Broken Secrets

Maddox

I have barely turned eighteen and my parents are already rushing to marry me off. Since I know the day is coming for my parents to get rid of me, I have been spending an excessive amount of time planning on how to get the crown for myself and off of my brother. My parents hate me, despise me, they have taken the crown from me and put it on my brother. There was always a little bit of hope I had that I would get the crown for myself, change the darkness that my father put in the country, but now? I have a feeling my time is coming short, and about to… disappear.

***

“My Lady! Are you only just now getting up?!” My maid bursts into my room to wake me up. I toss and turn wishing this was a dream. “It’s seven-thirty! Breakfast is in thirty minutes, and you know you cannot be late.” I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and take a deep breath. What I’d give to have a day of no arguing… only if that was possible. The amount of stress I have to cope with every morning takes an immense toll on my body. My parents mad at me, my brother making me aggravated with him, the lessons I have to study for, the training I do, and anything else my parents see as essential. I open my eyes and push myself out of bed. “Bathroom?” I ask walking that way. I would love a day by myself with no one here for my body to sleep and feel relieved.

“I already have your dress in the bathroom ready for you, My Lady.” I sit in the chair getting comfortable as Anna brushes my hair out. “What would you like me to do with your hair today?” She slows her pace with brushing my hair. I don’t have the energy to look the part I’m supposed to be, I want something less intricate.

“Something simple.” She smiles and continues.

Anna finishes getting me ready with five minutes to spare.

I enter the dining hall with a mask on my face and go sit next to my brother Malikus. Every meal is always so quiet, nobody talks, or we’re all yelling at each other. I’m always thankful for the quiet, it seems today is gonna be a quiet day.

Servants come in with our plates of food and sets them in front of us. I begin eating enjoying the food in my system.

I hear my father clear his throat by time we’re half way though the meal, I look that way toward him and then… the quiet stops.

“Maddox, after breakfast I want you to come up to my office, although, I want you to be a little more presentable. This outfit is obscene, I don’t know why you would choose something so ridiculous to wear.” I put my hands in my lap and dig my nails into the palm of my hand. “Then let’s not wait, let’s have this conversation here and now.” My voice comes out hollow.

“We do not have conversations like these at the table. What has gotten into that brain of yours my daughter?” I feel my magic tingling with excitement. I stay silent, looking down at my food. “Good I’m glad we have come to an agreement.” I see my father at the corner of my eye continue to eat. “May I be excused to go get ready? I am suddenly full and don’t feel like eating anymore.”

“You may go.” My mother speaks without even looking at me. I stand up and walk out of the room. As I walk down the hall to get to the stairs I pass a vase, I swing my arm from one side to the other and let my magic shatter the vase on the wall across from it without me touching it. I step over the shattered pieces on the ground and keep walking to my room.

Anna asks me why I’m back already so I explain to her as I sit on my bed. “I need to wear something less simple too.” I look down at my lap and hear clicks against the floor as I’d assume Anna is picking out a new dress.

“I’ve got a dress for you, My Lady. It still has some simple elements to it as well.” I nod and get up for her to help me get into it. “Can you sit first, My Lady? I would like to do your hair before getting you into your dress.” I walk to the dresser in my room and let her do my hair.

They want to talk to me, but for what reason? I’m merely a disturbance to them. I must’ve done something wrong, or… I gasp. My eyes widen and I see my magic floating around me in black and purple swirls. It’s like my body is in a whole other universe as I get up and walk away. If anyones calling me I hear nothing. My assumption has got to be wrong, it’s too early, it can’t be happening. I look up and see me standing at the doors of my father’s office. I seem to have got my grip on reality back but, my body feels numb.

The guards at the door let me inside and close the door behind me. I see my father sitting at his desk and my mother sitting at the fireplace drinking some sort of alcohol. “Did you do it?” I look my father dead in the eyes. He raises his eyebrows and sits back in his chair.

“You look worse than you did at breakfast. I thought I told you to change?” He stands up from his chair and walks over to my mother. “Answer me. Did you?” He laughs. “You think I have to answer you?”

“That’s enough. This is why she’s here, so let’s answer her question. If your question is about the betrothal then your answer is yes.” My mother doesn’t even turn to me.

