I held a dress in front of my body as I looked into the mirror and rolled my eyes. "I'm not wearing this either."

"That's the seventeenth dress you've tried on," Mia whined from beside me, stomping her feet like a child.

"Stop! You're wrinkling the clothes," I snapped. She frowned, stopping her movements and adjusting the multiple dresses in her arms. I rolled my eyes at her and shook my head. The audacity of the girl to try to mess up my expensive things was baffling. I understood she had never laid her hands on the material-which made me a little bit more sympathetic, but she didn't need to behave like an uncivilized ingrate.

"You don't need to be so rude," she muttered. "I've been standing here for two hours, and I'm tired."

I scoffed. "You see what happens when you skip Pilates with me? You get fat and lazy, Mia. It's truly disappointing to see."

"I-I skipped one day," she babbled, her red curls gliding onto my clothes. Eww.

"And now look at you," I raised the hanger in my hand and pushed her hair over her shoulders with it while she looked at me with a frown. "can't even stand in one spot for more than a couple hours."

"I-" A repeated tap on my door sounded, and I turned back to the mirror, studying the lace dress decorating my body. "Someone is at the door," Mia announced, pointing out the obvious.

"Well clearly. Go open it," I said.

"My arms are full," she whined again. I sent her a warning glare and she slumped her shoulders, staring down at the floor in front of her.

I would've never come back to this place until the wedding if I knew it was going to be filled with incompetent fools. If I wanted anything done, I had to do it my damn self around here. I didn't have to so much as lift a finger back in Heaven as everyone knew how important I was already.

I walked to the door, kicking the dresses on the floor to the side and swung it open to see my sister standing in front of me with a grin on her face. She threw herself onto me, her dirty arms finding their way around my shoulders as I held back a gag. "Enough, enough!"

"Dang." She laughed. "What's up with you?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"Why?" My eyes trailed down her horrid outfit in disgust and I crossed my arms. Her denim skirt ended way too early, and the black shirt she paired with it was unflattering to say the least. I should've expected her choice in clothing not to be up to par like it should've been. What could be expected from someone who was left in the woods?

"Because you're my big sister, and I miss you," she said.

"Mmm. Are you sure you don't want to go work instead?"

"No. I want to hang out with you." When I didn't give her an answer, she clasped her hands out together in front of her and jutted out her bottom lip. "Please? I won't talk about work or anything. You'll have my full attention, I promise."

As much as I enjoyed the begging, I didn't need her to embarrass me in front of the servants and guards in the halls. I grabbed her in by her arm and closed the door behind us. "Fine. Don't touch anything. Don't breath too loud. Don't talk too much. If you annoy me, you're out."

"Love you!" She yelled before plopping herself onto my bed and looking around. She crossed her legs, setting her palms behind her and I sighed. "It's Mia, right?"

"Yes."

"I love your dress."

"Thank you. Xyla talks about you all the time." Mia smiled.

Queen looked between the both of us, her eyes landing on Mia. "Hopefully good things?"

"Not usual-"

"Okay, that's enough. I'm in a rush right now. There is no time for chit chat, Queen. Either you can help me get ready or you can get out," I said, making sure Mia didn't reveal too much. As much as I didn't like Queen, I would feel a little bit bad if I hurt her feelings. She had a way of pulling true feelings out of people even when they buried it...perhaps she got the skill from her job but I hated it.

"What are you getting ready for?"

"I have a date with Syn tonight," I said, picking up my diamond necklace from my dresser and glancing at the mirror.

"What?!" Mia screamed, dropping all the clothes from her hands and straight to the floor.

"Calm down," I said, rolling my eyes. "You think I'd actually go out with the guy if I had a choice? Our parents think it's a good way for us to get to know one another, that's all."

I looked through the reflection in the mirror to see that Queen made herself comfortable on my bed and I rolled my eyes. She was lying on her side, flipping through a magazine and hardly paying attention to what I was saying even though she had asked.

"Queen!"

"Hmm?" She peeked up at me.

"Did you hear me? I have a date with Syn tonight."

"Oh, okay." She grimaced. "Be careful."

