when I was younger." Uncle Edward puts a spoonful of sugar into his cup. "Also wished to see one in real life."

"Mary, how's Legoshi?" Asked Aunt Alexandria.

With that, all the adults turned and looked at me.

"Oh, he's doing good. He's having a great time at school with us and his friend Jack."

"That's good to hear. I was surprised to meet him when he came here." Aunt Alexandria sipped her tea, "The surprising part was that he was tall, but his eyes were different. He has gray eyes, but his pupils and iris are small. I've never seen that in any person I met before. But he is an interesting and a strong young man."

I glimpsed over at Grandma who was listening while pouring a cup of tea. But what caught my attention was that when Aunt Alexandria said "Gray eyes", and her describing Legoshi's eyes, grandma stopped pouring tea. I don't know why she did but after like 10 seconds, she quickly continued pouring.

"I bet he was terrified of meeting your father." Uncle Edward points towards my dad, "Joseph, did you do the stereotypical dad thing with him? Scare him?"

"No, no... I think he was already nervous when he saw me." Dad replied after taking a sip of tea, "But he was well mannered, bowed, answered my questions calmly, and seemed to me to be a good man. I respect him. Who knows what else that will surprise me about him."

I smiled to myself.

Aunt Jessica turned to look at me, "In all, I've gotta say, you three are doing well at that school. Plus with making new friends."

"Yes, I'm happy that I got to meet the boys of 701, they are fun to hangout with. Especially Jack, he is so nice." Replied Lucy.

Uncle Harry whipped his head towards her, "hangout?"

"Dad... there's nothing wrong with them. All we did was hangout and play games." Lucy quickly replied.

Uncle Harry looked at her with suspicion.

Just then I looked back at grandma who was holding up my cup of tea. Me and her both like the same type of tea flavor, raspberry. She puts a sugar cube in my cup before taking it.

"Thank you." I nod.

She smiles at me.

I stir the sugar cube in my cup until it dissolves.

"Mom and Dad, I got some news for you." Said Susan who is gently holding her cup on her lap. Both her parents looked at her, "There's a girl named Sheila who is in the Drama Club, and is the choreographer of the dance team. She asked me to audition."

"Aww that's great." Aunt Alexandria smiles.

Uncle Edward wrapped his arm around her shoulder and shook it happily. "I hope you'll do good."

"Hopefully, but it'll be great." Susan smiles at her parents.

After a couple of minutes of sipping tea and snacking on the pastries. Dad puts his cup on the coffee table.

He clears his throat to get everyone's attention. "I think it's time to start the meeting."

We all placed our cups on the table and sat up straight.

"So... it comes to my attention that you three are coming of age. From which you will all transition into your adult royal roles of the family." Dad looked at us three, "By next year, you three will turn 18, and I wanna talk about what jobs you wanna do."

Susan, Lucy and I just sat there quietly. Unsure on what to say, we all kinda just looked at one another.

"Or in other terms," Dad continues, "what will you do to help out when I get too busy on certain days?"

"Like for example, "Grandma chimes in, "you can be categorized in what charity you are most supportive of. I am most known for the charity for the homeless. Plus I am one of the leaders of the Archeania Poetry Society."

We all nodded.

"Or that me and your mom do charity for public transit and scholarships for universities." Uncle Harry points to himself and Aunt Jessica as he looks at Lucy.

"Same," replied Uncle Edward as he looked at Susan, "me and your mom do charity for schools like affordable lunches that are delicious. Better classroom environment, and renovating. We also do Museum Charity events where we showcase some of our royal stuff like dresses and jewelry."

"You do a lot." Replied Susan.

Her parents nod.

Grandma turns to me, Now Mary, for your father, he does the most out of us all. We help by doing multiple events. But he primarily focuses on charity for workers like farmers, factory workers, dockworkers, and more. Anything that focuses on the economy, he does. We also sometimes do too. He also does plaque unveiling, public speaking, and visiting around the country. So he does a lot."

I nod as I look at my dad.

"So now it comes to you three now." Dad looks at us, "You must choose what charity you would wanna do. Susan, Lucy, you both will go with your parents to a different room to brainstorm."

They both nod as their parents get up and lead them out. Grandma stood up and walked over to me and sat down. Now it was just me, dad and grandma.

"So Mary, we will have an important discussion with you now." Said Grandma.

"Yeah." I nod.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"This feels... a bit overwhelming." I confessed.

