Ruins of her Crown

Chapter One

"Father!! Please, I-I'm sorry!!"

I cringed away from my father's raised hand, which had paused midway from striking me again. My back was pressed against the wall as my petite figure curled into a ball. My muscles were tensed and my teeth were clenched as I prepared for the impact of his hand on any part of my body, most likely the place that would cause the most pain. But after a few seconds longer than usual, I realized that the impact I was waiting for wasn't coming. Opening my eyes that had been squeezed tightly shut, I peeked over my arm. My father stood there, mouth set in a firm line and his hand lowered to his side. My muscles deflated and I sagged against the wall as relief washed through me. Now I had to do the one thing that was expected of me after each bruising- apologize.

"Father, I-"

"Did I say you could speak!?" I cried out as his foot met my abdomen, and I was squished against the wall as my bones ached. I inwardly cursed at myself. I had forgotten to wait for his permission to speak.

I laid there panting between my teeth as I heard a loud scoff and his footsteps receded down the hallways of my personal castle chambers. Dizziness made me see stars, but I still only gave myself no more than two minutes to recover and then stumbled to my feet, hearing another set of footsteps approach from behind me.

"He really needs a cactus shoved up his arse." Despite what had just happened, I smiled at the familiar and infinitely comforting voice. I turned towards the lovely face of the one person in the world that I could trust- my personal royal maid, Draya.

She jerked her head in the direction of my bedroom just down the hallway. "Come on, Adelief. Lets get you ready."

My heart warmed as she hugged me and put her arm around me gently to guide me towards my bedroom. I limped by her side, the ache in my abdomen far from fading. Of course, i would have to sit prim and proper by my fathers side during his next great speech from the castle balconey this afternoon.

I sat on my bed as Draya lifted my shirt and frowned at the bruises on my ribcage. She applied light pressure to them with her fingertips, and I hissed. With a worried frown, she reached into the pocket of her maid dress, and pulled out a very small vile of what looked like cream.

"Seems like we're gonna need this if you hope to get through this afternoon." Draya said as she lightly applied no more than a drop of her familiar homemade pain relieving balm to each bruise. I let out a sigh as a cooling sensation went through my entire abdomen and the pain faded. When I first asked how she had made such an amazing product, her reply had been "Years of research and a ton of herb gathering."

Her touch was gentle and tender and every bit of me warmed at the feeling of her fingers easing the pain. I felt them pause from rubbing in the cream and her eyes met mine. Her gaze held so much emotion as she steadied it on my own.

"Draya-"

"I know.. You don't need to remind me." The sound of her soft voice made my heart ache. Ever since Draya had been introduced to me as my personal maid, her and I had only grown closer over the years. The connection her and I shared was undeniable. I loved her- truly, more than anything. But I couldn't put her at the risk of my father finding out about it if she had indeed become so much more than just my maid.

We stayed there for a beat as our gazes remained locked, and then she got to her feet and hurried towards my large wardrobe. I pulled off the rest of my clothes as she reemerged from the wardrobe with a dress that was covered in so much frill It made me cringe. There was only one thing that was missing.

"What about the corset..?" I hesitantly asked as she approached and carefully laid the dress on the bed beside me. Draya scoffed, pure hatred in her voice as she spoke.

"No way in hell you are wearing one of those horrid things with the size of those bruises." Then she noticed the worry and fear in my eyes, and her tone softened as she hugged me close. "Do not worry Adelief. He surely will not notice from the god-awful frilliness and thickness of this particular dress."

I smiled as she pulled away and then helped me into the dress. I stared into the mirror, and then let out a laugh.

"Dear Lord, it really is awful!!" Draya joined in my laughter with a soft chuckle. She turned me towards her and sat me at the vanity as she started on my makeup.

Minutes passed in which I felt relieved as I chuckled along with Draya about one particular story she was sharing about her little brother last time she vsitied her family. I tilted my head back and laughed as she started to imitate her mother in an exageated naggy voice. But then we both froze as a knock sounded at the door.

" Princess Adelief?" My father's personal gaurd called through the door. "Hurry up. It is time."