Forget The Scene.
1136 Words
As the princess of the realm, instead of feeling angry about what my father was doing to my mother, I felt happy.
She deserved everything that was coming to her, and I didn't give a damn how she felt. It's not like we loved each other. She only gave birth to us because my father wanted children, not because she wanted them.
That cold-hearted woman ruined my childhood and stole it away without blinking an eye.
She beat me mercilessly, always saying she regretted giving birth to me. She would pull my hair, have me flogged all over my body, then rub salt into my wounds to make the pain even worse.
My mother became a monster. She became my nightmare.
That's why I felt no sympathy for her. I was glad she was finally suffering. At least she could feel a little of the pain I had endured for years.
Even as a child, I knew my parents didn't love each other. It was obvious to me... and to everyone else. They had only married because of my grandparents, the realm, and the royal duties of the clan.
A few years ago, before I was locked away, I happened to pass by my father's room while playing hide-and-seek.
He was banging my mother from behind on their matrimonial bed.
As I peeped at them and my mother was in tears as he kept slamming into her with no care in the world.
He was getting pleasure.
She was in pain, trying to please her husband.
I became scared and screamed at the top of my lungs at my father to leave my mother alone and, even worse, blood was all over the bed.
“Can’t you see you are hurting her?”
I was a terrified child and seeing what had just happened traumatized me.
But instead of getting consoled, I was beaten up so badly that Griffith had to beg my mother to let me go. He took me to a corner and hugged me as I was sobbing so loudly.
“I told you to not get close to them, Rowena. Come on, stay far away from them from today henceforth, okay?”
I nodded as he hugged me even tighter and kept patting my head.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt again, Rowena. Stay far away from them.”
Since then, I became traumatized, but I learned to keep to myself and rely on the only person in the world who truly loved and understood me.
Griffith.
Because everyone around me treated me so horribly, I depended on Griffith more than anyone. I trusted him with everything because he understood my pain better than anyone else.
He loved me when no one else did.
I trusted him with my life, and I knew exactly how much I depended on him. He was the only person I felt I could lean on, and that was why we were much closer than most siblings.
He knew I trusted him completely.
I thought we would always have each other. But I was the fool. He abandoned me and acted as though I never mattered.
That's why I hate him so much. No matter how much time passes, I'll never forgive him. I'll make him suffer for every bit of pain he caused me.
Seeing him standing there, looking as handsome as ever, with his hair even longer than before, made my heart tighten.
Why was I even here with him?
I should have been in my room, staring at the moon like I always did. I shouldn't have been hiding here, listening to this i***t.
I should be back in my room because if anyone found out I'd been caught in my brother's room, the rumors would spread like wildfire.
My father... no, both of my parents... would have my head. The moment they decided I was no longer useful, they would throw me away without a second thought.
My reputation would be ruined throughout the realms. No one would ever want to marry me again.
For the rest of my life, I would be branded a shameless w***e who had dishonored herself.
After all, the only reason I'm useful to the Alpha King is because he can marry me off to powerful Alphas like a commodity to gain more wealth and influence for the realm. That's also why my father hasn't thrown me out of the palace.
My plan is simple.
I'm going to leave this palace and never return to this cursed place. I want to know what freedom feels like, and the only way to have it is to run as far away as I can.
"What are you going to do about it, Rowena?" he asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
"About what?" I replied casually, even though I knew exactly what he meant. I was already wondering why I was still standing here instead of leaving and never coming back.
"About Father bringing another woman into the palace," he said with a shrug.
Why did my opinion even matter? Why was he asking me as if I were the one expected to find our father a concubine? How was any of this my business?
"You think I give a damn?" I scoffed. "I'd better get back to my cage before I get caught."
I rolled my eyes.
After being locked up for so many years, I felt like nothing more than an animal. An outcast who wasn't allowed to interfere in my parents' affairs.
He grabbed my arm.
"What is it? Stop touching me!" I snapped, slapping his hand away.
"I'm sorry, Rowena, for everything that happened to you. I wish I could make up for all the times you were treated so badly. I'm truly sorry. I should have stopped them from locking you away. I should have done the right thing instead of standing there and watching it happen. But believe me... I did everything I could to save you."
"Or maybe you just enjoyed your life without me," I shot back. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden? Are you scared I'll get out one day and tear you apart? Is that why you're saying all this? Are you drowning in guilt and think begging me will make everything go back to normal? You obsessed pig!"
I was furious at his words.
How dare he say something like that? Did he have any idea what I'd been through? Did he really think his apology could make everything right?
"I know you hate me because you think I abandoned you when you needed me the most," he said. "But I care about you, Rowena. There hasn't been a single day that I forgot about you. You were always on my mind, and I knew..."
- Writer
