The Imprisoned Princess

Chapter 3

I followed Milena to the main hall. Once inside I took a seat. Like breakfast, I was alone. The servants started to present me dishes and I picked a dish with ham and cheese. I had no idea what it was called. It looked like maybe some kind of soufflé perhaps. It smelled amazing. The next dish waa some fresh fruit and I selected a few pieces. 

 Suddenly trumpets blared. All the servants froze, setting down whatever they were carrying and sinking to the ground in a curtsy or a bow. I sighed. I stood and also sank into a curtsy, though I wasn't required to go as low as the servants. My Father entered the room in a flurry of attendants and sat down. My Father was a tall man. Six foot and three inches tall. He had dark brown hair with streaks of silver starting at his temples. He had a full beard but kept it trimmed short. He had an imposing way about him. Everyone was intimidated by my Father. 

 It took him a moment to even notice that I was here. The servants were scrambling to serve my Father and sighed again as my plate was cleared and replaced with a clean plate. I couldn't eat a dish unless my Father was presented it first. 

"Neoma, sit." My Father said. I sat, relieved to stand from my curtsy. 

"Thank you, Father." I said. My Father waved off his attendants and they marched out of the room. They would have to wait nearby as they would be expected to rejoin my Father if he called on them or left the room. The servants started to present my father various dishes. I smiled when I saw him serve himself the ham dish. If he had declined the dish, it would not even be presented to me. For the second time, I was presented with the ham dish and I took one, not waiting to take a bite. 

"Neoma, please act like the princess you are." My Father scolded me. I blushed crimson. 

"I am sorry, Father. Please forgive me." I had started to eat before my Father. I had broken a rule. 

"Since it is your birthday, it is forgotten. But remember your manners." He said sternly. 

"Yes Father." Angering my Father was worse than angering my Mother. Usually anything I did was reported to my Mother as her failing. She would be reprimanded and berated for my bad behavior. Then I would pay. My punishment would be harsh, often cruel. I knew better than to tempt this. If I really angered him, his punishments could be even worse. Once I had been confined to my room for a month. No one had been allowed to enter my room, not even Milena. Any form of entertainment had been stripped from my room. I couldn't read, write, or play any kind of games. I was delivered meals twice a day but they were basic meals like bread and cheese or stew. No sweets or fruit or anything that I loved. I was meant to survive off this food, not enjoy it. 

 What had I done that had angered my Father. I was ten. It had been a beautiful spring day, the first of the season. I had been so excited to be outside. To play in the warm air. I had ran away from Melina and was dancing in the garden when my Father, who was walking in the garden with a diplomat from another kingdom, found me. My Father acted amused but my punishment came swiftly. I remember screaming for the first few hours and banging on the door. I was ignored and denied dinner that first night. I cried myself to sleep, passed out on the floor by the door. 

 I looked up from my thoughts and saw my Father eating. Relieved, I started to eat as well. 

"I trust your Mother has told you to behave yourself tonight." He stated. 

"Yes Father." I said. 

"There will be a lot of important wolves there as well as royals from the other kingdoms." My Father said. "You are expected to smile and seem happy. Dance. Act normal." My Father said. I stared at my plate, my appetite suddenly gone. I hated dancing and he knew it. I knew how. It was the small talk and the close proximity to strange men that made me uncomfortable. It felt unnatural and awkward to me. 

"I will do my best, Father." I said. 

"See that you do." My Father said coldly. The threat in his words were clear. If I disappointed my Father, there would be consequences. 

We finished eating in silence. I wanted to leave but was too scared to ask my Father to excuse me. He finished eating and got up to leave. 

"Remember to behave tonight. I expect perfection, Neoma, I mean it." My heart beat a little faster. He was warning me now so if I did make a mistake, my punishment would be severe. 

"Yes, Father. I will try to please you." I said. He left the room and his attendants rejoined him as the doors closed behind him.