“Why? Wouldn’t you rather keep me in the dungeon, torture me?” Mother puts down her glass and appears behind me. “We considered it.” She walks in front of me as father sits down where she was and takes sips from her drink. I clench my teeth and look anywhere but her eyes. “Why don’t you take a seat so we can talk a little more comfortably. Care for a drink?” She sits next to my father and I sit on another couch beside them.

“Would you like to know who we chose?” She smiles at me while holding her drink. I stay quiet to avoid saying anything I shouldn’t. “Do you remember Raven Bloodrose? You danced with him at the ball five years ago.” I hear the words but my body doesn’t react. My body feels even more numb. He was terrible, selfish, unkind.

Why does it have to be him?

“We would like you to move in with them, in order for you to get to know Raven more. There will be more details later as we have to discuss with Haseena and Alexander.” I can’t get my mouth to form any words, all I do is stand there in silence.“If you are just gonna stand there and say nothing then you can go. Get out of my presence.”

I walk around and feel like I’m invisible. I walk myself to the sparring room so I can get out my anger. I make a ball of magic in the palm of my hand and throw it at an object letting it shatter the object into pieces. It looks like shattered crystals on the ground. I let the magic form a black spear and I throw it at a dummy, going right through it’s heart and attaching to the wall and disappearing.

I return to my room after I destroy most of the sparring room.

“Is something the matter, My Lady? You ran off so suddenly and I tried calling for you but you didn’t respond.” Anna’s brows knit together and her hands fidget with each other. I think through what I did earlier and dig my nails in the palms of my hands.

“I had a good idea of what my parents wanted to talk to me about.”

“What did they want to talk to you about?”

“The betrothal. Raven Bloodrose, that’s who they chose. I’ve hated him since the last ball five years ago.” Anna comes up to me and hugs me. I flinch then embrace her.

***

Its been three hours since breakfast and I’ve replayed the day at least fifty times, thinking of how the day could have gone differently or how else I could have reacted.

I wish I had more time to be with my dad before he died… I wish he could tell me what to do right now. My maid made me a warm bath to sit and relax in. I can’t help but remember when things were good, happy. When I was loved, cherished.

I let the tears roll down my cheeks.

I call back Anna and let her dress me to be made what my parents have asked. She dresses me in an elegant dress that’s purple and black like my father’s family colors, along with my hair half up with jewels. It’s nearly twelve-thirty and I’ve decided on having my lunch brought up to me. Anna gets a servant to my room to grant my request.

“I want lunch in my room this afternoon.” I look out to the doors that lead to my balcony. “I must consult Your Majesty’s first and then I will bring up your lunch, My Lady.” I turn my head over my shoulder and look at the servant. He gulps, bows and says, “I will get your lunch up here no matter what, My Lady.” I open the doors to my balcony and let the fall breeze fill the room. The leaves are at their peak of the prettiest colors, they should soon fall off for the trees to be bare.

People are walking the streets or riding horses to travel. The palace is in the middle of the city, you can see the walls that let people enter and exit the city. This is my only way to see the city, as I prefer using my free-time being alone.

I want to be Queen of this, not a kingdom that doesn’t love me or know me.

People look up at me and bow or curtsy to me. I turn around and walk back inside, closing the doors. There’s a knock on my door and Anna goes to open it.

“I have your lunch, My Lady. His Majesty was glad to have you eat in your room.”

I gesture to a table that I normally study on for him to set the plate and drink on. “Set it there and then you may take your leave.” He sets it down and bows walking out.

“Thank you,” I say before he can shut the door. “Anything for you My Lady.” He smiles—from what it seems to be—sincerely. I sit down eat and ask my maid a question. “What is his name?” She turns from her sewing project with her eyebrows up.

“Xavier My Lady, Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” She turns back around. Instead of getting out my anger fighting, I should focus on my work until I get more answers from my parents, and then… I create a plan.

I sit down and eat my lunch at the table. Protein, vegetables, a side, and a drink of water. I believe I still have a Queen’s etiquette lesson to attend after I eat. It shouldn’t matter if I go or not I’m only going to have to do it all over again in Windshire, the Midford etiquette is different from theirs, in fact, all country’s etiquette will be different in some way from the other.