"That's all you have to say?" I questioned. "You're not going to help me get ready or give me any advice or something?"

"What advice do you need if the man is already marrying you?" She laughed, still looking through the magazine. "Unless you like him?"

Mia gasped and I scoffed, shaking my head at the both of them. "Mia stop," I said. "And Queen, no. I could never like that monster. Have you seen the news in Heaven about the crimes he's committed against God? Liking that man would be a sealed ticket to the depths of Hell."

"You sound...passionate," Queen snickered.

"I am very passionate about our Lord and savior," I spoke in a serious tone, frowning at the amused smile on Queen's face. She always belittled my words, no matter how honest I was being. "What's so funny?"

She looked up at me and raised her brows. "Are you asking me?"

"Obviously."

"Oh." She grinned. "Nothing at all." She pulled a pack of gum from her shirt and held it out for us, and I cringed. Mia wasn't much of an audience, but Queen wasn't a good representation of my family. For all we knew, Mia could go on and tell the world that my sister was a slob.

"Anyways." I turned back to the mirror, taking a deep breath. "I have a lot of prep so please don't distract me," I directed to Queen before looking at Mia, who was for some reason staring at my sister. "Mia," I hissed. "Come here."

She scurried to my side, and I eyed her. "Why are you staring at my sister?" I whispered.

"S-sorry,"She stuttered, looking back at Queen who was oblivious of our conversation. "She's a lot prettier than I thought...and she seems really nice. Is she nice? Can I like her?"

"No," I snarled. "You're on my side, right?"

"Of course, but-"

"But nothing. You're my friend," I said in a voice only she could hear. "Listen...she seems nice, but it's all an act. Don't fall for it. I'm your only friend, Mia, you need to trust me."

"Oh." She nodded. "Okay, I understand."

"Now pick up my clothes so I can try them on. Thanks." She let out a tired breath before bending down and picking everything up.

"Mia," Queen called, her brows furrowed as she watched Mia on the floor. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she replied, continuing to do as I said all the while taking heavy and disgusting breaths. I wanted to yell at her for contaminating my air, but I realized that doing it in front of Queen so she could play hero wouldn't be the best idea.

Queen got up from the bed and walked to her side, grabbing her arm. Everything Mia was carrying dropped to the floor once again and my jaw clenched, my fists clenching at my sides. "I'll get that," Queen said as she helped her stand up. "I got you. Come on."

"Where are you two going?!" I exclaimed. "I have a date in two hours and I nee-"

"I'll be back in a sec," Queen said with a frown as she wrapped an arm over Mia's shoulder and led her out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, I threw my necklace against the floor, the diamond charms breaking apart into pieces.

I wanted to scream. I needed to scream. I should've anticipated she'd try to steal my friends when she got here! I laid my palms on the dresser, attempting to take long breaths to calm myself down. "Relax," I whispered to myself. "Stress gives you wrinkles." That notion propelling my next movements, I checked my face in the mirror and tapped the spots where my makeup lay.

The door opened once again, and Queen entered, making the flicker of rage come back, but I held it inside, putting a cap on it. "What was that?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"She looked like she was about to pass out, Xyla," she said as she hopped onto my bed again. "I took her to the kitchen to get water and she's resting now."

"If she felt bad, she would've left. She didn't need your assistance to do so."

"It's not always that easy, Xyla. You can be a bit domineering sometimes."

I sighed and grabbed the pair of pearl earrings from the table, careful putting them on as I looked at her through the reflection in the mirror. "A little big sister advice to you, okay?"

"Alright."

"Two things, Queen," I said. "One, you can't get things you want in life if you're thinking about other people. You need you know who you are in this world and act as such. Luckily for you, you ended up in a royal family instead of a ditch..." I turned around. "So start acting like it."

"Damn." She laughed. "And number two."

"Until you can start acting like the woman you need to be, I suggest you not interfere with how I handle my friends."

"Handle?"

"That's what I said."

"Well, Xyla. If you feel the need to 'handle' your friends, you're going to end up very alone. Then you'll have to be your very own personal servant," she quipped, her voice clipped with a tinge of anger.

