Rock-n-Royal

Being a princess is every little girl’s dream. Well most every little girl’s dream. They all dream of the beautiful satin gowns and the sparkling jewels. Not to mention the dazzling crown that would sit upon their head. All little girls play princess as part of their play growing up. Yet during their play not one of them probably ever thought about what it took to be a real princess. The responsibility of helping govern a country is far more difficult than putting on some jewels and a fancy dress. Princess Daniella Katarina Maria Therese Benaldi was finding that out the hard way. She was born into this world and there was no way out of it.

Daniella, or Dani as she was known by close friends and her twin brother, sat on an ornate bench outside the gold encrusted double doors of her grandmother’s, Queen Marguerite of Calathenia, office. She knew she was in a bit of trouble when the Royal Guard came to fetch her during a lunch date with her close friend, Lady Rose. The seriousness of their demeanor meant that her grandmother meant business.

It had been two years since the accident that had taken the lives of her parents, leaving Dani and her twin brother under the care of their grandmother. Marguerite had stepped down as Queen leaving her son and her daughter-in-law to rule Calathenia as King and Queen. But upon their deaths, Marguerite had to step back in as ruler until Dani reached the legal age of twenty five. Once she reached that age Dani could assume the throne as Calathenia new queen because she was the older of the twins.

The double doors opened as Prime Minister Frederick Renault stood in the doorway. Growing up Dani had always been terrified of him. He always wore a harsh look upon his face and his voice always seemed gruff and terrorizing. She tried her best to keep calm but the icy cold glance that Frederick was giving her did nothing to calm her nerves.

“Your grandmother wants to see you.” His voice was cold as steel.

Dani stood up as she headed towards the double doors. Frederick immediately blocked her way. “Your grandmother is growing tired of these childish antics. You are the Crown Princess of Calathenia. It would be wise to remember that.” His grey eyes moved over to her and stared at her icily.

Dani understood a threat when she heard one. She knew she wasn’t in danger but she didn’t like being threatened none the less. She stood up straight and stared right back at him. “Frederick you never need to remind me exactly who I am. I know full well who and what I am. Secondly, it isn’t wise to threaten a member of the Royal Family. It would be wise if you remember that.” She brushed her way past him to enter the office.

Inside her grandmother was writing something as her head was bowed down. Her grandmother’s trusted bodyguard and friend, Josef, stood not far from the queen as he stared out of the large bay window. Dani tried to be as quiet as she could but no matter her grandmother knew she was there.

“Daniella please sit.” There was still a loving tone in Marguerite’s authoritative voice.

Dani nervously sat in the chair in front of her grandmother’s desk. Her eyes roamed over the desk and suddenly her heart sank. She knew instantly why she was being called upon the carpet. A streak of independence had caught up with her. She groaned inwardly.

Marguerite finished writing and put her pen down. She lifted her head and stared at her granddaughter. Daniella was the image of her mother. With long dark chestnut colored hair and almond shaped chocolate eyes, the air of royalty surrounded her. Her facial features were delicate with high cheekbones and full lips. Today her granddaughter was dressed in the disgraceful jeans that Marguerite hated. She never understood why Daniella couldn’t appear in a nice dress or suit. Sitting back in her chair she spoke. “Daniella, Royal Holloway informed me that they have no choice but to expel you for your…..vacation you took last month.” The Queen chose her words careful.

Dani squirmed in her seat. “I was asked to visit a friend in Moscow. It was only for two weeks.”

“Two weeks of school you chose not to attend.” Marguerite stated. “This was not the first time Daniella. There was that stunt six months ago when you decided you needed some fun in the sun and took off to Greece. Then there was that episode last year when the press took that picture of you partying up in London with that son of an English Baron. Do you know how many times you have made me worry about you?”

“Grandmother—“ Dani started.

She was immediately stopped when her grandmother raised her hand to silence her. “I want no more excuses.”

“And what about this?” Marguerite grabbed a magazine that lay on the desk and slammed it down in front of her. It was the Russian version of GQ magazine with her granddaughter emblazoned on the cover, scantily dressed. “Do you realize what chaos this caused?”

“I didn’t use my real name!” Dani protested.

“It does not matter, Daniella. What were you thinking?” Her grandmother retorted.

“I was thinking that someone asked me to model because they told me I was beautiful. Plus it was something I wanted to do on my own.” Dani snapped.

“You are a member of the Royal Family. You cannot just go around posing half naked!”

Before Dani could say another word, the double doors opened. In walked her twin brother, younger by ten minutes, Phillip. He saw the two women and instantly tried to judge the situation. Their grandmother looked angry and Dani looked anything but remorseful. Putting on his best smile, Phillip made his way to the chair next to Dani. “Did I miss anything good?”

Marguerite gave her grandson a stern look. “Phillip I was just informing your sister I refuse to accept any more of her antics.”

“Antics? I’m a young woman who is trying to live her life!” Dani protested.

“Young lady you are the Crown Princess of—“

“Calathenia…I know I know.” Dani finished for her. “We’re small country Grams. I mean it’s not like we’re England. Hell you can fit Calathenia into ¾ of Wales!”

Marguerite sighed heavily as she sat back in her chair. “The size of a country doesn’t matter. Daniella you were born to this crown as surely as your father and his father before him. This is your destiny and your birthright. Are you saying you hate your country and your people?”

“Not at all.” Dani sat forward. “I love Calathenia and her people. But I am also a woman who wants to live her own life.”

“Your life is your country.” Marguerite stated simply.

