The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

I expected news coverage, paparazzi, private investigators, intense journalism. What I wasn’t expecting, was a 19 years old lifestyle blogger with a hundred thousand subscribers. I almost still can’t believe it happened, it went by so fast, I barely had time to process it.

We were having dinner Sunday night, my last night in Aldean and Seb got a text on his phone. He at first didn’t check the notification because he wanted to focus all his attention on us. Then he got more texts and even a phone call. Soon all our phones started going off.

I opened Kat’s text and she asked me if I’ve seen the news yet. She attached a link to the article. I clicked it with trembling hands and read its contents. The title of the article was Royal Scandal of the century: Cassandra Flores?

’Hello everyone, you’re probably wondering what news I have so I’m not going to waste your time. Through intense journaling and questions from students (anonymous) at Brimstone and just unexplainable facts, I have come to the conclusion that Cassandra Flores is actually Princess Cassandra Harrington.

First of all, are you seeing this picture of her and Queen Freya? The resemblance is uncanny. I got it from the magazine I intern at, it’s of the queen and her (alleged) daughter at the Blue Rose fundraiser two weeks ago. The picture wasn’t put in the magazine because our editor-in-chief blocked it (I wonder why).

I decided to interview some students who confirmed that Cassandra has a strange relationship with both the prince and princess. She’s also rumored to be the strongest fire elemental in her class (dragoit?) despite knowing next to nothing about magic before arriving here.

There’s also the fact that her thirteenth birthday coincided with the day The Percival went off. A few weeks after that, the Queen made a secret visit to Earth and the Infante went there at least once a month on ‘business.’ Business that mysteriously stopped after Cassandra started school four months ago.

This is my theory, please tell me if you agree or disagree in the comments section. Also, if I go missing in the next few days, I want you all to hold the royal family accountable. Goodbye everyone, kisses.′

I read it over and over. Please tell me this isn’t happening. Everybody else at the table is quiet.

Grey is the first to speak. “I can’t believe you were outed by a girl whose website name is KimmyLoveAndStuff.”

I feel my lips tug up and want to laugh, not just because it was a good joke but also because if I don’t start laughing, I’ll cry. I snicker and they all turn to look at me. Tears sting my eyes.

“Do you find the situation funny?” Lilian looks annoyed.

“Would you rather I cry?” I wipe a stray tear. “I cannot believe this is happening,” I say as Seb’s phone starts ringing again.

From the look on his face, we all know it’s the Queen. “Yes...yes, I saw it. If anybody’s to blame, it’s you. Why were you in public with her?” He’s quiet for a long time. “So what do we do now, do we deny it?” Long pause. “She’s not ready...I know that, isn’t there anything else we can do?” He sighs deeply and shuts his eyes. “Okay, we’re all here. We’ll be waiting.” He taps a button on his phone, ending the call.

“What did she say?” Lilian asks. “What should we be waiting for?”

“She’s on her way here. She’s bringing Keri and Dent.” His eyes are still closed. “She said the choice is out of Cassie’s hands. The secret is out and now, we should hope the backlash doesn’t destroy us.”

I stand up and grab the table for support, my world physically feels upside down. “I need a minute.” I stumble out of the room and rush up to mine.

I feel my stomach churning and run into my bathroom. I bend over the toilet and vomit my entire dinner into it. After a while, I feel someone hold my hair back. I vomit some more while a hand pats my back gently.

“Okay, just let it out.” Grey’s voice is soothing. “Let it all out.”

I sniff and straighten up. I grab a roll of tissue and wipe my lips. “Grey,” I say in a low voice. “Thanks for that, it must have been disgusting staying here.”

He laughs. “Do you seriously think you’re the first person whose hair I’ve held back while they vomited their guts out?” He asks as I take a seat on the floor. “Heck, do you know how many times I’ve vomited my guts out in far less ideal places?”

I smile softly and get on my knees. I switch the tap in my tub on and splash cold water on my face. I then grab some mouthwash and gurgle. Grey gives me privacy, he waits for me in my bedroom. I take a minute to gather myself before coming out. He’s sprawled across my bed, staring up at the chandelier.

“Can’t believe it’s out.” He muses. “Now everybody knows.”

I take a seat next to him. “Can still deny it,” I say wistfully. Even I know that’s not an option.

“It’s out there, I can bet you hundreds of reporters are already on the case. Interviewing students, friends, looking up your online history. Stalking your parent’s house. Looking for any clue. This could be their big break.”

