I had never seen outside the castle before. Father always said someone would try to take me. Although, if they didn't know about me, how would they know to take me? I snuck out in my maid's clothes. Our kingdom was gorgeous. At least what I saw before I was snatched from the street by a royal guard. "Your father is looking for you. You better hurry, you know how he gets when he's mad at you." I nodded back at him and gave the guard, Zeno, a tight lipped smile. "See ya later Z. Sounds like Pops is gonna try to bite my head off again." Zeno gave me a smile back before returning to his stoic expression. I ran through the courtyard I had been pulled into by Zeno, and up the palace steps before entering the foyer, where my father sat looking like he was going to murder someone. Here we go. In through your nose, out through your mouth.
"Hey Pops! What's up?" I said, trying to hide my fear behind my attempt at humour with my father. My father was not amused. "Maria Celeste Pembleton! Where did you go!?" I scowled at my full name being used. "Outside dad. Ya know, getting sun, seeing the world?" His expression turned even more furious, warranting a cringe from me as I didn't know that was possible. "You aren't allowed outside the walls! It isn't safe! And what is that foul slang you are using? Speak properly. Like a lady!" I nodded and looked down, trying to convince him I was sorry so I could end the conversation. "Sorry Father. I should not have used that language with you. And going outside the walls is forbidden. I know that." He nodded with his mouth pressed into a fine line. "Very well. Go change and get ready for dinner. Your mother is expecting you at the table this time. She has an announcement for us. So dress up in the royal colors and be on time. 6 p.m. sharp."
I nodded and headed upstairs to my room. I took a much needed shower, Put my hair in a braid, and had my maid help me into a royal blue ball gown my mother had gotten me on my last birthday. My father had chastised her for spending our tailor's time on a silly dress when I had a hundred others. She just gave him her 'I did nothing wrong' face, smiled and said, "Now she has a hundred and one" and that was that. Mother was the only one that could say something like that to him without being yelled at. The great king Rupert. A tyrant. I shook my head of the memory and headed downstairs to the dining hall. I still had five minutes to be there, so I decided that I would take my times admiring the art as I had done a hundred times before.
I made it to the dining room right before the clock chimed 6 p.m. My father nodded to me in silent permission for me to sit down. My mother smiled at me and remarked "I'm glad you joined us for dinner tonight. I had something to tell the both of you." I gave her a smile back and replied "I wouldn't miss it for the world mother" She nodded as the food was brought out and set in front of us. A feast for the king and his wife. I didn't trust the staff anymore after one of the cooks tried to poison MY mother. I stuck with MT own food after dinner time, that I cooked myself. Although the staff could easily poison the ingredients, it felt safer that way.
My mother cleared her throat after a few minutes of them silently eating, and I looked up quickly, thinking maybe she was poisoned again but she quickly smiled at me and said "Just wanted your attention dear." She stood to her feet and announced to the room "I'm pregnant". I shook my head. How could she do that. After everything that happened with my father and I? After everything I went through? She's just going to bring another person to feel his wrath? I stood up and walked as quickly as I could in my heels until I just took them off and ran up the stairs and into my room, locking the door.
That was the last time I saw my mother.