A Real Princess
1858 Words
She did look impressed alright.
She tried to stay as still as possible, not to anger the king who was sitting at the table right in front of her. He continued to drink and eat as if nothing had happened before.
Unperturbed, he looked at her as if it were the most natural thing he could do at the table.
Silver Moon no longer had control over her body. Her muscles no longer wanted to listen to her brain. Only her eyes moved from time to time to the window, when, from the noises, she could hear what was happening outside.
She was terrified and didn't know what to do at that moment. She was a prisoner of a sentimental king, an ice-cold man who carelessly trampled on other people's lives.
Good thing he didn't even know she was the real princess.
Otherwise, who knows, surely the same fate will await her as the other.
He doesn't need to know, she thought. She thought she shouldn't provoke him right now, so she didn't move from her chair, didn't look him in the eye, and didn't open her mouth.
She stood like a piece of furniture until the sound of the metal fork he threw on the table startled her.
-You bore me! Don't you have anything to say?
She looked up at him slowly, wondering what to say. What would he want to hear?
She was too scared to rummage through his mind, for he was not the kind of man to be easily manipulated, and she could not do with him as she could do with Prince Kaion.
Mentally, he seemed very strong, and if he had caught her trying to search his mind, he would have found out that she was the real princess ... and, what would happen to her, she already knew. So what could she say to him now?
Even her voice seemed unfamiliar to him when he answered:
-What do you want me to tell you, King Tor?
-Your thoughts ...
-Do they matter?
-Of course, they do! Why else would I ask you to share them?
-The words of a female are not important, Your Highness.
-Let me decide that.
-Ask what you want to know then.
The king looked at her slightly amused. Is that what he wanted?
For her to entertain him?
Of course, what else could a barbarian like this want? He cared little for the rights and lives of others, here it was all about him.
-How do you feel?
-Huh?
His question caught her off guard and brought her back to reality. He was here in front of her, and he wanted something from her. He was waiting. What had he asked her? She didn't hear him ask.
-I'm sorry, what did you say?
-I asked you, how do you feel, what do you think?
His face was already irritated. Of course he wasn't happy that she wasn't paying attention to him. He had the impression that everyone owed it to him to lie at his feet.
-What do you think?
His gaze said it all. But her mind refuses at this time to function clearly. What did he want from her? Whatever she wished she could take by force at any time, so why is she so nice to her? He had a reason. And now... what did he mean by those questions?
-What do you think about fulfilling your wishes?
-I do not understand...
-I don't like when people pretend in front of me. You're smart, I asked you what do you think about fulfilling your wishes?
Moon felt the threat behind the words floating in the air.
-Depending on what you mean ... she tried to gain time and goodwill.
-For example, that b***h I feel is having a great time right now. That's what she wanted, her wish came true...
Moon watched him continue pouring so quietly into his glass, and she filled his glass with orange juice and handed it to him, looking at her.
-What do you want?
Moon wanted to loosen the earth at that moment and swallow it to get rid of his cold eyes, which seemed to be carving her, to reveal her soul in front of him.
-I don't want anything, she managed to answer almost in a whisper, but it was loud enough for him to hear.
He set the glass down on the table, looking dissatisfied with her answer.
He turned his eyes to her and said in a cold tone:
-My people know me... Of course, as they know, I hate lying, the most in this world. Do not lie to me! Everyone wants something. What do you want?
He seemed benevolent, or so she wanted to pose, but she knew better that this could not lead to many places. He was not the kind of man to do favors out of the goodness of his heart. Therefore, whatever she wanted, she expected at a price she did not want to pay him. She sighed, and avoiding his gaze, spoke just as slowly in front of him, answering.
-Even if I wanted something, I couldn't fulfill my only wish, anyway. I'm your prisoner here. What right do I have to ask you?
-True! You are not in the position where you can ask me for anything... But, a prisoner? You are free to walk in my castle...
-I am tied up!
