To Love A Princess

Chapter Five

I dipped my toe into the warm water and then fully submerged my body into the tub that was full of bubbles and rose petals. Tilting my head back on the edge of the tub made of pure rose quartz to keep my hair from getting wet, all my problems seemed to shrink. Almost if they were going to disappear even though I know that they’ll come back. Baths are one of the ways I can relieve stress. Poetry is another thing but there are just some things that baths can do that writing poetry can’t. Writing my feelings would help me organize them, but thinking about how I feel would put me in a horrible mood for the rest of the night. Then I’ll have a restless night and I need to be well rested for tomorrow. Tomorrow. 

My eyes automatically closed and I took a deep breath in and out, calming my nerves. I know that tomorrow will be a train wreck. I couldn’t believe I was going to confess my feelings to Olivia knowing I also had to ask her to be my maid of honor. Assuming I can muster up the courage to do so. But then again I can’t say I’m still going to marry Damen after I confess my feelings towards her. Once again, that’s only assuming I can find the courage to do so. I still can’t believe I lied to my father saying that I was going to ask her. Nobody lies to the king unless they have a death wish. It seems like I have no choice but to ask her now or else I won’t have a maid of honor. Not only that, I’ll have to live with the guilt of lying to my father. He won’t trust me anymore. Then he'll highly be disappointed in me and he’s never been disappointed in me. My father’s approval doesn’t really mean a lot since I’ve had his approval with everything. So not having it… well I honestly wouldn’t know how I feel. But nonetheless, since I have consistently had it I don’t think it has much of an impact on me. 

The water quickly turned cold so I began to empty the tub. My toes wiggled through the shaggy white carpet as I grabbed my towel from the sink. Wrapping it around my body, grabbed my moisturizer and began to apply it all over my body. I stepped out of the bathroom and into my bedroom. Walking into my wardrobe I picked out a purple satin sleeveless nightgown that reached my ankles. The straps were extremely thin like a noodle and I felt the hair on my arms stand up. I made my way over to my vanity and took my hair out of its bun. Then began to brush out my auburn hair, ensuring that it was knotless and could easily be braided. Then proceeded to put it into a braid, tucking any loose strands behind my ear. 

A heavy, sturdy knock made me jolt up in fear. I walked over to the door and pulled it open to reveal my father in his royal robe that covered his entire outfit. He held a devastating look on his face. My facial expression began to match his and before I could ask any questions, he just shook his head and his hand motioned for me to not say anything. 

“Please don’t ask any questions. Just follow me,” he told me, turning on his heel. 

He began to walk away and I followed him, closing my door behind me. A million things began to run through my mind as I began to wonder what’s going on. Is my mother’s condition worse? Is something wrong with the kingdom? What could possibly be wrong that he needs to show me in person? Then I remembered I am getting married so maybe it has something to do with the wedding details. We walked in silence as my father led me to the room he and my mother shared. He pushed the heavy door open, and a slight breeze hit me. The room was dimly lit by candles and in the center of the room was my parents’ bed. I saw my mother laying on the bed, pale hands folded over her chest. I walked up to her, tears forming in my eyes. She laid on the bed, her chest rising and falling slowly. 

“What happened?” I whispered. 

“Her condition seems to be worsening,” another voice said. 

I looked up and saw Dr. Owens standing on the side of the bed. I hadn’t even noticed him when I came in. He stepped closer into the light and  gently placed a hand on her forehead checking to see if she had a fever. I always believed he was a little young to be a doctor. He seemed to be in his early twenties at least. His facial structure was set to where he had a sharp jawline and his facial hair didn’t show. His short blonde hair that was combed back into a quiff gave me that impression. But then again, he’s the only doctor I know since he treats all three of us. My mother especially.  

“Why? How?” I asked looking at Dr. Owens. 

“We’re not sure. But she doesn’t have much longer. Maybe a week, possibly even more,” Dr. Owens responded. 

“Please tell me there’s something you can do to help her,” my father begged. 