Dani stood up and her green eyes were flashing. “Then I don’t have a life to live. A person should have a choice in their lives.”

“We are not born with choices. Our choices are made for us.” Marguerite replied softly, her eyes filling with understanding. She knew how hard it must be for Daniella. Royal life was getting harder for the new generations. Yet, they still had a job to do.

“I refuse to accept that. I want my own life.” Dani started her way towards the door. “I refuse to live like this anymore.” She turned to look over her shoulder. “I can’t.” She opened the door and walked out.

When Dani left, Marguerite slumped in her chair. “Well that went well.”

Phillip chuckled. “You know Daniella, Grandmother. She has a wild streak in her.”

“That’s the point Phillip. She cannot keep up acting this way. What happens when she turns of age in a year and takes the throne? We simply cannot have our queen running around posing half naked.” Marguerite sighed again.

“Grandmother, she was wearing a large tuxedo jacket. She is covered.” Phillip defended his sister. “She is just suffocating under the Royal pressure.” He sighed. “She has been this way since Mother and Father passed.”

“I agree with Phillip.” Josef finally spoke as he made his way towards the desk. “Daniella is very much like her father. Andrew was very much the rebel when he was her age. That is in fact how he managed to steal the heart of Catherine. I think that like her father, Daniella will come around.”

“She just wants a little taste of freedom, Grandmother.” Phillip told her. “Maybe if she gets a taste of independence she will settle down.”

Marguerite looked over at her grandson. “I suppose you have a plan?”

Phillip smiled. “As a matter of fact I do.”


~ ~ ~



Dani hugged her knees as she sat on the ledge of the bay window in her suite. The windows were open and the fragrant air of the garden filled her nose. One thing she loved most about the palace was the garden. Calathenia was famous for the flowers that were exported. They exported several types of flowers but what Calathenia was most known for was its own breed of purple roses. Called the Royal Purple, the rose was a vibrant shade of purple with a soft enticing scent. The garden below was a pet project of her late mother’s. Dani remembered walking in the garden with her mother when she was young, learning how to tend to the flowers.

Thinking of her mother brought unshed tears to her eyes. It had been two years but the pain of losing her parents still felt as raw as if she lost them yesterday. The only one she had who understood her was Phillip. They were fraternal twins yet they often thought alike. She didn’t know what she would have done if it weren’t for Phillip.

Just then there was a knock on the set of double doors. Without raising her head, Dani called out. “Come in.”

The doors opened and in walked Phillip. He sighed when he saw his sister. He knew that it wasn’t easy for her since their parents’ death. It hadn’t been easy for him, but he had always been the strong one. Now he knew he had to be strong again.

“Hiding in here again?” Phillip walked over and sat next to her.

“I’m not hiding.” Dani sniffed.

“Dani, the magazine was a little overboard don’t you think?” He asked.

“It was just pictures. I was full dressed.” She protested.

“I know you want some freedom. But we are who we are.” Phillip tried.

“Phillip please. I already received this lecture from Grandmother.” She sighed. “I don’t need it from my younger brother.”

“I’m only ten minutes younger you brat.” He growled playfully.

That caused her lips to turn up into a smile. “Still, you’re younger.”

“Well your younger brother has come on the behalf of our grandmother with a peace offering.” He put his hand to his heart.

“What type of peace offering? What’s next an arranged marriage?” Dani snorted.

Phillip started laughing. “No no, an offering of independence.”

Her head rose as she stared at her brother. “What do you mean?”

“Grandmother knows that you love to travel. She also knows you want to experience what it would be like to live as Daniella and not Crown Princess Daniella Katarina Maria Therese Benaldi.” He started.

“What are you saying?” Her eyes narrowed.

“I discussed this with Grandmother, and even Josef agrees. I suggested you go abroad and study world governments in an environment where you will be just like a normal student.” Phillip offered.

Dani sighed. “Phillip where would I go? My godparents are members of the royal families of three European countries. I can’t go anywhere in Europe.”

“You’re not going to Europe.” Phillip smirked.

Dani had a puzzled look on her face. “Then where?”

“Washington DC in the United States.”

Her brown eyes lit up as she broke out into a huge smile. “Are you serious? Grandmother would allow me to go to America?”

He chuckled. “Yes, she agreed living in the capital city of the United States might help you. You will surrounded by the political environment of a strong country. She’s hoping it might give you a greater appreciation for Calathenia. You would study at the University of the District of Columbia. Your major would be in political science. She wants you to get a feel for foreign government. All of your credits would transfer. Grandmother made sure of that.”

Dani’s face fell. “If she arranged it, then people will know who I am.”

“No, she made sure you would have your freedom. No one will know except the people who need to know. As for your safety, there will be security if you need them but they won’t invade your privacy.“ He assured her.

“They won’t try to interfere will they? I can’t exactly live under the thumb of the Royal Guards.” Dani sighed.

“Dani, you are the heir to the throne. There must be some security.” Philip gently chastised her. “But no, you will live as a normal international student. Perhaps this taste of freedom will help.”

When she didn’t say anything he grabbed her hand. “Dani we all know how hard this has been on you. That is why she is doing this. She and even I hope that you will come home and be our queen.”

The tears that built up in her eyes now spilled over onto her cheeks. “Phillip how can I ever thank you?”

Pulling his sister into his arms, Phillip smiled. “Be happy Dani. Just be happy.”

Notes

Yes, this story is a take on a mix of the movies, Prince and Me and The Princess Diaries. I hope you all enjoy it.