"Don't worry, I was in a similar situation like you when I had to take up more important tasks." Said Dad, "But you'll find your footing. So what would you like to do?"

They both stared at me, I feel like I'm like the suspect in those detective shows where there's a good/bad cop routine. But it's dad and grandma.

"I... I don't know."

"It's alright, how about we give some examples of things you could do in the future." Suggested dad, "Like when I started doing charity events, I was pretty nervous. I didn't know how to talk to people or how to address them for an event like that. But I found my way around it. One certain event that I did, I met your mother for the first time. It was a farming event for the new bill that helped farmers in the countryside."

"That's nice." I replied.

"Ohhh your father fell in love with Diana. I never suspected him finding that one at a charity event. Unlike me who met your grandfather at a local charity party."

Dad puts his hand on top of mine, "Your mother did so much, she started charities for children hospitals, those who had cancer or HIV, children who had disabilities or special needs like autism. She loved children, that's why she was so excited when she found out that she was pregnant with you."

I looked at my dad and smiled.

"You see, it's not too bad." Dad retracted his hand, "Now it's up to you on what to do."

"Alright." I nodded.

"Now," Dad leans over and grabs a piece of paper off the table next to him and hands it to me, "as head of state, and you being the next in line. I must ask you to sign here, accepting your new adult role in the family when the time comes."

I looked at the document, to sum it up it was saying that the heir to the throne when turning 18 will settle into an adult working role. And at the bottom was my dad's and grandma's signature, and there's an empty slot for my name. Dad hands me a pen. I accepted and removed the cap. Leaning forward with the pen to sign my name on top of the coffee table.

But I hesitated.

"What's wrong?" Asked dad.

"I don't feel ready." I mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Asked grandma.

"I just don't feel ready for more of an adult role." I sat up.

Dad raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean not being ready?"

"Like becoming an adult, I don't feel ready for that much responsibility."

"That's just part of life, becoming an adult is inevitable."

"Yeah, but I like being a kid and having fun with friends."

"Mary, I know that you wanna be a kid for longer, listening to music and hanging out with your friends. But time is approaching, and you will have to grow up."

"I don't wanna grow up now. It feels rushed."

"You don't have a choice," Dad crosses his arms, "it's inevitable. You will become an adult."

"But I don't feel ready . Being in such an important role feels stressful." I stood up from the couch, "I don't feel ready to be queen."

"Mary, it doesn't mean that you'll be queen soon. It's just so that this can help slowly start the process and get an example of being in that role." Replied grandma, "And you'll have your family to guide you, and me. I helped your father when your mother passed."

Dad stood up, "You will have us with you, I don't want you to stumble. There will be a time when I won't be around and everyone will be looking to you as a leader."

"But I don't want that time."

"You can't control time, it will move forward no matter what."

"And I don't want to leave my friends."

"You need to understand. The crown must come first with this family." Dad sternly replied.

"Joseph." Grandma tries to calm the situation that is already growing but was cut off.

"I do understand, I just don't feel ready for this much pressure in this family."

"You don't have a choice."

"But I-"

"I know my place! It's time for you to learn your place in this family." Dad snapped at me.

I went silent as I stared at my dad who looked irritated but started calming down.

"I want time to think." I mumbled before leaving the room.

"Mary." Dad called out to me but I already left the room.

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I sat on the couch in my bedroom for a while, dragging by hand through my hair. With my mind all mixed up, I forgot about time.

Knock

Knock

Knock

I didn't budge at who was knocking, but then heard my door open and closed. Footsteps approach me and finally I see it was Grandma.

"Mary..." she looks down, "I understand what you're going through. All this can be overwhelming. I was at an age where I too was overwhelmed by the sudden passing of George's father."

I turned and looked at grandma and was looking down at her hands.

"I didn't know what to do, or where to start. I felt like I wasn't fit to be queen..."

"You didn't?"

"Honestly yes. I wasn't born to be a queen. Fate had me, you know. I met your grandfather at a charity event. It was after my family immigrated to Archeania when I was little, and dad searched as much as he could to find a job and mom to put food on the table." Grandma pulls out a picture and shows it to me. It was a younger picture of her, around my age. She had braids and braces. "I wasn't the prettiest girl in school. It was a shock when I did run into the prince of Holocene. Being embarrassed, and that I met the heir to the throne was a great shock. But your grandfather, apparently I caught his eye."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he said I treated him differently, every girl he met wanted to get close due to him being royal. But I stood out, and a couple months later he asked me out. And then he gave my dad a job as a mechanic for royal vehicles. I was very grateful to him, and he was a loving husband and father."

