Royal Magic

Mother and Daughters

" A little sleep and a bite to eat was too much to hope for. "I mumble chopping up some onions. Ignoring the endless ranting of my so-called family. Mel and Ella are like two perfect queens sitting in the kitchen, and I'm their servant.  And just as I thought of that remark here comes Ella's condescending voice.

"Andy, hurry up we are hungry over here." she demands while braiding Mel's hair – something she would never do for me. Biting back my tongue I got to work again wondering how I ended up with a mother like Ella. Ella is a mean-spirited woman who takes pleasure in another's unhappiness.

"Yeah back to work, ogre," Mel says looking at her braided hair in the mirror not seeing her words impact. Rubbing my eyes, I try to pretend it's from the onion and not my emotions. And luckily Ella and Mel are so engross in their world my tears escape their notice as they discuss their hair and outfits for the festival.

 "Momma do you think a prince will like my hair this way?" Mel puffing up her perfect curls while glancing at the small mirror Ella is holding up. 

 "Honey you will be the brightest star at the festival and gain a Prince".

"Really momma."

"Yes, Melissa you have beauty and power. Things that your useless waste of a sister doesn't have."  Ella says looking at me when she utter those words. I don't flinch trying to be silent hoping the bullying would stop. And like always my prayers are not granted as they surround me

"Yeah, Andy will be lucky to get a pig farmer to marry her." Mel giving me a once over in disgust. "Look at her she cannot even make her hair presentable, but fortunately pigs is as ugly as her. Imagine the poor man having to sleep with something more hideous than the animals he slaughters." 

"Melissa, even pigs have some beauty. Andy's only choice is a blind man, if your father can find one".

"Good one Mother"  laugh Mel with Ella giggling beside her.

Feeling the familiar rise of anger in me, I try to focus on my task at hand. If I can get done with dinner than I can go to my room until father gets home. Ella and Mel are less nasty with him there. Nonetheless you can tell the two have no love for my father, especially Ella.

My parent's relationship are that of two strangers living in the same house. They never kiss or show affection I  sometimes wonder how Mel and myself were born.  My suspicions is that  my parents' marriage was  arranged like many others in Weston. Rumor has it that my mother's parents wanted their daughter married to the future Weston leader. And Ella is a weather witch that  can control the elements. That was a benefit to Weston; one I knew my father wouldn't pass up.

Sighing, I try to get my mind off the topic and thought of the festival again. The Princess Festival is coming up in two more months, and the village needs more preparations. Banners and decorations need to be hanged, and the food needs to be perfect.  Since the invaders have come, many of the villager's fear for the future. With no aid from our new sovereign of Perta, Weston is on its own and father is at his wits end.

"Mother do you think father will let me have the blue velvet dress we saw in Ms. Clara's store yesterday?" Mel ask hopping up and down. I bit my tongue there is no way Father will let her have that dress. It cost ten gold coins; that's enough to feed our family for two months.

" I can talk that buffoon into anything"  Ella scoff twirling her blond curls. "A woman can always talk a man into anything with the right assets" gesturing to her breasts. "Melissa, remember that when you snag a prince, "  Listening to them I roll my eyes at that remark. If a prince could be tricked by that than he is an idiot.

"Mother, Father only cares about this  horrible village and saving it. He doesn't care about me getting a prince"  Mel throwing a fit and pouting. "Father is stupid, and I wish he would just let this village burn to the ground".