“My love, where are you?”
My love?
Is the king with him?
“In here darling.”
These pet names sicken me.
“You look radiant as always Annabelle.”
“Thank you milord.”
Why can’t your son be like you?
“Please, we’re family, call me father.”
“No need for such casual greetings, she will continue to call you milord.”
“Rowland, don’t be ridiculous. Call me father, do you understand?”
Please don’t put me in this situation Niikolai.
“Yes…” Niikolai stared at me expectantly, while Rowland’s seemed to burn. “father.”
“Father, I believe they’re waiting for us in the courtyard, if you’ll give us a moment alone we’ll meet you there.”
“Of course, I’ll leave you lovebirds to your business.”
Niikolai, please don’t go!
“My love, that dress will not do, allow me to help you out of it.”
“No. I did nothing wrong.”
That gorgeous face I had once adored inched closer, his strong hands tightened around my arm.
“Did I hear you defy me?”
Shaking my head, tears welled in my eyes.
“Then take the dress off and accept your punishment.”
My body reacted all on it’s own, carefully lowering the dress around the last set welts.
“One for disrespecting my father.” If I cried out, he would only hit me harder, I have to be brave. Just take the beating. “One for defying me.”
Another crack, another welt.
Another memory.
“Put this dress on, and hurry up, you’re making my father wait.”
How many beatings today alone?
Six?
Ten?
It’s a wonder why my entire back isn’t falling off.
And of course, the forced ‘love’ making.
I feel living with a flesh eating virus and never finding peace would be a better life than the one I lead now.
“Sorry for the wait your highness.”
“My dear, your dress before was fine, why did you change?”
The eyes burning holes into the side of my face could only belong to one person.
“There, there was a tear in my dress.”
“I’ll send it to the seamstress for you love.”
Rowland squeezed my arm, a little tighter than was necessary.
“Well, shall we proceed with our announcement?”
Curtly I nodded, hands beginning to tremble.
I don’t want this to be real.
I want this to all be one long nightmare.
“My people, please hear me!” Every noise silenced immediately. “I would like to introduce to you, your new King and Queen!
