Chapter 5 - Family ties
1132 Words
"I know I never deserve the title and the lands. But, you should at least show me a respect because one day I will be your wife and bear your children." I said.
"My wife? Don't be so sure. Alliance can shift." He smirked.
Alliance can shift? What does that mean?
"What do you mean?"
Before Damon could answer me, the Servant announces that we are almost near to Trentoi.
When we reached the boarder of Trentoi between Devon, the people of Trentoi were waiting and cheering for the arrival of the so called The Duchess of Trentoi. They are so happy that I could heard their cheers from miles apart.
My mother had once told me that Trentoi was a lonely and poor land. Because, it has been a century since they had a Duchess to rule over them. They were so many uneducated kids on the street which makes the land more poor. I wonder why The Crown didn't even bother to care for the needs of these people. My mother also said that while its a lonely and poor land, its also one of the most dangerous lands in the Kingdom of Nister. They couldn't sustain the needs of their families, thats why they turn to crimes when The Crown couldn't help them even if they had the money.
"Be careful, lowborn. These people might be happy because they a leader to look up to. But, the others are not. Remember, this land is the most dangerous lands in Nister." But, before he could stop me. I got out of the carriage. I saw my ladies got out of the carriage that they had ride behind ours. Lady Adel grimace when a peasant old woman touch her arms. I laughed. Sometimes, I forgot that I'm surrounded by noble ladies. Unlike Lady Kenya, she doesn't seem to care that we are surrounded by peasants. She scurried towards me with a worried look on her face.
"My lady, its unwise for you to step outside of your carriage when its still so far away from the castle." Lady Kenya said.
"Its okay, Lady kenya. We should walk and greet the people." I said. Smiling to every peasants I shake my hands with.
"But, my lady. This land is dangerous." She said in a thin line. Lady Kenya was always the protective one and Lady Adel was the type of a girl who wants everything in order and arranged properly and neatly.
"I know. But, I must greet my own people if I'm to rule this land as their Duchess. I want to give them hope, that this time, while I'm the duchess. They will not be neglected." I said, pride clears in my voice.
I greet every peasants I crossed by, and making sure they received a warm greet from their duchess. I look at the carriage, where Prince Damon was staying when I got out. He was still there, his face annoyed. I smirked. He will always be the Prince that I expected. Too lazy to greet his own people.
I could see the castle from here. Its huge. So huge. My emerald dress is now covered by filth. Oh! Lady Adel will not be so happy when she find out I ruined this beautiful dress.
When we finally got inside the Trentoi castle. The castle guards were shook when they look at me from head to toe. They must've been wondering how I ruined my dress. They greet me by usual accustomed when you're meeting a higher rank. They bow at me, I shook each of the guards i passed by. And they were totally shocked.
My parents and my three older brothers were waiting in front of the door of the castle. I noticed their clothes, they were different than the last time I saw them. They look like a noble family. My brothers and father in noble suits and my mother was wearing a dress. She looks like a Queen. Before, I could reached them. My brothers and father bow at me and my mother sink into a low curtsey. Elliot smirked at me when he rise. Oh Elliot! The last time I have been with him, his face was covered with blood. I didn't notice when a tear falls down on my cheeks. I ran towards my mother, for I badly need her.
"Oh mother." I sobbed.
She hugged me tightly, so tight I couldn't breath. When I let go of her,
"Why didn't you tell me? I was terrified." My face was full of tears.
"I couldn't, sweetheart. The truth is dangerous, I couldn't afford it. But, I knew this day would come." She said. Her amethyst eyes were observing mine. Studying my behavior.
Before I could say anything, my mother dropped into a low curtsey and my brothers bow. Without turning my head I knew Damon was behind me.
"You're royal highness, we are most grateful to you and your Father, The King, for the hospitality that you have shown us." My mother said. She smiles at the princeling.
What surprised me was when the Prince smiles back at her, genuinely. Ha! I never thought Damon was caple of smiling. My mother looks at him from head to toe, then she flushes. Oh, mother, quit it! I thought to myself. I watched my whole family talk to my betrothed as if he were part of my family. My Ladies and I go inside the castle, the servants were waiting in front of the great door as if they were lining up for a christmas treat. They all curtsey at me, and I greet everyone of them. As we were walking along the hallway, I was observing the castle that will be my home for the rest of my life. The castle has so many ancient portraits and displays. My ladies said, some of the person who was in portraits were the previous owner of this land.
My chamber was stunningly covered in red. The walls were covered in tudor red and my chamber bed it was a red silk. In front of my chamber bed was a huge terrace, with the beautiful view of the beach of Trentoi. This room was a lot different than my room in the King's Palace. There's something about the ambiance of this room that I can't quite put my finger on. Every corner of this room has candles and there is a chandelier above on the center of the room and yet I feel like there's something dark about this room. So dark with grieves and lost.
It feels like the previous owner of this land and title that now I'm bearing is letting me feel the burden she just felt. And now, I can feel it too.
- Writer
