Torn Between Twin Brothers

Queen Alexa invited the three families to have lunch at the palace. It was almost a year since they all last saw each other and she missed them badly. But, thinking of the gala, she knew that having them come over for lunch would take much of their time from preparations. 

So, she arranged four separate rooms for the mothers, fathers, boys, and girls to change in before the gala. There was also room to do their make-up and hair. Therefore, it will give them ample time to chat.

Also, it would lessen the burden of being subjected to traffic jams on their way to the palace. It was a marvelous idea, and the three couples happily accepted. 

Sato's entourage, along with Andrea's assistants, went ahead to bring all the articles of clothing to the palace. Once everyone was ready, one by one, each family was loaded into one limousine after another. 

Soon a trail of limousines parading on the street of the Kingdom of Stonasia headed for the palace.

===

During the luncheon, Ashton, James, and Jeffrey were not present. Instead, they spent their afternoon with Edward, the Crown Prince of Stonasia. Jeffrey didn't like it because Edward, James, and Ashton were about the same ages, whereas he was three years younger than them.

He didn't feel comfortable hanging out with them, so he quickly made an excuse that he was not feeling well and wanted to rest as soon as he found a way. However, instead of resting in one of the rooms arranged for them, he went in search of the girls.

Akira, Pearl, and Arria were hanging out together and busy taking videos for Pearl and Arria to use later after the party. 

Upon meeting James and Ashton, Crown Prince Edward found out that he and James had many things in common. They both loved playing video games, and both planned on majoring in computer engineering.

Ashton became the third wheel once the two sat down and started conversing. He felt a little left out, so he decided to find things to do independently. While roaming around the palace, he ran into Pearl, Akira, and Arria and joined them instead.

Ava was curious where the boys were, but she didn't show or asked anyone. She tried her best to be inconspicuous by sitting in one corner and playing games on her cell phone.  Jeffrey found her in her little corner and sat down next to her.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you with the others?" He was full of concern for his twin sister. He felt terrible that lately, he had been abandoning her and had been spending time with his newfound friend Akira instead. 

Ava took off the earbuds on her left ear and focused her attention on Jeffrey, "What did you just ask me? I'm sorry I couldn't hear you." She was telling the truth; she had her earphones on the highest volume while playing video games, so she didn't hear a word he said. She was so engrossed with playing games that she forgot where she was.

Jeffrey could hear the sadness in her voice, and it showed on her face as well. He felt terrible, and he didn't know how to make her feel better. For some reason, in the last couple of days, she had just been hiding in her room and would only come out when it was time to eat or if she was called by her parents.

It was starting to worry him. He knew it had something to do with either James or Ashton, but he just couldn't pinpoint what it was. He needed to do something.

"I asked you why you were all alone and didn't join the other girls?" He was sincere and full of love when he spoke.

Ava had to think carefully before she responded. Of course, she knew how Jeffrey was when it came to her. But, being twins, sometimes it was as if she could feel how he was feeling, and he probably felt the same. 

"Oh, I was just clearing my head before the party. You know me, I'm not much when it comes to things like this. I'd rather study or play video games than hang around with a whole bunch of people I don't care for." She then put on the sweetest smile she could conjure to make Jeffrey feel at ease.

"Hmmm, if you say so. Alright, I'm going to go look for Arria. But, first, I need to make sure she's not causing trouble." He then messed with her hair a little and patted her on the back before getting up to leave.

===

The palace was brimming with elegance for the night of the gala. Upon entering the gate, guards wearing their national uniform lined up attending to the guests that arrived. Vehicle after vehicle were lined up to enter.

Queen Alexa only invited the parents of the children from the Royal Families, along with the three sets of parents, Jeff and Ann, Daniel and Andrea, and Tanaga and Ashley. She wanted the children to have fun without the watchful eyes of their parents.

So, upon entering the palace, the invited parents were ushered to separate receiving rooms while the children were sent to another. The other children from the Royal Academy were being dropped off by their parents or chauffeurs at the palace's front door. Once they descended their respective vehicles, it would continue on to give space for the next approaching vehicle.

Once the guests started arriving, the children were already gathered. The girls were sent to do their make-up first, while the boys were sent to change their clothes. Soon, Sato's entourage was busy making the girls as pretty as they could be.

Ann, Ashley, and Andrea were already finished dressing up and were enjoying their time chatting and drinking tea with Queen Alexa. Meanwhile, King Alexander was with Tanaga, Jeff, Daniel, and Ramon, having cocktails in the game room. 

===

A couple of hours later, the coming-of-age gala was about to begin. The gala had a masquerade theme to make it exciting, and all the children were all wearing masks.. As a result, they had a hard time telling who was who. Unless they came from the same party, they would not know the person until it was time to reveal their faces…