"Let's begin, shall we?" Uncle Zaius's voice interrupted the annoying banter between the Queen and her daughter, which I hadn't paid attention to.
His robe sweeps the floor as he majestically walks to the throne, with his crown perfectly perched on his round bald head. He is always dressing to impress.
The Queen, who had taken her position by his right side, beamed at him, probably expecting him to return the gesture, but he ignored her like always.
He unmistakably has little to no respect for her as a woman or even as the mother of his two children, but that seems fine by her, so far as she gets to sit on that throne every day and be called the Queen.
Truthfully, uncle Zaius isn't one of my favourite uncles, but not like I have the power to stop him from ascending the throne shortly after my father's death.
After taking his position on the throne, he fixed his striking grey eyes on no one in particular. It is not even his physical appearance that scares me, but his eyes. They are very intimidating, always promising danger to all that dare look into it. Sometimes I wonder if he is related to my late father, the previous king.
Although they share a lot of resemblances like facial structures, body build and different eye colours, my father's were the most beautiful amber eyes I had ever seen, and finally, their contrasting personalities. No doubt that my father was an ambitious man, but everything he did was for the good of everyone, but my uncle is simply greedy.
He brought out an embroidered golden envelope with words I couldn't understand written on the body. Still, I only have one guess, envelopes like this belong to a royal family. Probably an invitation to something, most likely a ball or festival.
"An invitation came in last night… from Almor kingdom." A big smile broke out on his face, but it didn't last for two seconds. "It is an invitation to an extraordinary ball that will be taking place this weekend."
Fiona and Cynthia let out happy squeals, the excitement radiating off them makes me want to puke.
"Silence!" He raised one of his index fingers authoritatively. "That's not all," He looked at his wife for more explanation which she happily obliged.
"As you all know…." she paused, her eyes zeroing in on her daughter as if passing a secret message to her.
She continued, "The Crown prince of Almor kingdom is an eligible bachelor who has been finding it difficult to settle down."
Ah! I see where this is going.
"This isn't just an ordinary ball."
Of course, it isn't! Almor kingdom is one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms, so I have heard.
I have only been there once, and that was with my late father. They had invited us to their annual festivals that usually took place after their farming season.
The Queen continued, "Being an art lover, the king has decided to host an art competition for all the eligible princesses. According to him, whoever wins his heart, will be married to the crowned prince, and you all know what that means."
Ugh! I can't believe this is why I left my painting. I don't understand what the whole drama is for. What is challenging about picking a wife?
There are many women out there. Except for me, of course!
"We have decided that Fiona here will be the only one representing us in the competition, as she is the eldest of you all—"
"How's she the eldest?" The question slipped past my lips before I could think better of it.
After a few seconds of glare from both the king and the Queen, she asked, "What is your name again, young woman?"
It wasn't easy to suppress the scoff at the back of my throat, but I managed to do it, and I guess it was for the best, "Gwendolyn."
"Little girl, let this be the last time you would ever interrupt me, understood?"
So she just asked for my name to end up calling me little girl? Very exciting
"I didn't mean to interrupt you, Your Majesty, but if my memory serves me right from the stories we were several times, the only age difference between Fiona and Ella is just one minute. I am just curious to know how a minute age gap between two people birthed on the same day can render one ineligible—"
"Be quiet! The decision is final!" Uncle Zaius declared in a voice that gave no room for argument. "I will let this slide today because I am in a good mood, but don't ever question our decisions, am I understood?!"
I looked at Ella, urging her with my eyes to speak up, but she shook her head and flashed me a sad smile. That is just her way of asking me to drop it, which angers me more.
How long are we going to keep living like this?
If my father were to still alive, things like this would not be happening.
"Your Highness, I am not questioning your decision. I am saying it would only be fair to grant them equal opportunities—"
"Be quiet this instant! When did I ask for your opinion?"
No doubt Zaius is fuming right now, but I am also angry.
He is trying to make this all about his daughter again. It is always about her.
I hate that he and his wife always treat us as outcasts in a palace that equally belongs to us.
I can't stand and watch them push us around like dolls.
If Fiona can qualify for the competition, Ella can also be, period!
"Uncle Zaius, my point is both are eligible and should be allowed to contest fairly."
He closed his eyes in what I believe to be an attempt to calm himself, "Young girl, I am going to say this for the last time. Do. Not. Question. Me. Am understood?"
From the corner of my eyes, I can see Ella and Ava pleading with their eyes for me to cooperate.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Ella beat me to it, "She understands Your Highness." She turned to me and whispered, "apologise right now," when she didn't get any reaction from me, she added, "please."
I had to clench my hands to suppress my anger from going further, "I am sorry, Your Highness. I wasn't thinking straight."
Lies from the deepest part of hell, "It will never happen again."
He fixed his eyes on me, and I had to clench my hands again to stop myself from shuddering.
The Queen beamed at her husband before turning to us, "As I was saying, Fiona will be the only one participating, but the rest of you can come along and enjoy yourselves. Who knows, if you are lucky enough, you might catch the eyes of an eligible suitor. Our journey begins as soon as the cock crows tomorrow..."
I paid no attention to other things discussed since I was not interested in attending the ball. And not like I could participate in the competition. I mean, I don't even want to.
Compete to get a man's attention?
Blargh!
Marriage has never been something to tickle my fancy, and even if I am to ever, I would be the one to choose my partner, not the other way around.
Getting married and pumping out bunches of babies has never been on my to-do list, as I have more important things to do with my life.
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I noticed Fiona following me on my way back to my room, but I ignored her and continued my journey.
"So, are you just going to ignore me?...."
"...."
From the corner of my eyes, I saw her looking around apprehensively as if expecting a ghost to attack her or something. I don't think she has been to this floor before, so for her to be here right now is quite surprising.
"You are weird, living on this abandoned floor alone, no guards, no maids…."
The floor became abandoned after my father's death eleven years ago. He was ruthlessly murdered on this floor by an unknown beast, which I have been trying to hunt down for the past eleven years but haven't succeeded yet.
She asked out of the blue, "Are you attending the ball?"
I stared at her in confusion for the first few seconds, "Since when did my social life become a thing of interest to you?"
"It is a thing of interest–"
"I am not attending the ball, happy?"
"What makes you think that your presence or absence affects the quality of my mood?"
"What do you want, Fiona?" I asked her as soon as we got to the front of my door.
"I want to talk to you."
"We are already talking, and good news, I am not in the mood."
"Let me rephrase. I have a deal for you."
"Still not interested."
"It is about the beast."