My father's Princess

Chapter 10

I dashed through the halls dodging guards and plants, which the castle had plenty of both. Finally I reached my room, closed the door, plopped down on my bed, and let out a loud sigh. "What's going on your highness. You look tired. Should I start a warm bubble bath?" I shook my head and held up three fingers then counted down. Once I put down my last finger the door slammed open. "A bloody nose! Are you serious! Over some dumb doll!" Normally I would wait till the end of her deafening screams then simply lie saying, "Yes, I do realize my mistakes, and I will go through with my punishment that I fully deserve with no complaints", but this time was different. Even though I was completely out of breath I didn't hold back. "A dumb doll? Do you even know where she got it from? Our dad! Who you seem to have forgotten ever existed. I wish the blood would've stained her new, white, designer shirt! I wish I would've done more then a bloody nose! And I wish that you would stop taking their side and realize that your children, your children you gave birth to, are the real victims here!" She was shocked that her mindless drone actually fought back, but so did she. "Oh poor Annie." She said sarcastically as her fiery eyes starred me down. I can't believe she called me that. "Why don't you grow up. Your father is gone! He's not coming back and you know it! At least you weren't like me. A little girl, sitting on her porch, waiting everyday for hours for her daddy to come home. At least you knew! So don't you dare act like this is some charity and your some orphaned little girl! By this point tears had started to leak out my eyes. "I finally found a family who wasn't a mistake, and now you punch one of them in the face! Honestly I don't even know what to do with you right now." I couldn't believe what I just heard. "You think we were mistakes?" I said trying not to make my voice shake. My mom replied without a moments hesitations, "Well let's face the facts. I was always suppose to marry your father." I interrupted her very annoyed, "He's not my father." Mom rolled her eyes like she always does when I say that, but continued. "Charles was just an annoying interruption, and Adrian was nothing but a mistake. He played with my heart the left without even say goodbye to my face. And worst of all he left me with two kids who I don't even know let alone love." I was growing from sad to angry fast. "Maybe it's because you didn't try. You didn't try to know those kids who happen to be the sweetest kids I know. You didn't try to understand why Adrian did what he did. And you didn't try to realize that you weren't the only one suffering. You knew Adrian for not even two years. Riley and Sam knew him their whole lives. So you think that I'm immature? Why don't you take a look in the mirror before you judge your own daughter!" I felt the anger rushing through my veins, and the saying "she made my blood boil" took on a literal meaning. "You are just like your dad. Start off cute then become an annoying buzz in my ear!" She had crossed the line. "Just like my dad? You didn't deserve my dad. And An annoying buzz in your ear? Well mom, let me tell ya, your no Georgia peach either. If I'm such a burden to you then why don't you just put me on the street?" I was back to sad again. Not because of mom insulting me. She could insult me until the rooster crowed, but she insulted my dad and Adrian. "Well trust me, I've tried, but it would look bad if the new queen abandoned her kids. Even if she was in the right." I was  holding back my hand from not doing the same thing I did to Celeste, but it didn't help much. Before I knew what I was doing my foot found her shin and gave it a hard kick that was sure to leave a big bruise. I ran out of the room knowing she wouldn't follow only because she had the last word, like always.

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I sat in Abigail's stable, crying, in a corner full of hay. I checked my phone. 11:30. Good, I still had half an hour to pull myself together. Maybe I'd just take a five minute nap and wake up refreshed. Though to my dismay, my five minute nap turned into a fifty minute nap. Once my eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room I saw Cooper sitting beside me. I sat up to quickly giving myself a splitting headache. "Oh I sorry! Did I wake you up."
"What? Oh, no not at all. How long have you been here?"
"Forty-five minutes but that's not important. How long have you been here? Your face is red. Have you been crying?" I must've been crying in my sleep too. I was to embarrassed to talk so I simply nodded. "Oh Annie!" He pulled me close to him and fingered through my hair, pulling out pieces of hay. "What happened?"
"It's a long story." I wiped away a few remaining tears in my face. "It's ok I've got time."
"It all started with a broken doll." I said snuggling into his arms for a long night.
Once the story was over there was a short moment of silence, broken by Cooper's soft voice. "Annie that's awful. I don't know what to say." He pulled me in closer and I rested my head on his leg, exhausted from reliving the story. "I don't want to go back Cooper. I'm scared."
"I know. It will be all right. Trust me." He stood up, brushed off the hay and walked away. "I'll be back in just a little bit." He called back. Five minutes later he returned with an afghan, a warm cup of tea, and some pillows. "I figured you won't want to go back tonight. So I brought some stuff for you. Follow me there's a clean, and horseless, stall over this way." I followed him to the other side of the stables. Then he laid down the pillows, covered me up with the warm wool blanket, and gave me the tea. He sat down beside me, and we talked until I fell asleep. When I awoke, Cooper was all ready doing his work. I wanted to stay forever wrapped up in the woolen colorful squares. I knew as soon as I walked into the castle I would be surrounded by guards and my mother would continue to yell at me, wondering where I had been, how I even thought I could get away with bruising her royal legs, and describing in full details my agonizing punishment. Maybe Celeste and Cynthia would even be there, giggling to each other. Perhaps even the king, there only to see that I get proper discipline. I couldn't go back. Not yet anyway. "Good morning my princess. I'm glad to see you finally awoke." I let out a small yawn. "What time is it?"
"Just a little after 10:30. Your maid brought down some fresh clothes." I realized I was still in my riding outfit. "If you don't want to go back to the castle, come find me once your done changing. You can come run errands with me. Your company would be very much welcomed." And with that he turned away leaving me to get dressed.

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From the lack of scenery it had seemed like hours had passed by though I knew we had only been  driving for a few minutes. The blazing summer sun shown in through the window making the pick up truck like an oven. It was a miracle the old thing still ran considering it was from before World War Three. Only a few words passed between us which made the situation a little awkward and tense. Finally Cooper spoke, "The plantation should be just around the corner. Wait until you meet Lydia, the owner. She's just she's just about the sweetest old lady you'll ever meet despite her husband leaving her." Finally we drove down a bumpy gravel road and hopped out. A few workers were gardening the plants out front, and an old lady was knitting on the front porch. "Hey Lydia!" Cooper called out while we walked towards the frail looking lady. "Well hello Cooper! I wasn't expecting you today. Who's you're friend."
"Oh sorry. This is Princess Annabelle Carmichael." Lydia dropped her needles in shock, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. She rushed to her feet and pulled me into a hug. "Oh Annabelle!" My arms stayed by my side, too shocked to move. I saw a tear in the little old lady's eye as she looked up into my eyes. "I've waited fifteen years for this moment, preparing speeches, imagining how it would all go down, and now here we are, and I'm completely speechless."
"That's the first." Cooper mumbled. Lydia didn't even give him a glance, and that's when it hit me. This lady was so old and senile that she mistook me for someone who was obviously close to her heart. More tears fell down her cheeks as she spoke with a slight shake in her voice. "Annabelle, I know you don't know who I am, but I've been waiting to meet you for decades. You probably think I'm just an old cook who doesn't know what she's talking about." It felt rude to nod even though she was completely right. The more she talked the more she talked the more I became confused. I figured she must be really loyal to the crown, but fifteen years? I hadn't even been at the castle for more than a month. Then she said four words that would leave a mark on my life forever "Annabelle, your my granddaughter."