A Different Definition of Tragedy

I Am the Past, Present, and Future: Chapter 1

Princess Aurora sat from her high throne giving her a good view of the room, her blue eyes scanning the ballroom, taking everyone there, wondering who her future suitors could possibly be. Her parent's had thrown the ball, claiming it was part of the celebrations for her birthday, which was tomorrow, but she was well aware of the real reason. She was eighteen tomorrow and was not engaged to be married, therefore it was time for tradition to step in. A stupid tradition, Aurora had firmly decided years ago.  

There was Lord Roland who had clearly drank a little too much, as stood telling some epic story sloshing about his cup, she was hoping he wasn't picked. It appeared that the recent Duke of Gallon, Duke Henry would be one since he had recently lost both his parents to a carriage accident and was looking so miserable that he couldn't possibly be here for any other reason. She frowned deeply at seeing Prince Malcom there, rolling her eyes. There were a few others, but she wasn't sure. Her attention was drawn to the left side of the room, when a chorus of overly pretty laughs came from a large group of girls, surrounding Prince Matthias, the bachelor of the year. Aurora rolled her eyes, shaking her head feeling embarrassed for the girls. Her mother, Queen Clarissa, gave her a nervous glance, placing her hand over her daughter's. 

"Aurora, dear, why don't you go and dance with one of the young men." The queen suggested with a kind, hopeful smile, Aurora raised an eyebrow at her pink lips in turned downward. "Mother, you want me to dance with a pretentious peacock?" Aurora asked, and Clarissa let out an exhausted sigh, taking a deep breath and putting on a kind smile. "As a princess, you are expected to socialize." She gently reminded, for the millionth time it seemed. Aurora rolled her eyes as if her mother's words were a bad joke. "My conversation with you is enough socialization. I have better things to do Mother, then bat my eyes at some boy." Aurora responded sharply, turning her attention back to the room. "Aurora-" The Queen started clearly offended, but Ivory held up a hand. "Mother I am the past, present, and future of this kingdom. I will do as I wish, you are beginning to collect cobwebs, so please, leave me alone." Aurora said, her eyes unmoving, as she slid her hand out from her mother's and far from her reach. Queen Clarissa looked at her daughter astonished, perplexed at how she had raised such a child, a child she once knew only looked at her with adoring eyes and smiles. Now the beautiful woman she saw beside her was cold and calculating, wanting what she wanted and stopping at nothing to get it. She gave up trying to coax her daughter into doing her duties, unable to take the verbal abuse the princess heaped on her.Aurora knew what her mother was doing, they were trying to see who she would take somewhat of a liking to, so that they would be able to have a selection of noblemen that had a higher chance of succeeding. Aurora was not going to help at all. If a princess, in the kingdom of Ashtar, was an heir and had not been engaged by her eighteenth birthday then a nobleman from each kingdom would come and be her suitor, and slowly she eliminated them one by one until there was one left standing and that man would become king. There were so many romantic stories about it, and they all made Aurora want to throw up. But Aurora had no reason for concern, it would be impossible for any of them to win her hand, and even more impossible to win her heart. The best they could do was win her respect, and since they weren't doing a great job now from hoe ridiculous some of them were acting, she doubted they would win that either. After a moment of collecting herself, the queen turned to her husband, King Abner.
"Abner, please will you have Aurora do something? She can't just sit here examining all these people. They are not her specimens; they will be people she will work with someday and it is important for her to get to know them." His wife pointed out. The king was the only person who seemed to get through to Aurora. She respected him and therefore listened to him. "Aurora." He sternly said, raising his eyebrows. Aurora loved the power and control her father displayed, he was strong and powerful, whereas her mother was weak, too kind, she was a dessert that was overbearingly sweet. Her father was clever, smart, quick with his words, concise. Her mother was smart yes but got startled easily and shy causing her to stumble when she spoke and her voice tremble. Aurora inherited and copied, a lot of her character from her father but her looks were mostly from her mother."Yes, Father?" She respectfully inquired. "Get up and talk to people." King Abner ordered. Aurora began to give a smile, but it never met her eyes. "What do you mean Father?" She sweetly asked, tipping her head slightly her golden blonde hair, falling over her shoulder. "You know what I meant." He sternly added. Aurora's smile disappeared she pursed her lips, shooting a glare at her mother. Her mother couldn't meet her daughter's stare, and triumph sparkled in Aurora eyes, and she pushed her hair back over her shoulder. Slowly, painfully slow, Aurora stood, and it gathered many people's attention as they looked up in awe. Aurora pulled her gaze away from her mother, and gracefully lifted her gown as she silently walked down the stairs. Aurora couldn't see everyone now, and that annoyed her, people would now approach her, feeling like that had some right, her distaste deepened. She began to slowly walk through the crowd, glaring at anyone started approaching her with any ounce of exuberance and they as casually as possible slipped back into the crowd. Soon Aurora began noticing how the crowd parted, shrinking away from, and a smug smile tugged at her lips. Aurora walked to the refreshments table ordering a now very terrified servant, to get her a glass of water, which she slowly drank, still looking around the room. She looked up at her parents, giving them a small mocking bow. Anger flashed in her father's eyes, and he began to rise, but the queen put her hand on his clenched fist, and it was like he was chained up. King Abner's eyes latched onto his wife who gave a single shake of her head, causing her the curls around her face to move back and forth. He looked at his daughter, who gave him a triumphant grin, before turning away to look out the window over the wall at the glimmering city. A woman bumped into the princess, Aurora slowly turned, frowning as she brushed off the water that fell on her chest as she was drinking when the woman bumped her. The woman turned to her quickly, quite angrily before she saw who it was, and the woman's heart nearly stopped. "Princess Aurora, my sincerest apologies." She bowed so low, that her necklace dangled from her neck, brushing the ground it clicked against the polished wood. Aurora stared down at the woman, practically kneel before her. The woman began to shake, she couldn't rise until the princess said so. The woman began to regret how low she bowed, and just before she collapsed. Aurora rolled her eyes and ordered her to rise, her knees nearly buckled on the way up but once she steadied herself, she quickly scampered away. "Mmm, yes run away like scared mice." She growled. "Excuse me." There was a gentle tap on Aurora's shoulder. She turned around to see Prince Matthias towering over her. Aurora instantly scowled at him. He flashed her a grin that would make any other girl melt, but Aurora sneered at the expression. Despite the obvious displeasure on Aurora's face, it didn't stop the prince. He was very interested in the princess mostly because of her reputation and he mostly wanted to learn if it was actually true. So, when she left her throne, he found himself walking away from the group of girls surrounding him to their dismay."Would you honor me with a dance?" He coolly asked extending his hand. Aurora shrunk back from the invitation, handing the glass, now empty back to the servant who hurried away with it. "Go ask someone who actually wants your attention, I will not inflate your ego." With that, Aurora turned away quickly and strode back up to her parents finished with socializing. Prince Matthias slowly stood up straight, watching a path carved back through the crowd as the princess hurried through. He pursed his lips, his eyes darkening slightly, he let out a slow breath. He hadn't ever been so blatantly rejected by a girl, a slow smile creeping across his lips, he shrugged and chuckled to himself. "This will be fun." He rubbed his hands together turning to the girls that were calling his name.

Hey, guys there are going to be some inconsistencies, since I am trying to revise and fix up this book since I really like the idea, but I wrote this easy like 4 or 5 years ago, probably when I was like 17 or 18 and my skills have grown since then, so I should have stories that reflect my current skills. Thanks again for all your support, happy reading! Don't forget to like and follow me!