Chapter 10: HER ANGER

I woke up with a terrible headache. Why on earth did I drink too much last night? I must be out of my mind. I forced my eyes open, only to be embraced by the sunlight.

I covered my eyes with my hand; the sun was shining so brightly, and its reflection filled the room. But then again, where am I? Did I check myself into a hotel?

I pushed myself off the bed and walked around the room with my head in my palms. My head was trembling in pain.

This room was fancy-equipped, and it doesn't seem like a hotel. I walked up to the door that led to the balcony and pushed it open. I stepped out, and I was embraced by a beautiful sight.

The compound was quite big, and its interior design was awesome. This isn't a hotel; where the heck am I? My memories are still a mess from the hangover that I'm having.

How on earth did I get here? What happened last night?

“I can see you are awake.” On hearing a very masculine, deep voice behind me, I knew I was screwed. How on earth did I end up in a man’s house?

I couldn't get myself to turn and face whoever he was. I was still shocked and left in between my own thoughts as I pondered what happened last night.

“Aren't you planning on thanking me for saving your ass last night?” The voice came again; there was this familiarity in the voice, but I just couldn't place my head around where I heard that voice from.

I mustered the little courage I had in me and turned. I found a pair of grey eyes staring down at me. My eyes widened in shock when I saw who it was. It was the same guy from the elevator.

“What on earth is going on?” I asked the question more to myself than I did to him. I was confused. What is he doing here?

“Your head must be in pain; come have some hangover soup. I ordered one this morning.”

“Excuse me, what on earth are you doing here, and where am I?” I asked, getting angry at him and leaving me so confused.

“I can see you don't remember a thing that happened yesterday, do you?”

“That doesn't mean you won't explain to me what you are doing here or why I am here!”

“Do you really want us to start raising our voices because I should be the one getting angry around here? Do you know how difficult you made last night for me?”

I just couldn't remember what happened last night. How on earth did I end up with this jerk?

“Where am I?” I asked as calmly as I could. I need to get answers from him, and getting him angry will leave me with no answer.

“Why don't you come inside and have some hangover soup? Maybe it will refresh your memories.

I followed him to his dining room, where he served the soup. From my own thoughts, this must be his house. 

“Dig in.” I looked up at him with a frown sitting on my face.

“Thanks. Now can you tell me what happened last night?”

“I found you totally wasted in a pub down the street. How could you drink so much when you know you are a light drinker?”

“I had a lot going on; I didn't mean to get myself so wasted. How much trouble did I cause you?”

“Enough to give me a sleepless night. I will have my chef get your clothes ready for you. I heard her wash them last night.”

My clothes—I wasn't wearing them anymore. It was only then that I noticed I was in a shirt that left my midthigh open. 

“Why? What happened to my dress?” I asked in panic. Did anything happen between us last night? I nearly let out a scream at the thought of that.

“Why are you looking so pale? Don't worry, I had my chef change you out of your dress since you messed it up.” He casually replied and left.

I let out a sigh of relief. I am never drinking again, and I also need to get out of here. I forced the soup down my sore throat. It wasn't tasting bad, but I needed to go.

I wonder what happened to my handbag; it contained most of my belongings, including my cell phone. I need to call Anna and let her know my way around. I promised I would call her when I got back yesterday.

What type of mess have I gotten myself into?

Sofia’s POV

As I walked inside the palace, I was informed that my mum wanted to meet me immensely. I knew I was going to get in a lot of trouble for leaving the palace without even considering the fact that my mum was going to be furious.

“Sofia, where have you been? Mum is furious.” Alma reported to me as she approached me. 

“So am I? How can she be marrying me off without even bothering to ask if this is what I want for myself? Don't I deserve to be happy?”

“You know she hates it when anyone goes against her word. She will punish anyone who does, and you and I know not even us, her children, are left out of it.”

“I don't care any more, but I'm not going to sit here and watch her decide what will happen to my life.” 

I angrily stormed off and headed to the throne room, where my mum was waiting for me. Should I even call her my mum, because she is more like a queen whose words are to be obeyed?

I walked in and found her sitting on her throne, her stone of light floating around her. I walked up to her and said my greetings.

“You called for me, your highness. How can I be of help to you?” I asked as I tried to hide the anger boiling inside me.

How can she be so relaxed? She was even having fun with her spirit guide while I was wallowing in pain. All I wanted was to decide what would happen in my life.

She stood up and walked up to me as the stone followed after her. The stone of light is like what makes an elf a ruler. Each queen was chosen by the stone because the stone was able to see a good ruler.

Once chosen by the stone, you will bond with it, and it will protect you. It will bond power with their chosen partner.

Even if Alma has trained all her life to be the next queen of Álfheimr, that doesn't guarantee that she will be picked by the stone. 

She stopped in front of me and stared at me with anger in her eyes. I stared back at her, as I was tired of giving her the chance to control my life. What she did next took me by surprise. She slapped me hard across the face.

“How dare you disobey my orders? I told you to stay with Eldarion, but you left him standing all alone in the garden. Do you know how pathetic you made me look in front of his parents!?

I had a guest, Siofra, and I begged you to keep your unruly attitude to yourself until they leave, but you had to go against it!”

I felt hot tears running down my face as I tried to recover from the slap.

“That's because I'm tired, mother!. Do you know how it feels to put a fake smile on your face!? Do you know how hard it was for me to wear this useless gown, even if it was uncomfortable?

No, you don't. All you ever do is go about setting and arranging my life when I clearly don't want you to.” 

I was so boiled up with anger that I tried not to say anything and let her scold me like she always does, but slapping me against the face was what I didn't expect from her.

“I can't believe you talked back at me, and to think you are not remorseful for going against my orders instead you are justifying your mistakes” 

Here we go; she was giving me that look. That look spelt nothing but disappointment. That look says why you had to come as my daughter; even though it hurts, I just don't care anymore.

“A mother is supposed to understand and guide her children, not force them into a marriage they are not ready for.

I don't care if you are disappointed in me or see me as your worst mistake, but I won't have you make me marry Eldarion just because you want to get rid of me.” 

I know from the start that my mum is trying to give me out for marriage so she can focus on taming her perfect daughter.

But I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, but even as I stared at her right in the eyes, I could see it all; I was right.

She was actually trying to get rid of me with marriage. I took a few steps away from her. How could she be so cruel? 

“You don't have to give me out for marriage to get rid of me. I can actually get rid of myself, so you won't have to see me again.” 

Where is the anger? Why is she not screaming and trying to screw me up like she used to?

I took off everything that spells that I'm from a royal home. Starting with my tiara, the bracelet, and the royal necklace. I dropped them all at her feet and stormed out of the throne room.