“My parents, are they safe?” I ask, visibly worried.

“Dad will get someone to look after them. Don’t worry about that.” I lay back, my face is beside his armpit. “What you should be worried about is yourself. Your life is literally going to change overnight.” I look up at him and there’s a small smile on his face. “Your breaks gonna suck as much as mine.”

I poke his armpit and he yelps. “I hate you,” I tell him. “And I’m still leaving tomorrow, I’m not staying here.”

“You can’t. One, it’s not safe and two, Aunt Freya won’t let you. If this family is going down, you’re going down with us.”

I groan. “So I’ll stay here and do what exactly?”

“I don’t know, do interviews, attend functions, play dress up. Anything to show people that you’re a great addition. If not, we’re all done for.” He says this a little too calmly.

“That’s not fair, it’s not my fault they’re coming after the monarchial system of government.”

“It’s everybody’s fault, but at least we’re all doing something to fix it. Now it’s your turn, you’re currently the most famous person in Illyria.”

My phone goes off and I look at my screen, it’s Sara. I contemplate picking the call and decide why not. It’s not like my night can get worse, spoiler, it can. Aunt Freya is still on her way. “Hey, Sara,” I say into the phone.

“Cass.” She sounds surprised. “I wasn’t expecting you to pick up. I thought you’ll be busy.”

“Not yet. But I will be in a few minutes.” I sigh. “You saw the article.”

“I did, so that’s your big secret.” She breathes loudly. “It’s big, really, really, really big.” She’s quiet. “Starting to see why you hid it. But you could have at least told me, I wouldn’t have said anything.”

“My aunt said I couldn’t. Too big a secret.” I tell her.

Her laugh is wobbly. “When I say aunt, I’m talking about my crazy aunt Marj, when you say aunt, you’re talking about the Queen. Strange.”

“Yeah, everything is just so crazy. Didn’t plan on telling anyone or ever even staying in Illyria. Now the choice is out of my hands.” I tell her. “I just wish none of this was happening.”

“Sorry about that, I’m starting to feel like a terrible person for how I treated you in school. I mean, I’m still pissed that you lied and were a terrible friend. But I also can’t imagine what you’ve been going through, keeping all this to yourself.”

“I could have still told you, despite what my family would have said,” I told Mika. “I just didn’t know how you would have reacted. I didn’t want things to get weird.”

“Part of me is glad you didn’t.” She reveals. “I wouldn’t have known what to do with that information.”

“Yeah,” I reply absently. There’s a knock on my door. Seb pokes his head in and clears his throat. “She’s almost here, we should all come downstairs.”

“Is that your dad?” Sara asks.

“We’re coming,” Grey gets off my bed.

“And is that Prince Greyson?” She adds. “Where are you?”

“Sara, I need to go. I’ll call you later. Bye.”

“Um, okay, bye. Talk later.” She cuts the call. I get up from the bed and put my phone in my pocket. We walk down and go to the biggest living room to wait for our guests. I can’t stop tapping my knees in agitation. I just wish I knew what was going to happen.

They arrive a few minutes past eight, my aunt looks the most casual I’ve ever seen her. She’s wearing a long-sleeve designer top and khaki pants but for her, that’s basically a burlap sack. The people she came with, a lanky forty-year-old man and an average height woman in her early thirties.

“Infante Matteo, Lady Lilian. It is a pleasure to see you again.” The man looks up from his phone. He then turns to Grey. “Prince Greyson, can’t believe I’m here and not sorting out one of your messes.”

Grey beams. “Always wonderful meeting you, Dent.” He focuses on the woman. “And Keri, how’s your family?”

Her smile is tight. “How kind of you to ask, they’re alright. I’ll send your regards.”

Kat walks in after them. “Cass, how are you?” She asks me. “You didn’t reply to my texts.”

“Sorry about that. Too busy reading the article.” I say.

The Queen sighs. “The article. How that idiot pieced it together, I don’t know.” She thinks for a second. “Or at least part of it.”

“Your majesty, if I may,” Keri asks. “Dent and I started the royal statement. Still needs a few touches but I have it if you’ll like to read.”

“Just sent it,” Dent presses some keys on his phone. Every phone except mine goes off. He takes in my full appearance for the first time, he does not look pleased. I’ve been wearing the same sweater for the past two days along with old brown sweatpants. I should have changed.

