Thorns and Promises

Princesses

{Lilliana’s POV}

I had just finished washing and was trying my best to dry off when a loud knock on the door caused my heart to jump into my throat. I heard Hettie rush to the door, then could hear her and another woman talking. I wrapped the towel around me and walked back out into the room grabbing my gown off the dresser. I slipped on some panties, before pulling the gown down over my head. As it was falling the door opened, and I heard a gasp. “M-My apologies!” A woman cried out, before pausing. “What is that?” She asked, closing the distance between us in a matter of seconds. She lifted the dress back up over my hip on one side while I stood stunned. I whimpered as she ran her fingers across one of my scars. “Flawless?” She asked, her voice sounding broken. “Who would do something like this? Carving something into your skin this way?” Her fingers traced across it, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin.

I pulled away, pulling the dress down and turning to look at her. My face was hot, my emotions all over the place. No one had ever touched me like that.. so soft, so sweet.. loving.. I shook the thoughts away feeling my heart fluttering. “Y-You can’t just.. touch me there!” I whimpered, trying my best not to look as flustered as I felt.

Her face went red and I couldn’t help but stare as even the tips of her pointed ears tinted red. She was tall, about 6’0, her skin was tan. Her hair laid in thick black waves down her back, and her eyes were a deep reddish brown. She was beautiful.. truly beautiful, she wore a forest green shirt, tucked into a pair of forest green pants, she had golden cloth tied around her waist that hung down like a short skirt. She had a golden circlet that had an emerald in the middle of her forehead. “I-I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean to intrude, I just wanted to come check on the princess that my i***t brothers had taken into captivity.” She said, rubbing the back of her neck with her hand. “However, I-I didn’t mean to see that much of you..”

I turned away from her grabbing the robe that Hettie had laid out to go over my sleeping gown. I pulled it on, tying it around myself. “I s-suppose it’s fine.. let’s just not speak of it.”

“But.. that scar..” she said, stepping closer.

I took a step back, trying to steady my racing heart. She had caught me in a moment weak.. and I had been too caught off guard to set boundaries. “It’s nothing.. just an old wound.. it doesn’t hurt anymore.” I said, looking to the ground. The newest one was only done the night before the ball where father announced me.. it’s across my right ribcage, no one should be able to see that one. It’s still fresh, and even hurts when I move a certain way. “I’d prefer if we didn’t discuss this..”

“Alright.. I didn’t mean to intrude on you like that, it was an accident.. I’ll allow you to get some rest and I’ll come back tomorrow to check on you. Goodnight Princess.” She smiled softly, giving me a slight bow before turning and leaving.

“W-Wait! You said you’re their sister?” I asked, hoping she was still close enough to hear me.

She peaked back in the doorway and nodded. “Yes, Aelarian, and Adriel are my older twin brothers.”

I gulped before nodding. “W-What..” I whispered, here goes everything. “What do they want with me?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I’m unsure.. I know Aelarian has been angry with your father for some time.. stealing our land.. destroying our property.. sometimes even kidnapping our people. I suppose he thought this would be a good way to have some petty revenge. Though, your father doesn’t seem too concerned.”

I nodded, I wasn’t surprised, I knew he’d be happy I was gone. He always resented me.. I killed my mother during childbirth, I stopped him from having another heir.. a stronger heir, a boy, like he wanted. “Of course not..” I sighed, turning and walking to the window. I looked outside and count see that it had begun to rain.

“You aren’t surprised? Your father acts as though you hung the sun in the sky, how could you not be surprised?” She asked.

I knew what she meant, to everyone on the outside looking in, he looked like the perfect father. He always praised my accomplishments, told every person he’d run into of my beauty and grace, all a part of his plans to marry me off to the first suitor he could find. I sighed leaning my head against the window, allowing the cold rain water that dripped down it to cool my warm face. “Yes.. I suppose you’re right.. how silly of me. I’m sure he’s worried sick on the inside, and just trying to show bravado and grace.” I sighed, it was better if they didn’t know that I’m a useless bargaining chip, otherwise they may get rid of me.

“Princess..” she said softly, making her way to my side. Her hand on my shoulder caused me to jump as I closed my eyes waiting for her to hit me.. to take some sort of revenge for her people.

When no blow came, I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at her. She looked stunned, and heartbroken as she looked down at me. “I-I’m sorry.. I..” I began.

“What on earth are you apologizing for? You didn’t do anything wrong!” She said looking down at me with pity in her eyes.

“I.. it’s was unbecoming of a lady to brace herself in such a way.. to think that you’d hurt me.. I shouldn’t have been so cruel as to think something like that of you. You’d given me no reason to assume you would hurt me, I’m sorry..” I said, looking down at the floor and gripping the robe in my hands until my knuckles turned white.

“Y-You didn’t do anything wrong though.. in fact, you saved one of our own. We owe you a debt.” She said, her voice trembling.

I shook my head, looking up at her. “You owe me nothing, he didn’t deserve to be tortured and possibly killed just for trying to see what my father was up to. My father made his enemies by being cruel to them, he deserves to have those he’s wronged trying to find his weaknesses.. sadly, even I don’t know what they are, or I’d tell you myself. My father never allowed me close enough to know his weaknesses.. only close enough to tell me mine.” I sighed. “I wish I could do more.. but that’s all I know about my father.. he’s very secretive..” not to mention he very rarely let me leave my room. He’d keep me in there unless we were having a big dinner, a ball, or if he was angry.. and took me to the dungeons.

“I’m telling you that we’re in your debt.. and yet you ask for nothing.. not even your freedom?” She asked, her eyes trailing over me.

“Freedom isn’t a reachable goal in any sense of the word.” I replied, turning back to the window.

“What do you mean?” She asked, anxiety dripping from her voice.

As I looked out at the small dirt road below, I could see the King, Aelarian walking up to the front of the house. His footsteps echoing through the halls downstairs. “It seems your other brother is here..” I sighed.