How to Make a Princess CH 1

Summary: As the king of Adria fell down the stairs, Grace's last hope falls too. She's now under now Queen Ann's complete control. And she must marry the Crown Prince of Adria. Grace must now fit herself into the position of princess, but where does the line end between who she is and who she must be.

"I hate dresses," I said, looking at the gowns in front of me.

"Well, you must choose one, Gracie."

I supposed that was my job now. Ever since the king had fallen dead onto the ballroom floor, I had been forced into I world I did not like and wanted nothing more than to get out of. But I couldn't. My life was now an illusion to those around me. On the outside, I would be the girl specifically designed by Ann, and on the insideā€¦ well, I guess I was going to have to bury her. When the king fell, I did too. Any hopes of getting out of this place, to living a normal life, crashed like the champagne flutes I had stepped on at the party. I had no power in my own life. And that was just the way Ann liked it.

Ms. Chancellor picked one off the rack. An off-the-shoulder, figure-hugging red dress that went down to mid-thigh.

"No," Princess Ann declared from her seat behind me, "She's going to my coronation, not a brothel."

"But isn't she supposed to make people think she's trying to make Thomas fall in love with her?" MS. Chancellor said.

"Fall in love. Not lust after her."

We turned our attention back to the rack. "Sweet-heart neckline would make her look innocent." Ms Chancellor tried.

"Not a part of the narrative."

Ms Chancellor turned to the soon-to-be queen, "And what exactly is the narrative we're going with? Would you care to share?"

Princess Ann shrugged, "The innocent woman card has been played so many times. Why not try something new?"

"Like what?" I asked, wondering what sort of woman she was going to project me as. What sort of woman the whole world would know me as. Who I would have to become.

"With your history? With the mental hospitals and the therapists? A damaged woman bound and determined to fix and take care of herself would be an inspirational narrative. With your background in diplomacy and the backing of the US, we can display you as capable of handling power and knowledgeable of how the game works."

I blinked and looked at Ms Chancellor, shocked at what direction the princess was going.

Princess Ann got up and pulled a dress off the rack. A navy dress with a white blazer over it. Adria's colors.

"A modern woman with something to prove drawing the attention of one of the most powerful men in the world. You two would be a force to reckon with. And that's a narrative I can sell."

"That gives me a lot of power," I muttered.

"I know. A lot of power that I can manipulate."

(*&*)?

I clutched Thomas' arm as I went up the stairs of the cathedral, trying not to trip on my heels. Two crowds held back by ropes reached for both of us as we walked by.

"This feels strange," I said low enough that only Thomas would hear me.

He looked down at me, "I'm sorry to tell you that you're going to have to get used to it."

"I suppose so."

We entered the long cathedral and Thomas helped me reach my seat and sit down.

He kneeled down beside me and leaned close, "Grace, I think you underestimate how much power you could have over her."

"Your mother?" I whispered back.

He nodded, just barely, "If you want something, barter with her, change the public's perspective, put yourself out there more than her."

"Your mother is one of the most well loved and respected princesses in the world. How am I supposed to change the public's perspective in my favor?"

He shrugged, smiling a little, "I guess you're going to be more loved. More respected. You're going to have to make a splash. Luckily, you may have more help than you know."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, remember where you come from."

I shook my head, "I don't understand."

Right as a photographer came past, Thomas reached up and put a strand of my hair back into its elaborate bun.

"I changed a couple of the seats. They should be coming soon."

"Who?" But Thomas was already walking away.

Within a couple minutes, I got my answer. A hand landed on my shoulder and a voice said, "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

"Megan!" I turned around and enveloped her into a hug. She held onto me for a long time. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We all have our parts to play if we're going to be able to keep you."

"All of us," a voice with a Russian accent whispered. I opened my eyes to see Noah and Alexei right behind Megan.

The small girl finally let me go, and Noah immediately wrapped his arms around me, "Hey, best friend."

I laughed hugging him even tighter, but I never took my eyes off the tall man behind him.

It was only when I was firmly enveloped in his arms that I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so happy you're here."
"Whatever you need from me, I'll do it. Just as long as I get to still have you in my life."

We all sat down as the ceremony began. And I wondered if I could do that one day. Kneel in front of a priest next to my husband and have a crown placed on my head. Say an oath that sealed my fate as one of the most important women in the world. Stand and face a nation that I would have to call my own.

"What first?" Megan whispered beside me.

"First? I turn myself into a modern princess. And I'm going to need your help."