A gentle breeze brushed past her face, feeling the cool and gentle touch of the wind. It felt freshing, especially considering she stood in an open field under the blistering high noon sun.
It was times like these that made her wish to visit the southern Dwarven nation. She was certain she'd enjoy the snow and rain in that region, instead of the blistering heat of the north, even when it's winter it never snows.
Quickly shaking off the thoughts of a much needed escape from the royal castle, she focused her eyes towards the target that was relatively a short distance from her, only about 100 metres, not that far, however considering there's a breeze, it will be significantly much harder to hit the target without adjusting.
She placed the arrow in its place and pulled on her bowstring. The strength required to pull on a bowstring was immense, deceptively so, one wouldn't think that considering how easy it looks.
Her arms trembled for a split second before they stabilised and she focused on hitting the target, focusing on aim, her breath still, measured and calm. Her blue eyes focused and determined.
After a full minute she was ready to release the arrow and shoot, however she was suddenly interrupted.
"Princess Isabella, his majesty has called a meeting"
She was informed by the servant. With a sigh of displeasure, she slowly let the bowstring pull itself back returning to its initial state.
"Very well, dismissed "
She commanded the servant before going to put away her bow and arrows back where the training equipment was kept after one is done with it.
She then began making her way into the castle. After having entered the castle, she was greeted by a large open hall, with stairs that began a few metres away from the centre of the hall and they led up onto a second floor indoor balcony but the stairs didn't stop there they continued up into the third floor.
The lower floors were where the servant quarters were located and where the kitchen used for events or balls was located, and the living space for the royal family was located on the third floor of the castle.
This was something that made Princess Isabella sigh in annoyance, but she nonetheless walked through the hall and climbed up the stairs, as she climbed up she couldn't help but note such a design flaw but at the same time understood why the king never sat foot on the lower floors unless it was for special occasions
She was able to quickly make her way to the second floor, however as she was about to continue to ascend, she stopped and her face showed a frown.
"I take it you're going to attend the meeting I called?"
Her eldest brother spoke, his voice sounding like nails on a chalkboard as it reached her ears. Her neutral expression did not show the emotions she felt, but the taste in her mouth suddenly became sour.
He walked towards her, with confident steps, it seemed like he was already on the second floor and was on his way to the third floor as well.
"I thought his majesty called the meeting"
She said, her brows creasing into a slight frown, it was becoming difficult to maintain her stoic expression but she did her best to keep her voice monotone.
"I mean I can also be referred to as his majesty but I'm the one who told father to call the meeting"
She rolled her eyes at him, he wasn't even the crowned prince, yet he still thought he was going to be the one to sit on the throne.
"By the way, how are you doing? I haven't seen you around much these days"
He said, with a small grin on his face as he got close enough and placed his hand on her shoulder and she shuddered at his touch and his smile caused her to grit her teeth before slapping his hand away like a bug.
"Don't touch me!"
She said her voice was laced with a terrifying amount of venom and her icy blue eyes conveyed an intense hatred, one she herself knew she can do nothing with.
She was a terrifyingly talented Archer, far above any notable archers in the Kingdom, however she still fell short when it came to close quarters combat at least when compared to her eldest brother.
"Oh come on, are you still angry about that? It was years ago, and I said I was sorry?"
"Did you? Because I don't remember you saying you were sorry"
She stated and Siegfrued merely shrugged at her words, perhaps he didn't apologise but what reason did he have to apologise after all what was wrong with doing what he wanted?
"Does it even matter? Anyway let's move on from this, there are far more important matters"
He said patting her on the shoulder and walking up the stairs, she stared at him intensely as she clenched her fist, hard.
The urge to attack him while his back was turned made itself known to her heart. However she was keenly aware that she would never win, he was far above her in strength, he is far above most people in strength.
Closing her eyes she exhaled before walking up the stairs following the individual she didn't recognise as a brother.
…
She took her seat as she surveyed the room, all her family members were present, all her siblings minus one, her father and the pregnant queen. She couldn't put her finger on it but ever since she became pregnant the queen has had an unwelcoming aura around her.
Her father, King Lucian Exian De Dreyer, was a fat, portly man, with an intense gluttonous appetite for a lot of things, not just food, despite his figure he was still a man with a handsome face and he still held a lot of physical might.
He was seated on the largest chair, one designed to resemble his throne, it was a symbolic way of showing that regardless of where he was he was still King.
"Father, why have you called the meeting? I was enjoying a lovely time with my darling husband, he is quite the gentleman, you see. he treats a lady like myself with much care and affection"
The feminine voice of her sister Elizabeth took Isabella's attention away from her father, when she glanced at her sister she couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Elizabeth was certainly a beautiful woman with fair skin, shining black hair and an attractive face, nice turquoise eyes, pink luscious lips, cute nose and a beautifully thick and well endowed figure.
It was unfortunate that she had zero shame whatsoever, the dress she was wearing was incredibly inappropriate for the setting and no one said anything to her about it.
"Ask your brother, he's the one who called this meeting, and stop speaking like that, this isn't a hundred years ago."
The King waved her away, he didn't particularly care, he was only here because that bastard son of his was threatening him with violence, something that made him irritated.
Elizabeth turned to their younger brother and looked at him with a confused expression.
"I'm not the one who called the meeting you bitch, I don't need anymore reasons to see you all"
Sigmund said, his voice was laced with frustration that clearly wasn't formed because of the present situation.
He supported his head with his arms, by placing his elbows on the table and using his hand to support his chin, the young man wore a bright blue blazer that was unbuttoned and a black undershirt that wasn't buttoned all the way up revealing the white t-shirt under it.
"I'm the one who called the meeting dear sister, although I am happy to know your husband is treating you right"
Siegfrued said with a small smile on his face however Elizabeth did not respond to his question, merely giving him a glance before turning her head to look at Isabella and giving her sister a smile one Isabella didn't reciprocate.
"OK, why did you call the meeting? Like the brat said, I don't need anymore reasons to see you all"
Isabella said as she folded her arms, however Sigmund was quick to respond to her words, feeling more than a little insulted.
"Stop calling me a brat, you bitch, I'm not a child anymore!!"
Isabella simply closed her eyes and ignored him, amongst her family members, only Siegfrued and her father could kill her without much effort, however despite Sigmund being a genius in his own right, he didn't compare to Reniella, so Isabella was confident in both cqc and long range combat she could handle him with little difficult.
"Hey don't ignore me!!"
"Sigmund, Shut up!"
Siegfrued commanded and the teen immediately shut his mouth, sat up straight on his chair and displayed a level of manners that wasn't present in him before.
The queen who sat closest to the King had her mouth shut, completely doing nothing to participate in the conversation, which was something Isabella admired, her aunt certainly knew when and when not to speak.
"The reason I called this meeting, is because the reputation of the family is at risk"
He began, his words gaining the interest of everyone in the room, they waited for him to continue but Isabella scoffed at such words, in her mind this group of people could hardly be referred to as a family.
"The blight is alive, and I'm sure you know what that means, father"
His words invited a deafening silence into the room and everyone displayed various looks of shock. Sigmund immediately frowning after the initial shock passed, while Isabella's expression softened but she quickly hid it under a stoic expression.
.....
A/N: quite the happy family ey? Comment your thoughts.