The Life Of A Struggling Princess

Life of Abuse

Two important women walked into my room. These are my ladies-in-waiting; they help prepare my outfits for events, make my bed, draw my baths, and other uses. The leader is Lady Clémentine Dimont, she appears sweet to others, but she dislikes me. Clémentine is my head lady waiting since her father works close to my father, and I had no say in the matter. She never believed I should be Princess of France because of how I walk and tries to make my life even more difficult. The other is  Lady Vivienne Nicollier; she is timid, but it seems to me that she only follows Clémentine due to her position.  Clémentine has very dark black straight hair, bright green eyes, and always wears a mischievous smile.  Clémentine has excellent clothes as her family works close to royalty. Vivienne, on the other, had light brown hair, blue eyes, and a kind smile. Her clothes are regarded as less noble since she was sent to become to gain her family status in the court.  These women have completely different personalities, but Clémentine does not allow Vivienne to speak to me since she wants to prove that I am not "worthy" of my title. 

"You rang, your highness," Clémentine stated through gritted teeth.

"Yes, it is time for dinner with the royal family; I must change," I stated as I pointed to my wardrobe and changing curtain.

Vivienne slowly moved to the dark wood wardrobe and opened it to pull out a light blue dress with bell sleeves. I nodded as that is the desired dress I want.

"You will not be wearing that, My Lady," Clémentine stated, pulling the dress from Vivienne's shaky hands. "You WILL wear this one." She stated, pulling out a simple grey dress.

This dress was used normally for my daily riding or visiting the local towns. Clémentine knows that this is against royal protocol. She was trying to hinder my authority by wearing this dress.

"Lady Dimont, as my head lady, you aware that I cannot wear such attire to dinner. I must wear the blue one." I stated firmly and in a commanding tone.

Clémentine was shocked and threw the dress back at Vivienne. Clémentine left Vivienne to change as she was going to do my hair. Vivienne kept her head down low as she slowly began to undress me. As Vivienne was changing my chemise, she noticed the twisted leg and a very long scar on my hip. My doctors gave this scar to me, thinking that draining my blood would fix the crookedness. That is when Clémentine returned to help finish dressing me.

"See Lady Nicollier; even her leg looks ugly as she does. She does not deserve our kindness." She stated harshly.

"I think that was uncalled for, Lady Dimont. She is the princess, after all." Vivienne stated sheepishly.

Clémentine rolled her eyes as she fasted the light blue strings on my dress. She then yanked me by the arm and forced me into the vanity chair. She began tugging at my hair. At this point, I was trying not to cry. She finally was able to calm down and placed my brown wavy hair on my shoulders while placing a smalls sliver crown upon my head. 

Standing up, I stated, "Lady Dimont, you do not have to be so forceful with me. I can understand that you dislike me, but I am your ruler first, and I am still a person."

"Please, your nothing but an excuse for political gain. Your father only kept you because your mother couldn't have any more children" She started getting closer to me. 

I was pushed up against the vanity when Vivienne spoke, "Lady Dimont, Please leave the princess alone..."

"OH SHUT IT! This is between me and her royal highness," She stated, raising a hand towards my face.

As I closed my eyes and turned my face away, I heard the voice of someone familiar. "Dear sister, are you ready?" Charles stated 

He grabbed her hand and stated, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! SHE IS THE ROYAL PRINCESS!"

Clémentine looked in awe at my brother; while trying to release her arm, she stated: "She has no authority over me, she is just a cripple, who will not amount to anything."

Charles gripped her wrist tighter and stated, "Your posting is supposed to take care of her, but you are filled with so much hatred that I feel sorry for you."

Clémentine no longer looked frightened and spoke, "My position is here for life as long as my father works closely with the king; I will always make sure her place in life is known."

Charles had heard enough and let Clémentine go. She and Vivienne and left, and that is when my brother knelt in front of me.