The Ice Queen

I gently ran my fingertips over the pebble-smooth white keys of the grand piano, deep in thought.

"I'm not too sure. Whichever you see fit, Ms Lenders," I shrugged nonchalantly.

"How about Chopin's?" Ms Lenders replied curtly.

"Fantasie Impromptu?" I prompted, while flexing my fingers.

"Indeed."

I yawned. Does this woman still doubt my ability at playing Chopin? I rolled my eyes haughtily.

"Let's begin."

I launched into a fast-paced melody that was all too familiar to my fingers, so much so that I could just let my slender fingers do all the work. My fingers flew across the keyboard rhythmically and skillfully, my body swaying back and forth completely absorbed in the melody. The room filled with the ambiguously mysterious tune, arousinf the atmosphere with a fantasy-like feel. Effortlessly, I finished off the piece with a dramatic key.

"Perfect. Flawless," Ms Lenders clapped elegantly.

I nodded.

"Thank you once again, Ms Lenders. See you Thursday," I said in a monotonous, business-like tone, showing her to the door.

"Miss! Miss!" a high-pitched voice called from behind me.

I whipped my head around in annoyance, meeting the flustered gaze of Ms Jacobs, my personal nanny, who was running towards me in the most undesirable manner.

"What," I raised an eyebrow.

" M'am, I hear Sir calls a family meeting an hour from now," Ms Jacobs said between sharp intakes of breath.

"Where?"

"The Tea Room, Miss,"

"Of what matter do you know of?" I was genuinely curious. Family meetings were hardly called upon except for very important matters.

Like that time. I flinched. Images flooded my mind once again.

A pale face devoid of any signs of life. Still, lifeless black eyes. Ruby red blood oozing out from his wrists, staining the floor. The words written in blood on the mirror:

I LOVE YOU VAN

"Miss..Missus...Miss Sevenson?" Ms Jacobs shrill voice brought me back to life.

"Yeah..yeah?" I was still in a dazed state of mind.

"I'm not too sure myself. But they did say to look presentable while meeting," Ms Jacobs smiled nervously at me.

"Will do,"I said, whisking away towards the lift which would lead me to my bedroom.

Upon reaching the level, I was immediately welcomed by my vanity prep team.

"Miss, your hot bath is ready. The team has found you some Rose petals for your bath too. Your dress is prepared for you in you room already," always eager to please, my prep team manager, Lisa? Or Lily? started off in her usual chatter.

After a refreshing bath, I felt rejuvenated and energized, yet all the more curious about what important matter was to be diacussed about. I slipped on the pretty lavender tube dress and felt the silky satin hug my skin gently. Guess I was going to find out.

I knocked on the door of the tea room tentatively and opened it.

My parents smiling brightly was accompanied by an old man in his fifties,with metal framed spectacles, who looked out of place and well, a downright nervous wreck.

"Good afternoon, Father and Mother. And to you, Sir," my weekly Princess Behaviour lessons were working their magic.

"Good afternoon, Vanessa. Please do come sit with us. Here we have with us Principal Greene, of Constance Everdeen High," my father sat upright and gestures at the sofa seat next to him.

I sat down and gestures to a servant.

"Warm milk please. With 2 and a half teaspoonful of sugar," I whispered in her ear.

My father cleared his throat. My mother smiled at Principal Greene, hinting at him to speak.

"We would really appreciate it if you could join us in our new school term at Constance Everdeen High. We do have many facilities well catered to the upper end of the society, like swimming pools, gyms, manicure parlours..." the Principal blabbered on.

I was having some troubles registering the situation. And frankly, the warm milk running down my throat was no help.

My mind was sent spinning into oblivion. Why on Earth was this principal in my house? Why was I being invited to join a school? Didn't I already have home schooling? This was confusing. I wondered about the reasons. It's not like I wasn't aceing all the tests with ease. I was scoring full marks for all my tests and even in aesthetics, like my piano or ballet, I was equally excelling and doing well. What the hell.

"Father, what is this about?" I interrupted the principal's excited chatter.

My father sighed. My mother's smile vanished instantly.

"Honey, we feel like you need a little...help," My mother started.

Like that helped. Like going to another place, except with more rich bastards joining me, helped. Though the manicure parlours sound interesting.

"Help in what, Mother? I have been doing fine in everything. I'm sure my teachers have relayed that to you," I nearly rose my voice to an exasperated scream.

"Honey, calm down. We have legit reasons for our plans," my mother attempted to calm my frayed nerves.

"Oh for Pete's sake!"my father blew his top. Typical.

"Just let her rant and feel sorry for herself forever! See, Heather, I told you this would not work for her! She wouldn't ever get over this matter or ever change her nasty, princess attitude!"

My father's face was flushed red, his hands trembling. He was breathing deeply. Great, now we have the angry dad stepping in to hype up the drama.

"Dad," I sighed, closing my eyes, using every last inch of strength in my body to force the images of him out of my mind."Please tell me it's not about Joseph."

"You know damn well it's about your brother! It's been 3 years, Vanessa. 3 years! And you're telling me you still can't get over the fact that your brother has passed on. Stop moping about! Jesus, Vanessa!" my father rested a hand on his forehead and sunk into his seat.

Principal Greene was shooting awkward side glances at both parties, obviously sensing the tension in the room.

"Father, drop it ok. Stop talking about Joseph in such manner. It is most uncalled for. I will not be going to a public school. For what purpose will it serve but none?" I stood up hastily, ready to leave. If I had issues living my life in such a small place as my own home, let alone the outside world.

"You stop right there, Vanessa. You are going to the school. For your mental benefit. You have to forget Joseph. Let him go. It's decided. No objections," my father stood up too, his eyes burning with fury and showed a hint of tiredness.

My mother started to weep miserably. I stopped in my tracks, feeling a tightening in my throat. They couldn't make me forget Joseph. No one could. It was all their fault anyway. How could I possibly forget? I whipped my head around, shooting them a venomous glare, the tears welling up in my eyes threatening to spill.

"Fine. I mean what can your daughter do against the will of the richest and most powerful tycoon of the country? NOTHING!" I yelled, running out of the room with years streaming down my cheeks.

It's all their fault.