Once a Princess, always a Princess

chapter 10

Chapter 10

Christmas only comes once a year, at least that's something I can be glad about. Only once a year do we have to pretend to be a family. Only once a year do I have to spend at least two hours in a row stuck in a room with my parents. Only once a year do I have to pretend to be happy with my parents and their chose of putting duties before me, there only child. But then, on the downside, Christmas means parties, a certain ball to be precise.

"You must go to the ball!"

"No!" I shouted back as I sat stubbornly on the edge of one of the dining halls chairs, arms crossed over my chest. I know it sounded childish to shout 'No' at my parents especially since they were king and queen, but they knew my reasons and I wasn't about to repeat them all to them again. I hated balls were only snobs were allowed to be guests, I hated duties, I didn't want to become queen, I didn't even want to be a princess.

We were 'happily' eating our 'seven pm on the dot' dinner and to tell you the truth it was actually going quite well. I had eaten all my veg and there hadn't been any arguments. Even Xavier, who was also having dinner with us, hadn't been too annoying. It was all fine, and well, as dandy as it can be sat next to your forced future husband, that was until my trouble causing mother decided to bring up a certain ball she knew I wasn't willing to go to.

My mother gave me a death glare. "You will go to that ball Adonnia Rose Marie Christine Western, you will make your first public dance with Prince Xavier and you will be on your best behaviour! That. Is. Final!"

I shot up from my chair angrily, knocking it over in the process, my eyes prickling with tears. "No, mother." I sneered at her. "I won't be going to the ball! I won't be making my first public dance with that!" I shouted throwing my hand in the direction of Xavier, though that was a little harsh seen as we had so much fun during the day. "And I won't be on my best behaviour!"

With that I stormed out of the room slamming the big oak door on my way, 'something a princess should never do' I said to myself in a high snooty voice, one that mimicked my mother's, and ran across the marble hallway till I made it to the French doors that led to the lake and forest.

I swung the door open causing it to bang against the wall and almost fall off of its hinges. I ran across the meadow overlooking the now moonlit lake and towards one of the blossom trees nearer to the edge of the forest. The cool air was fresh against my face as the tears began to brim over my eyes and fall down my face. There wasn't anyone here; there was no need to hide them. I leant against the bare bark of the tree, using its strength for support, my breathing heavy from the run and the tears. The big branches of the tree swept downwards shielding me slightly from the view of the palace along with the many other trees of the meadow.

Why do I have to become queen? Why me? There are so many other royals more fitting to be crowned queen than the emotional frigged up me. The one who breaks down at the thought of attending a ball! But that's it, isn't it? I don't want to go, I don't want to be queen and I don't want to one day to have to rule the country. I'm not strong enough for that, I couldn't run a country; I couldn't take responsibility for the people. I would be a crap queen and the truth is, I'm scared.

I'm scared of the weight that will be forced upon my shoulders and how I will have to lead. I want to be a normal girl, live a normal life. I'm just not ready for this kind of pressure.

I broke down crying then, a whole fresh wave of tears cascading down my face, I slid down the tree till I was sat at the roots, pulled my knees to my chest and sobbed my heart out.

Xavier's POV

The atmosphere in the room had become heated with the queen and princess screaming at each other and I knew that it was only a matter of time before one of them stormed out the room. Adonnia was beside me on the edge of her seat as she snarled back at her mother's words.