"You can't possibly be serious?" I asked my mother in utter disbelief. My mind is currently in chaos at the thought of doing what they had suggested. I could no longer care about the pain in my cheek or my wrist. Because my body felt numb as I looked at the smile on Scarlet's face.
"I'm quite serious, Rebekah. It is the only way you can prove to us that your loyalty is to your family and not the Royal family. And if you choose to refuse to follow through with your sister's proposal then there will be consequences for your decision." My mother said in an eerily calm voice but I could tell she was daring me to disobey her orders.
"What will you do if I say 'no' to Scarlet's outrageous attempt at being smart? Ignore my existence." I said sarcastically. It wasn't smart to go against my mother but I'm done being weak in front them. They wanted me to go against the Royal family who has always treated us as their own and I can't do that. I won't, even if I was still strongly against my marriage to Prince Marcus. It wouldn't be fair to Uncle Damon and Aunt Mariah. I should have known better than to let my guard down around them. Family or not, everyone will demand something from you sooner or later in life.
"You wouldn't want to make that mistake Rebekah." Scarlet drawled with a smirk. I watched her suspiciously as she sat on the arm of the chair that my mother was sitting on.
"I know you hate me Scarlet but there isn't anything you can do to change my mind. You may think whatever you like about my decision, but I won't be apart of your plan to overthrow the Royal family." I replied with a stern look. I never thought that they were this power hungry and selfish. Overthrowing the Royal family is no easy task and if caught it will be an act of treason to the crown, punishable by banishment or lifetime in the dungeons.
That is the severity of the situation and they expected me to follow through with it.
Scarlet laughed humorlessly at my response before answering. "Not even to save Linda's mother's life? I thought you were better than that sister."
At the mention of Linda's sick mother, I felt like my heart had stopped beating for a few seconds. I couldn't believe they were trying to use a sick woman to get what they want. They were going to use the woman -who is bedridden and going through an intense medical procedure- to manipulate me into doing their dirty work.
A few months ago Linda's mother was diagnosed with a rare disease called leukemia. It is a disease we have little knowledge of, as well as little to none medication to treat it. It was discovered a few years back and since then only a few persons have been diagnosed with it. Of course, it was unfortunate that Linda's mother was one of the rare few to have it. But we have been able to get her the treatment she needs with what little we have here in the medical centers.
Ever since we found out about her condition, my father and I have been financially helping Linda to get through this difficult phase. As usual, she is always optimistic about everything even in the most horrible of situations.
But never in all my life, have I ever thought someone would use an elderly woman against me.
"Don't you dare bring her into this Scarlet. You know Linda's mother isn't well and Linda already has a lot to deal with. You can't do anything to that poor woman." I glared at my sister. I don't know what she had planned but I won't allow anything bad to happen to Linda's mother.
"Not my problem sister. And I'm well aware of her condition, however, if it is her time to leave this earth then why prolong the inevitable. Let her die while she isn't crippled from pain or something like that. I mean it's not like anyone can live forever. Besides, it is our money that is supplying her medication not their own. Of course, it would be a real shame if that financial support goes away." Scarlet said in mock sadness.
I felt my anger rise as her words replayed inside my mind. How could she just casually talk about someone like that? How could she simply say that they should die because it is the "natural" order of things? It just isn't right. She is willing to put the life of a sick elderly woman on the line because of her hate for me. Just because a guy chose someone else, besides her.
And what made it worse is that my mother just sat there. Uncaring about the life of the woman who has always been with her since her teenage years. She didn't even try to stop Scarlet. She just sat there.
How could my own mother be so heartless?
"I won't let you do that. Aunt Helen needs that money more than we do. She isn't young anymore and Linda can't get the required amount of money for the medication in a month. And just so you know I won't watch her slowly slip away from us." I said through clenched teeth. The movement making the pain intensify in my cheek but I ignored it.
"Isn't that sweet. You actually care about the worthless maids in this house. Too bad no one else does." Scarlet said as she looked at her nails. I glared at her and then at my mother.
