The Abandoned Princess

An Insulting Fact

I felt pity for myself. I am really a no one – no strength, physically or mentally, fit for a princess. Back in the palace, I was bullied for the same reason. I was not that fast in picking things up. I mean not physically though. I never realized Queen Mira’s deception and set-ups, so I have fallen victim to her plans in the past. I can still remember how she made me take all the blame for things I never did and how helpless I was to go against her in moments of confrontation. I have always been a weakling and it hurts for that to be shown right on my face.

“Ah!” I shouted when I felt someone push my back.

“Walk faster! You are blocking the way for us!” someone shouted at the back.

I flinched. Suddenly, I am made aware of what I am causing the others at the back. What made me more embarrassed is the fact that these people are weak and injured. Considering this, I must be the weakest. That fact made me felt weaker. Slopping, I stepped on the side and let the people at my back go first.

“Weak…” someone who passed by commented.

I felt more down after hearing what he said. My head automatically hanged while waiting for everyone to pass by. Since I am the newest one on the team, maybe I can be forgiven if I will arrive on the other side of the island before the day breaks. Besides being the weakest in the group, I know that I am not expected to be one of the first members to get there. It’s ok to let everyone else go first.

I felt some people speaking ill of me while cursing why I have to be in this group. Still, others are smirking at me as if I am a clueless one who entered in. I felt hurt. Between the palace and this place, I am receiving no difference in treatment. I am still being ridiculed and laughed at. Why can’t I change this manner of treatment?

My head was bowed when I realized that the last one already passed me. This is much better. At least I can do whatever I want since there is no one to think about. At least I can take my time now. However, I should not lose track. I should still look at where they are going.

My tears are falling nonstop. I can’t stop my tear ducts from making some fluids that kept wetting my cheeks. There has been no time in my life where I felt as lonely as now. I can sense that I am not qualified for anything, inside or outside the palace. I can see how weak and unable I am to inherit anything inside this kingdom. My lower lip trembled as I swallowed hard and continued to walk following the last members of my team.

I was silently following the last person before me, careful not to create any noise that might irritate him. He is having a hard time walking the slight elevation before us. I can see him struggling and I wanted to help but I am so scared that I might insult him if I did.

“Ah!” he shouted as he fell.

I immediately rushed to help him sit down. Since he is a big man, it was difficult for me to make him stabilize his stance. However, the response I got from him made me scared to help someone anymore.

“Get away from me!” he snarled with sharp eyes. Even with dim light, I can see his fierce reaction. “I don’t need your help!”

My feet immediately stepped backward as I saw his face. I don’t want to get in the bad light unnecessarily with this man. I cannot just keep wanting to help him when he doesn’t want to in the first place. The important thing is that I was able to help him sit down properly. Regardless of how unkind he treated me, it doesn’t matter anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered with guilt and then moved away with my head bowed. Immediately, I stood up and continued the way. I already did my best to help and that’s the most important thing. It seems that man will make it out of this place anyway.  

I looked at the next one I was following. To my surprise, he is not there anymore. Was he that fast? Wow, I never expected an injured man to walk fast. As I walked through, I suddenly felt my foot slip.

“Oooops!” I shouted and immediately groped for something that I can hold on to. Luckily, I found a stone. Ah, that was close. I nearly fell on this cliff that I never thought existed. Because I can see only a part of the path, I was unable to look at the cliff. I am only depending on the dim light given as part of our supply.

My foot found its way to climb back to the path. I don’t know how many minutes it took me to climb back but I was able to. After some time, I carefully measured every step so that I wouldn’t fall on the cliff. I am wiser now. My feet were careful with every step as if they have their own eyes. Ah, I never thought this could be possible. I began to feel delighted. This is a first for me.

Careful with every step, I know that I was too slow. However, I didn’t care. This required a skill anyway. I let out a heavy sigh when I took the last step out of that dangerous path. Before me is a stony path to take but at least not as dangerous as the last one. My hand immediately felt for some support. I was able to hold onto the rocks near me. Slowly, I stepped one by one.

“Ah!” someone shouted.

That sent shivers through my spine. Where did that come from and what happened to that person? A lot of images appeared on my mind but before realizing what really took place, I felt something like liquid hit my face. My right hand automatically wiped it but before groping another rock to hold on to, my hand passed through the light placed on my forehead. My eyes widened the moment I realized what that liquid thing is. My lips quivered as I exclaimed something.

“B-blood!”