Throne to the Wolves

Chapter 1

The whole kingdom was bustling with excitement the day I was born. It was time Prince Edgar and Princess Aster were finally going to give birth to the heir, and being a grandfather the old king was going to step down. But no matter how joyous everyone was there was still something strange, not quite right. The full moon always makes everyone act strange but never this severe. Sure a few cows and other farm animals might go missing, but today the king had to deal with fights in the streets, and witchcraft accusations. But as always we pushed through it. And late that night, when the moon was at its highest I was born. 

But as quick as the news and happiness spread across the land, it was gone. Replaced by heartbreak, and hatred the queen was left weak after having me and cought ill, later dieing. Leaving my father and I alone, well alone and seperated. I was raised by my grandmother for most my life. Closed off from the outside world, partially because my father didn't want to see the person who he blamed for killing Aster, but there was more to it then that.

You see, I am now starting to figure out there was more to the loss of my mother than they led me to believe. That was the cover story they told even me, but in truth my mother was attacked and killed. Some of the people in my kingdom wern't to happy about my birth, for reasons I have yet to figure out.

As of right now all that I know is that my mother died in an attack that was suppose to kill me, and I should of died.

"Elara, what have I told you about ignoring your elders, imagine what your father would think." My grandmother huffed bringing me out of my daydream and back to life. Well if I could even call it that.

You would think a life of a royal would be fun, expecially one that is as mysterious as mine. Sadly its not, its horrible, and boring. I wake up at 5 a.m. sharp to dress and get presentable, even if there is no reason to be. If I hurry I am able to go escape the walls of the castle before people wake, allowing me some freedom for a short time. Then I am back inside before anyone realizes my absence. After breakfast I join my grandmother for lessons. I am told how to talk and walk, the proper and improper ways to eat.

"He would just add it to the list of reasons for why I am a dissapointment." I scoffed.

"Now thats no way for a princess to speak, expecially a princess who has to find a worthy man to take her father's throne."

No a princess isn't suppose to talk.

"I am sorry your grace, I should not of spoke in such a manner, as always I was out of place. And on the topic of my future engagement, I'm sure my father will a man who puts his needs above the needs of his kingdom as usual. And you won't have to worry about my inability to retain the slightest bit of dignity for myself, my family, and my kingdom sending him away. We will not meet until our wedding night, and I promise to keep my mouth shut untill after our marrage is final."  At my words you could see the heat rising to her face in pure anger.

I bit my lip to avoid laughing as I politely dipped down into a curtsey and avoid eye contact. I had gotten the reaction I had wanted out of her. When your life is as boring as mine you find your fun where you can.

She pulled me to my feet and grasped my chin tightly forcing my head up to meet her gase. "You are lucky that your father is holding a ball today and you must look presentable or else you would have a sore face right now." With that she let go of my face probably leaving marks where her fingers had been, causing me to stumble backwords and into a servant.

I hear glass shattering as I collapse to the cold stone floor. I spun around and got to my knees quickly. "I am so sorry, I didn't know you were behind me, and I can be such a klutz sometimes." I looked at him smiling as  I started to pick up the glass and return it to the tray.

"It's more than alright Princess Elara." He said quietly before looking away quickly. He couldn't of been more than ten, I can't believe we would have kids so young working in the castle.

Then I heard the bitter voice of my grandmother. " What do you think you are doing down there Elara, acting like a street rat crawling around on the floor."

"Maybe I can transfer some horrid disease to wipe out the royal family, they have been plaguing this land for years with there rain of terror." I mumbled under my breath so she couldn't hear me, but it made the young boy smile.

With that I felt hands grab the back of my dress and start trying to pull me up. "Pick yourself up, and dust yourself off, you are suppose to be a princess for heavens sakes. Carry yourself with pride, it's not just your name that you are dragging through the mud."

I dropped the piece of glass that I had in my hand as I was pulled to my feet. Feeling it slide across my palm I made a fist and bit my lip trying to ignore the stinging pain.

"We are the royal family we do not have to apologize to those below us."

"I wasn't apologizing because of an obligation, I did it for me, to be kind."

"A royal never admits when they are wrong."

I blinked away the tears I felt forming in my eyes as the blood trickled down, I was not looking forward to what would happen if my grandmother found out I had hurt my hand. "So is that why you always think you are in the right you can't handle the thought that you are wrong, that others might know more than you."

"I suggest you curtsy and take your leave my lady, it would be aweful for people to see you in such a state as this."

"What state is it that I am in."

"One of disorder, look at your dress it is ripped to shreads, it is dirty from the time you decided to spend loungeing around on the floor, dont even get me started on your excuse for a hair do, you are a fate worse than death right now."

"My dress is fine grandmama, the floor is well kept."

"It would be if we would get some different useful help instead of the people your grandfather keeps because of their so called loyalty."

At this I turned back to the servent boy. "You are dismissed you can come and tend to this mess later."

"But princess.."

"Going to my chambers sounds splended I would love it if you could fix me more tea and an assortment of those delishis tea cakes and cookies, do you understand servent boy?"

"Right away miss," he said before scurrying out of the room.

"He should be allowed to address you like that."

At that I rolled my eyes sighing. I lifted my skirt and curtseyed before going to walk away when I felt someone grab my injured hand.

"You have done it now, do you find makeing yourself undesirable fun, no one will ever want you with hands like that." she spaired a look down at my now bloody skirt. "Now you really have wrecked that dress. Go have your servents tend to your wound you will have to wear gloves all night."

Flashing her a smile to prove she has done nothing to get under my skin, I turned to leave. "I trust that when the suitor arrives you will send someone to fetch me."

"Why out of all people does the fate of our kingdom have to fall so greatly on you, we couldn't of had someone with less of a tounge."

I stopped at the door to the room and waited for the guards to open it. "If my tounge is the problem with our country why don't you just cut it out, be remembered as the queen who did something with her life, other than her husbands shadow."