"Rebekah, are you almost finished? The car is waiting outside." I felt someone gently lay their hand on my shoulder. I tilted my head to the side to see my father with a fake smile plastered on his face.
I knew this was difficult for both of us but he was trying to be strong for my sake. I could feel the moisture starting to well up in my eyes as I tried not to cry. I had promised myself I wouldn't shed another tear for something so trivial. I was better than this. I won't let Prince Marcus believe that he had won.
I was going to get out of this one way or another.
"I'll be there in a minute," I said as I looked at my bedroom once more.
I felt my father give my shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My bedroom felt empty without any of my personal belongings. Even with my king-sized bed and other pieces of furniture still, there it didn't look or feel like a room to me.
Not once did I ever imagined that I would have to leave this house at such a young age. I wouldn't be able to talk to my father about his business trips or the new books he brought me. And even if my mother never showered me with the love Scarlet and Lizzy received I would miss her too.
But right now everything had changed. I realize now that they would always see me as an outcast when compared to their world. I would never fit in.
Now it was time for me to live with the Royal family as one of their own. I didn't have a choice but I could try to make things right. Maybe then my relationship with my mother and my sisters would be fixed.
With new found determination I turned around and made my way down the stairs towards the front door.
The moment I made it through the door my heart dropped when I noticed only my father was there. I don't know why I expected them to be there but I just hoped they would be. I guess they hate me more than I thought.
Putting a fake smile on my face I walked over to my father. He pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm sorry you have to go through this my dearest daughter but just know that everything will work out. Marcus will never hurt you. He loves you that much is true. You just have to give him a chance."
Give him a chance my foot. I won't believe a word of what Prince Marcus or anyone says because if he could humiliate my sister what would stop him from doing the same to me.
"I'll try but I can't guarantee that I will take his words lightly," I mumbled as I hugged him back. I wanted to ask him about the others but decided against it. I didn't blame them for not wanting to see me.
"Lady Rebekah it is time we are on our way. His Majesty, Prince Marcus, is waiting for your arrival." Linda politely informed me as she came to stand next to me.
Before she could walk away my father pulls her into a tight bear hug. "Don't be a stranger Linda you know I've always considered you to be like a daughter to me. Be on your best behavior at the palace and no pranking the other staff." My father joked with tears in his eyes. I felt my own tears spill onto my cheeks as I joined the hug.
"I promise we'll be fine, father. I'm sure Linda won't cause too much trouble." I sobbed into his shirt and I could fell Linda shaking as she silently cried beside me.
"I know you'll both be fine but don't forget to call and visit as often as possible. Not because my baby girl is about to be a great Queen doesn't mean she can't spare some time for her old man." He whispered. I pull away and nodded with a genuine smile.
After a few minutes of saying our goodbyes, we were on our way to the palace. Our tear-streaked faces had been cleaned and covered with a little makeup. Linda was looking out the window with a sad smile.
I wasn't the only one to leave her family behind but we were going to have each other.
After all, best friends can make it through anything.
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"Welcome back Miss Rebekah and Miss Linda. Its been a while since I've seen you both." The middle-aged Butler said with a warm smile.
He wore a simple white shirt tucked into black pants. A black tailcoat covered his shirt with a simple pocket watch hidden away in his front pocket. His uniform was completed with a pair of white gloves and well-polished men dress shoes. His black hair with a few strands of grey was styled back with gel as he held himself with the posture of a true gentleman.
He was a very good looking man for his age and you could hardly distinguish the wrinkles on his face. He was always fun to be around whenever we visited. Although He wasn't around when it was time for the ball. He was finally given some time off to spend with his family.
"Hi, Albert it has been a while. How's the family doing?" I asked as I helped the driver, James, unload our luggage.
Although he insisted that I leave the luggage to him I wouldn't allow it. It's my luggage so I should help carry it and not just burden others with the task.
"They're doing great Miss Rebekah. If I may ask why are you trying to unload the luggage? We have staff members who can help with that." He politely replied.
"I wanted to help since they're mostly mine. I don't want to be a burden." I waved my hand dismissively. He chuckled but still insisted that I let the workers do their jobs or they wouldn't be paid.
After a few minutes of persistent persuading, I sighed in defeat as I let them do their work.
"Miss Rebekah, His Majesty, the Prince wanted me to inform you that he would like a word with you in the library before dinner is served," Albert said as he bowed a little before leaving us.
What does Prince Marcus want now?
