"It's only natural that she goes through the stages of grief," Duke Herman whispered with the two, "perhaps we should give her that present," he dropped his voice lower so I couldn't hear. I winced as they all turned their eyes on me,
"We have one more thing for you, dear," the queen smiled through evil eyes, "please bring it in," she motioned to the servants. The sound of heavy metal chains dragging on the floor echoed through the dining hall. I turned to see three small children wrapped in torn and burnt clothing. I knew them! They were the youngest from my orphanage!
"I'm glad you like it," the king smirked, "you can keep these pets, as an early wedding gift, of course," I stood silently, inching my way towards them. I knew their names all too well. Anisa, Fitria, and Efrain. Anisa was the one with short strawberry blonde hair that shone like the sun, and eyes so green you'd think they'd be emeralds. Fitria was a beautiful girl as well, she had long black hair and bright sky blue eyes that shone with pure intellect. Efrain was a lively young boy with sharp light brown hair and honey brown eyes. They didn't look like themselves, they looked dead. The light within each of them was snuffed out. I saw hope for that light when their eyes met mine,
"Freya?" Anisa choked,
The other two just stared in shock,
"It's me," I whispered. We each started to tear up one by one, but when I tried to embrace them, the servants slapped them for trying to touch 'her highness the princess' it made me sick. The king waved his hand with pride,
"Have my daughter-in-laws pets taken to her room, dress them nicely and feed them well," he smirked,
"Freya, dear," the queen smiled as she caught my attention, "with pets comes great responsibility," her words dripping with threats, "In order to keep a pet alive, one must do what needs to be done,"
"Do you understand?"
I paused, they meant if I wasn't obedient, if I retaliated, if I displeased them in any way, the last little bit of my family would die.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I stuttered. We finished the meal and I was taken back to my room.
"Please leave, I would like to be alone with the children" I sighed to my new personal maid,
"Of course, Your Highness, I'll let the pets out of their cage now," her words took on a sinister tone. I watched as she unlocked a small door in the wall revealing a smaller room of pure darkness. She took a magic-infused lamp and smiled,
"Come out now, you're owner would like to see you," when they came out in new outfits, I was shocked. They were wearing luxurious clothing embroidered with a white rose, the symbol of the youngest prince. Collars with the same symbol were tired tightly around their necks,
"You may leave now," I turned to the maid, fuming with anger. I glared at her until she left the room.
"What's going on?" Fitria began to ball, "I don't understand!"
Of course she didn't, she was only ten,
"Why are you marrying into such a bad family?" Anisa cried,
She was only seven and she understood the situation already?
"I wanna go home!" Efrain sobbed,
As expected of a five year old little boy,
"I'm sorry!" I cried as I fell to my knees, "I have to marry the third prince! And we have to be good, I'm sorry we can't go home, that we can't play in the fields anymore, I wish there was something I could do!" I sobbed, these poor children, they shouldn't have had to carry my pain along with their own, they shouldn't have been dragged into this in the first place! I soon felt their small arms wrap me in a hug,
"We'll be good, and won't cause trouble!" Anisa whimpered,
"Please don't let them hurt us again," Fitria whispered,
"I'll keep you guys safe, and we'll find a way out, I promise,"
We sat like that for what felt like hours,
"Did they feed you well?" I asked,
"We got to eat cakes and vegetables," Fitria smiled, "Efrain liked it,"
"They didn't give you guys any meat?" I knew I heard that the servants got to eat the extra that the chef made,
"No," Anisa shook her head, "they said we're on, what was it?" She pondered,
"A bunnies diet!" Efrain exclaimed, "they said we're as tiny as bunnies so we have to eat like them,"
"It's true," Fitria nodded, "but, it's not exactly healthy for growing kids," she mumbled, "especially because it wasn't very much,"
"I'll slip you food from my meals too, I was told that I can eat in my room so we can share," I gave them a small smile, something that felt so unfamiliar.
