Shattered

CHAPTER 2. Waiting for the worst to come.

"Lucinda!?" It was Queen Valerie's turn to react while I skillfully rolled my eyes.

It was what they wanted as I was again reminded of the time I almost had my guts ripped with just words that this woman who was suddenly acting like she'd die sooner, had said to me.

It was always on their agenda, every bit of it to come as they liked playing the prey card, making me the predator. I swallowed as Quinton, who managed to get her emotions in control, stepped forward to shield me as she was possibly ready to receive a slap in my stead.

"C..can't you see mother? Would she win again this time..?" Lucinda said, her voice resounding in the once enthusiastic hall thus, making it silent again. "You heard father. My commemoration would be canceled if I still can't find my mate, Mother." She informed me loudly.

"...!??" The entire guest I couldn't count, gasped. What..? Though I heard it before from a maid, I thought it was only just their mere words but hearing it again, I sighed.

So what if she doesn't find her mate? How is it with me? Why should I be tagged? I wanted to yell them out of my head but simply just swallowed a thick lump that stuck in my throat. It wouldn't end soon.

"P.. grand princess lu... Lucinda, should you not have mistaken…" Quinton chipped in, totally taking me off guard.

Please, save me now goddess.

And again, another slap that made my legs wobble weakly resounded in my very ears only it wasn't on my ears. It was Quinton's.? My eyes widened as my breathing hitched. She slapped Quinton..?

"How dare you call the princess a liar..?" Queen Valerie's voice turned cold.

"Enough..!"

My stationed eyes moved away from the scene in front of me to my King and Alpha father as his husky yet deep commanding voice reverberated through the hall, sending waves of extremely cold chills into the already thick atmosphere, making it thicker. Was this even a dream..? I blinked.

"Vinisha apologize." I heard unbeknownst as I tried to look back and check if there was another with my name. But that Alpha's commanding voice called again even when it had no effect on me, I still stood transfixed.

Suddenly, as if the whole thing was a set where we all would be paid for performing our roles well, a sinister cry resonated from the Queen. No, it was a laugh. "Didn't you just hear what our daughter said? You want her to apologize..?" I heard.

In my heart, I was already loving the show as my father pinched the skin between his brows. "There's still time for her mate to arrive, Valerie. We can't assume just yet." My King's father said rather lazily.

If the entire guest had really been paying attention, the judgments of many would be just like the way I frowned. Never before had my father stood up for me. What changed..? Some agreed with his words, making it more weird. But the majority, I was still the reason why Lucinda's mate was held down.

"No, she might have used a spell on him." A voice from the crowd pulled.

"Even seduced him to like her instead. What is she now..? A whore.?" Another yelled again in the silent hall.

"Poor princess Lucinda to have had someone as witchy as her as a sister. She even killed her own mother.," another said.

Like that, it went on and on, a grin plastering on both the mother and daughter duo. They should be awarded.

"F.. father." Lucinda cried as she crawled up to where my father sat.

"Should it not be a second late once the clock strikes 11 pm..?" I heard her ask audibly, spiking my curiosity.

11 pm..? All heads now turned in one direction., The wall clock that was hung further up, evidently said it was only a minute more before 11 pm.

Again, words and reactions brought gasps to the honored guest as realization dawned on us all. They turned at me accusingly while I could only just stand, rooted to the same spot as my limbs failed to function. What is happening..?

"No, your Majesty. The princess has always been locked in her tower and knows nothing of these accusations." Quinton pleaded on my behalf but I couldn't move. Why..?

"Lincolnton..?" Queen Valerie called at my father by his first name. "W..what did I ever do to treat my daughter and me this badly..?" Her eyes became moist, making it hard to believe otherwise.

"Did this same thing not happen at the time you impregnated that woman who had now bestowed even a greater evil..?" I heard her say. Wow..!! Here, I thought I would have had a heart failure at their acting. It was top notch but still, I expected it all. Was it I alone or was the entire guest and even my father seeing the smile that was threatening to spread out from the lips of both duo..? Holy..?

I might have forgotten my manners when a hand grabbed mine and pulled me to the ground. It was Quinton, again. Swift to bring me out of my gaze as if not wanting them to know I expected it all. I understood.

Immediately, I just followed her lead as I sighed softly. Nothing was ever going to change them being the prey and I, the predator so far it brings them what they want. Tonight, I had expected they'd be the predator with me as the victim. A pang of pain washed through me as I knelt like always.

It should be 11 pm already right..? It should all be over now for the worst to come..! Waiting for whatever my father was going to say I much expected to be nothing less than locked up again.

After what seemed to have passed a second, he ordered again, "The princess would no longer see light."