Royals (Book 1)

Chapter 35 : The Antagonist

June 22nd.

It's the date that has been haunting me for far too long, my orchestrated birthday. Months ago I might have been excited, having the choice of two gorgeous princes to rule by my side. For obvious reasons, I woke up with a weight of dread pressing against my gut so heavily that I could vomit. The truth was that there was no longer an innocent enthusiasm for the now, just the torment of the impending future.

"Happy Birthday Princess Rayna, you are already awake." Natia strolled in casually, her lively disposition contradicting my mood greatly. It was not until she took a closer look that she realized my expression. "You look like you're going to be sick."

"I might be, Natia I think I am going to be." I rose quickly, running to the bathroom and expelling the contents of my stomach into the toilet. The burn of acid cursed my throat as I felt the headache set in from the act. It continued until it was only bile, my eyes watering to the point where my vision blurred.

Natia followed me in and crouched beside me, rubbing my shoulder comfortably while placing her tablet down on the floor. "All of the stress must be getting to you."

Natia paid no mind to the boundaries that should be set between royalty and their servants, grabbing a piece of tissue paper and instructing me to blow into it as she held it for me. It reminded me of something Cindy used to do when I was younger, the memory only breaking my heart further.

"Distract me from the wrenching in my stomach, please." I managed to get out.

"There isn't a possibility that this is morning sickness, is there?" It was a cheap attempt to make me laugh, but it had worked for the moment. For a moment the nausea dispelled and it felt like I could breathe. "Perhaps we cancel the events?"

"Natia I know you are new, but you should know by now that it would never be an option. My head would be the main entree if I tried to propose that idea."

"Understood, then I will get you some medicine for your stomach while you can start brushing your teeth." Natia brought me back to my feet with the firm grip of her hands on my wrists, watching me lean against the sink before leaving me for a moment. In the mirror, I swear I saw the reflection of the reaper in my eyes. My skin was pale, eyes looking more sunken in than usual from another sleepless night. I wondered how birthdays were celebrated outside of the castle, was it fun for the average person?

Natia came back in with a medicine bottle in her hand as well as another servant beside her with a makeup kit. "Let us fix you up a little before you go out there, do not want people asking any unnecessary questions."

So the attendant got to work, some light coverage foundation to start that gave me enough of a dewy hue that feigned health without inspiring oiliness. She continued with ease and I watched myself transform in the mirror, I could almost forget that I had just been vomiting from anxiety. It was incredible how some things were masked so easily, with a fine enough polish everything looked glossy and bright.

"Rayna, I have brought you something." My sister sung while she stepped into my room, the attendant had already moved onto my hair so I could only move my eyes while I watched my sister stand there with a cupcake. There was a single candle in the middle, the flame dancing wickedly.

"Did you make it yourself?" I stared at it, pleased that my sister went out of her way to do this for me. Yet I felt it as a reminder, a taunt that everything that was to happen was relying on this day. Alita brought it directly in front of me, the flame radiating heat onto the tip of my nose.

"I did, it is your birthday after all." She gleamed. "Now make a wish." I mulled it over for a moment, what could I possibly want?

During earlier years, my mother always instructed to wish for something that would benefit the kingdom as a whole. I realize now that it was classic conditioning, to be trained to direct any hopes and aspirations of my own into something they could manipulate with ease. This was still my mindset, to wish for something that the Serpents could enjoy as well. I should not have to constantly think of others, especially on my own birthday.