Sheryl's POV
Sheryl's POV
Camilla looks nothing like her mother but acts just like her, she has her mother's pretentious mannerisms and I can guarantee they're the reason she's depressed, trying to please everyone can be an extreme sport and Camilla, she is a heavy weight champion in the area.
I've been watching her her entire life, from close by or from afar, I've been there, checking in on her every step of the way in case she ever needed a hand but she doesn't, Camilla has always had the ability to pick herself up from the pits of hell, and when Hayden took her hostage, I knew she would rise once again, like the Phoenix she is.
In all honesty, I adore this version of her, it's who she is but never accepted. She wanted to be purely good, which she is but sometimes good people do bad things to make the world a better place.
I've been watching her tonight, like I have her entire life, never getting close enough to spill the beans. Throughout the auction, she was detached, anticipating the moment we had our chat and bidding nonetheless to indicate profession, profession that has long escaped her since she walked into this room.
When Kingston followed her after she walked away from the alteration she was having with her brother, they went outside for a bit. Kingston surely knows how to bring a smile her face, but only Adrian could ever make it stay, that's the sad reality of life, and she chose it to be this way. Too young to make that decision but it forever stands, it wasn't a mistake, it was destiny and her choice.
Nearly twenty minutes ago, she and Kingston walked back in with bright smiles, their masks plastered on their faces and my daughter's friend on his arm. Both him and Camilla pretending they wouldn't rather it he her on his arm.
Mirabelle is in the company of my nephew, another man wasting his time pursuing the moon goddess without a clue on the outcome which is ninety nine point nine percent chance rejection.
I shake my head, my gaze veering to Camilla as I sip my cocktail, she's by the chocolate fountain, a plate with three ginger biscuits in hand while she converses with Clarissa. They're well acquainted with one another but right now, Camilla doesn't give a shit about socialization, if anything, Clarissa is interrupting the interaction between the cookies and Camilla. I've noticed her aversion to every food tonight except Amaya's ginger biscuits and the chocolate fountain that seems to have gained her sole admiration.
My gaze veers to my brother Cameron who nods, signaling me to get Camilla.
I don't hesitate, I'm walking to her before he exits the room, finding her and Clarissa in a conversation about cookies and milk.
“Hello, sorry to interrupt this vital conversation.” I tease, earning a laugh from Clarissa and a slight smile from Camilla.
“Beautiful Crown Sheryl, it really screams 'Queen,' I love it.” Clarissa grins.
“Thank you,” I tell her. My hands reaching for my crown to adjust it, “It belonged to my sister.” I tell her, my gaze turning to Camilla discreetly licking chocolate off the ginger biscuits. “Phoenix Alpha,”
“You can call me Camilla,” she says, her hand bringing the cookie to her mouth once again, this time she doesn't just lick the chocolate off, she bites into it.
It's funny how everyone in here is threatened by her presence but she's completely relaxed, ignoring her surrounding, her anxiety like all the staring she's getting isn't making her mental alarm go off. I admire this trait about her, one that she also gets from her mom, appearing calm on the outside when she's losing her marbles internally.
“Well, honey, can I steal Camilla for a moment?”
“Of course,” Clarissa nods. Taking a sip of her champagne, “She's all yours.”
I offer Clarissa a smile, veering to Camilla with the same smile. “Come with me,” I tell her.
In response, she frowns, debating whether I'm worth more than the delicious biscuit or not. I win, she places the plate on the table beside her, cleaning her fingers off in her mouth, acting like the child she is for once. I take her hand, unable to respect her personal space and ignoring how she dreads physical touch now.
She doesn't complain, barely holding onto my hand as I lead her away from the crowd, her Beta, Brother and chief trainer watching us closely but none of them make a move.
“Your highness, where are you taking me?” she finally asks.
“Sheryl, or Auntie Sheryl.” I correct her, leading her down the foyer to my brother's office.
“Okay Sheryl,” She murmurs, pulling her hand from mine.
