Evolution of a Queen

The King

No sooner had I stepped into my room and closed my door, then it suddenly burst open, revealing my seething father. I pale as I realize he must’ve seen Prince Jason outside my door. Before I could say anything, I was thrown to the floor, and I received a vicious kick to my stomach.

“What were you doing with Prince James?” my dad pulled me up by my hair.

“Nothing, Sir! I was coming back to my room, and I bumped into him outside my room,” I close my eyes as my father slaps me.

“Do you think you have any right to talk to him?” I was now up against the wall with his hand wrapped tightly around my throat.

“No, sir!” I choke out.

“Who is he here for?”

“Seriah, sir!” I didn’t even fight against his tightening hand because I knew he would only get worse if I tried to resist.

“Good, you know how worthless you are. Don’t talk to Prince James unless I am in the room. We need to keep your words in check,” He slapped me again and smiled, “You were in town all day and had just gotten back when you bumped into him. Either you stick to that story, or I will beat you until you are black and blue.” With that, he threw me to the ground and strode out of the room.

I lay on the ground for a while, not bothering to get up and close the door. I was too sore to attempt to move and hide what my father did to me. I didn’t even have the energy to cry. I just lay there, staring blankly at the open door. If anyone walked past, they would see the mess that I was, but I just didn’t care. I didn’t care anymore if the whole world found out what my father was doing to me. Before I knew it, darkness had claimed me, and I welcomed it.

*****

I awoke as someone gently picked me up. At first, I didn’t know what was happening, so I fought against whoever it was. I knew it wasn’t my father because he was never gentle with me. Because I knew it wasn’t my father, I didn’t care if I got in trouble or not.

“It’s alright Lilly, I got you,” I heard soft cooing in my ear.

I turn my head and see Liam staring at me with compassion in his eyes.

“Liam? What happened?” I look around in confusion. 

“Princess Seriah saw you on the floor and asked me to move you to the bed. She said that she was going to speak to him, whoever he is, so she couldn’t be with you when you woke up.” 

I pale. The last time Seriah spoke to my father about his treatment of me, he beat me half to death. I knew that if she did indeed talk to my father that tonight I would not have a peaceful sleep and that tomorrow would be another day of hiding extreme pain. I didn’t know how much longer I could handle these beatings. No one knew about the abuse other than my family and my maids. It was safer for people not to know because I didn’t want them to get in trouble.

“What happened, Lilly? I was away from you for fifteen minutes, and I came back to you unconscious,” Liam glared down at my neck.

I don’t attempt to cover my neck because he’s already seen the bruising. I also didn’t try to explain myself as he laid me down on my bed. It would only be bad for him if he knew the truth.

Just then, Seriah burst into the room.

“Thank you, officer,” She said, “You may leave now.”

Liam bowed and left the room. Seriah glared at him the whole way out of the room.

“You know,” I started, “Just because you’re mad about your talk with father doesn’t mean you should take it out on one of my friends.”

Seriah sighed sadly and plopped down beside me on the bed. “I’m sorry, Lilly. I don’t understand why he does these things to you. We’re twins, and he only treats me well. When I become Queen, he won’t be able to do these things to you anymore.”

I let out a humorless laugh, “Is this about your talk with him? I’m assuming he said I deserved it, and if you didn’t want to make things worse for me, then you should keep your mouth shut?”

“That’s basically what he said. He also said he expects you at dinner today.”

“I would be surprised if he let me take the night off. He’s never let me skip family dinner if we had a guest, even if he beat me black and blue,” I sigh in defeat, “I just need to call Abby and Lucy to help cover up this bruising on my neck and then I should be good to go. You should leave and get yourself ready. Father wants to match you with Prince James, so you got to look your best.”

Seriah groans, “You know I already have someone I love. I don’t want to be with Prince James. He doesn’t care for me. I saw you on the balcony, so you saw how he barely glanced my way.”

“You saw me!” I sit up in a panic.

“Don’t worry. Father didn’t see you. He was too busy trying to please the prince. I have a feeling that the prince did his research before coming here.”

“What do you mean?” I look at her curiously.

“Well, I was showing him around today because Father asked me to, and all he wanted to talk about was you. He said he had an interest in you because you barely make public appearances. No one knows anything about you. Did you know that people call you the mystery princess? I bet that if you went out in public, no one would recognize you. They would all think you were me because we look identical, and I always make the public appearances.” 

I love listening to my sister talk. She could talk for hours and not realize that she did all the talking. You could start talking, and she would just talk right over you. For most people, this was annoying but I loved it. I got to feel like an average person because it felt like I was living her life as she spoke. It was like a breath of fresh air when she spoke.