I’m almost done with etiquette lessons. Only two months left. There is hardly ever anyone here in the palace which makes all etiquettes nearly useless, though I’m going to have to use it staying at Windshire palace. I sigh out loud and rest my hand over my face.

I eat in silence and try to clear my mind of everything, thinking of everything I have to do today instead of the days to come. I stand from the chair and walk upstairs to the third floor for my etiquette lesson.

The third floor has the king’s office, my father doesn’t like to use it and has left everything from my father’s old things in there. There is also the queen’s room up there. The queen’s room is made for the queen to relax, enjoy herself, or do work. My mother doesn’t use it, says it reminds her too much of her past. The third floor only has those two things up there.

I enter and see Lady Rosetina—my teacher—she welcomes me and gestures me to sit down.

“It’s nice to see you, My Lady, you have not attended any of these lessons in quite some time.”

“My Father and Mother have kept me quite busy, Lady Rosetina.” She nods. Her hands are intertwined with utmost pristine as she is standing. Little pieces of her golden hair lay perfect on either side of her shoulder. Rosetina is a fairy with natural beauty, while also prim and proper. Nobody would dare question why she is teaching etiquette lessons.

“Are you ready to begin your lesson, My Lady?” I give her confirmation and she smiles. “First, if you are going to sit all the way back in the chair your back must be straight and hands placed on your lap.” I straighten my posture on the chair and look to her for approval, “Very well. Now stand up.” I stand up, back straight, arms to my side, and my head held high. “Good, I’m glad we do not need to go over posture again.”

There’s a table and chairs representing a dinner table to practice eating properly, Rosetina sits down waiting for me to accompany her on the other side. I sit across from her on the edge of my seat awaiting further instructions. “This small amount of food that you have in front of you we are going to eat. We are going to eat it as if the King’s and Queen’s of other country’s were here. Delicate, and slowly.”

***

It has been two hours since I started this lesson and I’ve only been going over what I already know. “It seems you remember everything we have previously learned and for that, marvelous job.” Rosetina smiles from ear to ear, her beauty sparkling in the afternoon light. “Thank you, will that be all for today, Lady Rosetina?”

“Very well, I have worked you hard enough for the day. I hope to see you tomorrow, My Lady.”

“I cannot give my word that I will be here tomorrow, for I do not know what Their Majesties’ have in mind for me.”

“I will never condemn you for not attending if Their Majesties’ has requested Your presence. Have a good rest of your day, My Lady.” I nod and walk out, returning to my room.

***

I sit down in front of the mirror as Anna places my black crown on my dark chocolate hair, it has vibrant purple jewels on the front of it for everyone to admire. The clocks ring for six o’clock. It’s dinner time. “Thank you Anna.”

“Of course, My Lady.” The crown makes me look like what I will never achieve in Midford… Being queen. As I walk down stairs I notice there is not as many guards at their post. I see a few guards walk to the entrance of the palace as well. Why is there no one down this hall? It’s silent, other than my heels clicking on the marble floor. After dinner I think I will read Windshire’s history book, educate myself moreover the way they run their country.

I enter the dining hall and seat myself next to Malikus. “It’s nice to see a change of clothes, Maddox.” My father inspects me. “Perfect for tonight’s occasion.” Mother states.

“What do you mean occasion?” Heels click in the distance coming closer to the dining hall. My face becomes stern, looking at the giant open doors awaiting someone to come through them. I see king Alexander and queen Haseena of Windshire enter, her hand holding his arm as they walk in. They want to move this betrothal along quickly, get me out of the way so Malikus can be king.

Hm. I see how this is played.

Malikus is greeting them, he shakes the king’s hand and kisses the queens. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty, Your Highness.” He bows and turns around to walk back to his seat. “Welcome, I am ever so pleased to have you here, King Alexander and Queen Haseena.” My father smiles ear-to-ear. “Do you plan to sit there, or should I help you stand?” Mother whispers over to me, her eyes glisten with a hint of magic.

“My apologies, Your Majesty, Your Highness, I was not told of your coming and was taken back by Your appearance. I would hope it is not too much to ask for Your forgiveness and be blessed with it.” I curtsy and rise to my full height. Alexander laughs then sees to recollect himself. “You are forgiven!” He says.