“Unfortunately there isn’t your majesty. But I can say Queen Abbey is a fighter and she isn’t going down without a fight,” he told us. 

“I just- I just don’t understand how this happened. Why did it happen?” I asked. 

“We’re still unsure of your mother’s condition. We don’t have an exact name for it but the treatments aren’t working. I’m sorry. But if you want your mother to attend the wedding, you’ll need to push it up. If you’re completely sure that it can’t be-”

“She’ll just have to push it up,” my father intervened. 

“What?!” I said in shock. 

“We both know you want your mother at your wedding. She needs to pass knowing you’re getting married. We’ve wanted this for you since you were born. Our dying wish is to know that the kingdom will be placed in the hands of you and your husband whoever that may be. And now that Damen is in the picture, we’ll be at peace knowing you have a strong king by your side,” my father explained. 

“I can’t believe this,” I muttered under my breath as I began to storm out of the room. 

“And just where do you think you’re going?” my father asked in a furious tone. 

“You expect me to alter my life plans once again just so you and mom can pass knowing that a man is taking care of me. I am not some woman who needs a man. I’m strong on my own,” I spat. 

“Isabelle Vivian Reynolds you bite your tongue this instant!” my father yelled. 

“You know what?  I knew that my life didn’t matter the second you told me about a marriage I didn’t want in the first place. I knew that I didn’t have a say in anything the second Prince Damen placed the ring on my finger. But this? This is lower than I thought you’d go. You don’t care and you never did. Not once did you ask me what I wanted,” I mumbled loud enough for him to hear, as I placed my hand on the knob. 

“Isabelle, you know your mother and I have cared about you since you were born. Hell we even care about you before you were born. We have done everything we could to keep you out of harm's way,” my father argued. 

“Pardon my manners but you King Leonard, but really shouldn’t be arguing in front of the queen. If these are her final moments, I’m sure you two don’t want this to be the way she remembers the two of you,” Dr. Owens told us in a calming tone.

It takes serious courage to talk to my father like this. This kind of talk would sentence you to time in prison. But he’s right. If these are my mother’s final moments, I don’t want to argue with him. But my father and I have never seen eye to eye, which is why he’s one person who doesn’t know about my feelings towards Olivia. 

“I need a moment alone with my daughter please,” my father told him as nice as he possibly could. 

Doctor Owens nodded and  gathered his things. He walked past me, but stopped for a second to give us a soft goodbye. The door closed gently and I felt myself begin to become frustrated. Frustrated towards the fact that my father wants to move the wedding to a sooner date and frustrated with myself for not telling Olivia the truth. Lastly, frustrated because I’m being put into a position where once again my duties as a princess come before my own well-being. At this rate, I’ll be dead before I can even reach thirty. 

“Where is all of this coming from?” he asked, fed up with me. The feeling is mutual. 

“You don’t even understand that I want a life of my own. I want to be able to live my life without someone, anyone telling me what to do. And I feel like that’s what marriage is. You’re giving up the life you have to be with someone. You know I don’t love him. I never have and I never will,” I stated. 

“As true as that may be, you are a princess who has responsibilities. As of now, your duty is to marry Prince Damen so our kingdoms can be at peace. You are part of this family and we all have a part to play,” he snapped. 

“I didn’t even ask to be part of this family! Mom could’ve married anyone else but she had to marry you!” I shouted, turning on my heel. 

“Isabelle don’t you dare walk out that door. Apologize right this instant,” my father demanded. 

“No, I'm not going to apologize because I need to figure out a way to tell Prince Damen we have less time than we thought,” I responded quietly as I pulled the door open. 

I stormed out of the room shutting the door behind me. My breathing was rapid, my heart was racing. My heart felt as if it was going to jump out of my chest and become crushed into a million pieces if someone were to step on it. Walking down the hallway I felt hot tears stream down my face and my lip began to quiver. I can’t cry. Not here, not now. I need a plan, and a good one. Because now with my mother’s sudden upcoming death in the picture, things need to be done quicker than I thought. There is officially no room for mistakes with whatever plan I manage to come up with.