Dawn was really surprised when she got home. She couldn't believe whom she saw.
"Surprise!" Two female voices echoed across the living room making her heart skip a bit.
"Victoria!" She was startled.
Victoria was her close cousin. Infact favorite. She was from Scotland. She was the best version of herself.
A bit slender.
Long brunette.
Cute face.
Brown lovely eyes. And a voice that'd make one probably hear her more.
Dawn hurriedly went towards her and hugged her.
"Long time no see."
"I know it's been a while." Victoria remarked smiling at her while facing her mother Queen Marielle who was Leslie's ; Dawn's mum younger sister.
"Aunt Marielle...it's good to see you again." Dawn was excited as she gave her aunt a big warm hug.
"You're too grown up Dawny." The Queen whined as she had a good look of her favorite niece.
"Okay...enough with all that. It's time to hop in the dining table. Aren't you guys starving?" Leslie interrupted their nostalgic moments.
They all agreed and went to the dining room still exchanging unbelievable glances at each other. Dawn sat next to Victoria and Leslie sat next to Queen Marielle.
"So why are you two here all of a sudden?" Dawn asked as she passed a plate towards her mother to serve her the delicious chicken curry with rice.
"Um...a few circumstances." Queen Marielle was hesitant. She knew that Dawn wasn't stupid and she'd ask anyway.
"Like what exactly?" Dawn insisted.
"Well..." The Queen cleared her throat. "Since Victoria is Scotland's Princess... she's being a fraidy cat. She doesn't wanna sit on the throne."
"What! Are you crazy? You should take the throne. Do you know how cool that is?" Dawn bubbled as she faced the Princess.
"No. It's not cool Dawn." Victoria shook her head. She saw Dawn's face frown a bit and felt that she had to explain more.
"You see....am still underage. Am literally 17. And ever since my dad died there's been lots of things going on."
"Well I still don't get it." Dawn put a spoonful of chicken in her mouth.
"You see..." The Queen spoke gracefully. "Ever since my husband died..there has to be an heir to the throne. That's how it goes. It's an hierarchy. And so since he was the King and am still the Queen...I can't rule Scotland. There had to be an heir. And that heir is Victoria but she's still underage."
"So what's wrong with that?" Dawn asked.
"I'm still a kid. That's the problem." Victoria quoted the word problem with her fingers in the air.
"Oh I see....so are you guys here for a vacation or what?" Dawn was really excited. This was the best surprise her mother ever got her.
"No they are not." Leslie answered wiping her lips with a serviette. "They're here to stay." she concluded.
"What!" Dawn exclaimed in joy.
"Actually it's Victoria who's here to stay. I am leaving." Queen Marielle clarified.
"Meaning?" Dawn shook her head.
"I am here to stay." Victoria answered. "My mum's going back to Scotland to rule the kingdom for me till the day I turn 18."
"So you're gonna be here for a whole year?" Dawn couldn't hide her joy. The fact that she'll have a friend and family beside her was the best news ever.
"Yes." Princess Victoria, Queen Marielle and Leslie all replied in a unison and they all laughed after that.
"Does that mean you'll go school with me Victoria?"
"Yes!"she nodded in a big smile.
"Oh am so happy. Mum...this is the best surprise ever."
"I told you." Leslie agreed as she sipped her cold mango juice.
"Oh come on Victoria. Let's go to my room. I have so much to tell you." Dawn jumped out of her seat and grabbed Victoria by her arms and they walked out of the dining leaving their mothers startled.
"Victoria has been through so much. Her father's death has made her so numb all of a sudden." Queen Marielle rubbed her temples as she stared at her glass of red wine.
"That's so sad to hear. Dawn has been through a lot too. Her friends have been ganging up on her recently making her feel so alone and vulnerable. But now am so glad that Victoria is here. I'm sure she won't feel so lonely anymore." Leslie said as she started to clear the table.
"Yeah that's right. By the way...is Dawn's school good? I mean since my Victoria will be joining her there soon."
"Yes. Infact it's the best. But it's so expensive." Leslie remarked.
"Expensive?"
"Yeah. But I don't pay a single cent. That's because Dawn's got a scholarship."
"I know Dawn has always been a smart girl." said the Queen as she helped her sister clear the table.
"Yes she always has been. I guess it runs in the family." Leslie remarked.
"It does." Queen Marielle winked.