“You shall not have to worry over manners, as you are our sons betrothal, we do not seek perfection from family.” I have nothing more to say to them, I go back to my seat to think over this night. The odds of me moving and living in Windshire before the marriage is a high probability, though, it seems like I won’t have to take etiquette lessons with taking into account the fact that the queen herself wants me to not speak with utmost manners. If I don’t have to take lessons though that would leave room for me to believe that I would have to spend more time with him.

As I consider my choices a servant brings in the meal. “It is our finest dishes, Your Majesty, I do hope you will appreciate it.”

“It looks splendid, I could not see why it would not taste that way as well.” Father grins. “Let us enjoy this meal.” As everyone else speaks to each other while eating I go back to my thought process. Spending time with Raven would not be preferable, I would much rather take unnecessary lessons, though that is likely not a decision for me to make. Perhaps I am thinking of the wrong thing, maybe I should be thinking about what I could do here-and-now instead of when I’m already there. If there is a way to stop this now, I won’t have to think about what to do then.

“Does Raven and I get a say in whether or not we want to be betrothed?” I put down my fork and knife and look at the crowd before me. “I do not see it as important for someone at such a young age to get a say, in such a crucial part of their lives when they have much more reliable people in their lives.” Her words feel like daggers threatening to slit my throat.

“I know you both have not spent too much time with each other but I’m confident you will both like each other, even if it takes a little bit of time.” Every time Haseena talks it is like spreading butter, a smooth and gentle motion.

“You say, Mother, it is a crucial part of our lives? Shouldn’t we get a say in this decision about our lives? Or shouldn’t we have our opinion heard? We could have underlying problems with each other that was not shown to the public eye. I am not saying I do not agree with this betrothal, although, I did not say I do either, what I am saying is that someone should not make another persons crucial life decisions without even consulting or asking the other persons thoughts. I do not speak for Raven with any of this, only seek a mutual understanding.”

“Now none of us has said anything about not listening to your opinion or trusting you with your own choices amongst your life.” Alexander attempts to calm the disagreement.

“Never once did I say you didn’t trust us. And I admit, no one said I won’t listen, I just found it implied. Now, while we’re on the topic of what was implied, I never got a straightforward answer on if Raven and I get a say in this betrothal.”

“I believe, though I don’t want to speak for someone if they don’t agree but, a betrothal is made by law that the parents decide the person whom they are to be with, it says nothing of the people getting betrothed getting a say, only the parents. I hope that answers your question Maddox, and if you would like a more straightforward answer it would be no.” Father looks at me, his eyes saying more than he’s allowed to say out loud.

I have one more choice to make…

“If I don’t get a say that is fine, but, there is nothing saying I cannot tell you my perspective of the situation. I don’t want to be married to someone I barely know. We would all be better off if the chosen person for Raven and I is someone we both know well.” My only hope is for Alexander and Haseena to agree.

“If your concern is about not knowing him enough and wanting to know him more before marriage, we already have a plan for that, it will all be resolved after the discussion with your parents tonight.” I can’t persuade my parents and I can’t persuade Alexander and Haseena either. If there is anything else I can do at this moment to convince anyone to my side and cancel the betrothal, I don’t see it.

I find it a bit odd that Raven is not here today. “Where is Raven today?” I make eye contact with the king and queen. “We needed someone to watch over the palace as we are here.” I nod, continuing to eat my food in silence. There is nothing more I can do at this moment. They don’t see my opinion is valuable so it doesn’t matter if I say I don’t want to marry him, I’m going to have to anyways. I need more details to know what I’m planning for.

All this information but still so many unanswered questions… I need time alone, time to think.

“May I be excused? I am not hungry anymore.”

“I would also like to be excused, if so permitted.” Malikus puts on a smile. “You are both excused, and Maddox? We would like to see you later, in my office.” I stand and walk out taking a deep breath of fresh air without people.

Malikus follows me out. “It’s about time you finally get to leave the palace. I finally get the role that should have been mine long ago.” I keep walking down the hall where the stairs are. He has what’s supposed to be mine, although, that doesn’t matter to him, what does matter to him is that he gets to be king. “You mean the role that should have been mine but you took it away from me? You know you’ve had it since the beginning, you’re not suddenly getting it now that I’m leaving.” I look over at him with a stern look. He chuckles lightly. “I suppose you’re right. Although, I recall that you still get to be Queen, only, for another Kingdom. Am I wrong?” I clench my teeth and feel my magic pushing to the surface.

