The Soot Princess [Hiatus]

37- The Truth at Last

I'm going to pay tribute to all my readers real quick. Ya'll helped me reach 5,000 watchful eyes according to the counter. That is a lot of people... hew... Thanks a bunch! Danke! Merci! Gracias!

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Eevon

Belle lead me out of the room and down the hall. Everything looked the same to me; thick carpet, huge chandeliers, vases with same ol' same old flower arrangements, and still everything looked brand new. I wouldn't doubt if it was.

"Here is the dinning hall, miss," Belle stopped abruptly and motioned to a door.

"What about the kitchen?"

"You have no business being down there," she simply stated.

"I will soon."

I don't know if she ignored me or just didn't hear me, but my money is on the first one.

A bell rang and the doors opened. A young man came and greeted me at the door, then led me to a seat. I sat, but when I did so, I found that there was no chair to graciously meet my butt, only a cold, hard granite tiled floor. I barely missed the chair.

"I can't believe that just happened. I feel terrible. My long legs tend to knock things around. I hope you'll understand," James taunted me from his tower.

"Go ahead, laugh. I know you want to," I replied the only thing that may save what little bit of dignity I have. "It's only natural." One of the busboys ran to my assistance. I can get up on my own, thank you very much.

I finally realized that everyone else was already seated and waiting on me. My face flushed, but I was determined to not to look away, like a challenge.

The meal arrived. I started to pick it apart just as I do at basically every meal, looking for Jimmy's bugs, when I remembered where I am. I'm at the palace, there won't be any bugs. I'm not at the orphanage any more... Suddenly, I'm not as hungry as I thought I was. I don't want to eat a bite. I pushed the plate away ever so slightly, an unnoticeable distance.

"What is wrong? Is the food not to your liking?" the King asked.

"It's nothing," I replied and walked off.

"Come back here!" I heard both the King and Queen exclaim.

I kept walking, until two men crossed staffs to bar my way at the door.

"Let me through."

"Please have a seat, miss."

"I'm not hungry," I replied curtly.

"Really now?"

A hand was laid on my shoulder and I instantly jumped away.

"Oh, it's you."

"Yes, it's me..."

"How dare you talk to my son like that, peasant!" the Queen exclaimed.

"Please sit down and eat something. My parents would like to speak with. you," Prince Charles requested.

Men barricaded all my exits leaving me with few choices; more like one.

The prince lead me to the large table, where my food sat waiting. After pulling out my chair, like a gentleman, he placed his hand firmly on my shoulder and insisted, leerily I sat down.

The King looked at me in scorn and distaste, before he spoke. "For all this trouble you have given us, you will be Prince Charles's punishment girl."

The prince took his own seat, which happened to be placed next to me.

I know a look of confusion came acrossed my face without me realizing, because the King continued with an explanation. "For every wrong doing, childish action, or misbehavior my son does you shall be punished."

"So Char got into trouble again, Ha! And this joke of a bad mouth, weakling is his whipping girl. What a laugh!" the eldest brother jested.

My eyes blazed with anger laced in injured pride. A whipping girl! Hell, if I'm gonna be one. But instead I just said,"Oh! You jest?"

"We are afraid not, child," the Queen replied to me.

So, this was a joint consensus... What the hell, I'll speak my piece! "Go to hell! All of you! You must think this is just a game! I would be rolling on the floor laughing right now at you royals, if I wasn't so damn pissed!" I raised my voice towards the end. Now, in the eerie silence I asked, "How long?"

And for the first time since this conversation started Charles spoke, "Until I straighten up my act."

I can't believe this. I'll never be adopted. I didn't have much of a chance to start with, but now? I have no chance. My one last hope that had kept me going collapsed. My defiance leaked out of me, along with the light in my eyes and the bounce in my step.

Deflated, my body, of its own accord got up and walked under the staffs barring my way, where I met little resistance.

Only having a few bits of food at each meal today, really makes my stomach loud. I knew I needed to know where the kitchen was.

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