Stuck with a Monster

Life is all about having a purpose to exist, but for me, it was quite different. I always wanted to follow my mother, whom I considered my role model. As I stand beside the window at midnight watching the brightly lit moon, only to see my mother, Deborah, who was sneaking her way out of the backside of the castle. She stopped at an unfamiliar door and knocked three times as her eyes wandered around looking for any suspicious movements. I quickly hid in a thick bush. It’s dark and nobody will ever notice me hiding from here. My mother then entered an unfamiliar room, assuming that she has not been followed. Curious about what was happening, I gently opened the door just to peek, and a hand suddenly pulled me in. It was King Lucas, and he was smiling at me. King Lucas asked, “My curious Bella, why did you follow your mother here?” “I want to know where my mother is going and if she goes anywhere I will follow her,” I replied, stomping my feet to show the King my childishness. My mother looked at me and said, “I already knew that you were following me as I heard your small footsteps.” She stopped for a moment to kneel and caress my cheeks. “But this time, you are not allowed to follow me. I am going to a place where a young lady like you is prohibited.” She looked at King Lucas and told him to take care of me. I begged King Lucas to allow me to go with her as tears poured down my face. Wiping the tears off my face, King Lucas ordered, “I will allow you, but in one condition. You can only follow your mother in your two-hundred and sixtieth full moon, that is your twentieth birth moon. And you are still in your two-hundred and eighth moon. You need to wait, my dear Arabella.” My mother, with her guard, Sarah, left the room as King Lucas hugged me. I was left with King Lucas as he comforted me. I pouted at him and said, “Father, I know you gave some sort of training to my mother. I want to be trained too please.” King Lucas laughed at me and held my hand. He opened the door and we left the room. “Tomorrow morning, I will give you the training that you wanted to have, and I will expect you to be in your training attire. That training would be your preparation so that when the time comes that you will follow your mother, you will be able to defend yourself. Not just yourself but also your mother and the people around you,” said King Lucas as we arrived in front of my room. “And also”—he opened the door—“I will only tell you where your mother went when you are in your two-hundred and sixtieth moon.” I closed the door to sleep when he left. Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Thus, I must sleep now to prepare myself for what’s going to happen on the first day of training. I want to be with my mother. Oh, I hope she is alright. The next day… I woke up, only to notice a guard waiting for me outside my room. I wondered and asked him why he was standing there. He bowed, gestured his sword, and a realization struck me. I forgot that today was the beginning of my specialized training. Not bothering to take a bath, I wore boots that would help me to move quickly and protect my legs. The shoes were made of synthetic fabric and sole. I also put my gloves on to protect my precious hands. This glove was made from polyester material. I did not wear any jewelry, for it was just a nuisance to me. As for my top, I just wore a black fabric shirt. I also wore black Bermuda shorts that were sewed by the best mantua-makers outside the country. I looked in a mirror and turned around to see my training outfit. “I’m ready,” told myself and left my room. The guard who was waiting told me to follow him. We then stopped at the kingdom’s gate, where two guards, who were waiting for me, stood up and bowed their heads. The guard who was near me informed me that we are going to ride a horse. I do know how to ride a horse, but I can not climb on it without someone to help to lift me. The guards here cannot help me because it is prohibited to touch a royalty unless you have a high rank. General Gabiel, my third cousin, who happened to be walking nearby, saw us. I shouted, “Brother Gaby!” He smiled as he approached me and the guards bowed their heads to him. He nodded to them and turned to me. “What’s the matter, Miss?” he asked politely. I raised an eyebrow at him for being too formal. I hate him when he is being like this to me. Not only that, but I want to smack his head. “Oh.” I put my right hand on my mouth while my left hand is in my hips, somewhat mocking him for being too formal. “What’s with the formality?” I asked and he just chuckled. “Stop that Gabyy. You see, today is my training day and I can not climb my horse. I am too small.” “Hahaha, come on beautiful princess,” he said and put his hands in position. “Do you want me to come with you to your training?” He locked his hands on my feet to let me climb through his shoulders. Luckily, I got up quickly without any problems. “Don’t want to Gaby. You are just going to laugh at me, and I will get distracted and because I am distracted, I can not concentrate, and I will be easily defeated by the one who is training me, and I will end up crying on my knees, and it will be your fault, and I am not going to talk to you for the rest of my life,” I blurted out. Gaby and the guards laughed at me. I am not joking, though. “Well my dear cousin,” said Gaby. “I am sorry to disappoint you, but I will be your one and only mentor. Even if you like it or not, no one else is going to train you except me because you are not allowed to be touched by a person who is not blood-related and not a royal.” He climbed onto his horse, making me shocked to know that he will be the one to train me. I screamed, “Nooooo!” He stated, “We are now going to the field today, and your first task is to ride a horse quickly. No complaints, no buts, and other violent reactions. Let’s go.” He started to leave quickly with his horse. I was left there still shocked about his revelation of him being my mentor. What could be the outcome of him being my mentor? I hope he is going to be easy for me, or so I thought.