“I never said I don’t get to be Queen I just said I don’t get to here.” I let my anger go to the tone of my voice. He stops walking and moves right in front of me. He backs me up against the wall, puts his arm against the wall, and leans down to whisper in my ear. “You’re gonna listen to what Mother and Father say and get betrothed, as you should know if you don’t it will end worse than you being betrothed. And once you’re done I’m gonna build my Kingdom that I deserve—oops, I’m sorry, I mean you’re Kingdom that I got.” His breath in my ear sends shivers down my spine. I stay still for half a second and slap him, allowing myself to move off of the wall.

“Did I trigger something?” Malikus asks innocently as if he did nothing wrong while opening his jaw to work it out. You son of a…

“I think I’m gonna go sparring. Care to join me?” Part of me wants to say no, but, the other part wants me to go and get out the anger I have just built up inside. “Why not?” I give a fake joyous sound. He holds his arm out for me. I walk right past it and head to the sparring room. Let’s see who’s stronger in this match. Witch vs Werewolf. Which one will win? Will his speed beat my magic?

***

I was able to relieve some anger and stress defeating my brother. It has been a draining day, my head hurts, and my irritability to other’s is especially high. I stop at the end of the hall where my father’s office is and clench my teeth, I have to hold it together, I can’t lash out. I hold my head high and keep walking. Malikus has to be removed so I can become queen here. My parents love him, they think he is flawless, unbroken. He will do anything they ask in order to acquire greatness. I am only doing them a favor by leaving, getting out of the way so they can focus on Malikus.

I am constantly taking into consideration how to get the crown in my hands instead of his and there has not been a good plan or time, although, thinking about it now, I hate to admit it but… I believe my best opportunity will be as I leave here and go to live in Windshire, I should have time to sit and strategize and my parents would most likely not look for me coming to take the crown but, I do not seek to let myself believe that they will not see me coming as I would rather let myself believe that they do see my plan and that will urge me to take extra precautions. I am going to have to split my time strategizing about the betrothal and about the crown.

After getting lost in my train of thought I walk the rest of the way toward my father’s office. The guards open the doors allowing me to walk inside. My mother doesn’t spare me a glance as she is attached to father’s neck standing behind his chair. Father sits there doing paperwork as she is on his neck. “Maddox,” He stands up and walks out from behind his desk, mother now standing straight and adjusting her dress following beside him. “It has been decided that you will leave for Windshire in two days, Monday, after lunch. You should arrive there at dinner time and after dinner be shown to your room. You will not be sleeping in the room designated for the princess as that is occupied by Alexander and Haseena’s other child, Leeora, so you will be staying in a nearby room on the same floor as theirs.” I analyze every word that father says searching for any lies that he is hiding or anything that could give me a lead with all the plans I am going to have to begin making.

As much as I don’t want to listen to what he has to say I know it could be helpful and must give all my attention. “I understand.”

“I also want to add, we do not expect grandchildren until after you are both married so make sure to be careful.” Mother did not so no to the activity. Does she think we like each other? That something might actually happen? Wait, she didn’t say do not have sex, she said do not have grandchildren and be careful. I need to keep that in mind as it might become important to me coming back here and ending the betrothal. I nod to relay that I heard.

No one says anything for a few seconds so I turn around reaching for the handle of the door. “When did I say we were done?” The growl comes out at the end of his sentence from the werewolf side of him. “Nobody said anything so I took it upon myself to turn around and leave.” Mother turns around to grab herself a glass of alcohol smirking as she comes back to father’s side.

“You nearly cost us the betrothal today,” He rolls up his sleeves and walks closer to me. “And if that were to happen?” Mother chimes in now.

“Let’s just say, you would’ve regret it.” I feel the tension increasing along with my own power and emotions. My nails dig into my palms letting me stay in reality and lose myself. I have to stay calm, keep myself in check. My magic increases throughout my body when I have a big spike of emotion. Losing control isn’t the right word for it though, for I certainly have full control over my body. The feeling is as if you crave or desire something, so, you want to achieve it, it’s a bad desire that you don’t want to cave into and yet, sometimes you cave in anyways. Everyone here calls it losing control but all I did was cave into the desire.

