The rumors
1187 Words
Whispers of Scandal
The morning after the royal dinner, Cassandra expected her and Lucy's conversation to dominate the headlines. So She braced herself for cruel editorials mocking her parents’ bakery, or for nobles to flood the press with disdainful remarks.
Instead when she picked up a news paper what she saw was beyond her comprehension.
Cassandra stared at the articles spread across her breakfast tray, Her face looked back at her from glossy covers, her emerald gown shimmering under the headline lights. But for , the words weren’t cruel they were almost admiring.
She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or more terrified, but at least she was allowed to be shocked.
“Good press is like a storm,” Lady Irene said stiffly, sipping her tea.
“It can sweep you up just as easily as it drowns you. Do not let this go to your head.”
" I wonder if you are a friend or a feo, please don't try spoiling my mood it won't work". Cassandra said rolling her eyes.
Still, she couldn’t help but smile a little Maybe just maybe the press and the people didn't hate her as much as she thought.
...............
That afternoon, Cassandra was suddenly summoned to the Queen’s private chambers.
Her heart thudded as she stepped inside. Queen Helena was seated by a tall window, sunlight gilding her silver hair. She didn’t wear her crown, yet the sheer weight of her presence made Cassandra bow instinctively.
“Rise, child,” the Queen said, her voice cool but not unkind and also not friendly.
“I heard of last night’s dinner,” the Queen began.
“You were… brave.”
“More like clumsy,” Cassandra muttered before she could stop herself.
To her shock, a faint smile touched Helena’s lips.
“Honesty. That is rare in this palace.”
Cassandra blinked, Was that… a compliment?
“Now tell me more about your parent’s bakery.” the queen looked at her for a long time before speaking up again
Cassandra hesitated, then said, “It’s small, but it’s home. They makes the best coconut bread in town. Everyone knows the shop it smells like warmth and sugar.” by the time Cassandra finished talking she was smiling like she missed home.
For the first time, Cassandra saw the Queen’s eyes soften, but only slightly.
“You speak of it with love. That will serve you well. A queen who cannot love her people cannot rule them.” Cassandra’s chest swelled. Maybe, against all odds, the Queen didn’t hate her.
But the warmth didn’t last.
Two days later, as Cassandra strolled down the palace hall way she couldn't help but notice the odd behaviors, they were speaking in hush tone and stealing peeks at her as she walks pass. Servants glanced at her, whispered behind hands, then looked away quickly.
Her stomach tightened. Something was wrong.
She caught one of the younger maids, a timid girl named Clara and asked.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone staring at me like I grew a tail and a second head ?”
“Forgive me, my lady. I shouldn’t say—” Clara tried to stop her shaking hands as she spoke timidly.
“Clara,” Cassandra pressed gently.
The girl trembled gently because whispering.
“They say… you weren’t chosen fairly. That you only caught the Prince’s attention because you… you spent the night in his chambers before the announcement.”
“Oh, is that so?. I don't even know when something like that happened”. Cassandra said surprised.
“It’s not true my princess, I swear I don’t believe it! But some of the nobility are spreading it. They say you’re… shameless.” Clara clarified before adding
The person that started this rumors and the people who believe this nonsense are probably daft. Because I mean which person in this palace doesn't know that we basically live in different yards.
Plus she hadn't even met him before until the first day she got to the palace, so where did she get the opportunity
“So who started this?”. Cassandra asked with her voice suddenly becoming chilling
“I don’t know for sure But I heard some palace maids say they heard it from lady Lucy and her friends whispering". clara replied nervously .
"Of course, it's the hawkeyed lady from last night's dinner".
" She will hear from me then if this is the game she wants to play ". Cassandra said suddenly smiling like a psycho scaring the little maid.
..............
Before noon the rumors of how the commoner had seduced the crown prince had spread all through the whole palace. It spread faster than fire on summer.
At lunch, nobles deliberately ignored her. Some laughed too loudly when she entered the hall, others whispered just low enough for her to hear fragments.
“Such ambition…”
"not fit for the Prince”
" She used her beauty, nothing more”
The words sounded funny to her, so they thought so lowly of their future king.
After the meal was finally over she rushed into her chamber and jumped right on the bed, she had enough drama today she probably just needs at this more
Few minutes after laying on the bed the crown prince walked in.
“You’ve heard the rumors,” he asked.
"Yeah , I have they're literally everywhere".
"So what is your next move now". Saviour asked assessing her slowly.
“What can I do? I didn’t start them, and I have thought about it, if I fight back, I’ll look guilty so no, am not doing anything about it.”
For a long moment, he was silent. Then, his voice softened as he spoke again.
“Rumors are weapons. They cut deepest when you show the wound. So don’t.”
“Easy for you to say. You’ve spent your life being untouchable. No one questions you.” she suddenly got angry at his stiff response.
“You think so? Do you know what they call me behind closed doors? The Ice Prince. A machine with no heart. They whisper that I’ll never be a true king because I cannot feel.” said saviour
Cassandra stared at the prince. Yeah she almost forgot that she is also part of the people that called his the ice prince.
“The only way I’ve survived is by proving them wrong through action, not words. Do the same. When you stand tall, the lies fall short.” he said stepping forward to lock eyes with me.
“Prepare yourself,” he said coldly.
“The Queen is hosting a charity ball this weekend. You’ll have your chance to prove them wrong there.” And just like that, he was gone.
..........
As the door closed, Cassandra sank onto her chair, her head spinning.
Somewhere in the palace, lady Lucy might have been smirking in victory. But Cassandra Chase had no intention of being the girl they laughed out of Cordelia.
She was going to fight.
Not as a perfect princess.
But as herself.
- Writer
