Queen Alouette glanced over at King Felix and smiled. Princess Corissa spoke at that time.
Corissa: Mother, the second reason?
Queen: Yes dear, now that we are together, your father and I decided on something.
Lyla: What?
King Felix stepped up and became so serious all of a sudden.
Winter: What.
This time Winter's curiosity was at its peak.
King Felix: What I am about to tell of you is very important.
The girls were overthinking at this point. They assumed it will be something audacious.
Winter: Maybe we'll get to go on missions.
Lyla: Or we would finally get to explore Etheria like normal people.
Corissa kept to herself.
Corissa: Hmm. Mother and Father have come to the realization that I am the suitable heir to the throne.
The three sisters after thinking of all the possibilities, stared intently into their eyes and echoed, "WHAT IS IT" all at the same time.
King Felix: Your mother and I noticed we all needed..." FAMILY BONDING TIME".
King Felix said as if he was expecting a little more enthusiasm, but the bright beaming expression on their faces immediately dissolved into a disappointed one in a matter of seconds.
"Ohhh", the sisters said.
King Felix: With the arrival of Ayana and Malina, tension and strain has been quite visible in our family's relationship
He paused. It was evident on their faces when he spoke up.
No matter how much they tried to conceal and act like the perfect royal family, they knew it. They knew they would never come close to a perfect family, like everyone imagined. Their daughters would always have some form of hate and resentment in their heart for them. Nope, it couldn't be changed, the scars could only be bandaged now.
Lyla finally spoke after the realization sunk in her head.
Lyla: No problem, we all need it
The King and Queen were shocked that they wanted to carry on with the plan.
Lyla: It might not be any cool scenario we all imagined in our minds, but believe or not, we need it. We are family by BLOOD and we need to build a cordial relationship, not only for Etheria, but for our own mental tranquility.
Lyla looked at Winter and got a nod as a response. The King and Queen were relieved with their attitude towards the idea. Queen Alouette honestly thought they would need more persuading. Yes, the princesses respected and obeyed them, despite everything. However, respect does not imply love. At that moment, Princess Corissa conveyed her thoughts to the King and Queen.
Corissa: All this is an unfortunate waste of time.
Everyone's eyes in the room fell on her. Corissa continued speaking despite that.
Corissa: I have no intention of dwindling my time with them. Avis return is probably in the blink of an eye. And I will do whatever it takes to stop that monster.
She passed Winter and Lyla to meet her parents to bow. With that, she exited the chamber to continue her training and hone her skills. About a minute after she left, Winter filled the silence.
Winter: Well... That's the longest I have ever heard her speak.
Lyla laughed softly, but thought deeply. The King and Queen did not flinch because they were already used to her behaviour.
A few days passed and it was time for their family bonding day. Lyla has gone to Corissa's room, a day before.
Lyla: This is really a palace.
She said panting after going through four different chambers. Lyla was about to give up when she saw William standing in front of a small gate. She assumed that was Princess Corissa's chamber. With the little strength, she could muster, she brought herself there. William saw the Princess approaching and bowed to her. She greeted him likewise.
She told him she wanted to see Corissa. But Corissa had previously instructed him, not to let anyone in. Seeing the resolve in Lyla's eyes, he heaved a sigh and stepped to the side. She opened the gates and walked down to princess Corissa's room. She quietly opened the door. She saw her reading a book, which had the Etheria symbol on the front cover. She assumed she was reading the history of Etheria and probably Avis too.
Lyla: Hey
She said softly.
Corissa looked away from her book and saw the second to the last person she wanted to see. Of course, the last person was definitely Winter.
Corissa ignored Lyla and continued reading the book. But then she spoke up after a while, feeling Lyla's persistence.
Corissa: What do you want?
Lyla smiled and sat down on the green carpet below her.
Lyla: You know it's called family bonding time, for a reason.
Corissa continued reading her book.
Lyla: Yes Avis is coming to destroy Etheria, no doubt about that. I understand this is definitely not the time to be slacking off.
Corissa finally spoke
Corissa: That I agree.
Lyla: But then if we don't accept one another and come to the reality. What then are we fighting for?
There was no response. Lyla didn't need to speak much, Corissa knew what she was getting at.
Lyla: Look, this is hard on us especially you. A princess loved by all just discovered she had two more sisters, she is forced to love. Not only that, because of the triplets fiasco,the responsibility carried on your shoulders has subsequently been doubled.
Lyla: And let's not even get started on whole heiress matter.
There was no response again and Lyla just blurted out in frustration.
Lyla: You can not use Avis as an excuse to hide or flee far away from the truth.
Lyla: You can try to hide your emotions now, but when they're ready to come out, not even you would be able to stop it.
This time Corissa closed the book loudly. Lyla got up realizing she won't get a response our of her. Before leaving she spoke.
Lyla: I am not forcing you. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find us.
With that, Lyla left Princess Corissa's chambers.
A/N: Hmm would Corissa face the truth and come to the reality or would she keep up bottling her emotions till it's too late?. Find out in the next chapter.
Oh and watch out for the debut of my second book, "BEFORE THE ECLIPSE".