RISE OF THE UNFAVOURED PRINCESS

 I trudged through the castle halls, my feet heavy with the weight of my mother's absence . Although it's been 19 years since she had passed, it left me wit h a gaping hole in my heart and a stepmother who seems determined to fill it with cruelty. As I approached the grand dining hall, the sound of laughter and chatter grew louder. My stepmother, Queen Alisa, sat at the head of the table, her cold eyes fixated on me as I entered. My stepsister, Izzy, simpered beside her gazing at me with malice. 'Ah, dear stepdaughter' Queen Alisa said, her voice sugary sweet. 'How lovely of you to join us. Though, really, you should have taken more care of your appearance. You look like a scullery maid.' I felt my cheeks flush as Izzy snickered. I knew better than to respond, though. I've learned to keep my head down and thoughts hidden, lest they be used against me. But today, something inside me stirred. A spark of defiance, perhaps, or a hint of courage I once knew. Whatever it was, it made me lift my head and meet Queen Alisa's gaze, my eyes locking into hers in a silent challenge. For a moment, the room fell silent. Then, Izzy's giggle broke the spell, and the queen's mask slipped back into place. 'Well, let us eat,' she said, waving a hand. 'We wouldn't want our food to grow cold.' I took my seat, my heart still racing from the brief confrontation Little did I know, it would be the beginning of a journey that would change my life forever ---As I glanced around the table, I noticed a few things that caught my attention. The servant who had nodded at me earlier was standing against the wall, his eyes fixed on me with subtle encouragement. Izzy was chattering away, her eyes shining with excitement, completely oblivious to the tension between me and Queen Alisa. And then, there was the food. A lavish spread of dishes, each one more elaborate then the last. But something about it felt off. The food was too perfect , too polished. It was like Queen Alisa had ordered out of a cookbook, instead of letting the cooks create something genuine. I pushed my plate away, my appetite suddenly gone. Queen Alisa's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking to my plate and back to me. ' Rae, dear, you need to eat,' she said, her voice dripping with false concern. " You're way too thin, too pale. It's not good for your health." I knew she didn't care about my health, but I also knew she wouldn't stop pushing until I- did what she wanted. So, I forced a smile onto my face and picked up my fork, and took a bite. The food was tasteless, bland, and I had to fight the urge to spit it out but I didn't. I chewed, I swallowed, and kept smiling all the while planning my next move, and I knew just how to do it. As we ate, the conversation to the upcoming ball. Izzy was bubbling with excitement, her eyes shining with the prospect of catching the eye of a potential suitor. Queen Alisa smiled indulgently, her gaze never leaving mine. ' And Rae, dear, you will be attending the ball as well,' she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. 'It's time for you to start taking on more responsibilities and making connections that will benefit the kingdom.' My heart sank, the last thing I wanted was to be thrust into the spotlight, forced to play a role I didn't want. But I knew better than to protest. For now I was bound by duty and obligation. I forced a smile onto my face, trying to hide my dismay. " Of course Queen Alisa," I said my voice overflowing with false enthusiasm. "I'm thrilled to be attending the ball." Queen Alisa's heart narrowed, her gaze piercing through my façade but she said nothing, simply nodded and turned back to Izzy. I breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful to have dodged a confrontation. But as the meal dragged on, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Something was off, something that went beyond Queen Alisa's usual manipulation. I glanced around the table, trying to source out my discomfort. And then, I saw it. A small, almost imperceptible nod from the servant who had caught my eye earlier. It was a tiny act of defiance, a hint that not everyone in the castle was under Queen Alisa's control. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the implications. Maybe, just maybe, I had an ally in the castle, and with that thought, my entire world shifted.