"So Princess," Petra said, her dark, harden silver eyes grabs a brush and begins to pluck Maria's golden locs like strings. Maria hums, singing in comfort, as if she's beckoning Petra to continue. "You mentioned the dinner. The plot of you're engagement and Cassian's service but, you quite never mentioned what you plan to do."
Maria shrugs, a small smile on her face as she patiently waits for Petra to grab a hair pin, style Maria's hair in a half up-half down style, and moves away from Maria's large dresser chair, shoving her hands softly to her back for Maria to be able to glance at herself in the mirror. Maria nods, satisfied, and Petra meets her eyes before she briskly walks to Maria's closet, picking out one of her best dresses—a red and black gown with large frails and a umpt skirt that's seen better days, that's for sure, but Maria hasn't had many dresses to really brag about, so this is the best she can currently do.
"Why Petra," Maria said, tilting her head to the side, a soft smile covering her lips in a curled manner, yet her eyes blaze with glee. "It'd be awfully boring to leave this entire plot to just talk, shall it? Why not I leave you surprised with our guest?"
Maria holds both her arms out, as if she spread then like wings. She plans to fly and fly as high as she possible can to grab that crown and smash it to pieces.
"Now come," Maria said, a deviously smile on her face. "My battle armor. Promptly."
…
As Maria guessed, this dinner is definitely what she's anticipated.
Maria and Petra head down the long stair case and into a large hall, briskly walking with their set of heels clicking and clacking in the hollow ways. Maria barely spared the other maids and butlers a glance as they bow in her presence, already knowing the many faces and names of those that have betrayed her in favor of her family, so she marks the ones she'll need to burn down in her head.
Petra follows quietly behind her, noticing the difference of presence alumnating off Maria, and although she makes a face as she wants to comment, she doesn't, and Maria knows it's because of the battle they have fore them coming, unsteadily.
Maria swiftly rounds the corner, her eyes unwavering and ablaze as the rest of her family has already piled in, just seating themselves and making themselves comfortable. They didn't even wait for her to come to start chowing down—the fools go them—but Maria doesn't flinch, but instead smiles, all lips and no teeth, all bite and no sincerity.
"Greetings, family!" Maria said, slowly stepping towards her seat, not batting a eyelash of the heads that whip towards her presence, confused by the brash and not timid greeting she usually gives. "I hope you all have been well! Cassian, my dear older brother! Antoinette, my below sister! My mother, dearest! And my, my! The strong, courageous of them all, the ruler of this land! Without any of you, I mustn't even exist!" Maria said, taking both of her skirts and raising them as high as her ears, swiftly bowing before Petra rolls around her and swiftly—with the funniest wide eyed expression, but still—slides the chair with enough space for Maria to sit, and for Petra to then push in Maria's chair.
"I have awfully missed you all." Maria said, watching as a plate of food is placed before her. The plate looks more dingy then everyone else, and she makes note of that as she barely glances at it to face the oddly awkward and uncomfortable expressions aimed her way. "Did I miss something exquisite? Do tell!"
It's Antoinette who reacts first as she shoots Maria a look as she reaches for her bowl of soup and slowly places the spoon once more in her hands.
"Someone is very peachy this evening." Antoinette said. "You've been in bed all day, so maybe the welcomed rest is what causes such haggard behavior."
A snort from Cassian doesn't make Maria flinch nor cower as usually, but Maria just smiles, pushing her soup away as she meets Antoinette's eyes. "I haven't had such rest in quite a while, so maybe that is why." Maria said. "After I study as hard as I do, and earn such high remarks in everything, why not celebrate with some rest?"
The dropping on the spoon from Antoinette's surprised face and the red flush of Cassian's burns Maria with feelings of glee. God, if this is how it feels to be spiteful, spiteful she shall.
"What is that ever suppose to mean, Maria?" Antoinette asked, frost beginning to touch her tone. Ah, she seems to be bothered by such statements, wonder why that is?
"Why, I can't be proud of my accomplishments?" Maria said, her big eyes downcasted as she lets out a pout. "Why, the instructor even said that I have one of the best forms he's seen in years, isn't that right, my dearest brother Cassian?"
Cassian stills, lifting up his golden eyes to meet Maria's big, glittering ones. He looks as if he's trying to read her, but he isn't sure as to how, so he just clears his throat and opts to not at all.
That is, until the king intervenes.
"Is that truth, Cassian?" The king slowly moves his eyes over to Cassian as his face never changes in expression. He may be elder, but the king is still quite handsome, and his features--the soft gold eyes and hair--are a symbol of royalty they all but Maria's step mother shares.
"W-well-.Uh-. I-I mean-." Cassian looks between Maria, who plays with her spoon to the king, who offers him an emotionless raised eyebrow. "...yes."
"That's quite a compliment." The king said, meeting Maria's surprised eyes. "And what of you, Cassian?"
Cassian stills, nervously eyeing his plate as he attempts to form his thoughts and answers to satisfy the king enough, but Maria knows the only way to satisfy said man is honesty, which is something Cassian can't give confidently.
"He is quite i-impressed with my progress, Your Majesty." Cassian said, gripping his spoon in his hand.
"Is that so." The king said, and he said nothing more, shooting Cassian a look as he continues his meals. "Forget it, have you decided which branch you'd join? For your military service?"
And there it is.
Maria covers her mouth, hiding a curled smile from under it. Why, what does one expect. Word for word, in fact, does the king recite what Maria remembers from her past life. What a bastard of a deal Maria has gotten, to know the script first hand to reverse the story.