"Come forward"
Silence spans the room. I feel the burning eyes of the petty nobles. They envy my position, yet pity my situation.
"Look at me"
I will not. I have done nothing wrong. I study the blue and white tile of the throne room, staring down at the elegantly placed patterns.
"Princess Alacia. The King has ordered you to have an audience with him. Raise your head."
The King. My father. I slowly raise my eyes to the bear of a figure encompassing the entirety of the throne. His large beard does not give any indication of his expression. His green eyes are still as vacant as every time I see them.
"Enough is enough. Paranoia is your fatal flaw. That chamber maid is still recovering in the physicians chamber." His rumbling voice echoes across the marble walls, letting the tincture of fury in his voice scatter across the room.
I have done nothing wrong.
"That snake of a maid had the audacity-" I began.
"I will hear no excuses. She was not trying to endanger your life, merely eavesdropping. Deciding to fling hot coals at her, however, is an extremity that will not be condoned."
The gasps of the court were quickly replaced with haughty glares. Please. I know everything about you people. The woman with the tall hair? Cheating on her husband with a page. The treasurer? Hiding a gambling debt. No one here is to be trusted.
"This has been the fourth time you have overreacted. I have also heard of your obsession with keeping private eyes on people. No more. You are going away. You leave tomorrow."
My head whips up in shock. "What? My lord.. My lord you cannot..." Once more meeting his eyes, I see a purposeful gleam that was not there before. He is not looking at me.
As I trail my eyes to the direction, I see a serving maid giving me a smirk. I see. My father is using this as an opportunity to install another mistress. He knows I would raise resistance in court. No one can be trusted.
"You need to learn that no one is out to get you, and form relationships. Start packing. You are dismissed."
I will survive whatever comes. Without anyone's help. No one can be trusted.
