Ruins of her Crown

Chapter Two

The roar of the crowd was deafening as King Corus stepped onto the lowest castle balcony, his designated spot for giving his infamous speeches that "moved even the most stone hearted people." Thousands of people from the farthest reaches of our kingdom had come here to gather within the castle walls, and even on the outer reaches of them to hear him speak. I was only two steps behind my father, feeling beyond silly in the ridiculously frilly dress that itched up a storm. But I was still grateful for it, because it kept my father from snagging on my waist and noticing that it was less defined without a corset. I tried not to wince at the thought of what would happen if he found out I had gone against the proper etiquette of a royal family member.

Being sure to keep my shoulders back and spine ramrod straight, I perched on the edge of my chair sat on the left side of my fathers throne. I was sure I looked every bit the role of the elegant, strong princess that was nailed into my mind.

It was far from what I actually felt like on the inside.

The King rose his hand, and the crowd was immediately silenced. I stopped myself from flinching at the raise of that hand. That hand that was often seen in the nightmares that followed me into the waking world. After a beat of silence, my father spoke.

"My people." I saw some eyes widen with awe in the crowd at that. "It is with joy, and love in my heart, that I welcome you here today..."

Before he could even finish his first sentence, I had already been lost. I had heard speech, after speech, after speech come out of his mouth ever since I was old enough to walk. And each time, I noticed that the crowd was so captured by his words and stories of glory, strength, compassion, loyalty, lies. I often times wondered what would happen if the people of this kingdom found out what happened to the daughter of their beloved king. If they found out that everything he spoke of in his glorified speeches held no true meaning to him.

If they found out that the honoured king had no honour at all.

But then again, I was the princess in the background. The only child of the ruler that never got so much as a passive glance. If they were to find out what happened behind the closed doors of this castle... Perhaps it wouldn't matter to them.

~*~*~*~*~*~

With a huff, I sat on the edge of my bed, looking towards my chamber doors wearily. Today had been exhausting, and I was praying that my father didn't enter once more to teach me another lesson about something I hadn't done. The moon was high, the night was late. I needed to rest, even just for a little while at least.

I struggled out of the dress, trying to reach behind myself to undo the laces. But it was no use. The ridiculous frilliness of it prevented me from reaching back far enough, plus my body was still aching from earlier. I struggled for another two minutes with it, before I gave up. Tears leaked from my eyes as I tried to hold back a sob. And then I felt gentle fingers on my shoulder.

"I'm here, Adelief." Draya spoke softly, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze I couldn't feel through the frills of the dress before quickly and efficiently undoing the laces at my back. She helped me out of it, and not just the dress. She relieved the heat on my face and the puffiness of my eyes, and helped clear my head. I honeslty did not know what I would do if I didn't have her in my life.

I turned around, fully unclothed now and faced her. She peered up at me, I was a few inches taller than her. Her hazel eyes were wide as she peered into my own green ones. I had always managed to restrain myself from the feelings I felt for her, but now.. it was just the two of us wasn't it?

I leaned forward, but then she ducked out of the way. 

"we need to get your night clothes on." She reminded me, her expression a bit flustered and her cheeks dusted with pink. I nodded meekly. It was a risk we couldn't take.