Adella had never believed that the fate of her kingdom was to be conquered by stormfall. Her father had left the throne to her because he had become old and frail. Adella was the firstborn, a girl of 19 years old, born from her young mother for the old king. The youngest of the children born was just 7
Being a princess was cruel especially when you are forced to wed an old man for the benefit of your kingdom.
"Adella you should take a rest" Adonis her mother said placing a warm hand on her shoulder
"You can never understand Mother," Adella said coldly
Adonis left without saying another word after all she was used to keeping quiet which had been her role since she stepped foot into the palace.
Adella was filled with a lot of responsibility her father was more interested in women than his duties and in hunting than justice. Adella had no room for rest their military was weak although they had plenty of recruits they lacked weapons and proper training. Adonis was not well educated in this matter so how would she understand the responsibility
Unlike Adella who was raised learning the necessary duties of a princess, Adonis was not fortunate enough at the age of 7 she was wed to King Fredenard, and at the time she turned 18 she was made to have heirs. Unfortunately, she had two miscarriages and didn't bear a single son and it made the king hate her. In all bad things come good fortune because Ferdinand had grown to love Adella like a father would love his child.
Fredenard had made sure all his illegitimate children were killed so Adella would sit on the throne. Adella could never understand why her mother hated her father and she could never bring herself to hate him although she hated the things he did sometimes she could never speak up in case he decided to stop loving her. Adonis wore mourning clothes but never prayed that he sound peace everyone in the palace knew it. Adonis had even requested the royal tailors make her mourning clothes before the king died. King Fredenard smiled sadly when he heard about what Adonis had requested. He didn't have her locked up or punished. Adella could not forgive her mother for hurting her dying father.
Adella thought about her little sister Adaya and her education, she could no longer trust her mother to find the right tutor for Adaya.
Amara on the other hand was independent and could do without clinging to Adonis.
Adella was a queen loved by her kingdom her beauty was envied and her intellect praised. She had to meet up with the belief her people had in her. She wished she had paid more attention during battle tactics class instead of daydreaming about a handsome prince. Tactics class was so boring if not that there was no male heir she would have not had to experience sitting through the boring class. The kingdom had so much wealth that other countries envied them. The tyranny of her father was what kept them at bay.
There was a popular story of how a small country merchant had tried to swindle king Fredenard and the whole kingdom had paid the price. They had to offer the princess to avoid being wiped out. King Ferdinand had his way with the beautiful princess and killed her after because he could never trust a woman who was not from his country. Ferdenard had also tormented another country because the king did not acknowledge his presence in his country, he had bought lands all over the poor country expanding his stronghold thereby tormenting the poor king who feared that Ferdenard would buy every available land rendering him a king without lands.
The nobles loved King Fredenard because under his rule all they did was party and acquire more wealth. Adella could never fault her father for that after all people are born different. She could never understand why Adaya clung to Adonis and avoided her, if ever Adaya saw her coming down the hall she would run back and hide.
When it was time for dinner, she didn't want to go but she had to as the heir to the throne. Her handmaidens came in and helped her get ready When she was done getting ready the guards and maids escorted her to the dining where she sat at the table her father used to sit at. Amira sat down at her usual table beside Adaya and Adonis got up from her usual seat and sat down where Adella used to sit as the favorite of the king
"Time for a change don't you think" Adonis said to her daughter while placing a warm hand on her
The food was served and everyone had to wait till Adella took the first spoon but Adonis did not wait she took a spoon before Adella did.
She was angry that her mother had broken all etiquette but she wasn't going to reprehend her in front of the servant.
"Can I sit on your lap?" Adaya asked her mother. Adonis with a smile stretched her hands toward her as if it were a yes
Adaya got up from her chair to meet Adonis but before she could reach her mother, Adella got up from the chair irritated with everything
"Take the food away" she commanded "I see no one is in the mood to eat" Adella added before leaving
She could not understand why her mother had decided to get in her way. It felt like her mother felt like she could break all the rules simply because it was her on the throne, if she allowed this behavior to continue she was sure her mother was going to ask for the throne.
When Adella got to her room she instructed the guards not to let anyone in. Her maid hurriedly helped her change it was as if they could sense her mood. It was only two days left to her birthday and she would be finally king Adella closed her eyes and made a wish.
