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I opened the door to the throne room. “Sun of the Empire, His Majesty, I greet thee.” I curtseyed respectfully, trying to hide my smirk at how he seemed not to expect my plan. Of course he didn’t, for all he knew, I am simply a sweet yet intelligent young woman training to take over as the head of my family. “Morning Star of the Empire, His Highness, I greet thee.” I curtseyed again.
I reveled in how I would never again bow my head to those ungrateful brats of the royal family.
“Lady Monique, you said you had something to share?” His Highness, always so eager to get me out of his presence. Really, was it any surprise I would grow to hate him so?
“Yes, Your Highness. I ask that you simply listen.” I took a deep breath, centering my weight. “ I’m glad I didn’t stay, after all the years of days, you got your way. Take the blame for games that made me feel crazy. I’ve gone and changed, no shame from what you told me I would be. Born as less, yet the best of you that you’ll get to see. All the bridges burning down, let them crumble, let them drown,” I opened my eyes at this line, to see their astonished faces. Yet I kept going. I still have much more to show them. “ Hurts you pray I fail, but I’ll return on top and claim the crown. Got new friends I care about, if you thought I’m worse without, I refuse to make you proud. Yeah, I don’t want it back! Keep it, I don’t care, keep your legacy out my hair! Yeah, I don’t need the crap, so I’ll take myself off your hands! I swear I never wanna be you again! Just keep it all, keep it all. Keep it, keep it, keep it! I have no patience left for you,” I pointed to the King. “ For you,” I motioned to the Prince. “ For you. ” I signaled both of them in a sweeping motion. “ I’d wait for the change but it would fall through each time, yeah it would.” At least the King had the decency to look slightly guilty about this. “ As I knew it were, what else can I do, I do, I do? I shouldn’t have to handle whatever you’re tryna prove! I’m better, I’m better, better on my own, took a while to admit it, but I’m glad that that’s how it is, yeah!” I laughed a little bitterly. Truly, I spent too much time thinking about not being lonely. One can be as lonely alone as one would be in a room of thousands. “ I’m better, I’m better than you would want for me. And that’s the kind of shit that helps me stay up on my feet! ” They both looked astonished at my words. Oh well. They wanted the real me? I’ll give it to them. “ Yeah, I don’t want it back! Keep it, I don’t care. Keep your legacy out my hair, yeah!” Growing confidence, I twirled my own hair, held high in a ponytail around my knuckles. “ Yeah, I don’t need the crap, so I’ll take myself off your hands! I swear, I never wanna be you again! Just keep it all, keep it all, keep it, keep it, keep it! Finally, I can breathe without the weight of failure set so strong. Finally I can sleep with being alive not feelin’ so wrong. Y’know, it’s freein’. A whole new way of seeing things! Defeating whatever life brings, so yeah. I don’t want it back, keep it, I don't care. Keep your legacy out my hair, yeah. I don’t need you crap, so I’ll take myself off your hands, I swear! I never wanna be you again! So keep it all, keep it all, keep it, keep it, keep it!”
I smirked widely seeing their faces. “Your Majesties, I’ll be taking my leave.” I growled.
I spun on my heel, letting the door slam shut behind me with a satisfying thud .
I got the notice annulling my engagement to the prince two weeks later. When I got the letter, I was so happy. I could finally breathe, after all! I never noticed how stifling being the future empress could be. Allen and Casein were happy too, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
After all, nothing had ever been so fulfilling as what had just transpired.