" Rise and shine Princess."
Hearing the same cheerful voice of my handmaiden made me feel like I'm not alone in this Palace. Its been so long since she was appointed to me by the chancellor. Looking at her bright smile every morning makes me have a good start.
A middle age woman who's petit body is like mine. A few strands of white hair that signify her older age and her beautiful green eyes.
" Good morning Adelle." I comb my hair and sit at the bedside.
" I brought your breakfast Princess. Do you want to have it first or a change of clothes."
Adelle is as bright as always. She became my mother since i learn how to read and write. Me being the 14th Princess of this kingdom is not as good as they think. Only few people of this palace knew my existence and i doubt that the king my father doesn't know me. I never seen his face. My brothers and sisters bullied me since i was a child.
" You don't feel good Princess?" Adelle asked me while touching my forhead.
" You don't seems to be having a fever. What seems to be the problem?"
I can see all the loved in her eyes. I couldn't stay like this. I smiled at her and say.
" Im ok Adelle don't worry. And i will have my breakfast first before i change my clothes."
She looked at me calmly after knowing im fine. I like how she cared for me. A motherly care.
" Princess their will be a ball 3 days from now."
I stop sipping my tea when i heard Adelle mention the ball.
" A ball?" I look at her giving Adelle a Confused look.
" Yes, princess a ball."
" Princess Ysabelle is getting married. Thats what i know."
The 12th princess? Princess Ysabelle. To who? Among the 15 princesses Ysabelle is the scariest one. I still remember how she pushed me to the well near the garden. Since then i never crossed path with her.
" To who?"
" What i know is that his from the neighbouring kingdom. A prince as well. Another political union. Like the other princesses."
" Oh!..." I stop and look at the tea I'm holding and seeing my reflection make me think that 3 more years i will end up marrying someone i don't know for a political union.
" And princess you are invited from the ball." I felt my fingers become numb, like i was holding a block of ice. I couldn't look at Adelle. I just stared at my tea.
" I..."
" Princess?"
" I don't want to go. " i put the tea down and look at Adelle.
" I don't want to go. If i go, their are chances that i will look like a rotten princess. So i wont go."
No matter what, i will not go to that ball. Im scared of what will happen to me if i go and for sure they will bully me. I will stay here or go to the library.
" Are you sure you don't want to go princess?"
I look at her and confidently say
" I will not go. I will send a gift for them."
As i took my bath i keep thinking what will happen to me. For sure i will end up like that not now but soon. Do i have to accept that faith or should i run away?. But if i run away where should i go. I just stare in the ceiling convincing myself that everything will be ok.
" Princess are you done taking a bath?"
I stood up in the tab and get my towel and Adelle started dressing me.
" Wont you change your mind about the ball Princess?" She asked me again. I guess she is hoping that i might change my mind.
" Nope. I rather stay here or at the library."
" i guess i couldn't push you to go. Anyway if you needed help i will be at the ball room. All the maids are assign to clean the ball room."
" You were assign there? But you are my handmaiden?" I turned around and look at her.
"It was the kings order that all the maids must do some preparation for Princess Ysabelle engagement ball for getting married to a powerful kingdom."
She continue to comb my hair and when she's finished tending me she leave the room. I look around. For the past 13 years of my life this is the same room i grew up. Same bed, same paper wall, same sofa and same ceiling. Nothing much has change in here. In this dull room. I laid down in my bed and look at the ceiling.
" Im bored."
I decided to go to the garden to have some fresh air. Its been a while since i had a stroll in the garden.
As i walk pass the hall way i saw lots of maid. I guess it will be a grant ball by looking at how busy the maids are.
There is also a good side of me being not well-known as the princess. I can walk normally at the palace hall. I guess they think of me as a guest. But i normally uses the back hall it has a shortcut in the garden and most of the maid uses it.
When i opened the door a ray of sun light touches my face. It is a really nice day to have a stroll around this beautiful garden. There is a fountained angel in the center of the garden. Different kinds of roses, irises and tulips. The late queen did do a great job in the garden. And also my favorite spot. The small gazebo near the lake.
It did not took long and i did enjoy my walk to the gazebo. I missed the smell of the fresh air. I sat in the chair and gaze the lake. I enjoyed watching some swan swimming around. They do enjoy the cold water in this kind of season.
I started reading the book i brought with me when i heard someone whispering or should i say gossiping.
" have you heard that princess Ysabelle is marrying a powerful
prince from the neighbouring kingdom?" Maid 1 said
" Yes i heard of it that is that why the vacant rooms in the palace right now is being clean. It was all the chancellors order. " maid 2 said
" I also heard that the prince is so strong and handsome." Maid 1 said
" Don't forget how the prince conquer other kingdom together with his knights." Maid 2 said.
"Meaning to say the so called prince of my sister soon to be husband is so great, powerful and handsome. Oh come on." I whispered with sarcasm.
" And also have you heard the rumors about the 14th princess?" Maid 1 said.
Me? Are they talking about me?
" No i haven't. Spill it out before someone hears us."
" i just happened to hear it but the chancellor said that after a month they planned on getting the 14th princess marry the king of the neighboring kingdom"
I dropped the book i was holding and i chilled for an instant. But I'm only 13. I couldn't marry that young.
" The 14th princess is also getting married?" The other maid sounded so shock.
" but she's only 13 right?"
" Shhhhhh.... keep it quite. Yes she is and thats what i heard. I also heard that the king who the princess will marry is a total womanizer" maid 1 said
" Really? Well i guess the king wants her out of the palace. She is a child of a commoner. What else do you expect" maid 2 said
How could i forgot that. My mother is a commoner and my father the king is a damn pervert who only cares about his concubines. I hate the king. He is my father but he is also the reason why my mother get executed for treason that she didn't even do. Treason their asses. Ever since i learned how to understand at a young age they looked at me disgustingly. As if i have some contagious disease.
" Don't ever mention this to anyone ok. We still don't know if its true." The maid 1 said.
I did not realize that my hands are bleeding. I guess i clench way to strong. I wipe the blood on my gown. I don't give a damn about this gown. Whats important is how true that rumor is.
" You 2 why are you slacking around go to the ball room and help the other maids." I heard someone shouted at the 2 gossiping maids.
I looked at the lake thinking what to do. Should i run away? Getting married to a king then he must be old? Then i will be his concubine not a wife.
" Mother help me please what should i do." I whispered while hugging my knees. I felt a warm water dripped down my face. I don't want to get married. I cried in silent hoping that no one can see me like this.
I don't have any choice aside from giving up. I don't have any powers to defy the kings order and i don't have a voice to defend myself. i cried thinking that i don't have an escape plan from my faith.
" Why are you here alone Princess?"
To be continue...