"The choice is your Rebekah. Either you help us throw the Kingsley family out of the palace and Awa thus putting the Northwest family at the top or you refuse and we stop supplying the maid and her daughter the financial support they depend on us for." My mother said as I clenched my hand into fists. She really is a heartless woman!
"You can't do that, mother because it is father, who is helping Linda's mother. So you can't possibly stop it just to get me to agree. You would have to confront father on the matter and I'm sure he wouldn't agree with the plans you've made." I said while making eye contact with my mother, showing her my distaste for her actions.
"But that is where you are wrong, sister. Mother can and will make sure that Linda doesn't receive any more help if you choose not to do as we say. As for father, he doesn't need to know what we have planned because he will grateful when we're the new rulers of Awa. He'll even be happy when his eldest daughter is taking her rightful place as Queen." Scarlet said with a crazed look on her face.
I looked at the two of them in anger and sadness as I realized how twisted they really are. They were willing to use me as a pawn in their game and manipulate me by any means necessary to continue doing what they wanted me to. What was even more unbelievable is that Scarlet and my mother seem to think that my father would love their idea to be traitors to our kingdom. He would never agree to any of this or even consider it.
"Now Sister what will it be? Agree to help us or watch your maid's mother's slow death?"
-----
"Princess Rebekah would you please open the door? It's been three days since you've locked yourself inside your room. Please come out." Rachel begged from the other side of my bedroom door. I know everyone was worried but I wasn't ready to see anyone. Not after what happened that night. I just can't face them right now.
"Open this door right now Rebekah or I'll break it down!" Linda yelled as she slammed her fist on the door. I wanted to let them in. I wanted to confide in someone about what had happened three nights ago but I couldn't. It wasn't something I could tell anyone.
It's been three days since my mother, Scarlet and I had the biggest disagreement we've ever had. Three days since I've hidden my bruises and myself inside of my room. Three days since I've kept everyone at arm's length because I couldn't come to a decision on what I should do to solve the problem at hand.
What my mother had decided wasn't fair to me or the others involved. No matter what option I chose there will be a negative side to it. It was a decision I had to make on my own. I've had three days to think this through but I still didn't know what to do. I was far from figuring out a solution to my problem. I have so much to take into consideration that I couldn't think straight anymore.
I know the days have been going by faster and faster each day. And the preparations for Prince Marcus's coronation and our wedding was getting nearer and nearer to being complete. Everything was being planned by aunt Mariah and Uncle Damon while Prince Marcus focused on his duty as the Crown Prince. Which meant I didn't have to do anything.
There is only one month left before Prince Marcus is made the new King of Awa and me, his Queen. I was dreading that day as it gets closer to 25th November. The weather was changing and it was colder as winter made its way to Awa.
"Rebekah I'm coming inside of this room whether you want me or not," Linda announced before I heard the sound of the click of the lock, indicating it was open. I knew that anyone could easily enter my bedroom with the master key or the secret pathways in every room but they no one did. They respected my wishes to be left alone and gave me the privacy I needed. So I wasn't surprised that they were finally coming in.
"Rebekah you have... What the bloody hell happened to you?" Linda asked as she and Rachel hurried to my side with the most worried look I've ever seen.
I know they couldn't see what Scarlet had done to me three days ago because it was hardly visible to anyone. But my appearance of baggy clothes and messy hair wasn't something I was allowed to let myself be seen in.
"I'm fine. Just had a lot to think about." I sighed as I rubbed my tired eyes before turning my attention to them. I could see them relax a little.
And after a few minutes of silence, Linda decided to go into mother mode. Threatening to visit my house and have a "chat" with my mother and sisters. From there she proceeded to tell me about the plans for my upcoming wedding- which I still need to get out of- and other things about our classes.
All through her rambling, I smiled sadly at how carefree she is despite everything that has happened. At that moment I knew what I had to do.
I finally came to a decision on what I had to do...