Royal Renegade

Chapter 22: Where Would I Go?

Princess Axelia

Walls of gold close in on me as I sit before the council and my father as they discuss my engagement.

Herakles was kind enough to give me time to think about his proposal, but still went ahead and informed my father that he bent the knee. Now, everyone is buzzing and celebrating in belief that I am going to marry the Prince of Cadaekin.

I'm sitting silently as we approach the third hour of this discussion and drown in the joy and smiles bouncing throughout the meeting room. Someone has even brought out my sweet potato pie that was left baking during Herakles' proposal, but I can't eat a bite.

"You will let me in this instant!" Miss Isidora's shrill voice shakes the glass windows as she busts through the guards blocking the main door and struts into the room as though there is a spotlight upon her.

The council members, who are mostly old men, stare at her with quirked brows while my father's grin continues to widen.

"Your Majesty," she leans forward with a bow, allowing them all a show of her cleavage before she stands upright again. "I must know how much time I have to make the dress!" she exclaims.

"Miss Isidora, you're interrupting a council meeting," one of the members informs her. "You can discuss your matter with the King another time."

"Absolutely not!" she scowls and whips out a fan that she uses to smack his shoulder. "The dress is almost more important than the bride. It should be your first priority." She continues to lecture them all about all the reasons why before she pauses her stride and tilts her glasses down. "Where is the Princess?"

My father furrows his eyebrows before gesturing to where I remain still and quiet like a statue a few seats to his left.

"Axelia!" she squeals and hurries to my side before snatching my hands into her paws. "Tell me everything, Darling. Let me make your dreams a reality."

To my luck, another council member clears his throat to get her attention.

"Miss Isidora, I'm sorry to inform you that Prince Herakles has a dress for her already," he announces, and then swallows hard when she glares into his soul.

She fumes, and the room fills with bickering about a dress I have no intention of ever wearing. "The Princess should decide," she declares boldly, placing her hands on her waist and drawing everyone's attention to me.

I gaze down at my slice of pie unsure of where else to look for comfort and support.

"I'm not marrying him, so it doesn't matter."

Gasps escape and jaws drop as a dozen pair of eyes stare at me. My father calls for a recess before grabbing me by an arm and dragging me to a corner of the room. "Do I even need to have this conversation with you?" he seethes. "You know what I'm about to say."

"Father, I don't even like Herakles. This wouldn't--" He punches a fist into the wall and hovers over me with a glare.

"It doesn't matter who you like!" he bellows. "This is what is best for our Kingdom and region."

Perhaps Herakles' proposal to kill Leonidas was more for my father than for me.

"No, it's what's best for you," I grumble, feeling queasy at the thought of being used like this. "Mother never would have--"

"She's dead, Axelia," he snaps. "She was killed by a blood-sucking Reriman monster, so what she would or would not do is irrelevant. I am your Father, and I am the King. You will marry Prince Herakles."