teach me to love

꒰02 - unconditional love꒱

[previously...]

I continued making my way down the hill, eventually stopping at a shallow stream that divided the castle from the rest of the kingdom.

Never before had I crossed this line, knowing that if I was caught, the punishments could be severe - royalty was not meant to interact with commoners.

But tonight was different - something urged me forward into the lure of the unknown. Maybe it was the fact that I felt... betrayed, almost... by the kingdom I called home.

Where was the unconditional love that my mother had promised me?

I had been trapped and misled, brainwashed into believing that everything these people - that I had once trusted so deeply - did to me was for my own good. But I realized now that in their eyes, I was nothing but a tool. A tool to build the strength of the kingdom, to establish power and hierarchy. 

They said they loved me.

Lies.  

They said they cared for me.

Lies.

They said they wanted nothing but the best for me.

Lies.

All these years, I had been told the same thing.

Step out of line, and you will be punished.

And all these years, I had listened. I naively believed that everything would turn out good in the end. So what the hell is this? 

The gentle flow of the stream in front of me carried me out of my thoughts. I took a small step forward. I wanted this... I've always wanted this.

Turn back, said a small voice in my head, it's not worth it.

All my life I had desired freedom, and it was always right out of my grasp. I wanted to live like a normal person, to leave behind this burden that is power.

You'll be caught.

"I don't care, " I muttered. 

You'll be punished.

"I said I don't care." 

You'll lose your title.

"I DON'T CARE"

Your mother will stop loving you.

No... she wouldn't...

She would. 

But... she said she would always love me. 

You know that's not true.