Valerie
He shook off his hands from my grip, "Did you say that you can pay me whatever I want?"
I remained mute, wondering if that was a question that demanded my response. His gaze swept down my body, lingering on my lips, neck, and gown before finally settling on my shoes. Then he shook his head. "I want nothing from you. I'm sorry, I'll have to decline this offer," he said coldly. "You'll be fine." He added. With that, he walked away, turning back intermittently to look at me.
I let out a deep sigh, my eyes wandered once more, but the only men in attendance were older with their weathered faces and graying hair. I was out of options. My heart sank, feeling like I was staring into a gray future with no escape or hope.
I knew it was high time I faced my father and told him about Julia's mess. I found him in his chamber, dressed in very expensive royal robes. Father never wears a smile when I'm around him, so I wasn't surprised when he gave me the same cold attitude. "Why have you come to bother me, princess?"
Before I could even begin to explain, my stepmother, Queen Vesta, appeared, "You worthless princess," she spat, her hand reaching out and stroking my face.
I felt my cheek burn. I bit back a cry, tasting the coppery tang of blood in my mouth. I bowed my head, "Your Highness."
Her presence was irritating and each time she approached me in this manner, I knew I was in deep trouble.
She gave me a furious gaze, but I refused to raise my face again, fearing what I might see there. Instead, I kept my eyes fixed on the floor.
"Get out of that wedding gown at once," she barked, "My daughter is getting married today, and you're just causing commotion."
I opened my mouth to speak, but couldn't form the words. She took a step closer to me. "Do you hear me?" she thundered, her hand raised as if to strike me again.
I nodded, my heart thumping a little higher at each passing second. "I do, y.. your Highness," I stammered, my breathing accelerated, each inhale and exhale coming in a short rapid burst.
My father sat silently, watching as his wife mistreated me. I turned to him, pleading for help. "Father," I called, trying to keep my voice down. "Won't you say something? Lady Julia stole the prince from me."
But my father just shrugged, "I don't want to hear your excuses," he said like someone who lacked emotions. "You have just lost to your stepsister. What can I do about that?"
I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized my father didn't care about my pain. I swallowed hard, fearing that Queen Vesta might strike me again.
As I turned to leave, my father asked me to wait. "I made a promise to Julia. I told her to make a wish and I would grant it to her."
What business of mine was that? I wondered, waiting to hear him speak.
"Until a man eventually shows his interest in you, you will serve Julia as her handmaid henceforth."
His statement was like an explosion in my ears. And then, I felt my knees weakened afterward. I held onto the doorknob for support. At least, grateful for the fact that she didn't request for my head in a tray.
"I'm a daughter of a king, a princess, Father. Besides, Lady Julia already has a legion of handmaids at her beck and call," I tried to disagree with my father. "What more could she possibly want with me? She's already taken Prince Henry from me."
My father's tough gaze settled on my face as if to say if you were not my daughter, you would have experienced my wrath. "You have no right to question my decision, little princess. You'll serve Julia and that's final."
Queen Vesta, once again turned her fiery eyes in my direction. "What other position do you think you're fit for, huh?" She inquired, mocking me. "You're no longer the bride-to-be. And now, you'll do well to remember your place and serve your stepsister also," she came closer.
"Your father's just trying to be kind, but let's be real Valerie," she breathes into my ear. "No respectable man will ever be interested in you. Even if you were to marry some desperate pauper, you'll still be nothing more than a servant to my daughter."
Overwhelmed with emotions, I allowed the tears to flow and soiled my makeup, I couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Enough of this. We have a wedding to attend. Don't keep us waiting." My father thundered, gesturing to the exit. "I don't want to see your face anywhere in this castle again, worthless!"
I forced myself to move, to put one foot in front of the other. I was desperate to walk away from them, forever. Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled through the castle corridors with my grieving heart.
I finally reached my chamber, but even that was denied to me. The door was open, and Lydia was busily packing up my belongings.
"Lydia? What are you doing here?"
"I'm so sorry, my lady," Lydia replied, startled as she glanced up at me. "The king ordered me to pack your things immediately. I coul... I didn't... Can't object." She stuttered apologetically.
I headed straight to my table, retrieving my talisman, made in the form of a bangle, and the wand my mother had passed down to me.
I slowly sank onto my four-poster bed, watching silently as Lydia carefully packed away my clothes, my books, and my memories. It was as if my entire life was being dismantled before my eyes.
A while later, the lady-in-waiting burst into my room impatiently, her abrupt entrance making me jump off my bed. "Are you ready?" she asked, "The wedding is over, and now it's your turn to take on your new duties. Let's go."