Chapter Text
It was a lovely day today. I had just woken up and by the time I opened the windows of my room, the birds started to chirp, the warm breeze suddenly hits my skin, and the sky filled with fluffy clouds enveloped by a vibrant blue. I let out a relaxed exhale taking in the environment and stretched my arms before I went up to my music player and,
Blasted music so loud, a normal person would be deaf from it. I didn't care though because I loved it. I loved the intense bass boost and the rhythm. The feel of the beat and how it vibrates the room and myself satisfies me. My sisters didn't though as they were visibly irritated and threw me pillows while their eyes were still half closed.
"Kiara! Turn off that damn thing, some of us are still trying to sleep!"
Athaleyah shouts, covering her head with a spare pillow afterwards. Mai would do the same but just stands to get out of the room and Zira sat up, staring into the void, not bothering to shush me. I didn't mind them nor could I hear them. I was too far gone with the music that I danced to the beat.
"Kiara, if you don't turn that off, I'm telling dad! He's going to take that thing away."
"First of all, you're such a snitch. Second of all, this isn't a "thing". It's my music player."
"Fine. I'll throw it out the window!"
With one swift push, my sister grabbed my music player and raised it above her head, ready to chuck it out the window. I quickly recover and tried to reach for it but failed due to our height differences. So annoying.
"Give it back, Atha!"
"Or what? You can't even reach me with your tiny body and hands, chephirah!"
"Do not call me that! I am not chephirah!"
It went on like that as we bit and scratched each other before we could hear someone clear their throat. It became silent and as we turned our heads, we saw our mother with her arms crossed and her brow raised. It seemed Mai called for her, considering she was behind her and scratching her eyes. Atha and I fixed ourselves and stood up straight before her.
"Your majesty. We apologize for our rowdiness."
Atha greets, bowing her head.
"Oh, rowdiness for a lion or a lioness is normal, especially at a young age. I simply wanted to see my little girls."
She then opened her arms, welcoming us for an embrace. Atha was hesitant at first but soon went in and I followed, Mai and Zira did too. Atha was always one for etiquette. Our mother is the Nation's Queen, but at this moment, she is our mother.
"It's so good to see my daughters. How much you all have grown and how strong you all became. I am so proud."
She cups each of our cheeks and smiled so tenderly. The ray of sunlight reaches her face and she glowed, radiant even.
"Why is it that you are here, mother? This early?"
Atha asks and I somehow became curious too. Mother never goes to our room this early. She's always busy attending the people and her Queen duties. Was there an occation? A family holiday we missed? Mother's expression soon shifted from a smile to a grimace all of a sudden which made me worry, made all of us worry. Atha asks if she was alright but she just waves her hand.
"The King has requested your presence. We shall not be late. Get yourselves ready."
She then let out a faint sigh and gave us all a reassuring smile before heading out the room, leaving us dumbfounded with a list of questions.
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When we were done getting dressed, we immediately walked out to see mother talking to a bunch of servants and as soon as she saw us, she dismissed them and bowed in unison. Mother did not need to say more but just urged us to follow her. When Mai and ZIra asked a few questions, she gave vague answers. I suddenly feel a twist in my stomach as bile rises and my fingers have turned cold out of nervousness. Atha notices this and takes my hand, squeezing gently as she gave me a reassuring smile.
Once we reached the throne room, mother did a last minute check on our appearance and removed any specs of dust before knocking and opening the door. Father wasn't sitting on his throne but... pacing around? That's unusual. And the servants around him seem distressed too.
"Ah, my daughters. So lovely to see your faces."
He greets and we all bow, even though all we wanted was to embrace him. Unfortunately, we can't. It is strictly prohibited to show affection to family, especially a royal family, considering there are a lot of people around too.
"Your mother has called for you here because I need to... discuss a very important matter to all of you."
We turned to look at mother and she gave us a forced smile when we caught her frown a few seconds ago. I wanted to just get on with it, wanted to hear what they have to say because this is making me very nervous. I feel like my stomach could fall out out of nervousness. Atha continued to hold my hand while being able to hold a straight face. I know she's nervous too, she's just really good at hiding it.
"As you know, it is tradition and law that we... arrange a bond between royals. Since you are all women, my daughters, I...
am arranging your marriages to different princes of different nations."
I can't believe I was hearing this. Marriage? We all looked shocked until Mai and Zira suddenly bursted with glee, holding each others hands and intertwined their fingers as they screech. Atha looked calmer while I...
am doomed.
"Marriage?!"
I suddenly spoke without thinking, earning silence from everyone as they looked at me with brows furrowed and raised. Atha pinches my arm but I shook her, ignoring her.
"You want us to be married to people we don't know?"
"Our law must be obeyed, chephirah."
Father gave me a stern look, looking down at me and hoping for me to obey. No, this wasn't my father right now. He is the King. And the King must be obeyed and respected.
But I won't back down.
"I suppose a "princess" ALWAYS does what she's told?! Have you ever had the time to even visit us, had time for US? No! You walk around telling people what to do, what not do and now your kicking us out-"
"A princess should not raise her voice!"
He shouts. No... roars at me. Everyone suddenly bowed their heads. Everyone, except me. His nostrils flared as he looked at me like I was a threat, bearing his canines at me with his ears bent down. He was terrifying at this moment and I suddenly lower my head to. Atha pinched me again but this time harder, clearly upset with me.
"My decision is final. You will all leave tomorrow by sunrise so I suggest you pack all your belongings.
You may leave."
I was so upset that I wanted to burst even more, wanted to convince father to change his mind. But I couldn't do it. I could never win against father. The others bowed and began to move out accordingly but I suddenly push past them and ran. Not to our room, but to my secret hiding place just behind the garden hedge. It was a small area with a pond that no one really cleans, a lot of moss and vines, and unused wood and stone. I think this was a storage area but seemed to be abandoned now.
But just like this place, the place that gave me comfort being in solitude, I feel abandoned as well. I sat down on the grass with my legs folded to my chest and let myself cry.
I might stay here till night falls.