Chapter 14
AUDREY POV
Luckily when it was lunch time, I had lunch all by myself in the courtyard because I didn’t want to see Prince Liam or my mother and I also didn’t want to be forced to be talk to someone I hated. Luckily for me, nobody tried to call for my presence during lunch and I was very excited.
I was able to eat well, without worrying about table manners, I fed the birds out of my share and I appreciated nature more. But alas all good things must come to an end as the late afternoon sun shone on me making me feel hot inside and I needed to have a bath to refresh myself. I looked at the gate that leads outside of the town and wondered when would I have the opportunity to go out again and explore the woods, and find that mystery man. But that would have to wait, right now, was to take a bath and read something interesting.
I was heading to my room to focus on reading my past time novel when I saw my mother in front of me and she signaled me to come.
I paused in my tracks, I was about to frown and shake my head but seeing her expression stopped me in my tracks. She looked sad and somewhat angry about something and I decided not to push my luck.
Having a bath and reading could always wait. This apprently couldn’t.
I didn’t want to make her any more angry, because I know she was going to start crying.
She walked into her room and I guess that was my cue to follow her. Looking around to make sure that smug Prince Liam or his dad wasn;t anywhere in sight, I raised my flowing gown up and ran down the hall till I got to her door and stopped, holding onto the door rail breathing heavily. It wasn’t proper for a princess to raise their dresses above their knees or run in the hallways, but I didn’t really care anymore.
“You called for me mother!” I said as I stood at the door entrance waiting for her permission to let me come in. She was seated at her makeup table, her maid by her side as she looked at her face in the mirror.
“Come on in. I want to talk to you. Sharon, I need some privacy.” She said to her maid who nodded her head and bowed before leaving as I entered and she closed the door behind me.
“Please sit on the bed. I want to add some touches to my face. I look old.” She said not glancing at me directly but was looking at me through her standing mirror.
“Mother, you are trying to look prettier than usual. For who? Are you expecting a new suitor or something, or are you trying to get me a new little brother. Don’t you think you are already old.” I said with a smile as she chuckled and replied,
“I didn’t call you here to talk about my sex life. I called you here to talk to you about your life in particular.” She said as I rolled my eyes and flopped right on her bed.
“Mother please, you can’t possibly tell me to marry Prince Liam.He is so egoistic and full of himself. There must be something you can do.” I begged as I sat beside my mum in her bedroom.
“You know that is what is expected of you. You have to stop fighting this. It has already been finalized. Your Father is out on a visit and Prince Liam is having a royal bath in his chambers. You are betrothed to him whether you like it or not, you should start acting like it and not give your father any more reason to hasten the marriage.” She said.
“But mum…what about my feelings. I know you may think I am childish, but I still very much believe in true love and I know that my happily ever after doesn’t end with Liam. It lies beyond the horizon.” I said sounding a bit poetic. I must have sounded silly to my mum’s ears because she burst out laughing.
“You never cease to amaze me Audrey. You think you can get away with fantasies in your head. You are extremely lucky that Prince Liam spoke to me today instead of your father. He hoped that I would be able to put sense into your head. And I guess I will do just that.” She said turning to face me.
“Love isn’t for royals. We don’t see love as something to have. We are used to our obligations. We are taught to think about the welfare of your citizens. Getting married to Prince Liam stops the impeding war that will happen if you don’t. His father is a cruel king. He won’t accept this sort of disgrace from us. I know that we are pressurizing you and it is not fair because you are a lady. But it is your duty. Even if I get you a little brother, he can’t rule because it isn’t his birthright. It is yours and your children’s birth right. You said that the citizens of our kingdom already hates you. If this war starts and they find out, you caused it, there will be chaos. They will kill you, and even the maids in the palace can do it. It is simple and short. I don’t know how else to put it, You have no choice but to marry Prince Liam. I know that you hate it, but who knows you may develop feelings for him in the future. But despite that happening. You have to do your duty. It is your right.” She said holding my hands tightly as I sniffled before cleaning my face.
She was right in every word she spoke but that didn’t make it easier. Somehow I wished I wasn’t in the palace anymore. If I had run away, I would have been free.
I stood up and ran out of the room with sadness.