Left Alone

Chapter 11

I slowly sipped my tea as Mother greeted everyone with a forced smile that only I could see.

Phew. Ok. She was going to explain the elephant in the room.

"As you see here," She began. "My fifth daughter, Alexia, has joined us and will be joining us for the rest of time. She is one of the royals, so she ought to have respect."

People stared. I could feel my cheeks burning.

"Why is this b*tch here?!" Juliana snarled, spitting out her tea.

"Juliana," Mother said calmly. "Go to your room."

Juliana stuck her tongue out at Mother and poured her tea on Mother's head. Then, she ran upstairs.

"Get me a rag," Mother gestured to the servant by her side.

After she wiped up her hair, the maids cleaned the area.

"Dismissed," Mother said, sucking in her breath lightly. "I will explain more tomorrow at 3:00, everybody. Thank you for attending. Oh, and Alexia, stay."

Everyone at the table left, and there were about 17 people.

I stood there, being scared of doing something wrong.

Mother sighed.

"Alexia," She said. "You are my daughter. As my daughter, I love you. Juliana is being rude so I will see to her judgement."

"Alright," I said. "Why do I stay?"

"Mmm... I think of showing you the stalls. And maybe beyond."

I raised my eyebrow.

"Oh dear," Mother laughed. "The horses my daughter, the horses! You've never been outside. You need some fresh air!"

I soon realized, I'VE NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE BEFORE!! I felt excited. I swished my sparkly yellow dress around.

Mother got a picnic blanket. Then, she gestured to me with her hand.

Mother said, "Come now, let's get going."

We walked out side the back way, and there was a whole field of poppies and daisies. I ran around with my arms spread out. I spun like I was 5.

Mother smiled at me.

I smiled back and ran through the soft grass and tall flowers, in my bright yellow dress and I twirled and laughed. The weather was also perfect, windy, and very sunny. I laughed as I spun.

Mother set the blanket down and sighed.

I sat down with her. We were still awkward around each other, but I was thankful that she got me out of the basement.

"What's wrong, Mother?" I asked.

"Juliana has been recently acting weird. I thought she would always be good and never talk back, but I was wrong. What should I do? I don't feel good asking you, my little daughter about it..."

"That's alright. I think you should give a punishment to her. Show her who's boss."

I didn't say that through hate of Juliana, but for once I wanted to see someone besides me to suffer. I an turning into a BAD person, huh.

"Oh," Mother said. "I don't know about punishing, and Cathlyn is so quiet. What will set her free?"

I didn't know how to reply.

"Oh dear," Mother said. "I must be crazy, asking a 14 year old girl about this. Now, run off, the horses are over there. Go through that gate, and hop over the fence. There is a better way of going, but people are there and not many people will quickly process the thought that you came out of the basement."

I nodded. I ran to the gates. It took me less than a minute.

Then, I saw someone step right in front of me. I scampered to slow down, and when I was about to apologize, I saw who it was.