Grandma smiled.

"So what does this all mean?"

"What I'm trying to say is that, when I joined this family, I didn't know what to do. I too didn't feel like being queen. But after some thinking, I decided that no matter what I will always have the support of those who cared about me. Nobody is perfect, not me, or your dad. We all make mistakes, especially when being in a high position in life." Grandma moves part of my hair to behind my ear, "And I know that your father wants you to be ready and take more responsibility. He's just worried that you will stumble. He's looking out for you, he wants you to succeed where everything was thrown at him suddenly when grandpa passed. And one day, you will succeed him. You must do what is right for our family."

Grandma moves a strand of hair away from my cheek.

"I should talk with dad before I leave."

"That's a good idea, I already talked to him. Ask him for some time to think."

"I will, thanks grandma." I gave her a quick hug before leaving my bedroom.

I quickly made it back to the drawing room, and there's a butler standing out front.

"Is my dad still there?"

He nods before knocking on the door. He opens it and lets me through. Dad was sitting in a chair at a table at the end of the room working.

"Dad."

He looks up and stands up.

"I'm sorry for making you upset." I looked down.

"No, no. I'm sorry." He approaches me, "I shouldn't have rushed this, I know this is overwhelming. But you must come to an agreement with yourself that you will become an adult. And that you will be put into more responsibility."

"Yes dad."

"I love you." Dad pulls me into a hug.

"Love you too."

"Oh, I almost forgot." Dad quickly pulled away, "Before you leave, your grandparents sent over fruit from their farm for you." He picks up a bag from the floor and walks over to me. Inside was a bunch of pears.

"Tell them thank you for me." I looked up at my dad and smiled.

"I will. Also..." Dad picks up the document that I was gonna sign and puts it in joy bag, "You can sign it when you feel ready. And it must be returned to me before the end of the year please."

I nodded.

"I'll see you again I think at Christmas time." Dad hugs me again, "Love you, have a good time at Cherryton." He kisses my head.

"Bye dad." Giving him one more hug before leaving the drawing room.

I waited by the front entrance for Susan and Lucy to join. After a couple minutes, they came down the stairs with their parents.

"Hey Mary, how was your meeting?" Asked Lucy.

"It was... alright." I nodded.

Susan can tell that something happened. She stood next to me, "What happened?" She whispered.

"I'll explain in the car." I mumbled.

We all began to say our goodbyes, grandma quickly walked down the stairs to say goodbye including dad.

"Hey."

I turned to see Uncle Edward, "Be safe."

"Don't worry, I will." I assured him. Uncle Harry came up and ruffled my hair a bit. I give him that fake annoyed look. He just chuckles.

I look over to see dad saying goodbye to Susan and Lucy just as grandma walks up to me, "So how did it go?" She asked.

"We made up."

"That's good. Have a safe trip back." Grandma kisses my cheek before waving.

"I will." Waving back.

We finished saying goodbye as we walked away. I saw my dad and gave him a wave before leaving the palace.

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3rd person:

The three princesses entered the car. Mary sat next to the window and just stared out at the clouds. The car pulls away. Susan and Lucy look at their cousin, not sure how to ask.

"Wanna talk about it?" Asked Susan.

Mary turned and looked at them, "Our meeting didn't end well."

"What happened?" Asked Lucy.

"Dad and I got into an argument."

"Oh no."

"Was it about you feeling not ready?" Asked Susan.

Mary turned to look at them, "Y-yeah."

She then pulls out the document from her bag of pears and hands it to Susan. She looks at it before handing it to Lucy.

"It looks like a huge step, but it doesn't feel frightening."

"I just don't feel perfect for this role... you know. And nobody is perfect." Mary mumbles.

"You're right." Replied Susan. "But all it takes is one step at a time. Besides... you have us."

Mary looks at Susan and Lucy who smile. She nods, "Yeah."

"See... it's all gonna turn out ok."

Lucy hands back the document, "When do you have to sign it?"

"I have to return it before the end of the year." Replied Mary.

"Hopefully you do."

Mary nods as Lucy notices the pears in the bag.

"Are those pears?" She asked.

"Yes, my grandparents sent them from their farm." Replied Mary, "You want one?"

"Yes." Lucy quickly nodded before Mary tossed her one.

"Susan?" Mary holds up a pear to her.

"Sure."