“We all know father won’t let me be with him,” even though I say this quietly she still stops talking and stares at me, “He came for a wife and father doesn’t want me to be the queen of any country.”

“Lilly,” Seriah sighs, “Nathan wants to ask me to marry him. I intend to say yes when he does. Father can’t object because he is the firstborn prince of a large and wealthy country, probably more wealthy than Prince James’ country. If Prince James wants a wife from this country, it will have to be you. Besides, Prince James already knows about Nathan and I. I told him during the tour.”

“How did he react?” I was nervous about the reply for some reason.

“He almost seemed relieved. I feel like he wants you. I did warn him about Father, though.”

“You didn’t tell him, did you?” I glance sharply at my sister

Seriah shook her head, “I just told him that things between you and him were complicated. I also told him that if Father wanted me to be with him, then Prince James would have to act as if he likes me, and I would have to act as if I like him as well. The most we will be is friends, though. Lilly, you have to promise me something.”

I look at her wearily, “Promise you what?”

“Promise me that you won’t push him away when father isn’t around. You deserve happiness. If Prince James wants you, he can take you away from this place. Even Father can’t stop the prince from taking you if he wants you.”

“I won’t be leaving until Prince Nathan comes to take you away. When is he going to propose to you officially?” I grab my sister’s hands.

She giggles, “So you know he already proposed? He’ll officially propose to me on Christmas eve when Prince James will either leave without a wife or propose to you.”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I was stiff until I heard Abby’s voice calling out to me.

“Looks like Abby’s here. I’ll let her in when I leave,” Seriah stood up, “Remember what I said, Lilly. Promise me, Lilly.”

“Ok, I promise I’ll try not to push him away when Father isn’t around.”

Seriah smiles and opens the door to leave. Seriah pats Abby and Lucy, they had stepped aside when she had exited, as a form of greeting. Seriah had always been close with my maids. I always thought that was because they were around me all the time.

“Miss it’s time to get ready for dinner,” Lucy walks toward my closet, “Which dress would you like to wear?”

“The purple one with the high collar. It’ll hide my neck pretty well while I have my hair up. It also looks regal enough to show that I am a part of the royal family. Abby, will you get the concealer and foundation ready? I got a new bruise forming that needs to be covered up tonight for dinner. Father would be livid if Prince James saw it.”

They both nod and scurry around my room, prepping what I would need to get ready for dinner. Even though I never told my maids about what father does to me, I think they knew what was going on. I have new bruises almost every day that need to be covered. 

“Miss come sit down over here so I can work on covering the bruise,” Abby pulls out the chair to my vanity.

It took Abby ten minutes to cover the bruising on my neck fully. By that time, I only had thirty minutes before I had to be down in the royal dining hall.

“Quickly, Miss,” Lucy pulled me up, “You need to get dressed so we can do your hair. Abby, I think a simple side braid will be fine for tonight.” Abby nodded in agreement. After I got the dress on, they started working their magic on my hair and makeup.

“No time for jewelry,” I said as I stood and walked toward the door, “If I’m not on time I don’t know what will happen. Thank you, Abby, Lucy, make sure you have dinner.” They both bowed to me as I rushed out the door.

As I stepped out, I saw Seriah waiting outside for me. She was leaning against the wall playing with her hair.

“Seriah!” I call out to her, “What are you doing?”

She giggled, “I’m waiting for you, silly. I thought that we could walk down together.” 

Seriah linked her arm in mine and started dragging me down the hall to the stairs. The royal dining hall where we dined when we had guests was located on the first floor. The royal chambers were found on the fourth floor, so we had a way to walk. 

“Guess what happened while I was getting ready,” Seriah was bouncing with happiness.

“You know I’m not going to guess so why don’t you just tell me,” I laugh at her.

“Nathan called. I hadn’t talked to him in a whole week,” She sighed like it was the worst thing that ever happened to her, “His royal duties kept him from calling me. Did you know that he went to the New Republic of France this week? He had to escort his sister to meet her future husband. I find it strange that she’s going to have an arranged marriage when Nathan didn’t have to.”

“Well if he did have an arranged marriage, how would he have the luck of being with you?” I poke her nose.

She slapped my hand away and laughed, “He is pretty lucky. I am a gem that not just anyone can have. I’m not giving up my wealth or royalty to be with anyone.”

I laugh at her and shake my head. Just then, we heard footsteps approaching us. I look and see Prince James walking toward us with Martha, one of the maids, trailing behind him. Seriah smiled kindly and waved him over to us.

“Thank you, Martha,” I say, “We can lead him the rest of the way. Go have your dinner now.” I smile kindly at her as she curtsies. She didn’t get up and walk away until we passed her.