At least the food was good, I thought, as I relished in the taste of boiled potatoes and chicken.
"Do you think your brother will announce his betrothal at the feast?" Acrisius asked.
I rolled my eyes at the question "The answer is quite obvious isn't it?" I answered.
His next words were swallowed as my brother rose from his chair to make an announcement.
"My lords and ladies, I know you're enjoying the feast," and you're about to ruin it. I thought.
"but this is a matter of great importance. I want to announce that I am to be married" the crowd joined their hands in applause at his words and stopped when he raised his hand to silence them.
"I plan to marry the Lady Melissa Valendel in a fortnight" he took her hand and planted a gentle kiss on it, and the hall boomed with applause once more.
I could see Melissa scan the entire hall, face filled with triumph. They both shared a kiss in front of the crowd which made the hall drown in applause.
I found it disgusting, even more so that I used the opportunity to leave the room, before my anger took the best of me.
I was alone in the empty hallway outside the hall overlooking the garden below when I heard footsteps coming from my right, I didn't bother looking because I already knew who it was.
"How do you feel my lady?"
"I feel like breaking something Amenadiel" I answered truthfully.
He chuckled "You always feel like breaking something" he said.
"True"
He placed his arm on my shoulder keeping a respectable distance, a sign of comfort and respect "I know it's not my place to say this your highness, but you have to let this go. The crown was yours by right yes, but it isn't anymore, there's no use in dwelling in what could've been"
I know he spoke from a place of concern, and I understood him, but it was not something easy to accept, especially knowing the reason why.
"I understand you Amenadiel, but it isn't just about me, it's about the reason why it was me. What if he and Melissa have a girl?" I asked.
"Then he would do to her what has been done to you, pass her over" he completed.
"Exactly"
We were silent for a while, taking in the sound of rustling leaves and the squirrels climbing the trees.
"I want you to know that I stand with you my lady, whatever may come" he declared. I would have felt something more if not for the way I was feeling at the moment.
"Thank you, Amenadiel" I managed to say before he left me alone with my thoughts.
"The bitch called for breakfast?!" I bellowed.
"It appears so, your highness." Alice responded.
You would think that after last night's events, everyone would want to take a break, but no, Melissa Valendel calls for breakfast.
I slept rather late last night thinking about Amenadiel's words, I really considered just letting everything go, and move to Temeria with Acrisius, I wasn't any use to anyone here anyways.
It would be a lie if I said I haven't thought about usurping my brother once or twice, but I gave those thoughts no space in my head, because it would be pointless.
I have no allies and no army, I would be captured and slain if I was stupid enough to do anything so rash.
"Will Acrisius be there?" I asked.
"No, your highness. It's just the royal family" she responded.
Great.
I thought about wearing green just to piss of Melissa, but it wasn't worth the effort.
Melissa has always hated green since she fell into a bush full of poison ivy. I never understood why the hate for the entire color, half the world is covered in green. The idiot.
Alice found me a nice red gown and styled my hair with gold jewels, I then made my way to the dining room to do something I would never do willingly. Have breakfast with my family.
The dining room was already complete by the time I arrived, at least I didn't have to watch Melissa and Ramiel walk in together hand in hand.
I bowed to the king and my mother before I took a seat beside duke Herbert, it was the only seat available.
"Greetings duke Herbert, Lady Melissa" I said as I received a glass of wine from the servant.
"What kept you so long? It is disrespectful to keep the king and his court waiting, especially for something as trivial as breakfast" Melissa said.
I grit my teeth in anger. if it was so trivial, then why invite me?
"I was not informed sooner my lady" I answered, though it was a gentler answer than she deserved.
"She's here, and that is all that matters" Ramiel said "Let's begin"
The servers poured in carrying trays of different sizes and dropped them on the dark oak table.
A servant removed the cover, and the scent of roast duck overtook me, almost making me vomit.
"Is there something wrong princess?" Melissa mused. She knew I hated duck.
I didn't answer her, but rather called for another servant "Have something else brought for me" I commanded, she took my plate and left the dining room.
"I do not like duck" I answered her.
"Oh, you don't say" she replied with a smirk.
The servant came back and informed me that duck was all they were ordered to prepare for breakfast, I immediately knew who gave the order, but I refused to make a fuss about it, so I settled for toast bread, egg and some sausages.
The clanging of cutlery became unbearable as it was the only thing that could be heard in the vast dining room. I'm good with silence, but this was making me lose my mind.
"My king, I was thinking an alliance with the kingdom of-"
Duke Herbert was cut off when the doors to the dining room swung open and Robert strode in, his face triumphant. He dragged a woman behind him, her wrists bound by heavy iron cuffs. She stumbled, her knees cracking against the stone floor as Robert forced her to kneel.
The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Robert and his prisoner. Her face was bruised, her lip split, and her eyes… her eyes were wide with fear, but there was something else.
Something sparked a strange sense of familiarity within me. I felt as though I had seen her before, but I knew I hadn't. I never forget a face.
Our gazes met, her eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a jolt. They were the same golden eyes I'd seen in the woman at Sundara, I was certain of it. But this was a different woman.
Robert's voice cut through the silence. "I apologize for disturbing your breakfast, your majesties, my lord" he purposely skipped me, but I didn't care. All I wanted to know was who this woman was and why she was in chains.
"This woman was found at the border trying to sneak into the kingdom while I was completing my patrol, she is a witch"