We both halt, a sigh escaping me as I watch her glare coldly at me. It could send chills down to my bones if I didn't know her well but I do, and so it doesn't phase me. I had done everything I could to keep Adrian on the right track, to keep him and her happy but he still managed to fuck up. Camilla's stare is raw and impassive, she keeps it up, hoping it fazes me but it can't.
“So, this is the look?” I laugh, “The look that makes men cower in fear, is it weird that it doesn't faze me one bit?
“I'm not in the mood to do whatever this is, excuse me.” she mumbles, turning around to leave, probably thinking of the addictive biscuits my sister bakes.
I want to command her to stop, she won't, her ego is past taking orders from anyone. So I try a better approach, humor. “Come on thumbelina, they're waiting for us, it's not nice to keep people waiting or disrespect your elders but you're doing both.” I tell her, hoping she stops, but she doesn't.
I resort to the only option that can work on a stubborn girl, having had a problematic teenager of my own, I know exactly how to handle them. I grab Camilla by the arm and drag her with me forcefully, she doesn't protest, if she wanted to, she would but she's letting me drag her. “They are waiting thumbelina, I'll be blamed if we are a minute late than we are.”
“They, who are they?”
“Shh, you ask too many questions.” I snort, pausing at the door of the study. Reaching into my bra, I take out my card and swipe it through the door, opening the sliding doors instantly before I place it back into my bra, to which Camilla frowns. Probably not expecting a queen to have a bra storage habit.
The moment the doors are fully open, revealing my family, several sets of eyes see on us, my older sister Amaya being the first to speak. “You are late little sister,” she says.
Stating the obvious like she has been her entire life, I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her but I'm overpowered, it's my natural response to her. “Sorry,” I begin. “But this princess was acting like, well, a goddamn spoiled princess.” I tell her, my hand pulling Camilla inside, the doors closely behind us. “Great job raising a total princess Enrique.” I add, my gaze veering to where he seats.
Camilla follows my gaze, her face furrowing with confusion when she sees her father at the table, with his sister Trisha on the left side of him. Her mouth opens like she wants to say something but can't quite choose the words to let out.
Enrique shrugs in his seat, “Can't blame me, just look at that face.” he grins, gazing at her lovingly. “She enslaves her brothers and I with her warm hugs and clean slate academic record.”
“What the heck is going on here?” Camilla slurs, finally picking her jaw off the floor.
“Come sit over here Princess,” Enrique retorts. I'm expecting her to be stubborn about it but nope, she spaces me one distracted glance before walking to where he is, filling the empty seat next to him. Her hand instantly entwining with his, the bond they share evidently unbreakable.
“It's good you're here, it's about time. It took so long to persuade your father to let you know of your roots.” Trisha says, sparking an unusual reaction from Camilla.
“What roots? I'm not a tree and I'm not interested in roots.” she ripostes, making my siblings snort.
“See why it took so long to get her here? Also, she just won't be told.” I let out, settling into my seat. In response, Camilla raises, her hand still in Enrique's, holding her back.
“Stay seated princess,” Enrique murmurs softly to his daughter. Camilla obliged, quietly settling in her seat with her legs crossing at the ankles. I watch the movement, she would have been a worthy heir to the throne if it didn't skip a generation or her guardian insisted she not be a part of any of this.
Amaya tilts her head, silently studying our niece's features. “I see the Ezekiel but I don't see the Arieya.” she lets out, earning herself a round of murmurs.“Oh please, honesty never hurt a fly.”
“Camilla looks exactly like who she should, me.” Enrique grins proudly, bringing her hand to his mouth to place a kiss on.
Camilla frowns, “Care to fill me in on why you're talking about my parents and looks?” she asks, her question directed towards me.
“This girl talks too much,” my cousin Diamond snorts.
“Is it just me or is she disrespectful?” Carol inquires, narrowing her gaze on Camilla.
“No, it's not just you, I am indeed very disrespectful.” Camilla responds, her gaze matching Carol's.
Enrique winks at Carol, proud of the young lady he and Reina have raised. I would be too, she is bold and speaks her mind, very few do. Essentially to Amaya and Carolyn, very few speak back to them but today, it would seem my overbearing sisters have finally met their match Arieya's daughter this is just perfect.
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