Kissing the Fae

Chapter 43

It’s so frustrating when you think you have figured out life then one moment, you just went black. Like nothing according in your plans is happening. These moments are the ones I hated most because it makes me doubt myself.

Shaking my head, I smiled at the counselors. Finally, we now get to face each other again after some time. The smile of victory on my face hasn’t back down yet as I am loving seeing those force smiles shown in some of the counselors. They don’t look genuinely happy and what do I expect? They won’t be happy, of course. Knowing the woman they spite the most succeeded.

I mean, not yet... A wing should be brought to end this stigma.

“As we all know... The princess, Rani Letisha has survived the challenge. She got the Power of Glamour and is undergoing training to grow her wings. She will be still the leader of the Faye region and will remain as the princess,” the Queen said like a proud mother.

They all clapped their hands. I smiled at them but when my eyes landed on Alistair, I subtly rolled my eyes in dislike of seeing him. That jerk... He really has the audacity to smile at me widely as if he contributed something to my victory! Well, his rejection just made me want to win so alright, I will let him pass now.

"Rani Letisha has proved herself since she was a kid. From those small challenges to big ones, she never fails to make us all proud. Her determination and skills to lead are the ones that kept not just the Faye region but the whole Acres Kingdom in peace," the Queen again.

I think I am melting... She looked so proud, unlike my father who was just silent. I bit my lower lip and force a smile. At least, mum is happy about this achievement of mine. I know he will soon understand and accept that this is really what I want. That putting others before me is what I am best at for it just... a leader will always do, right? For running away and turning my back away from the people who were there for me through ups and downs sound so selfish to me.

Besides, this is what they taught me as I grow up. I have seen them sacrifice their lives for others then, why can't I? I am a leader. A princess. My life has been plotted and I am just executing it.

"A woman can lead but they are too emotional," said one of the counselors. "Sooner or later, she might fail to lead effectively. Women's hearts are fragile and are easy to break so in my opinion, they are not fit in the position."

"Did I ask for your opinion?" the Queen uttered with her authoritative voice.

I almost laugh. How dare he question a woman’s ability in front of the Queen? The woman they served for years, the woman who contributed to maintain the peace in the Acres Kingdom with other nations.

Where did he get the courage for that? It’s as if he didn’t come from a woman’s womb to degrade us because of our gender. This is so... maddening. Disrespecting us means also disrespecting the woman who gave birth to him. He dared question our capability to rule, our power, the charisma and in general.

They really think that we are weak and that not fit to have a position in the society. What is wrong with this counselor?

“How dare you talk to my daughter like that?” Finally, the la Roi talked.

The counselor gulped. The others were just silent and their heads lowered expect for the three guys and the counselor. I noticed the sweat in his forehead yet he managed to still look strong. He even welcomed the King’s gaze despite the anger and fear in his eyes.

Huh! He can’t keep his hate to himself anymore so now, he’s trying to provoke me here and the rest.

I kept my cool. There’s no benefits in fighting with him so I will just let my father argue with him. But I know he won’t stoop down to his level. As it should. For we really don’t care about a man who thinks nonsense.

“I was just making a point,” the counselor said.

My brow raised. “Your point is... pointless.”

He glared at me. I shrugged and smirked as I compose myself. There’s no way that I’d let this pass. No... He insulted not just me but my mother, too! Every woman! He insulted our power to rule and that shouldn’t be forgiven.

“A woman can rule. If you can’t accept that fact, then I guess it’d be right to kick you out,” I continued.

The veins in his temple showed up. He was angry. He is losing his cool and I don’t care. I remain calm and compose, even though my insides badly wanted to attack him for having a nonsense opinion, for labeling us such. I can’t jut believe him. In this room, he’s not the only one who hold a grudge against me and the rest of the women who has a position in the Acres Kingdom.

This man was just too confident. Those people who sided with him kept their silence. For what? To see what would happen to to this one once he voiced out.

The Acres Kingdom is full of women. They rule, too. And it’s so maddening to see that some loathed them, taking their rights to lead for being a woman. Something our parents hated because it just means disrespecting not just the us — but those Queen before us who did their best to build the Acres Kingdom at its best.

