My father walks right past me to Cassandra, not showing any signs of even acknowledging my presence. I don't dare turn around and ask what he wants fear that I will be hit for my efforts. My father was always for solving his problems with physical violence and, to him, I am a big one problem that just won't go away. He desired a son to one day ascend the throne and follow in his footsteps, but instead he got me.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg8JYNKK9T
"Is she ready?" He asks Cassandra. I scowl at him. I have a name.
A nod from her is all he needs before grabbing my arm and hauling me out of my room. I don't speak to him as we make our way down the various halls to the ball room, a route I know well. His grip on me tightens as if he is afraid I will escape, run down the hall never to be seen again. As if I have anywhere to go, thanks to him I have not seen the world outside the castle grounds. The ladies in waiting do not follow instead they stay in my room awaiting my return from the ball. Another ball in which I must force a smile upon my face.
As he drags me down one of the halls I look up at the many portraits hanging on there. Family members who have each sat on the throne. My eyes fall on three portraits in particular, my mother and my mother's parents, my grandparents. My mother was murdered before I turned three years old and both of my grandparents died when I was five. I don't know how my grandparents died, no one will tell me, but I have reason to believe my father killed them just like he killed my mother. Only a monster would do the things he has done. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as I remember the good times with my grandparents and a mother I who's face I barely remember anymore. I blink back my tears before they fall not wanting my father to see them. Not wanting to be yelled at for ruining my makeup.
My father stops suddenly and it takes all my strength not to run into him just like it takes all of my will power to not punch him in the face for all the pain he has caused, not just to me, but to others. We have arrived. My father turns to me with a cold look on his face that gives me goose bumps. The loud chatter of the ballroom is the only thing I hear until he speaks.
"You know the drill. They announce me first then I go in, next you are announced and go in." He recites the speech he gives me before ever ball. "Do not go in before you are announced."
"I know." I role my eyes.
"Watch your tone young lady." My father growls.
A glare threatens to appear on my face. My father straightens his suit and prepares to go in. I listen as the announcer speaks and the room goes quiet.
"Announcing his majesty King Reginald Wilfred Hunter Chamberlain-Swordstone."
My father bursts through the huge wooden doors and out onto the ballroom balcony as the people applaud his entrance. The doors close shut and I lie in wait for my name to be called.
"And now, announcing her highness..."
I grimace as I wait for my name to be called. I am not too fond of the name I was given. I strongly dislike it and how long it is.
"... Princess Victoria Courtney Elizabeth-Rose Chamberlain-Swordstone."
Taking a deep breath, I emerge through the great big door held open for me by two guard on either side, a bright light and shower of applause. My heart sinks as I smile for the hundreds of people below me, so many people that will be watching my every move. With a moment’s hesitation I descend the set of stairs to my left, stairs that are too short for my liking. All signs of my previous sadness washes away like leaves on a windy day, I control my face to be set in a smile. I grip the polished railing as I continue to make my way down the stairs, my knuckles turn white. My stomach tighten for the second time today.
At the end of the stairs my father awaits me, holding out his hand for me to take. Griping his rough hand in my own I follow him as he leads me over to someone who is all too familiar. A man who thick blonde locks sit neatly on his head. I man I wish I had never had the displeasure to meet.
"I shall leave you two alone to dance." My father lets go of my hand and after shooting me a look only I see, he disappears into the crowd.
I curtsy to the Prince in front of me even though my mind screams at me to get out of here. To run and never look back.
"Your majesty." I say through gritted teeth. The Prince doesn't seem to notice and instead of showing me the same respect that I showed him, he just smiles. His pearly teeth are too white to be natural.
"Victoria call me Winston, after all we engaged." my father has not set a date for the wedding, a day I can only hope will never come.
"As you wish."
Winston offers his hand to me and regretfully, I oblige. As he leads me towards the dance floor all I can think about is how much I do not want to be here right now. How much I dislike all the pairs of eyes aimed my way, watching me and Winston. Winston grabs my by the hand and starts to twirl me around the ballroom, other couples have started to do the same. The song seems to go on forever, finally the musicians stop this song and start up another. This on much slower than the last.
Winston, against my will, pulls me closer. His body pressed up against mine, his hand around my waist. All is silent, until he decides to strike up a conversation.
"I have recently acquired some new farming land." He announces. I smile up at him as he looks at me expectantly.
"Oh, how did you acquire this new land?" I force myself to look interested in his feeble attempt to impress.
"The man who owned it went out of business and had to sell it to me." One look at his face tells me all I need to know. I take in a sharp breath, he forced the man to sell the land to him. That asshole of a man.
Winston gazes into my eyes longingly, not like someone who is in love, but like someone who wants power. Slowly I feel Winston's hand travel downs from the small of my back. Slowly it inches lower and lower until it is almost too far for. As quick as I can, I pull free of his hold.
"I am feeling a bit hot." I make a show of wiping fake sweat off my brow.
"Then we shall go get you something to cool you down." He offers.
"That sounds nice." I let Winston lead the way towards the refreshment table, always staying a step behind him just like I was taught. Another pointless rule.
Upon getting to the refreshment table Winston and I come face to face with what seem to be some acquaintances of his. A male and a female holding hands approach us with smile plastered on their faces. The woman has so much jewellery on her it is a wonder why she does not fall over from the weight.
"Greta, Charles it is so good to see you again." He then gestures to me."This beautiful thing is my fiancé."
My blood boils at what he calls me, an object. That's all I am to him, an object that will get him closer to the throne. It make me madder that his acquaintances don't seem to notice, or care for that matter. Clenching my fists I calm myself down until the thrumming of my blood dies away into a distant l
While Winston continues to chat to Greta and Charles I let myself look around the ballroom. People dancing in time with the music fill my vision. Everyone my gaze falls on is happy. What would happen if they found out that my father was not the man he seems? Something grazing my elbow causes me to jump with surprise. It's Winston.
"I have finished talking, let's go." More like an order than a request.
He takes me over to a corner of the room, somewhat hidden from everyone else, and places a hand on the back of my neck. Shit, no. He angles his neck downwards so his lips are in line with mine. Fuck, Fuck, Fuck. Winston lowers his head until his lips are a breath away from mine.
Panicking, I wrench myself out of his grasp, I look at him for a moment before turning on my heels and bolting dor the nearest exit. I flee the ballroom, ignoring the questioning stares cast in my direction. I have one route in mind, the way to the only person who will make me feel better, who will listen.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI79xLqLMB
