To what makes a princess.

Roses and thorns

After that day, I can only assume that elder brother is trying to reintroduce me to society. He invites ladies for tea parties in my name and even sends me to parties representing him. Slowly, people began to get used to me being there and have begun to speak to me with a kinder expression. 

but 

there is still a barrier between them and I. I can tell the difference in how the ladies speak to me and how they speak with the familiar friends. I suppose it has to do with my position in society as the empires sister empress, though I don't nearly do as much as an actual Empress might do. 

" Milady, the ladies have arrived in the rose garden. I have been tasked with escorting you today." Felix stands at my doorway and smiles at me. I wave him in and he almost run to my side to help me out of my chair. 

" Felix, I am not Athanasia nor am I fragile. I promise that I am capable of walking to the gardens on my own. " I exasperate but he just smiles offering me his arm. 

" Whether you are capable or not, you are a lady and you should not have to walk alone. Thus, this humble knight will escort you to where ever your heart desires." We walk at a slow pace towards the gardens but stop when we hear my name being spoken by the noble females sitting around the table. 

" I simply don't understand. Where did she come from? No one knew of her before and yet now, after her brother takes the thrown, she suddenly comes to light? Whose to say she isn't the previous emperor's secret love child? Is she even legitimate? Or maybe, she was the royal whore? " I hear their laughter and I see Felix ready to draw his blade from his , maybe to scare the poor ladies or to slay them. I would never know. I grab hold of his arm. I stop him and continue to listen with a heavy heart. Obviously it would be easier to play the part if I know what they actually think of me. 

" Or maybe, she's the current Emperor's secret love child... I mean, he had a child with a commoner at one point right? it wouldn't be surprising with how the royal family has been.." They laugh quietly in their circle. I start to form my own magic circle around the tea area and walk into sight. 

" good evening ladies. " I greet them and they gasp bringing their hands to their mouths as if they can take back the words already spoken. I wave my hand in the air and suddenly Rose vines entrapping them and tying them onto their seats. I make my way to my seat and Felix assists me. 

" Do you know what makes me different from you all? It's the fact that I, princess Evangelina De Rubem Obelia can get away with anything. If I were to throw you all into the dungeon just for the words that you spoke a few moments ago, no one would be able to save you. Or I could deform your faces to the point that you will never find a husband or gauge out your eyes and cut off your tongue, just because I feel like it. You all should know this already. Did you think I am not unlike my elder brother? Are you so young as to not remember what he has done in the past? Do you truly believe that I could not just order to erase your family from our history. make it as if your families had never existed? Did you really think that I am so kind that I would not do all of that after hearing so many or your opinions and thoughts? or maybe you all thought that I am one of you, naive, oblivious, or too forgiving. " I tighten the vines around their wrists and neck, watching the squirm and cry in my grasp. 

I sigh.. " Though I guess it would be bad for my flowers to bath in your filthy blood. I wouldn't want to dirty them. So I'll leave you with a few scars. Why people ask you where or what happened you can simply tell them, princess Evangelina had a fit." I clench my fit and the vines slither and drag its thorns over their delicate soft, white skin leaving deep red scars in it's path. On their hands, wrists, neck, and even their face. Blood almost pours out of their newly formed wounds. their cries echo in my ears resonating in the garden.

I give them a smirk.  

" You may leave. You are never to show your face to me again for if you do, I promise you, you will die the moment my eyes land on you but, you must attend every social gathering to be hosted. I hope you live in fear for the rest of your lives. Actually.. " I give it a thought. 

" You are never to wear gloves or a veil ever again. You must wear your scars proudly as the first ladies to insult and make assumptions of Elder brother and live. I implore you to remind your friends that we, the royal family are not your friends and you must remember to ever mistaken us as one of you. I hope you live the rest of your lives in fear and embarrassment for the sins your have committed against the Royal family today. If your family have anything to say, they are welcome to come meet elder brother and explain what you have done to deserve " 

I release them from my hold and they fall to the ground with tears in their eyes. 

" Your dismissed you may leave. " I wave them away and I can see the struggle to stop from running at full speed away from the palace. 

I look around and see the chairs and table covered in their blood. I give to hint of getting up. 

" Felix, pour me my tea. I think I'll stay out here for a while. " I hum and he pour me my now cold tea. 

" You were to kind to them milady. I would have slayed them if it meant I were able to keep you from dirtying your beautiful hands. " He take my hand in his and kisses it. 

" I've said this before but Felix, I am not a fragile girl. she died the day my childhood was lost. I can take care of myself. " I stare down at him. 

" And Eva, my dear lady, I'll say this once again, no matter if  you can or can not, you are a lady, my lady, therefore you should not have to do anything. That is strictly my job and role as your knight." 

I feel my heart squeeze and even while kneeling on the blood covered ground, Felix looks unbelievably beautiful.