Chapter 6
"Slow down will you!" I yell at the driver of my golden carriage. Gloria's messenger came to our house last night, delivering a message and saving me from another lecture from my dad, the king. Gloria is bringing me and a couple of her friends along for a spa day at her house. I'd much rather stay in and dream about Alex (Oh, last night makes my heart pump, and what could've happened if Tess hadn't rudely disturbed us) but that's not what's on my fathers mind, and the only reason I came along is to spare me another speech from him and to cling onto my social status. No one, I mean NO ONE, declines Gloria's offers, not even a Princess. She can drag you down the social ladder with a single flick of her tanned wrist. I know, this monstrosity is my supposedly 'best friend."The carriage comes to a halt and I quickly check if I look good in a small compact mirror. My hair is let out loose and springy from a extra soapy bath from yesterday. I'm wearing a cream-coloured muslin gown tightening at the waist and swishing down like a waterfall, with a pearl neckline. Underneath that I've slipped on pearl ballerina shoes. The thing is with Gloria, you've got to be competitive around her and it's a constant battle about who looks the best. In this case, I think it will be me.
"Clara!!!" Gloria screeches and hugs me tight, before examining my outfit. Her black hair is coiled into a bun the shape of a flower, and her chocolaty eyes are outlined in kohl. Her white dress emphasises her tanned skin. She looks stunning, as usual, and several men glance in our way. Today though, I look a notch better than her. This, of course, makes her sniffy. "Gosh Clara, a spa is a casual event, you didn't have to over-do it!" I raise an eyebrow and flip my hair over my shoulder. "This isn't over-doing it for me. I have gowns far better than this, infact, this is my casual. Although, I do understand that maybe your expectations are lower than mine, money-wise and all..." Gloria sniffs, nose in the air. "My daddy can get me any dress I want, when I want." I roll my eyes and follow her inside her double-pool villa/mansion. The hall is grand with chandeliers at the top, although not as grand as the royal palace-obviously.
"Clara!" Shannon, Candice and Miriam all chorus. They all have nice gowns on too, although a bit too average for me. We make small-talk and every thing is going fine until the spa treatment starts. A servant tips my hair back into a marble sink-like bowl and massages it carefully. I supress a groan.
"I hear she threw the duke in a lake!"
"She never!"
"Oh Yeh- Probably because he was boring of her..."
"WHAT!" I shriek. "Please Clara, I didn't ask for an alarm-bell, although I think that poor Duke needed one..." Gloria says, earning sniggers from Shannon, Candice and Miriam. Seems like they've gotten closer this summer. Before, however bitchy Gloria was, she'd always be on my side, us against Shannon, Candice and Miriam. Now, they've formed a foursome and I'm feeling left out.
I shrugg. "He just didn't tick up to my high expectations."
Gloria arches an eyebrow, "I rather think it was the other way round, honey."
Fury fills up inside of me. Shannon leans her slim fingers forward for the servant to file her nails. "Don't sprout the tears on us C, we're only saying it as it is."
"For your information, he literally begged my parents for a second chance with me."
They all stare at me wide-eyed, face full with jealousy and admiration. That is until Candice opens her mouth. "Clara, I hate to break this to you, but money has a lot to do with this. Y'know your dad being king..."
Wow, that was just mean. A full blow. Down-right low. Unfortunately, I know for a fact that the Duke doesn't give a dosh about the money, but... but what if that's the only thing on Alex's mind.
Gloria cackles along with the others, but she looks guiltily at me. A servant pours hot water over my hair and towels it dry. We all put our feet in bowls, ready for a manicure. Shannon pouts, "You're a really easy girl to fool y'know." She flicks her limp, blonde hair. "Not only the duke, but I heard you were carried down a drainpipe by a rapist. Easy target, huh?"
That's enough. "Well, sorry girls, but I have better things to be doing." Gloria bites her lip. "God calm down Clara, take a joke. Well, actually, take the truth." I storm out with them all giggling. Right as I'm about to slam open the door, Gloria runs after me. Maybe she's going to apologise. "You've still got my towel on. This costs more than you, y'know!" I throw it at her, before spitting, "Don't forget, my father's the king!" Gloria smirks but I can see the fear etched on her face. "Yeh, just rely on your daddy like the wee girl you are!"
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