Royal Heartstrings

Chapter 12- Goodbyes and no regrets

Valerie's POV:

I sliced into the chicken my mom had made, savoring the aroma of the roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes. It was dinner time, and tomorrow, Mira was leaving for Calon City. We still hadn't spoken since our fight yesterday, and I hadn't run into her at work.

My mom suddenly asked, "Val, why don't you want to go to Calon City?"

I looked up, knowing Mira must have told them. "Of course, Mira told you guys."

My mom pressed, "You haven't answered my question. Why is that? Don't you know how many people want this opportunity you're rejecting?"

I shrugged, taking a sip of water, avoiding eye contact. "I just don't feel like going to Calon City."

My mom argued, "Do you know how many people that want to go to the Palace? It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"

I pleaded with my dad using my eyes, hoping he'd intervene. He turned to my mom and said, "Sheila, if she doesn't want to go, then it's okay."

But my mom quickly shut him down. "No, John, she needs to think about her future."

I felt my anger and frustration growing. What was it with them and wanting me to go to Calon City? I had my reasons for not wanting to go.

My mom said in a lighter tone, "Val, this is for your own interest. Don't you have dreams? Do you want to be a maid forever? Even if you want to be a maid, you have to aim higher, and the Palace is the highest you can go, my dear. So, I'm saying you should reconsider."

I sighed, pushing my food away. "I know, mom. I know you want the best for me. That's why you do all of this. I know you hate your job, but you keep doing it for us." My mom looked down, her expression softening. I continued, my voice cracking, "Mom, I don't want to leave you guys. I don't want to work in the Palace. I'll do just fine here, and I promise to be the most obedient daughter. I promise to work very hard. If you don't want me to be a maid anymore, I promise I'll listen to you. I'll do anything you ask me to do, but please don't tell me to go to Calon City."

I stood up shakily, clearing my plates away to the kitchen. I returned to the dining area and said, "Thank you for the meal. Goodnight."

I walked away upstairs to my room, my mom calling after me, "Valerie, come here this instance!" My dad also called, but I ignored them both, shutting my door and sliding down against it, bringing my knees to my chest and resting my head on them.

No one understood why I didn't want to go to the Palace. I had told Mira about helping the prince that night when his motorcycle broke down, but I left out the part where he confessed his feelings. I thought I might never see him again, and I was fine with that. But now, I was asked to go to the Palace, and I couldn't. I didn't want to. I wanted to run away, from him, from everything, from the guilt I'd been feeling. It seemed like my nightmare was coming true.

I was sure of one thing: I wasn't going to Calon City, and I definitely wasn't going to meet Prince Nova again. Never.
___________

I woke up feeling normal and a little sluggish. I brushed my teeth, bathed, and went to my room, where I was surprised to see a beautiful pinafore dress with a white blouse and a black shoe, laid out on my bed. A note on top of the dress read, "Valerie, this is for you. Love, Mum." I smiled, feeling my worries melt a little. I wondered why my mum was doing this - was she apologizing for pressuring me yesterday or had she agreed to let me not go to Calon City?

The clothes and shoes looked new, and I wondered when my mum had bought them. They looked a little too fancy to wear to work, but I didn't care - I was just happy to wear something nice. I styled my hair half up and grabbed my phone and bag before heading downstairs.