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"Where is he?" My father glanced at his watch, irritation creasing the lines in his forehead. He looked around the empty restaurant and I blew out an annoyed breath. I was supposed to wait for him downstairs but in my act of defiance, I went on without him. Served him right for kicking me out of my own room. I regretted not putting up a harder right, but I wasn't sure if I really wanted to piss him off like that.
"You know punctuality isn't his strong suit, father," I said, flipping through the menu.
"Well, it's rude and disrespectful. It's like he doesn't care-"
"He doesn't care," I emphasized.
"Hi, are you ready to order?" The light blue woman asked us again, making me roll my eyes.
"We weren't ready five minutes ago...Sheryl," I read her name tag. "...and we're not ready now. Got that?"
"Yes, ma'am." She nodded before scurrying away.
"Ugh! I can't stand these people," I mumbled.
"Well you ought to be kinder to them, Xyla," he said. "To be a true ruler, you must learn how to hold your tongue when you want to speak the most."
"Well, if I'm getting bad service you bet your ass I'm going to speak up." I moved a wave strand of hair out of my face.
He sighed. "Sometimes I wonder why I didn't somehow choose Queen to be our half of the treaty."
My jaw clenched and my eyes shot lasers at the menu. "Because she wouldn't have followed through with your plans. That's why," I hissed lowly. "You may think she's better at talking to people, but I'm the one more equipped to rule. You and I both know she'd busy herself with trying to make the...peasants," I whispered. "...happy. We don't need that. Especially when they're contributing nothing to our society."
"Everyone contributes something, Xyla," he said, rubbing his temples. "It may not always be monetary, but I guarantee you that you can't do half the things they can. I've spoiled you and that's my fault."
"Oh, boo-hoo." I rolled my eyes. "Even if I knew how to do everything, you'd still look at me as a failure."
"I just want you to be more considerate, Xyla," he said. "We raised you in the eyes of the Lord for the better half of your life. I still wonder how you turned out like this."
"Take a long look in the mirror, daddy." I scoffed. "If you don't see me staring back at you, then I'll be nicer." I filled the wine glass to the brim again and frowned as droplets began to pour in, indicating that I had finished the entire thing.