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"Becka! Get your lazy butt off that bed! You only have one hour before dinner is served and you haven't gone to meet Prince Marcus or get revenge on Arthur." Linda whined like a five-year-old. I wanted to smack her in the head.
"Linda can't you see I'm trying to relax here. I don't want to see that oaf and as for Arthur why don't you get revenge on him for me." I buried my head in the soft pillow. It's been exactly four hours since we've arrived and settled in. I already felt homesick although I've spent time at the castle in the past.
I had avoided meeting Prince Marcus like a mouse hiding from a cat. I knew I'd have to see him at dinner along with aunt Mariah and uncle Damon but even then I would still avoid all conversations with him.
"Why in the name of flying fishes would I want to be anywhere near that pain in the ass Prince!" Linda exclaimed. She probably scared everyone close by. It's not the first time.
"Now you know how I feel!"
I'm sure everyone thinks we've lost our minds by now.
"And why wouldn't you want to be near him. Aren't you in love with him." I teased her. I laughed at her blushing face as she tried to deny it.
"It's not the same Becks. You have to marry the guy, I don't! So, there is no way it's the same situation." She argued. I laughed again at her reason. It was the truth but it was fun to see her all flustered over Arthur.
"Whatever you say, Linda. You never know what might happen in the future. Arthur just might come to his senses and declare his undying love for you. Then you'll both get married and have five kids while I'll be a proud aunt and spoil them rotten." I declare like I could see the future. I watched her face as she seemed to imagine my scenario in her head.
If only that dream of her's could become reality but it was against the law for the Prince to marry anyone outside of nobility or Royal blood. It was an outrageous law if you ask me.
"Earth to Linda." I waved my hand in front of her but she still seemed to be in her fantasy world.
Sighing I took a pillow from the mattress and hit her in the face. That snapped her out of her fantasies.
"What is wrong with you Becks? You could have broken my nose or made me lose valuable brain cells." I rolled my eyes at her dramatic attitude. I hit her with a pillow not slammed her face into the wall.
"Right... Because this pillow is made out of gold." I said sarcastically. I threw the pillow at her again and laughed at how she dodged it like it was going to eat her.
"Do you even know how hard you hit my face?" I shrugged my shoulders. "Bloody hell, you hit like a man!"
Just when I was about to hit her again a knocking on the room door stopped me. I walked towards the door and opened it to see a maid patiently standing there.
"Forgive the disturbance Princess Rebekah but I'm here to inform you that dinner will be served in fifteen minutes and I'm here to see to it that you are fully dressed in the right attire for tonight." She said politely.
From the way she addresses me as princess Rebekah and the fact that I've never seen her at the palace before I knew she was new.
"Thank you for informing me about that it had completely slipped my mind. You're new here, aren't you?" She hesitantly nodded. I guess she thinks I'll scold her for something she said. If I was like my sisters I probably would have but I'm not them.
"Don't worry Miss...?" She looked surprised that I was asking for her name. "Rachel. My name is Rachel Posey, madam." She meekly replied.
"Well, Rachel it's a pleasure to meet you and don't worry about me scolding you for something you said. I'm not like other Noblemen's daughters." I grinned at her. She looked taken aback but gave me a small smile in return.
"By the way, you can call me Rebekah. Not any of that Princess business. We're going to be good friends after today and we should probably hurry, dinner will be served soon." She seemed to loosen up a bit as she walked into the room.
"I really thought you were going to yell at me. I just started working here yesterday and don't really know how things run in the palace." She lets out a breath of relief. I laughed at her reaction. At least I made another friend. I just might be able to make this work.
"Like I said I'm not like other girls besides there isn't anything to worry about. The palace staff is quite friendly." She smiled and that's when Linda decided it would be funny to throw a mug of water on my head.
I watched as a look of horror took over Rachel's face and I turned around to glare at my smirking best friend.
"Linda you are so dead!" She just rolled her eyes before walking away. I could see Rachel looking at Linda in disbelief.
Deciding I should probably explain to Rachel what was happening before she faints, I turned my wet clothed body towards her. "Before you faint the girl that threw the water at me, she's actually my best friend."
Rachel looked like a fish out of water as she looked at me with wide eyes and mouth opened in disbelief.
"But how... She's a... But...huh..." She stumbled over her words. I shook my head in amusement and pull her along with us. I had only five minutes to get dressed for dinner.
"Come on, let's go before we're late for the Royal dinner." I winked.
Let the fun begin!