24 Dreams Of You And Me

20) White Horse

"Every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us fairytale."

***

"You, uh, wanted to see me?"

"Yes. What are you doing?" Ella went straight to business. She turned around from the window. Poise and graceful. Absolutely stoic.

"What am I doing?" Alyssa asked.

If only I knew, fake mother.

"At the table this morning, you were acting rude and disrespectful. You're so blind in your love for William that you don't even see right from wrong!"

Aren't these the words Levi used? Am I living a memory I made while living my memories? What the hell?

Alyssa started to find explanations and when she didn't reply, Ella spoke again. "Arabella! What has gotten into you?"

Her loud nasally voice snapped in Alyssa. "Gosh, senses maybe! Look, I don't know the situation with this Arabella, but she has my respect for putting up with you. I don't-" she stopped herself and closed her eyes.

She realised she absolutely shouldn't have said that.

"Arabella?" Ella asked with wide eyes. "Maddy said you didn't sleep last night. Was William with you? Has he done something to you? Why are you so.. so.. unlike you?"

"M-Mother, I'm fine. I didn't meet William. I was just talking to Christopher in the garden. Isn't that what you want?"

"I want you to want him. Don't you see? They're powerful and compassionate. You'll be his Queen. Queen of Whiteland. Such a proud moment. The wedding will be extravagant!"

"Uh, yeah- yes. Christopher said so, too." Alyssa said, carefully analyzing her words.

Ella walked over and held her daughter's hands with a proud smile. "I knew you wouldn't disappoint me. You are the heiress and you'll want best for your people."

The last line was what John and Bella have raised Alyssa up with. Her responsibility, her sacrifices, her expectations.. she was supposed to give her all.

So the next words were heartfelt and coming from experience out of Alyssa's mouth. "Because others' happiness is more important than mine?"

"Christopher is your happiness!"

"How do you know, he's not! He's nice but I don't wanna marry him. I'm too young, I am not in love with him."

Her words made her mind go out to her aunt Victoria. Responsibilities rip out your wishes away from you.

"Arabella, how many times?" Ella sighed.

"As many as it takes for you to understand, mother. There's not going to be any wedding. Not one involving me, at least." Alyssa stated with anger in her eyes.

"So you can run off to William? That man, all he has ever done for you is meet you in the pine forests! You're the King's daughter, Christopher can bring the world to your feet."

"Why do you think I'd like that? I am not you." Alyssa felt like reliving her conversations with her parents, then she realized that was exactly what was happening.

The words are her memories.

"I don't know what that man has said to you but listen to your mother, he lied. I know what's best for you. It's to act in manner because people look up to you, Arabella. You will do as your father and I say. There will come a day when you'll come to senses and thank us."

Alyssa opened her mouth but Ella held her hand up.

"No," she started, "I cannot hear more of your stupid talks. It makes me sad to see what my only daughter has grown up to become."