POV Athénia
Breakfast passes in complete silence. My father clears his throat.
" Junior is on his way home. He should be arriving any minute now." announced the King
Hearing that makes me happy. It's been two years since I last saw him. We've always had a strong twin bond, while others say having a twin is a curse. Even our younger siblings fight all the time. Finally, some good news to start the morning.
" And you didn't tell me?" said my fake mother
" What difference would it have made if I did?" said the King
My fake mother is just dramatic—and I don't like her. I know, you're probably wondering who doesn't love their own mother. Well, me. I really don't. Not at all. She used to hit both me and Junior since we were little. We told Dad once, and she put on a show instead of getting scolded. The king ended up hitting us more, and once he was tired, he left, so our mother punished us for telling on her.
" I would've prepared his favorite meals." said Fabellia
"As if you know how to cook." I muttered
I quickly drink my glass of water to pretend I didn't just say that.
" Fabellia, why would I tell you? You're not the head of this manor—don't forget your place." said the King
" But…" start Fabellia but the king slams the table and walks off. Fabellia immediately follows him. I smile watching that.
" What are you smiling about, ugly?" said my brother Alvin
" She's probably going insane." said Raven
I roll my eyes. My dear mother passed her hatred for me and Junior on to my siblings. I stand without answering and head for the front door. I hear my little brother yell:
" UGLY GIRL INCOMING!" shouted Alvin
They're really starting to get on my nerves—and they're only eight years old, with mouths that foul already. Not surprising, since our mother's the same way. But only when Dad's not around. The second he walks in, she acts like the perfect mom. I remember how in our childhood, our father never played with us. He was always busy, like a CEO or something.
Junior has been trained to become king when we turn 18. And me? I'm stuck playing the perfect little princess. I'm only allowed to wear lame dresses that I hate.
Suddenly, I bump into something hard stupid door.
" Still bumping into everything, I see." said a voice
I look up to see who it is, even though I obviously know that voice. I smile wide seeing my twin brother standing in front of me.
" Jiji!" I shouted
I hug him tightly.
" Whoa, trying to kill me or what? Good to see you too, sis."Junior said teasing to me
I hear footsteps approaching us.
" My baby!" said Fabellia, I burst out laughing imagining the face she must've made while saying that.
" Athènia, for heaven's sake, let go of your brother. That's not how a princess should behave." said the King
Just what I needed to ruin my day... again. I break the hug and turn arrogantly.
" And what do you want me to do? Stare at him like a damn ice cube?" I said
" You really shouldn't talk like that…" whispered Junior to me but I interrupt her
" Breaking news. Like I care." I said
I turn on my heel and head for my room. As usual, just to piss off my father, I start running as soon as I hit the stairs. One of the house rules: never run on the stairs. Like I always say… as if I care.
The steps are long. I used to get tired halfway, but now I've built up endurance and speed—even my brother can't keep up with me.
I reach my room and fall straight onto my bed, muffling a scream with my pillow.
Back to the start of another shitty day. I'm so freaking angry. Ever since Junior left for his training, my father hasn't stopped belittling me. I've had to endure it every single day. Sure, I can defend myself just fine, but I stayed quiet not to make things worse. You know what? I've had enough. I'm juggling between these shitty days and these visions that keep getting more invasive.
Speak of the devil... I suddenly find myself in a bedroom with my father and some woman I don't know, lying on a bed together under the covers. She's resting her head on his chest.
OKAY, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
" Nevine, what if our families find us? They'll surely separate us." said the woman
" My love, no one can separate us now that we're together." said the King. Wait... The King!?
" Nevine, we both know our families have been enemies for centuries. We're not even supposed to go near each other." said the woman
" I know, my love. We'll fight for what we have." said the king, I'm sure it's really him.
" I' m scared, you know. Our babies are only two months old. If they find us, they'll separate us... and kill them." said the woman
" Our love is unique. A sorcerer and a werewolf... Trust me, everything will be alright." declared the King
He kisses her. On the lips. Ew. I never thought I'd witness something this intimate especially because that's MY dad and he's being so soft, I must be hallucinating.
Suddenly, I hear a knock at the door.
" Princess, the King requests your presence in his office." said the maid
What?? That's definitely not a good sign.
" Tell him I'm coming." I replied
I hear her walk away. I stand, take a deep breath, and walk toward the door.