"Which one is it gonna be?" The king started to chuckle again
"The part that you are the one who's meant to marry Carol or the fact that you're infertile?" He speaks. His words felt like arrows repeatedly stabbing Beatrice's heart. What shocked her more was the fact that he didn't say those lines out of remorse, he said out of confidence like it's a thing to be proud of.
"Listen here, Beatrice..." He puts the teacup down and turns his focus on Beatrice.
"You are like the daughter I've ever wanted. Pretty eyes, the perfect body.. So any slip-up you make, no one's gonna take it as an accident."
"What I mean is- You can't possibly be that stupid and tell your sister that you and her husband are meant to be. That's a real cake to the eye." He continued.
"You stay quiet about this. You know your sister is a little bit of a talkative. Just like your Mother was before she died"
Beatrice felt rage run down her veins for the first time, but she tried to control it. Their Mother 'Mariam' was the sweetest woman she knew. Unlike the King, she was quiet and obedient, confident when she needed to be and stood away from gossip. She could spend the majority of her time reading or learning more about life. She was an adventurous type of person. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that the queen's personality was similar to Abigail's. Even her looks.
"Mother had never been involved with any type of gossip father and I'm pretty sure Abigail wouldn't just go around telling everyone that-" Before Beatrice could even speak, the King threw his teapot aiming it behind her as it crashed on the door.
Beatrice jumped, her heart jumping out of her chest. She stared down to the ground in horror while holding her dress roughly. She met the King's death glare and the only thing that could come to her mind was to kneel on the ground begging for his forgiveness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEANWHILE
(THE EASTERN NATION)
"Head forward" Draco pointed a walking stick behind her back to support Abigail's posture. Abigail instantly stood straight, her head facing forward as 3 pile of books balanced on her head. Her hands were firm as a tree spreading out to support her balance.
"Good job" Draco says.
"Now, I want you to walk forward staying at that same posture. Imagine yourself as a run way model." Draco stated but it was easier said than done. Just by taking my step, she tripped on her feet and all the book came crashing down along with her.
"OUCH!" She cried massaging her head.
"Let's start over" Drago pulls her up.
Abigail takes in a deep breathe an practiced the walk over again but fails falling once again.
"Again-" Draco repeated for the 5th fail.
Abigail was exhausted for she couldn't keep up with any of Draco's lectures. With every efforts she puts in, it was never good enough. Eventually her legs became sore and bruised due to falling repeatedly.
"You should take a break Your Majesty" Draco says
Abigail nodded her head breathlessly.
"Are you alright?" Draco asked concerned.
"Yes. Just a little tired."
"Don't worry. We'll take it slow."
She was stunned by how patient Draco was.
"Are you alright your Majesty?" Draco voiced noticing my gaze and my silence.
"I'm okay. We can continue." Abigail stated, her voice softly leaving her mouth as she spoke.
"Are you sure?" He says
"Yes" She smiled warmly and stood to her feet. Her feets felt like she was stepping on knives and her ribs were still crushed by the corset but she covered it all with a smile on her face.
"Shall we?"
Hours after training, Abigail felt confident. She had mastered each and every dancing technique there was and is gonna take place at the ceremony tomorrow. Tho she felt nervous, she shooked that feeling away.
"Thank you for your help Mr Draco" Abigail thanks.
"You don't need to call me Mr. I am not even married yet." He chuckled silently
"Really?" She joked.
"Yes. I was told by the Prince to take you through the dance lessons since I was told you weren't light on your feets" he uttered
'How did Carol know?' Abigail thought. No one knew about this except for- father...
"But you are not so bad as you think your Majesty. Infact you're a quick learner and your dancing skills moves with your echo. Almost like you're experienced." Draco speaks catching Abigail off guard.
"Thank you again..." Abigail says.
"Anytime your Majesty"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm sorry your Majesty, I didn't mean to upset you" Beatrice went on all four as she lowered her head above her arms pleading for Ronald's mercy.
The Kings silence only made her worry more. The only thing she could hear was the sound of othe clock ticking by.
"Know your place Beatrice" Ronald speaks rather calmly to her expectations.
"Don't think that just because i let your sister take the fall meant It was out of pity. Everything I'm doing is for the good of the nation and your Mother never made any sacrifices to make it happen" The Kings voice began to increase it's volume.
'Of course,' Beatrice thought. Every impact he made wasn't to become a better person, it was to save his reputation.
It was like everything he did was a competition that had only one price, he never truly faced his responsibilities in being a father.
"Yes your Majesty. I apologize for my actions" Beatrice says strictly not wanting to go any further even though she knew that her Father was claiming some false accusations.
"That's what I thought." He got up from the chair as a maid puts a robe over his shoulder.
"It's getting late. Make sure you wear something nice for your sisters wedding tomorrow." He stated while Beatrice kept her eyes low. She curtseys and turns her back to leave but stopped.
"Remember. Keep that matter to yourself. Tell anyone, then you'd not only bring shame but disgrace to our nation".
Beatrice muted herself for a minute before speaking.
"Yes your Majesty. I promise not to say anything..." She whispered and left his room, her head hanging low.
'What am I supposed to do now?'