Chapter 7.
I couldn't talk nor look up because of what my aunt said. I excused myself from the heated conversation and ran off to my room. My stepmother's voice called on me to wait but I did not. I did not want to talk about past events. They have asked me before and the answer I gave was same. I had nothing to do with the men that died on our wedding night.
Maybe the curse that queen Ariadne put on me was working. I heard from the village that she was very good at curses. Each time she was about to die, the queen would placed a curse on another generation.
People said she was a witch. Now I believe it was true. She took everything away from me. My happiness as woman…my pride…maybe with this I would never have a child. I would live my life like an old barren widow.
I got to my room and locked the door after me. I wished the ball would be cancelled. With all these arguments on who to go out first and what to wear…I wish I would sleep and wake up the next morning.
It would be sad but the best thing to happen this season. An innocent prince would be saved from death too. I knew it was going to happen again. On the night of my wedding, the man dies in bed. It happened seventh time and I one it was going to happen soon if I marry again. But what must I don't prevent this marriage that my family was about to fixed?
Who was the unlucky prince? Who was going to die this time?
More tears rolled down my red cheeks as I fell to the floor. With my hands wrapped around my folded knees, I cried out my heart out. My father had taught me not to cry in any situation. A Princess must be strong. She must not cried like a commoner.
It was difficult for me because when I missed my mother, I had to stay calm and not she'd a tear. I wanted to make her proud ….I wanted to become the best daughter and princess even though she was not alive.
"Azrael, my dear" My stepmother, queen Ivy called. My heart skipped for a moment. Did she heard me cry? No, it was not supposed to happen. I stood up from the floor and wiped my tears with the back of my palms. I did not stop there.
I rushed to the giant mirror by the corner and glared into it. The reflection I was very much different from the one I saw this morning. I looked like a widow who had just lost her second husband.
"Are you in?" She asked with a sweet voice that could melt anyone's heart to open the door. But I did not. The sweet tongue did not work on me. She must not see me like that. I did not want any one to worried for me.
I rushed to the bathroom to clean myself up. With my trembling hands, I poured the water from the can unto my face. It cooled the racing of heart and my face was at peace. The feeling of suicide was still there. My stepmother called for the fifth time and I had no choice but to answer time her.
She would not leave I don't…
I mopped my face with a towel as I walked to the door. Turning the locks, I gave a warm smile when I opened the door. Face to face with the queen of all tricks. She knew that it was fake.
"I came to see how you are doing, Princess" She said without smiling. "Can I come in?"
There was something about her voice that could make anyone to rush and opened the door. It was soft and convincing. She would have been a good opera I'd she had learn to sing instead or being a wife to a king.
Nothing about royalty was much interesting. We were not allow to play or visit the city like the other freeborn. The difference between the slaves and I was that they were in need of food and clothes. I had those things.
"Please dear, I'm worried" Her voice echoed from the outside. I sighed as unlocked the door and came face to face with her. She put a smile and I widened the door.
I was not happy with what happened at the table. I could pretend if my aunt had insulted me for another reason. I crave for her love every day even though she did not love me.
"I see you don't want us to talk, my dear" Queen Ivy took steps back and bowed. She was a good woman who had taken care of me after my mother's death. She gave happiness when my family did not.
"Wait…" I stopped her all of a sudden. She was surprised I did. I widened the door and allowed her into my room. Queen stood beside my bed while I sat down with my hands on my laps.
I was hurt and she saw it in my face. I tried to hold back the pain and the tears "I'm not a weakling, aunt. Is just that I have waited all my life for Hazel's's mother to tell me she loves me. Even if it was just a minute. I only wanted my family's love. Was it too much to ask?"
The queen sighed. It was awkward but she knew that I was trying to get that strong princess. No drop of tears after I spoke. My eyes were as hot as coal when I recalled today's incident. I blinked for the hundredth time and she placed a hand on my shoulders "I will never tell you to fight your family. Aunt doesn't hate you, my sweet child. She is just angry that you are better than two children daughter put together. And do you know what annoys her the most?"
I shook my head. I had no idea why she acted the way she did all these years. Aunt never looked at me with good eyes. But I was glad. She was no pretender or backstabber.
"When you defeated her son, Willams. You did it twice, my love. Do you remember?" Queen chuckled and I smiled. The tournament. It was going to take place again. Princes coming will compete and fight for me or the throne, it depends on their goals. I defeated my cousin, Williams. Everyone we surprised but not my father. He expected me to be the best in all situation.