“I’ll send it to you,” Grey sends the document to me. I read it carefully.

A STATEMENT FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY

‘The family would like to clear up the confusion created by Kimmy Sulders Sunday evening. They would also like to use this opportunity to announce the newest addition to the Harrington family.’

“Cassandra Kaili Harrington.” I read aloud. “What is that?”

“It’s your full name,” Dent says quickly. “We suggested Kaili because of its symbolic meaning. Also, Cassandra isn’t an Aldean name, at least people can relate to this. But it only stays if the royal family approves.”

“Kaili,” Seb asks. “Seriously.”

The Queen nods. “I like it, it stays.” She looks around the room, daring anybody to oppose. Seb just rolls his eyes.

“Harrington?” I ask.

“Everybody knows you’re a member of this family, as far as you’re in Illyria, that will be your last name.” She says. “You should be happy, millions of people will kill to bear it.”

I tell myself that it doesn’t matter and continue reading.

’Cassandra Kaili Harrington is 15 years old and is currently a student at Brimstone Academy. She is the daughter of The Infante. She is also the sister of Prince Greyson, cousin to Princess Katya and niece to Her Majesty, the Queen.

As mentioned in Miss Sulders’ article, she is very close to her family and is currently residing at the Stratford Manor. The family’s choice to withhold this information from the general public was for the sake of the new Princess. They had made plans to introduce her to society at a later date but due to the circumstances will be introducing her now.

Princess Cassandra is a very strong elemental just like every Harrington before her and a treasured member of her family. The general public should expect more from her this season as she’ll be more involved in her royal duties.′

SIGNED SANDRINGHAM PALACE

I sigh when I finish reading it. “You want me to engage in royal duties. I don’t even know what that is.”

“Well, then you’re going to have to learn because I’ve already scheduled an interview with Lani Hartley tomorrow evening.” My aunt is pacing around.

“That early,” I ask. “Isn’t it a bit soon? And I was supposed to go home tomorrow.”

She scoffs. “It goes without saying that you will not be going back.” She says this incredulously. I want to object but she raises her hands to stop me. “If you leave, you are on your own. I will offer no protection for you and your family. I don’t think you want to be on the receiving end of at best, the press, and worst, crazy, violent criminals who want to harm you.” I go gravely still. She nods. “That’s what I thought.”

“Keri and I will edit it and show you the final draft before releasing it. It’s best to present a statement before theories start circulating. Control the narrative.” Dent says.

My phone goes off, I check the caller ID, it’s Jace. I press the red button and place my phone beside me. Dent continues. “We should be ready to release it in ten minutes, hopefully.”

My phone buzzes again and I switch it off because of the daggers my aunt is glaring at me. “Lani has canceled her Monday evening interviewee and given you the slot. You should start preparing as soon as possible. Keri, call my designer and tell him to organize her wardrobe for tomorrow.” She turns to the rest of us. “Sebastian, Lilian, we need to start calling the council members and assuring them we have everything under control. Katya, Greyson make sure Cassandra is ready for tomorrow’s interview. Spend the night if you have to.”

She brings out her phone and is already calling a number. “Secretary Davis. Good evening.” She leaves the room.

“I’ll ask Callum and Renata to make some calls,” Lilian gets up and follows after my aunt.

“Don’t worry Cassandra, we have everything under control.” Seb gently squeezes my shoulder. “It’ll be alright.” He gives me an encouraging smile before also leaving the room. Keri and Dent, seeing no reason why they should hang around here, leave with him,

Grey exhales loudly. “It’s strange. When this happens, it’s usually my problem they’re fixing. I mean I’ve never created a scandal this huge, but still.” He says. “This will be a long night.”

Kat takes a seat opposite me. “I’m just happy I can stay the night, I was not looking forward to going back home with her.”

I groan into my hands. “I have never felt this guilty before.” I lament. “I feel like this is all my fault.”

“Don’t think that,” Kat says. “Everything will be alright, Aldean’s are all morality this and morality that. But at the end of the day, they love a good scandal.”

“That’s true.” Grey agrees. “I feel like they secretly love my scandals, keeps them entertained.”

“There’s a difference between getting drunk and being a secret illegitimate child.” I’ve been wanting to say that for a while. I thought it’ll make me feel better but my chest just feels heavier. “This is so much more serious.” Their silence proves that they agree with me.