Jealousy & Blood| Etheria Series Book 1

Chapter 2

The next few days had been filled with tension, although Axelle could admit that it wouldn't seem that way if she wasn't so keenly aware of it. After that night with Oswald, she had been attentive to her surroundings, unable to pretend that everything was fine. For the most part, none of the servants or other hired hands seemed to know anything of importance so they were perfectly normal. Her mother and the twins were fine as well, leaving only her father and the royal guard to emit worrisome behavior. The royal family's guards were particularly uneasy; these were not cowardice men or women by no means, and yet they were clearly uncertain by what was happening. Whatever that might be. Oswald had made a point to avoid her and her father only spoke with her briefly whenever they saw each other. She didn't know what the source of this could be, and every guess she made didn't make sense or satisfied her.

"Your highness!" The shrilling range of Mrs. Featherlock's voice snapped Axelle out of her thoughts. Glancing around, she realized that she was in the middle of her waltz lesson, and a certain woman was not pleased with her lack of effort. "You are not participating in my lesson! Don't you realize that you could make a fool of yourself if you don't rehearse this?"

Indeed, she would make a fool of herself, even with the intensive practice she was getting. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Featherlock. I'm listening." The princess bowed her head, attempting to act as if she was remorseful for her failure to be serious about the subject.

The elder was unconvinced by her pupil's apology but their lesson continued, nonetheless. Just as Axelle practice her twirl, Oswald and her father had silently entered the ballroom. Neither bothered to announce their presence, choosing to remain in the corner of the room and watch the princess practice. It took the two women about forty minutes to realize that they had visitors with them. By then, the two men decided that they had seen enough and requested an audience with the princess, insisting that the teacher shouldn't wait for Axelle to return as they anticipated that she might need to rest before the gathering later in the evening. Mrs. Featherlock agreed to let her student leave, not finding this request to be abnormal unlike Axelle. In fact, as she stood before the two, Axelle could see the worry lines that had deepened on her father's face.

"Is everything okay, father?"

"Let us go to my office, daughter." The tone he used was a dagger to her heart; never had he called her daughter before. It set her into unease and confusion, which multiplied as they ventured to his office. Oswald offered no comfort as well; he followed the parent and child with a guarded look, borderline paranoid it would seem. If the princess didn't know any better, she'd say that he was making the situation worse (which he was) however she knew better and therefore kept quiet about her agitated nerves.

Their trek felt like hours, but it was only fifteen minutes and no sooner had she been in the presence of the door, did she feel a shift in the air. The door opened, the king entered first then the princess, Oswald remained by the door as he promptly shut and locked it. Axelle felt suffocated by the tension; it wasn't like she couldn't breathe, the suffocation affected her mind more than anything. Thoughts swirled within the inky mess of confusion, anticipation, desperations, and broken hopes. Her father did not bother to seat himself, adding to the turmoil, and his pacing did nothing but bring her closer to snapping until he finally spoke.

"Axelle," he spoke in a low voice as if he thought that if he spoke normally that someone else might hear them. "my little princess, I have terrible news to share with you. And I must insist that you be seated."

"Be seated?" She nearly choked, "If you wish me to be seated then you should have spoken sooner. I cannot sit, father, tell me what is wrong."

"Daughter⸺"

"Father, I cannot bear the weight any longer! Tell me!" Her voice involuntarily rose, and she cringed as she felt the strain in her throat. But she stood her ground. "Please..."