Mary gives a pear to Susan as Lucy quickly begins to consume the pear. May turns and looks back out the window.

'Am I meant to be who I am?'

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Time Skip: 40 minutes, Time: 4:45

The three princesses made it back to Cherryton Academy. They all exited the vehicle and thanked the driver before he bowed and departed.

"I'm hungry." Said Lucy.

"You're always hungry." Replied Susan as they walked down the path under the shaded trees towards the school.

Mary turns to them, "I'm gonna walk around a bit before going to dinner."

"Ok, we will meet you in the cafeteria. Don't forget to change." Said Susan before she and Lucy departed towards the girls' dorms leaving Mary in front of the main school building.

Mary stood there with her bag of pears.

'I need to clear my head.'

She pulled out her phone and decided to listen to some music. She selects a song and begins to walk.

She walked towards the gym building which was on the left when facing the main school building. As she passed it, she looked up towards the gardening club that was on the building directly across from the gym. Mary continues forward towards the numbered buildings. A soft breeze blew by as the sound of the trees rustling filled her ears. She remembers all those times she walked to the Drama Club for rehearsals. And yet she feels like, out of all her family members, she feels different from the rest of them.

Look at me

I will never pass for a perfect bride

Or a perfect daughter

Can it be that I'm not meant to play this part

Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself

I would break my families' heart

Mary turned and walked towards the fountain on the other end of the school.

Who is that girl I see;

Staring straight

Back at me?

Why is my reflection someone I don't know?

Mary continued forward until she reached the fountain area.

Somehow I cannot hide

Who I am

Though I've tried

She looks up at the sky.

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

Mary looked at the fountain's water at her own reflection.

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside

She sits down on the side of the fountain, listening to its waters. Still thinking of what identity she must choose. As both are now in a struggle for power. A princess or a normal girl.

Mary sat at the fountain for about 15 minutes until she decided to do something. She pulled out her phone and texted Legoshi.

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Mary: Hey

Legoshi: Hey

Mary: Can we meet up?

Legoshi: Sure

Mary: Same spot as last time.

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Mary puts her phone away and picks up her bag of pears. She sets off towards the boys dorm. She makes it to the fire escape and begins to ascend up to the 7th floor. Mary makes it to the 7th floor and she sees Legoshi waiting for her. He was wearing some casual clothing, his red medium sleeve shirt that kinda looks big on him, and jaw string shorts that were dark gray.

"Hey." Mary greeted him.

Legoshi stands up straight, "Hey."

"How was your day?" She asked.

"It was... good. Spent the day with Jack."

"That's good."

Legoshi notices Mary carrying a bag, "What's that?"

"My grandparents sent me a bag of pears, do you want one?"

"S-sure." Legoshi nods.

They both sit down on the floor of the fire escape. Mary takes a pear out for herself, then grabs another and quickly tosses it to Legoshi. She picks hers up and takes a bite.

"Mmmm there so good-"

Mary stops mid sentence due to Legoshi's expression. He looked shocked, by the pear he was given. It had black spots all over it. Mary realized that she had given him a moldy pear.

"I am so sorry." Mary quickly drops her pear and takes Legoshi's molded one.

She stands up and throws the molded pear off the fire escape. Mary quickly takes out another pear from her bag that wasn't molded and gives it to Legoshi.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Replied Mary with a smile.

Legoshi takes a bite of the pear, "This is delicious."

"My grandparents are veteran fruit growers. I'll tell them your compliment the next time I visit them." She smiles.

Legoshi begins to wag his tail, "How was your meeting today."

Mary paused for a moment, "It went... well."

Deep down she didn't want to worry Legoshi over her own stuff. She decided to let him enjoy his pear. They both sat and chatted away while enjoying some delicious pears.

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And Done! Sorry it took so long, again. I got busy with school since the last semester was approaching so I had to focus. But don't worry, one it's done I'll be all free to do this. I enjoyed writing this chapter. Plus you get the theme of this book, "Finding One's Identity". Both Mary and Legoshi will experience that. Also hopefully you read in between the lines in this chapter cause I put something in that is kinda a tease. A connect between, hopefully you'll figure it out. Next chapter is gonna be full, the other humans will be arriving and introducing the new characters which will be exciting. Anyways, don't forget to hit the vote button and comment below. They both help push me to continue this story which I wanna share with you all amazing readers. Hope you all are in good health and I'll see you in chapter 5!!!😁💙💛

(Word Count: 4603)