The Lost Princess

Chapter Five

Chapter Five
My breath left me in a rush as I tried to think of something to say. What do you say to your birth mother after 19 years of having no idea who she was? Hi? Even I know how stupid that would have been. I rehearsed so many scenarios in my head over the years, but none of them happened quite like this.

Everyone in the room stared at me, waiting for my response. I started tapping my foot slightly, one of my many nervous habits. My pulse raced and my skin grew clammy. I have no idea what I am supposed to do.

"Freya, breathe," Selene muttered.

I took a deep breath. In and out. In and out. As my breathing finally slowed to normal, I smiled at the women that I now know as my mother. I wracked my brain for something to say. I wanted my first words to her to be memorable. Instead, I came up with, "It's good to be back."

My mother nodded, a small smile taking over her face. Then she turned to Saxon's father, and her eyes went cold.

"What do you think you were doing to my daughter," she questioned, her voice like ice. It made me shiver involuntarily.

"I'm sorry, your highness. But the girl disrespected me. She deserved to be taught a lesson," Saxon's father informed her.

Saxon stiffened and took a threatening step toward his father, blocking me from sight. I grabbed onto his arm and pulled him back, giving him a warning look. Saxon took a deep breath and nodded discreetly at me, showing me that he was okay. My mother seemed to find this exchange incredibly amusing.

"How so," She questioned Saxon's father.

"First, she let a servant go and yelled at me for treating the girl like a servant. Then, she threatened to kill me for putting my son in his place. I felt disrespected and thought the girl should be put down a few pegs, that's all," he informed my mother.

I scoffed, crossing my arms. No one is going to "bring me down a few pegs", especially not someone like him. If anyone needed to be taken down a bit, it's him.

"She is just a child. It is my job to put her in her place, not yours. So learn your place, Stefan, before I have to show it to you myself," my mother informed him, a malicious smile forming on her face.

His jaw clenched but he bowed stiffly anyway, showing that he means no harm. "Yes, your majesty."

She turned to us, ignoring Stefan. His name does not fit him. It makes him seem nice and young. What were his parents thinking when they named him? The poor things probably had no idea how awful their son would someday become.

"As for you, we will have a lot to discuss. But your trip has been a long and eventful one. Selene, if you would follow me and give me a detailed explanation as to what happened," my mother motioned toward the hall in front of us.

Selene bowed and followed the queen soundlessly. She looked back at us and smiled encouragingly. Stefan followed back like a lost puppy.

"Saxon, if you would show my daughter to her room, that would be greatly appreciated," my mother called to us without even looking back.

Regardless, Saxon bowed and began walking toward the spiral staircase, expecting me to follow. I didn't really have a choice in the matter, so I did. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen in this moment, but I figured it would be a more heartwarming welcome. I gulped, realizing this mother daughter reunion may be nothing like I expected it would be.

Saxon walked up the spiral staircase as I followed behind him silently. I tried to walk as gently as I could so as not to smudge the pristine floor. I am in serious need of a bath.