The Princess

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔉𝔦𝔳𝔢

Aveline walked down the great corridor with golden grouting and with large crystal chandeliers . Wealth was evident everywhere here. As a duchess and future queen, she was getting the best of everything. A life almost like some fairy tale. But it wasn't.

Aveline knew it was all a political illusion. The previous week she had received threats. Someone told her to leave her son and leave the palace forever. She also knew that the House of Lords hated her. Especially Lord St.Clair.

She had to be on her guard at every turn. And now it wasn't just her life at stake but someone else's. She hadn't told Leopold yet because he didn't have time. His father is very sick and he is the one taking care of the kingdom.

It had been a long time since she had seen him. He didn't even know that Ave was pregnant. Phillip was now in a private meeting. Aveline wanted to spend as much time with him as possible but the House of Lords decided that Philly must be educated in elite institutions from the start. She worried about her son and was afraid he would become cold and insensitive to others.

Walking through the hallway everyone gave her their bows to her. This action made her feel uncomfortable. She felt that she  didn't need that attention. She used to tell them that it wasn't necessary. But the palace staff didn't listen to her.

At the Harton home, she was taught to respect other people. None of the servants bowed in their home because they simply didn't have to. Her father always believed that every profession was necessary, and the title of lord gave nothing to someone in life, only problems.

Aveline walked toward the chamber of lords room. She wanted to meet her father. To tell him about her problems. She hoped he would be able to get to the prince and tell him.

In front of the great golden doors stood the royal Astorian guards. They were armed and closely guarded the entrance to the council chamber.

"Your Grace." They bowed slightly.

"May I come in?" Aveline asked in a calm voice.

"There is an important meeting. His highness has asked not to be disturbed in any respect." One of the guards answered her.

"It is important. And Lord Harton?" She asked.

"Lord Harton has left the meeting. He is in his office."

What a luck, Aveline thought. She was able to show her father the threatening letter she received. She quickly left the guards and walked toward her father's office, hoping he would help her.

With a quick step she walked down the side corridors of the palace. She didn't look ahead, she walked blindly. Suddenly she heard a quiet scream. She looked ahead and saw a strange woman lying on the floor.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Aveline immediately helped the girl up. The girl's hair hid her face so Aveline didn't know who she had hit lightly.

The girl shook herself off and uncovered her face. "Aveline, I could have guessed." She said in a mean voice.

"I'm sorry Countess St. Clair." She wanted to pull her hair back slightly and fix her hairstyle but the Countess quickly pushed her hand away.

"Don't apologize. There's no need to apologize for being such a broken woman. I don't know what the prince sees in you. He could have chosen someone better than you Harton."

Then the Countess slid up to the Duchess and whispered in her ear. "You know you don't belong here."

Aveline held her face, not wanting to show that she was weak. Otherwise people could easily break her. Not that they didn't already. Everyone in the royal court looked crookedly at her and her actions. Leopold couldn't do anything about it.

"Sometimes it's better to be different." I snapped back at her.

With a quick step she walked away from her. She was already close to her father's office. She hoped that she would not run into another countess who would do anything to make Aveline leave the palace.

Ave slowly knocked on the dark door to Lord Harton's study.

"Please, the door is open." A masculine voice echoed from behind the door.

Aveline opened the heavy door and walked in. She quickly closed the door behind her, and slammed it shut. "Father." She said in horror.

"Ave. Is something wrong?"

Lord Harton quickly stood from his chair and approached his daughter. He then embraced her and led her to one of the couches in his study.

"I'll get you some water right away." He said.

Lord Harton returned with a large glass of water and handed it to Aveline. He then sat down opposite her. Aveline took a big gulp of water. Now her hands began to shake. In front of her father she could show how much she feared for her life and her child.

"Father, I got this today." From the pocket of her white pants, Aveline pulled out a white sheet of newspaper clippings. The letters arranged threats and under the letters was her face with blood drawn on it.

Lord Harton looked intently at this threat. "What does Leopold say to that?"

Aveline shook her head. "He isn't. I haven't seen him again for several weeks. I tried to talk to him today. But he has meetings."

Tears flew from her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore. She wanted it to be like before, when she had met Leopold. It was like in a fairy tale, but life is not a fairy tale.

"It's not just about my life." She said.

"What do you mean? Did they threaten Phillip?" Lord Harton asked.

Aveline touched her stomach lightly and looked at it. Another life was there. She had found out a few days ago that she was pregnant.

"Leopold knows?" She shook her head.

Lord Harton was furious. Someone wanted to kill his daughter. And his son-in-law had forgotten he had a family. He had to take matters into his own hands or this would end in disaster.

"Father, I need help. But no one in this palace wants to help me. Even my husband has forgotten about me. Everyone here hates me. I am unwanted here after all."

"I will see what can be done. The most important thing is for Leopold to know. You need more protection, but Leopold needs to know about everything don't keep secrets from him."

"How am I supposed to talk to him if he's never there." Ave said in a crying voice.

"Don't worry about that. I'll have a serious talk with him." Lord Harton said. "I'll get you temporary protection. But you can't do anything stupid. You find any more threats like this then you are to tell me and tell me right away. Trust no one in this palace. Only Leopold and I are trustworthy. Remember that."