The Princess And Her Wicked Butler

Chapter 5 - The Princess Returns 5

“No way!” Seraphina’s clear blue eyes widened as she covered her ears with both hands, shaking her head fiercely. “No, no, no! I will never accept them. Never!”

“Sera!” King Reginald shouted in frustration, his voice thick with anger as he raised his hand, ready to strike.

“Reg!” A soft voice interrupted sharply. Elise stepped forward, carrying Lily, whose forehead had already been cleaned and bandaged. With gentle authority, she stopped Reginald’s motion, her dark eyes sparkling with a faint smile. “Seraphina is still a child. Don’t push her.”

“Shut up!” Seraphina snapped furiously at Elise, fire blazing in her eyes beneath long lashes. Hands on her hips, she challenged, “Who gave you permission to speak?”

Elise blinked, caught off guard by Seraphina’s boldness. But she quickly composed herself and smiled warmly. “Seraphina…”

Seraphina glared back, chin raised arrogantly. “You’re just a homewrecker. What right do you have to say my name?”

“Seraphina!” Reginald’s voice thundered, veins bulging on his forehead, eyes burning with fury.

Lily, startled anew, burst into fresh tears.

Elise’s face paled, her lowered eyes flashing a hint of sharpness before filling with tears, lashes fluttering like a wounded bird.

Reginald had hoped his anger would intimidate Seraphina. But her temper was as tough as tempered steel. She simply stared back defiantly.

“Dad,” she said bluntly, “I’m telling the truth. Didn’t you always say kids shouldn’t lie, that they should be honest? I was honest just now. Why are you so mad?”

Reginald was stunned by his daughter’s sharp tongue. The leader of a kingdom, now at a loss for words against a nine-year-old.

“You…” He tried to calm himself, then spoke gently, “Sera, I’ve always taught you to be polite and respectful. You’re the princess of Arvenia. Do you know what that means? A princess must be noble, graceful, and kind. You cannot speak to Aunt Elise like an unruly child.”

“But Dad,” Seraphina looked up with pleading blue eyes, scrunching her face and waving her small hands helplessly, “You want me to be graceful to a homewrecker? Isn’t that asking too much?”

Reginald groaned, suddenly feeling a headache coming on. “You’ve been watching too many of those ridiculous shows again! Didn’t I tell you to stop?”

Seraphina pouted in protest. “If I didn’t watch, how would I know you brought home a wicked stepmother?”

“Wicked stepmother?” Reginald rubbed his temples. “Sera, stop saying things like that. Now apologize to Aunt Elise.”

“Apologize?” That word was foreign to Seraphina. No matter what happened, she always believed she was right. Apologizing to this ‘homewrecker’? Never. She shook her head, fuming, “Dad, you’re really disappointing me.”

Reginald’s voice hardened, filled with authority, “Do you want to make your father angry?”

“I won’t apologize!” she declared stubbornly, lips pressed tight. “I’ll never apologize to a wicked stepmother. If you make me, I’ll die first!”

“Sera!” Reginald’s shock was real. “Don’t say things like that! You’re scaring your father!”

“Dad, you don’t love me anymore.” Seraphina sniffled, her eyes red and watery, like a lost little rabbit. Reginald’s heart ached.

“How could I not love you?” he said softly. “You’re my precious girl.”

“You’re so mean,” she complained, voice trembling. “You’ve never been this mean to me before.”

“Then I won’t apologize to the wicked stepmother,” she sniffed again.

“Alright, alright. No apology,” Reginald said, scooping her into his arms. His big hands stroked her hair indulgently. “Daddy won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.”

He then looked apologetically at Elise. “Sera’s a spoiled brat. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s nothing,” Elise replied graciously, a poised smile lighting her flawless face under the crystal chandelier. But no one noticed the faint stiffness behind it.

Seraphina rested her head on Reginald’s shoulder, tilting it just enough to catch a glimpse of Elise’s serene face.

Then, with a mischievous glint in her bright blue eyes, she pulled a funny face at Elise and whispered near her father’s ear, “I don’t like the wicked stepmother or the bad little sister. Daddy, make them leave.”

“Sera,” Reginald’s voice rose firm and unyielding. “Those are your Aunt Elise and your sister. No rudeness. They will live here from now on, and you must get along with them. Understood?”

Seraphina pouted, wriggled free from Reginald’s embrace, and jumped down.

Reginald watched her with surprise, as if the sweet, tear-streaked girl had just vanished and been replaced by someone else.

Though her face still held the innocence of a child, her deep blue eyes were cold and empty, like a stormy night after the rain.