The Princess

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔉𝔬𝔲𝔯

"Aveline wouldn't want that." I walked slowly down the stairs. Rosalin was arguing with someone. "I will not send her to Astoria. I will not allow it, Father." I heard clearly.

Father? Has Grandpa Thomas come to visit us? But why? After all, he had to stop contacting us so as not to draw attention. 

"You know you have no choice. She has no choice either." A male voice answered.

"What, did you just remember that your country has a princess?" Auntie replied. "She is human, and has a will of her own."

I kept walking downstairs. I didn't want to go back to Astoria, to that terrible palace. I didn't feel well there, I couldn't be myself, and I had to wear a mask all the time. You can't live like that.

"Whether you like it or not, Keira will be the queen, and the next ruler of Astoria."

I stood. I stopped breathing. I? Queen? It is impossible. After all, I'm not fit for this. 

I was promised a normal life here in the United States. Dad said I'd never have to go back to Astoria. But he also said that here I will not be a princess but an ordinary teenager. So in theory, I relinquished the throne, but not formally. I have never signed any document containing anything like this.

"Leopold told me she had no right to the throne." Rosalin said. "He said she would never have to do royal duties."

"Rosa, why  are you so naive?" Grandpa said. "A child under eighteen cannot relinquish the throne."

I started slowly walking downstairs again, silently. My step was shaky and my feet were heavy. My brain said get out of here fast. I had a feeling that I would run out of this house quickly and hide in a place where no one would find me.

Suddenly I felt a warm touch on my left arm. I looked quickly behind me. "Uncle." I said in a whisper.

"Everything will be fine." Michael gave me a warm look and smiled. "Remember we will always be there for you, no matter what happens." I slightly nodded and gulped. 

I was afraid to go to the salon. Sometimes it was better not to go to places you were afraid of. But I can't keep running from who I really am. My step became a little lighter and I started walking easier towards the living room.

When I finally entered the room, the first thing I noticed was my aunt's red face. Her eyes were filled with sadness and anger. I'm not surprised at her.Lord Harton, grandfather, never mind, didn't treat her well. She was not his favorite daughter.

"Lord Harton." I said in a cold tone. "It's an unexpected surprise, your visit."

"Keira." He said my name in a slightly warmer tone. He looked at me for a long time. He looked at all of me. He hasn't seen me for a long time. How many years had it been when he last saw me? Four? Maybe five? "You have grown up."

"Lord Harton. Why are you disturbing my mourning?" Auntie looked at me in horror. Here I had no power over him. I was not Princess Chamberlain. Keira Camber only. "I hope the House of Lords has introduced national mourning."

"Keira, please calm down." Auntie said.

"They want me to be queen, but I know what everyone thinks of that." I replied firmly. "I know that most of the House of Lords didn't like me. So my mother's last wish was that I be sent here. They killed my mother." I said harshly. 

"Keira." Rosalin said in a calm voice. 

"We don't have time for conspiracy theories." Lord Harton snarled back. "Keira, you have to behave from now on. Every stumble of yours can cost you dearly." He added firmly.

"I don't want to be queen."

"I'm afraid you have no choice in this situation." His voice was a little calmer.

I started pacing the room. It calmed me down a bit. I couldn't just sit back and do nothing about it. The fate of my future is at stake here.