Moon spoke quickly, gaining a moment's silence from him, in which she realized that she shouldn't provoke him in any way, and was that exactly what she was doing? What was wrong with her? She had bitten her tongue so that she won't be able to answer him quickly.
-That does not stop you to eat and walk, does it?
Yes, exactly, but that was not the point. She wanted her freedom, how could she ask him for that? If she would let him know about that wish, would he grant it? Why would he? She had to keep quiet and in control until she could find a way to escape. She only had to endure what she could in order not to give him any suspicion about her plan.
-A prisoner is not free to do anything they wish for.
-Fair enough. So, tell me, just for the sake of the conversation, what would you wish to do?
-I wish to go out. I miss my forests...
She turned her head to a side, imagining the light and the noises of the forest she loved to spend her time in, for all her childhood. She was missing her brothers.
Her eyes became teary, but she regained composure, regrounding in the present. She was not there anymore. She was his prisoner. She was here now.
-Do you like nature?
-Better than the people.
-Really? Why is nature better than people?
-Because nature is fair. Balanced. It never betrays you, it never wrongs you. It is pure emotions, and endless joy. It is happiness, and this world lacks happiness.
-It does? Why would you think so?
She looked at him with so much sadness in her eyes, without even realizing it, that he felt overwhelmed by that feeling she was throwing at him. She was making him feel uncomfortable.
-Your soldiers fear you. Fear does not come from love and it is not happiness.
-What do you know of ruling? People listen because they fear something. They fear someone, then they obey.
-Fear is a way of ruling, true. But there are other ways too. Stronger ways.
-There is nothing stronger than fear, little girl.
She fixed him, thinking if he was ready to hear her words.
-There are other ways, far more important than ruling by fear.
-Name me one, he said.
-Loyalty. Love.
He looked at her with curiosity. Seriously? An idealist?
Damn, she gave him more than one... She knew she made sense too, by the way he looked at her in silence, thinking for a moment. He knew she was right. She knew he was thinking about it.
-It is you who choose fear above all the others.
-That is not a choice.
-Ha. Prove me wrong then.
The determination in her eyes deepened the blue of her eyes, which seemed to emit some invisible arms that grabbed him and pulled him toward her.
Those eyes offered him the challenge of his life.
How could he prove to them that it is possible otherwise than, trying otherwise, of course?
But would he have been willing to do that, or would he have realized the trap?
He was damn smart, too, and she was afraid of him.
-I think I was nice enough with my soldiers, to take their needs into account when I offered them that b***h in heat. You do not believe so?
Was he serious, talking to her like that about what he had done? Was that normal for him?
-So, you assume that, for giving them a female to abuse, you would have gained their trust and love? As in... if anything would happen right now, and you would lose everything, would they still follow you?
Her remark was fair, and he did not want to give her that.
He wanted to believe that his soldiers would be there for him, at any cost.
He was paying them enough silver for their loyalty. It was their obligation to support him, no matter what.
Betrayal was not an option, and he was not ever going to accept it.
That was the capital punishment worth for him.
-They would still follow... or die. There is no middle ground. So yes, they would follow me.
She looked at him, saying no words, but he understood the meaning of her looks. She did not believe him.
-No one betrays me.
-Because they do not dare, or because they do not feel the need to betray you?
-What do you mean?
-When people fear, betrayal is imminent. When you win their hearts, there is only the need to protect you as their own body and their own asset. This is how a ruler should rule... I... think...
She lowered her eyes, but she understood that the ball was in his territory. She told him exactly what she wanted to tell him and he really got what he deserved.
Did he like what he heard? She did not even care.
She only hoped that she would not end up in his soldiers' arms too.
-And how would you know that? Princess?
-Because that is the way to...
The words froze on her lips in realization.
She did not dare to look into his eyes.
Did he know? How??? How did he find out... because of the trap... she fell into...
Her mouth was still open and her lips were lightly trembling.
She blinked twice when she heard him again, yet she did not dare to look him straight in the eyes.
-She eats like a princess... she talks like a princess.... she acts like a princess... but she wants to pass for a servant... What should I do with you now, princess?
- Writer
