Unforgiving

1. damn her

Crown Princess Allia Cordelia cornered me, hand in my hair. Her eyes were full of hot, scalding glee. "Aren't you excited? I thought you'd be excited-"

She pulled my head back, exposing my neck. She narrowed her eyes and continued, "I thought you wanted to be equals. Isn't that what you said? I thought that's what you said."

"Please... Stop..." Princess Allia's grip was unforgiving, but it didn't hurt as much as the remarks she spat in my face. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean..."

"You did. You did! Don't try to retract it now." She let go of me and straightened, towering over me. Her sneer had dropped into a fine line. "You'll be the first person I pick off once I win."

I looked down at my feet, deferring to her anger. Trying to force the indignant tone that often haunted my voice, I said, "My deepest apologies, My Hope. I truly hadn't meant to upset you as much as I have."

I heard her scoff. She lifted my chin roughly, making me meet her emerald gaze. "You were brave before. What happened? Does this all scare you that much?"

Yes. I want to live. "Please, My Dearest Hope, please reconsider this. I could never stand a chance in this game, I-"

"That's exactly what I want. For you to flounder."

Be human! "My Hope... It would serve you no purpose, my being there..."

"It'll bring me happiness. I thought you wanted me to be happy."

Flashes of sweetness filled my mind, days of light and vegetation; flitting through the garden, giggling in dark corridors; walking side by side as if we were... the same. The same in status, the same in mind, the same in our whispering of dreams.

"I want you to be happy," I'd said, years ago. "Please find happiness, my princess."

But she had changed. So had I, but Allia had become needlessly cruel and sharp in demeanor, while I had mellowed and softened in kind. We'd switched temperaments, though the tongue I'd been born with slipped at times, slithered out and tasted the air. Before Allia's bitter shift, before my fall from her grace, I could speak as freely and angrily as I desired. Now, anything I said or did was a cardinal sin.

"I do, My Hope, I... I'm sorry..."

"Will you continue with the games?"

Do I have a choice? "I... I will..."

Allia smiled, no, bared her teeth. Her fangs flashed in the light. Her bright, sweet smile had been replaced with something ugly and glaringly white. Her rosy skin was flushed with happiness, making her look both ethereal and evil. We were complete opposites; her hair hung in blonde, golden waves while my coal-dark hair coiled tightly and bloomed in all directions. Her spotless skin was a beautiful, cold shade of alabaster whenever it wasn't an excited, frenzied peach-hue. My tired, rough skin was bronze and warm, adorned with a single black dot next to my bushy black brow.

She turned on her heel, her dull blue skirts flounced as she moved. She always wore sickening, boring colors these past few years, forsaking the vibrant shades she had often sported. I'd seen her preferences flip overnight, and I had to scramble to keep up with her mood.

She was never happy, now- at least, not with me.

I slumped against the marble wall. I took in the luxury around me. It was built for the pleasure and honor of the imperial family. It was never something I was supposed to indulge in- the times I spent with the princess were simply wrought for she did not have anything better to do (aside from her studies).

I slowly followed after Her Highness. She had her coursework to do, so it meant I would have to pick up half of the slush. I didn't mind it; I got an education I wouldn;t have. This was the only thing I was grateful for from this version of Her Highness.