A Kingdom's Expectations & A Shocking Revelation {Sequel}

Chapter 5

Woah, so it's been like a day since I've updated. Quick update, hey! (I'm so sorry, I'm an awful person, I had exams, then I started a different story on my side-account, check out Legacy by the way I'm really proud of it so far, but then I got writer's block for this story and then I contracted laziness and then I nearly died of some disease you wouldn't know of because it doesn't exist and then Rosalia was kidnapped by another writer and held ransom for a month and then - )

Yeah, no excuse. I suck. Here's another update and now, I will be definitely updating at least once a week. Also I've been revising the plan for this story and it's going to be much darker in format than I originally envisioned. So, partly mystery/thriller now. Just because I feel my readers should cry more often. 

Anyway, enjoy!

"I will dismember you and feed your body parts to ravenous lions," I hissed in Sebastian's ear as he escorted me back to the house. Mother had already swept in imperiously, remarking several things of the garden's state in a critical tone. Josephine waited for Father who wore an apologetic expression concerning his wife's attitude (or general well-being) and kissed me on the cheek before travelling inside.

"Now, there are probably a score of positive things we'll gain from your mother's visit," Sebastian attempted to cajole me, his arm curved around my waist. I was bristling with indignation. My mother! Was here! While I was secretly pregnant! It was a recipe for all-out devastation that not even the most skilled chef could resurrect. 

"Pray tell me, what are these things?" I asked, letting him lead me into the house but only due to the fact that if I caused a scene, the awaiting rows of soldiers gracing the new arrivals would get an unwelcome glimpse. "Because I can't think of anything positive on the subject of my mother."

Sebastian's speech dithered away as he considered. "Well you'll be rather happy when she leaves," he pointed out. I groaned in response.

"Well, this is lovely," Mother commented as we all stood in the grand entry into the castle. The room was in fine spirits: chestnut pannelling and polished marbles floors, crimson tapestries and gorgeous golden archways. It was a room I much admired upon my own arrival. "Though the theme of gold and red does seem to be a tad overdone." 

I cringed: could she not restrain her vicious tongue even when being hosted by another? It was a good thing too the King was not present - however he had been exempted from greeting the arrivals as His Royal Personage and his host of advisors were closeted together in a meeting Sebastian had only escaped due to my ill health. 

"Mother, you would do well to hold your tongue on these matters," I told her cuttingly, the acid slipping into my tone. She whirled, that familiar expression of indignation another well-worn emotion on her aging face. It fitted her far better than any tailored cloak or dress. 

"And as I am your elder-" The witch suddenly faltered in her speech, surely a rare event. I didn't think it had ever occured in my twenty and more years of existence. I stared at her, caught out of speech by her inability to finish a sentence. Then, the reason struck me. 

Elder she may be, but my better she certainly is not. 

I was a Princess of England now and my mother was only a Duchess. Though her manners seemed to have fled her upon exiting the carriage, they certainly caught up to her now, pinching more indignant crimson into her cheeks. 

Maybe Sebastian had been right. 

"You look tired," I noted with a smile that was real - but it wasn't due to any welcoming nature of mine. "I'll have the servants show you to your rooms."