“Everything turned out fine though, I am still leaving soon and getting married.” I look my father in the eyes and feel the emotion in them. Immediately I look at my mother who’s eyes feel less intense. I look back at my father and he walks closer. I have to think of something and fast. I take a deep breath about to say something and then a hand collides with the side of my face turning my head to the left staring at the desk.

No, I can’t let it. I have to keep it in check, I can’t let it show. Push it down, hide it. I feel it bursting at the seams. I turn back to my father with a straight face and he let’s out a small chuckle. “You can’t even keep yourself together with a simple hit.” My eyes are glowing with a purple and black tint. My magic is spilling out of me and I can feel it but I never know from where it is being seen, my eyes are normally the first noticeable thing. I close my eyes and take a deep breath again allowing me to contain myself. The magic is retreating inside of me.

“You disgust me, never listening to anything. I’ve had it with your behavior, I have dealt with it for far too long, so, for these next couple of days you are not allowed to leave your room unless we have given you permission, and we will make you remember what happens when disobeying us. We also want to keep you intact when you are living in Windshire.” He grabs my jaw throws me to the ground, pinning me to there by grabbing my throat as mother comes over.

I can’t breathe, I need air. I grab at my throat trying to move my fathers hand and feel his wolf claws out, they begin digging into my throat as I try to move them. “Stop,” It comes out a whisper as I struggle for air. “Please.” He puts, what feels like, all his body weight on the hand that’s holding down. I don’t have the energy to move my body as the world is spinning in circles.

Mother bends down on the opposite side of my father. I can’t even comprehend what side that is. I try moving my arm that’s by my mother and instead my fingers barely move. I just want out. I want this to kill me. Mother says some words but I don’t think I heard right. “Seal eighty until death takes the last beat of the heart.” It sounded like she’s using the forbidden curse on me. My eyes go wide and before it’s all sealed a giant blast of magic forces them off of me and across the room. I can’t let it be sealed. I won’t let it be sealed. There’s half of a seal on my sternum which doesn’t take affect unless it’s fully done. I take a deep breath now that I can breathe and look around seeing my magic swirling around me.

My parents get up and look at me with all their focus. Mother let’s her magic swirl around her and father turns himself into his werewolf form. I turn around opening the door and running. I have to find somewhere to run and hide. I look behind and they are nothing more of thirty feet behind me father catching up faster then mother. Father will catch up with me and have more energy so there’s no point in running but if I stop I have to win against them.

None of my options sound promising.

I turn around and stand firm making a spear in one hand and throwing it at my father. He dodges with ease and comes at me with immense speed. Mother stops and has her magic at her hands, ready. I throw a ball of magic hoping to shatter him but only another dodge. I only have time to try one more or else I will be caught. I send a spear from one hand and a ball of magic from the other, the magic ball misses but the spear cuts his side open and and disappears into nothing. His side bleeds and stops him in place. He growls in place. I take a second too long watching him that mother sends her own ball of magic. I turn to dodge it and it hits the side of my arm and making me fall to the ground stunned in place.

“You have caused too many problems tonight and I’m going to fix that.” No! I can’t move and she’s walking closer. Something, come on magic. Work! It’s stunned too. Why am I getting treated like this? I just want up! Someone, anyone, get me up. She is now in front of me and putting her hand back on my sternum and letting her magic continue the seal. I feel my magic more compressed then her stunning magic has made me. The stunning magic is wearing off of me. The stunning magic only lasts for a minute.

I close my eyes and my body blacks out. It gives out. My magic… nearly all gone. They care about me leaving as soon as possible but yet they get rid of most of my powers. Do they not think they will question why I am so weak?

This world is messed up and lonely. So much pain and suffering. If you aren’t born into the right family then all you can do is sit and watch the world crumble from under you. And if you are born in the right family you could still be bound to certain rules and be no different than the ordinary commoner. I want to be queen here and take my father off the throne, and make sure Malikus doesn’t get it. Planning begins tomorrow.