I just don’t understand where this hate came from. Are they afraid that they might be dominated by women in the future?

That’s how I see it. Those who will hear them will probably be enrage, too. Because this isn’t just the first time they looked down on us.

He smirked at me. The thickness in his face really...

“You have proved yourself but it’s wasn’t enough,” he said with distaste. “The Faye region should be handle by a man who’s born as a Fae. Who is originally from here!”

I heard the table being slammed by the King. My mouth open, trying to say something but no words came out of my lips.

What does he meant by that? My head snapped in my parents’ direction. The Queen looked at me worriedly and I can’t understand the fear visible in her eyes. What the hell. Wh do they look so scared?! And what the f uck is this counselor trying to say?!

I know I am lacking! I don’t have wings! But that’s the only one that I don’t have... I have the power to rule, the rights to be a leader in the Faye region because I deserved it! And I am a Fae! I am one of them and I tried my best to get the position so how dare this counselor...

It wasn’t enough, huh? What do they want me to do?!

“She can’t lead the Faye region forever. She can’t be the Acres Kingdom Queen either in the future, your Highness. All we ask was to replace her. To put someone who is more deserving to rule. The one who is a true Faye and is not a fake one who pretends she has the blood of a Fae.”

The guys stood up. Terran was the one who approach me first. He held my elbow to motion me to stand up which I did.

“We need to leave,” he whispered softly.

I can’t seem to figure it out. My mind was in turmoil and thoughts just kept on coming endlessly. What that counselor said has taken effect on me and now, my heart is filled with doubts and confusion. What the f uck just happened?

Terran led me out of the hall. That’s when I realized it.

“What was he talking about? I am a Fae!” I told them, feeling enrage at the nonsense that counselor spouted.

“Of course, you are! We just don’t want to meddle with them, princess. Let them fix the problems.”

I sat on the large branch. “But I was involved...”

“You are not,” Deniz uttered. “That boy just didn’t have something else to say. Do not mind him, Rani Letisha. They just literally don’t want to see you dominate the Acres Kingdom in the future. So, don’t let their words harm you in anyway.

How can I? When those words were so deep it cut through my heart. I don’t know... I know I should not believe their words for the purpose is only to ruin me but why do I felt like it wasn’t just that?

No, Rani Letisha. You are born here in the Godlic, you have a blood of Faye... You deserved to be in your position. No one should question it because you have proved yourself to them and you don’t have to anymore.

They are jealous... They are afraid of my leadership because mine was effective and tight. They can’t be level with me because I am too far away, I am soaring high and they can’t reach me anymore for if they’d try, they will just fall on the ground over and over again like a loser as they are.

I sighed deeply. My gaze went to Alistair who sat beside me silently. I scoffed and didn’t bother to look at him more. My mind was going back and is badly in need to know what’s happening in the hall. I wanted to go back but I know it’s not possible now.

“The King must be so angry at the counselor right now,” Terran uttered who smirked.

But I know deep inside him, he’s feeling nervous on how his lips moved. I pouted and again, sighed to calm myself down. I am worried... I think like I really need to go back to check on them and at the same time, to hear their conversation solely because it was about me.

So, I have the rights to listen, right?

“Of course, he must be,” Deniz added. “Insulting her in front of the King and the Queen is a big blow. It’s not new, though. Half of the counselors are against woman who rule for I’m sure, they are feeling intimidated knowing we are all equal.”

“They fear you,” Alistair talked beside me. “Whatever you’d hear, don’t believe anything unless stated by your parents, Rani Letisha. Believe no one... And if it’s too much to handle, we are here.”

I wanted to laugh at him for his last words but I can’t. There is nothing funny in our current situation. Then, I remember the Queen Mother. What’s the thing that I’ll discover that might break me? What is it? Is it that heavy that I’d break? I wanted to know to clear the confusion in my mind, to give the clear understanding even how much it would hurt me.

I’d rather be in pain than people feeding me with lies I have the rights to know. I’d rather suffer than die in silence thinking of what could it be.