"Oh, and you're definitely the one-"

A knock at the door made me stop speaking and I was somewhat thankful for it. If I said what I was thinking, she may have never spoken to me again. Which wouldn't be that bad if it didn't make for awkward family events.

"Well, are you going to open it?" I asked her, gesturing towards the door.

"You got it, your royal highness."

"Ugh! I have to do everything myself." I huffed, marching to the door. I set my hand on the handle, slightly opening it but when I saw Felix, I slammed it shut. Oh no. I adjusted my hair and dress, before turning to Queen who couldn't be bothered to pay attention to anything else other than that damn magazine.

I rushed to her and plucked it from her hands, holding a finger over my lips. "Shh," I whispered. "You need to hide."

"Why?"

"Xyla! I need to talk to you," Felix spoke from behind the door, making a mischievous smile appear on Queen's face as she gave me a taunting smile. "Xyla!"

"Do we have company?" She whispered, standing up and walking backwards to the door.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her away. "Stop it!" I hissed. "Just hide in the damn closet."

"Who is it?" She giggled.

"Queen, please!" I said in a low but harsh voice as I gripped her arm with all my strength yet she remained unmoving and I groaned. "What do I have to give you to get you to disappear?"

"Take me shopping tomorrow?" She asked, wiggling her brows.

"No."

"Coming!" She yelled towards the door.

"Fuck! Queen, fine!" I snapped. "We'll go shopping, damn!"

"And we'll get ice cream?"

"You need to watch your figure." She raised a brow at my words and I huffed, stomping my foot and sighing. "Fine."

"Dinner too?"

"Whatever you want, just please!"

"Okay," she whispered. I let her go and she grabbed the magazine from the bed and scurried to my closet. Once she was inside and the door was closed, I readjusted myself, plastered a smile on my face, and strutted to the door. "Hey."

"Hey," he said in a cautious tone as he looked around the room. "Who was in here?"

"No one," I said. "I was just on the phone with my friend."

"Talking about leaving?"

"I-it was roleplay." I cleared my throat. "What may I help you with?"

"Why are you being so formal with me?" He questioned, closing the door behind him. "Have you fallen in love with the man already?"

"I wouldn't do that," I promised. "You know this."

"Do I, Xyla?" He questioned, his dark eyes boring into mine trying to seek out any semblance of falsities.

"Mhmm. You'd be very stupid not to, Felix. It's been years."

"Maybe that is why I'm worried," he said. "You're not craving something-someone new?"

"Not at all," I blurted, unsure of whether or not it was the truth. "Set your jealousy aside, Felix. We are together and I'm not going anywhere...besides this date so, you need to go."

"You're calling it a date?"

"Only because my parents are calling it that." I grabbed his shoulders and spun him around, shoving him towards the door. "I'll call you."

"Okay, okay," he said. At the door, he turn around, laying his head against the door frame. His hand reached around the nape of my neck, pulling me against his body. "Don't go off abandoning me and God, okay?"

My eyes flicked to his lips, and back to his eyes. "I would never."

"Are you okay after last night?" He questioned. "You got pretty drunk."

"Haha, I'm fine. You know I can't handle my liquor."

"Very true, I just worry about you sometimes." The corner of his lip tugged up into a smile as he lowered his lips to mine for a quick kiss. "I'll see you later."

"Okay." I nodded. "Bye."

I watched him head down the hall for a few seconds before I closed the door, a small smile playing on my face. I sighed as I leaned behind the closed door, my worries drifting away as my stomach did somersaults. Felix always seemed to alleviate whatever tension I was feeling, and I needed that more than anyone knew as nobody ever considered my feelings.

I almost got lost in my own world of thoughts until the closet door creaked open, making me face Queen who was sitting on the floor and looking directly at me. Pop! Her gum sounded as her eyes trailed my frame.

"What?"

She pinched her index finger and thumb together before sliding them across her lips as if telling me her mouth was sealed, and winked at me. "What a player." She smiled. "I like it."

"I'm not playing anyone," I said. "I only love Felix, and you need to keep that to yourself. Seriously!"

"Mhmm." She said, opening the magazine and giving me a look. "Your secret is safe with me as always, Xyla."