Chapter 1: Grief
I walked, gracefully down the middle of the church in my black gown. Sniffles echoed throughout the building.
My father couldn't bring himself to say goodbye to his wife, my mother. All eyes were on me as I reached the casket. My mother's beautiful face lay in front of me.
I open her pale, cold, hands and place the lilies into them. Lilies where her favorite flower. Especially the orange mountain lilies.
"Princess," the priest bowed his head.
I turned around gripping the necklace she gave me to speak to my subjects.
"This week we lost our queen, also my mother. My mother was one of the brightest people I knew. If she couldn't fix it, nobody could. She was kind. And caring. She never put herself before people. She was the definition of a true queen. She helped and cared for her subjects. She provided for them when they needed to be provided. She was and will always be known as our true queen.
"The King could not make it today for he is grieving the hardest of everybody. I was told to read this to you," I said opening a scroll.
"My subjects, I could not bring myself to say goodbye to my Cassandra. She was the light of my world. She is what made me a better person. She provided me with my beautiful daughter. Your queen will rest in peace for being nothing but perfect," I read the scroll.
I closed it and said one last goodbye to my mother. A tear dropped on her face as I kissed her. She was gone. And I needed to except that for my people.
I unzipped my gown and let it fall to my feet. I couldn't stand to be in it any longer. I told my servants I needed to be alone.
I looked at myself in the mirror, tears dripping down my face. I clung to the diamond necklace she gave me remembering what she said.
My daughter. I love you so. You have grown into a beautiful young lady and will lead the kingdom with greatness. But I'm afraid I won't be able to witness it with you. I'll be with you wherever you go. I love you.
That night, I stood outside my father's door.
"Father," I questioned as I knocked.
"Go away Alex," is all I heard before I was ushered away by his guards.
A week had passed.
Two weeks had passed.
Two had turned into three.
And three into four.
It had been a month since my mother's death. The kingdom has not yet recovered.
Father hasn't talked to me since the funeral.
I was sitting in my room painting when a knock hit my door.
"Come in," I sang.
A doctor came in, bowing.
"And what do I owe the pleasure of you being here?" I asked curiously. I don't remember writing on my calender a doctor visit.
"The king wanted me to do a checkup on you. You are getting older and need to have an inspection," the doctor said softly while digging through his stuff.
"Oh," is all I could say before my inspection happened.
After it was done, I looked up at the doctor. His face was pale.
"What is wrong, doctor?" I questioned.
"I was told I could not discuss your results with you until after your father heard them," he said shivering as he swung the door open and ran out.
I was scared. What could possibly be wrong with me?
"What?!?!" I heard my father scream down the hallway.
A second later my door bursted open with an angry king.
"Father? What is wrong?" I asked worriedly.
"Your unpure. Thats what's wrong. Read your analysis to her," he glared at the doctor.
"T-the shape of your uterus is bad. Its called a bicornuate uterus. You will not be able to have children. Th-," he stuttered before he was cut off.
"Who will want to marry you if you cant produce a heir? It will make our family look not fit for the throne. You cannot become the queen," my father angrily yelled at me.
I stood there in shock, thinking about my situation.
For royals, the most important thing is to be able to have children. If you cannot have children you are considered to be nothing and not worthy. For if you cannot have children who would want to wed you, as my father stated.
"Call my guards," my father shouted in rage.
Soon after that they came rushing through the door.
"Take her down to the dungeon," he ordered.
Before I knew it, 2 pairs of arms had me on either side.
"What? No. No. Father what are you doing? No. What's happening? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't do this. I-its not my fault. I didnt know. Pleas," I begged.
"Don't ever call me that again. You are not my daughter. You are nothing," he screamed at my face.
I was dragged down the hallway and stairs. The servants that walked past me looked into my eyes with pity but most of all, horror.
"No. Please. Please don't do this father," I cried as I was shoved into a cell.
"Sebastián. Sebastián. Look at me. Don't do this. Please. I am the princess. Please," I begged and begged the head guard.
He couldn't even looked at me. "You are not the princess anymore," he said before taking off up the stairs.
I sat down in my cold, damp cell and cried. What had I done to deserve this?
Grief can do horrible things to people. He's just grieving but tomorrow he'll come back and get me I told myself. But little did I know, that was not the case.
