Trapped by Destiny

Don't look too closely

He pushed me down and commanded me to leave. I did not hesitate, running to my chambers as I let the tears slowly fall. I walked over to my mirror to see the damage. By going to the balcony during the ball, Vedric deemed me to be punished. So in the middle of the night, I awaken from my slumber to see him. He dismissed the servants and I feared for my life. He beat me black and blue.

He stuck me across my face the more I pleaded for forgiveness. Then he continued. Hitting me, beating me. I couldn't stop him. And at some point, I stopped fighting back. What was I to do? He was the future king. My fiancé. My destiny. It wasn't going to be the first time and it wasn't going to be the last. I saw the look in his eyes as he struck me. They were cold. He had no remorse for what he was doing. I was lucky that my skin was brown otherwise the bruises would be more visible.

I started to undress, hating what my body looked like. There were bruises on my hips, back, arms, and legs. I felt like my entire body was bleeding. Like I had no strength in me to even stand. To make matters worse, there was word that he had a mistress. One that was before our engagement. I learned at the ball from some other servants that he has been sleeping with a cook. Not that I cared. I just hoped he wasn't hurting her like he was me.

I wiped my tears and looked down, preparing a series of power that was rushed from seasonings and food to create an allusion on my face. But my vision was drawn to the fire that held the light in my camber. I was tempted. I've done it before. It's usually the same cycle. My father did not favor my opinion either. Whenever I did, I was sent away. Mainly to my chamber but when I was little, he was amazing. He showed me what it meant to be a queen. Granted, he made me watch someone get beheaded against my will but I learned that he was simply trying to teach me a lesson. Whenever he tried to teach me a lesson, I would burn my wrist when the vision would repeat in my head. It helped me focus on something else.

My mother has always been an ass. When I was five, I was scared of the dark. So she refused me any light, locking me away in a tower, making me spend a night there. As I grew older, she got worst. Hitting me, telling me how stupid I am, how ugly, how wasteful. But the fire to burn me continued. I tried to stop once but I wanted to do it again. I held my wrist over the fire, letting it heat my sensitive skin. I balled my fist as I tried to take as much pain as possible. I winced in pain and removed my wrist. Looking back at the mirror.

I stood up straighter. Breathe. I inhaled slowly then exhaled. "I'm okay," I said to myself. I changed myself into a casual grown, covering up most of my bruises. I used the powder to cover my face of any scars. I tapped my finger lightly on a red powder and tapped it on my lips to deepen the color of my blush lips. I smiled to myself. I kissed Liam last night. And he escaped. Thankfully. I wished to see him again. I wondered where he went. But he kissed me. God, his lips were so soft. His hands gazed over my corset and it made my heart flutter. It was a shame that he was a thief. We could never be together.

"Princess Maria?" I heard as my door opened. I looked over to Melody with a soft smile. "Are you alright?" She asked me. "I am. Did you enjoy the ball last night? I saw you dancing with a duke," I said with a friendly smile. She blushed softly and I chuckled. "It's quite alright for you to have a life of your own, Melody," I told him. "You need breakfast," she said. I shook her head and took her hand. I sat her down on the made-up bed. "Tell me about him," I said. All this time we've only been talking about me and my questions. She may be my handmaiden but she made it clear that she would love to be considered a friend. Which was something I needed.

"He's amazing. We were talking about our love for animals and, it was sweet," She said with a bright smile. I could see the happiness in her eyes. "That's great! Do you think he would ask for your hand?" I asked her. She was of age. "I hope so but I wouldn't want to leave Vudel," she said. "I think you should. One day. Take it from me, this is the first time out of my kingdom and I'm still at the castle. There's nothing for me in this life but you have an opportunity to leave. Take it," I told her. In both kingdoms, I've been told to stay in the castle. Only seeing where my horse had taken me. I was trapped but Melody was not.