Chapter 4 The Queen's Plan

Queen Dorothy and Princess Eleanor were tense and worried as they traveled to the MacGyver family's country residence, Dawson Palace. The official excuse for the trip was that Eleanor needed to prepare for her engagement to Prince Richard, a lie that King Heitor accepted without question.

Upon arriving at Dawson Palace, they were greeted by Justin Wilson, who waited with a calm but determined expression in a private room where Arabella also was. Arabella's parents, Paul and Margareth, had been placed in a small house near the palace and would be under constant watch by the Duke's men while Arabella served the purposes of the queen and her daughter.

When Eleanor and Dorothy entered the room and stood face to face with Arabella, the impact was immediate. The resemblance between Eleanor and Arabella was astonishing. The face, the posture, and even the small gestures were almost identical, except for the color of their eyes and hair.

Eleanor was the first to speak, her voice tinged with surprise and concern.

"It's... it's truly incredible. It's like looking into a mirror."

Dorothy, still absorbing the likeness, turned to Justin.

"Lord Wilson, you did an excellent job in finding Arabella. But now we have a challenge ahead. We have little time to turn a simple girl into a future queen."

Arabella, on the other hand, was uncomfortable. She frowned, taking a step back.

"What is happening here? Why am I here?"

Dorothy, sensing Arabella's unease, tried to adopt a reassuring tone.

"Arabella, we need your help. The kingdom depends on it. You have an extraordinary resemblance to Princess Eleanor, and we want you to pose as her during the engagement with Prince Richard."

Arabella's eyes widened, incredulity and anger mixing in her expression.

"This is madness! I'm not a princess. I'm just a peasant. How do you expect me to do this?"

Justin, who had been watching attentively, stepped forward, his voice firm.

"We understand it's a huge task, but your family is protected. You have no choice."

Arabella crossed her arms defiantly.

"And if I refuse? I won't be forced into something so ridiculous. I'm not a pawn in your game."

Dorothy took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

"Arabella, your family is under our protection, but that can change. We're talking about an opportunity to help the kingdom and ensure your safety."

"Safety?" Arabella laughed bitterly. "You call this safety? You brought them here against their will and now you want me to become someone I'm not. This is madness."

Eleanor, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward, her eyes pleading for understanding.

"Arabella, I know it's asking too much, but we're desperate. If you don't do this, my father will force us into a marriage that could ruin our lives. And the fate of Nillfaw is also at stake."

Arabella looked into Eleanor's eyes, seeing the sincerity and desperation. She sighed, still hesitant but less defensive.

"And what happens if I agree? What do you expect me to do?"

Justin spoke up again.

"You will have to learn to act like a princess, to behave like a noble. It will be intensive training, but we will be here to help you."

Arabella bit her lip, still torn.

"This is madness... but if it's the only way to ensure my parents' safety, then I don't see another choice."

Dorothy nodded, relieved.

"Thank you, Arabella. I know it's difficult, but we will do everything we can to make this transition easier."

Justin, seeing that Arabella had finally understood her role, spoke with a tone of calm authority.

"Arabella will have daily and intensive lessons. Every detail will be taught to ensure she can pass as Eleanor during the engagement and the wedding."

The days that followed were exhausting. Arabella underwent rigorous training, learning to walk, talk, and act like a princess. Dorothy and Eleanor supervised each lesson, correcting mistakes and encouraging her. The transformation of Arabella was swift, but time was short, and the pressure increased each day.

The day of the engagement between Eleanor and Richard was approaching rapidly, and Dawson Palace was in a whirlwind of preparations. The news of the imminent return to MacGyver Palace in Beckamy, by orders of King Heitor, brought a new level of tension.

Eleanor, Dorothy, and Justin Wilson had their plans well-defined. They would take advantage of the intense movement and festivities of the engagement to allow Eleanor and Justin to leave the country discreetly. The ceremony would be the perfect distraction; all eyes would be on the celebration, enabling Eleanor's escape.

However, Arabella was increasingly nervous and worried. Sitting in one of the luxurious rooms of Dawson Palace, she looked out the window, her thoughts confused. The idea of posing as the princess terrified her, and she couldn't imagine what would happen if the deception were discovered. King Heitor was known for his severity, and the prospect of being sent to prison, along with her parents, hung over her like a constant shadow.

While Arabella tried to focus on the final lessons in etiquette and royal behavior, Dorothy and Eleanor met with Justin to discuss the final details of the escape. The tension was palpable, but there was an air of determination among them.

"Everything needs to go perfectly tomorrow," said Justin, his voice firm. "When everyone is distracted with the engagement, we will take the opportunity to leave discreetly. The preparations for the trip are already in place, and we have allies waiting to help us when we arrive in Sydney."

Eleanor nodded, though her eyes reflected a mix of anxiety and hope.

"I can't even bear the thought of being in the same room as that rude and ill-mannered prince," she said, shivering with apprehension.

"You won't have any contact with Richard, dear. Don't think about it," Dorothy tried to calm her daughter, though her face showed a worried expression.

That night, Arabella found herself alone in her quarters, trying to calm down. She took deep breaths, trying to visualize what she had learned. There was a lot at stake, and she knew she had to be perfect.

She lamented her luck. She never imagined that comments about her resemblance to the princess would lead her down such a tortuous path as having to pretend to be a completely different person. She only hoped she could carry out the deception. The peace of Nillfaw depended on her, Arabella realized.