Princess nightmare

Chapter [5]: Bob

~Chapter 5, Bob~

I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. That impostor guy does a good job at being my dad. But apparently Carter was the smartest in the household to realize that it wasn’t dad. And, how could I not notice his goatee?!

I rolled over. I’ve got to protect my family, and the kingdom. The real dad would be disappointed if I didn’t.

I don’t remember falling asleep, but then Carter was shaking me awake.

“Taaaaae!” he said.

I mumbled something even I didn’t understand and opened my eyes.

“Yeah?” I said.

“Mommy wants you to wake up!” he said.

Mommy isn’t my age, I thought irritably, but I got up anyway. Carter ran out of the room. I quickly got dressed and walked to the bathroom. Once everything was finished and proper like they should be, I left for breakfast which was porridge. Have you had porridge in a while? No? Well I eat it almost everyday, and it’s lost it’s flavor for me.

“How did you sleep, Tamara?” Mom asked politely.

“Fine Mo-ther,” I said, catching myself before I said Mom. “And you?”

“Fine, thank you,” she said. I glanced at the man who was sitting where my dad sat. Eating the porridge that should be for my dad. Pretending to be my dad. I should name him. Bob, how about that. It’s the first name that really comes to mind right now.

After breakfast Miss Heather took Carter to his room to play with him and Bob took my mom for a walk. I followed them, keeping a good distance. They went to the fountain and sat on one of the stone benches. I was so grateful for the hedge behind them.

Bob and Mom started talking about things like money and the villagers and stuff. I tuned out until I heard my name. Hey, my parents are talking about me. Wouldn’t you be interested if you heard yours talking about you?

“I’m worried for Tamara,” Mom said. “I’m afraid that she’s thinking of abandoning her position as a princess.”

“Oh, I am sure she will be fine,” Bob said. “She’s just being a teenager. Issac was abusing his father’s power. Tamara isn’t using hers or mine or yours.”

“Maybe if we let her into the village...”

“If we let her into the village, she may start thinking that their life is better than hers,” Bob said. “We cannot risk that, darling.”

I narrowed my eyes. Why can’t you risk it? And of course I’d think their life is better than mine! I’m locked up on castle grounds for crying out loud!

“I suppose you are right,” Mom said slowly.

“I know I am,” Bob said confidently.

Mom sighed. “Carter’s going to have to start training to be a prince soon. His birthday is in a few more weeks.”

“Carter is a strong boy. He’ll be fine,” Bob said.

“But I do not think he will become a proper prince as fast and naturally as Tamara was when she was becoming a princess,” Mom said.

“Don’t worry, dear,” Bob said. “If Carter has trouble with the training, we can ask Tamara to help. He loves her.”

“That is true,” Mom said. “And she loves him as well.”

“Exactly. Now,” I heard a smile in his voice. “are you willing to finish what we started last night.”

Mom gave a giggle. I tried not to gag. Ew!