I hit the door the moment the guards locked me up , My heart was beating against my chest. What just happened, How did Aunt Liva… get there so fast?
I just saw Aunt Liva in the forest, she was controlling the Neiopid like she was their queen. And now She was seated in the Council chamber, calm, composed, pretending as though nothing had happened.
I paced the room, my bare feet brushing over the soft floor. My hands formed fists at my sides and I was so confused . My mind was so filled with questions. Was I hallucinating? Was that a dream?, or had I just gone crazy from being alone all the time
I heard the sound of heels,sharp, fast and definitely angry. And I know who it was The door burst open.
Queen Kayla stepped in, fury written in the hard lines of her face. Her crown glinted like ice, but she was Livid
"What is wrong with you?" she hissed. "Do you enjoy disgracing me, Azura? Must you always embarrass me?" for the sake of the gods you are a princess, why can't you just act like one
I froze. Then something inside me snapped, she wasn't even going to hear me out
"You've never cared how I feel!" I shouted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "You always put the kingdom first, like it's the only thing that matters! But I'm your daughter, Mother, "not just a princess", Your daughter! Have you ever, even once, thought about me? My thoughts? My feelings? Or am I just some dimwit of a child to you, just a good for nothing useless simp?"
Her eyes widened, just a little. A crack in her usual refined composure But it disappeared as quickly as it came.
She straightened up her face cool and unreadable again. "You think being queen is easy?" she said, her voice cold and calm. "You think I wanted all of this?"
"You want to know what I think…. I think you chose it over me," I said, quieter now. My throat burned and my eyes glossy "Everytime Queen Kayla"
She stared at me like she was staring at a stranger. Her silence cut deep
"One day, you'll sit on that throne," she said finally. "And maybe then, you'll understand the burden I carry. Not just as your mother, but as the queen."
She turned to leave, but paused at the doorway.
"Henceforth, you are not to leave this room. You will remain here until I say otherwise. Riona will tend to your needs. Perhaps some time alone will teach you manners, and how to stop behaving like a brat."
And with that, she slammed the door shut, hard on my face
I didn't move. I couldn't.
I just stood there, silent, staring at the door.
*******
I was sulking. I hated Aunt Liva for messing with my mind, but I hated mother more for not hearing me out
I lay on my bed dramatically, then sat up, then lay back down,flopped back to the floor so I could get comfortable. My legs kicked the air like a grumpy pinot. I threw a pillow across the room. It hit the door with a thud and slid down pitifully.
Still, it didn't make me feel better.
My stomach growled, a gentle reminder that it needs food
"I know, I know," I whispered to it, patting it like a sad pixie. "But we're imprisoned, remember? No meals for been rebellious brat."
Where was Riona when I need her the most?
I tried the door again, rattling the knob like a criminal in a dungeon
Locked. Of course. Because apparently, that's what you do when your daughter expresses concern for your life. You lock her in.
I sank back down and sat crossing my leg by the door. My arms wrapped around my knees. I bit my lip to keep from screaming.
"She didn't even listen…" I whispered to the empty air. "She looked at me like I was crazy. Like I just wanted attention. I saw Aunt Liva. I saw the Neiopids. I know what I saw."
My stomach growled again.
"Okay, okay, I get it. You're starving, I'm starving, we're all starving. Maybe if I did , someone will be forced to feed me."
"Wait a minute, What was that"I heard muffled shouting.
"Let me in, now!"
Uncle Kone's voice.
I hurried on my feet.
"But Lord Kone," the guard stammered. "The Queen Ordered"
"I don't care what the Queen said. I trained half of you blockheads. Move before I train the rest, with your faces."
Armor clinked. Boots shuffled. The door clicked and opened.
And , Uncle Kone walked in "Hello imp"
I gave him a small, tired smile. "Still scaring the guards into submission, huh?"
He grinned. "It's a hobby."
He stepped in, and just for a moment, the world felt a little less like it was falling apart. He crouched in front of me, his eyes scanning my face. I could tell he noticed the puffiness around my eyes, the slight shake in my hands.
"I can't believe she locked me in here," I said quietly, , "I can't believe she didn't believe her own daughter "
Uncle Kone said nothing, just listened like he always did. He was the only one who never cut me off, He actually listens to me
"I'm not lying," I said, my voice trembling again. "You know I wouldn't make up something like this. Aunt Liva was in the Nymph Forest. She summoned Neiopids, Uncle. Blind creatures that can smell fear. She's planning something. I just…I know it."
He sighed…
"I believe you, imp."
It broke me. Just a little.
I lunged forward and hugged him tight. He didn't flinch. He just wrapped his arms around me like a fortress and let me sit there, breathing unevenly into his shoulder.
After a long pause, he leaned close and whispered into my ear.
"Do you want to get out of here?"
I pulled back slowly, blinking at him.