PRICE OF ROYALTY

1.      Good news My gaze darted to my servants Monica and then back to Laila. They both wore the same expression as though it was their second skin; anticipation. Finally done making them anxious, a smile broke on my face as I shrieked in excitement.   “I’m getting married,” I squealed alongside them.   “To who?” Monica asked as she held my arm.   “Father would not divulge the details but he will be arriving with his convoy before darkness falls over the land today,”   “I bet it is a rich noble or it could actually be a prince,” Monica’s green eyed widened in wonder.   “A king even,” Laila added.   “A prince? A king? I really doubt that. I’m the king’s daughter by his mistress in case you forgot that,”   “But the king loves you more than he loves his legitimate child,” Monica insisted.   “It may be so but when it comes to politics, I’m merely just a king’s bastard with no royal standing. I’m no different from any of you,” I squeezed their palms, willing them to understand that.   “You are very different from us Princess. We are your maids and our families survive by the gold we get paid by the royals. We cannot afford rich linen or attend the nobles’ parties as freely as you do. So you are way better than us even though you don’t see it,” Laila pointed out.   I sighed. They would never understand what it was like to be a royal and not just any royal but a bastard one. The one whom people looked at like a piece of dirt when I walked by just because I was not the King’s legitimate child. The one who the queen silently cussed when no one was watching but made no effort to hide her pure hatred for me.   “Its getting late. We should head back to my chambers as we await the arrival of my suitor,” I smiled, letting go of their hands.   Gathering my dress in my hands, I walked ahead as they followed suit. The hallways were filled with excited chatter as the palace servants moved about in a hurry. Just ahead I spotted my half-sister, Princess Mayra approaching overshadowed by her noble friends. Her cheeks were puffed, and as she grew closer, I noticed she was furious.   She rudely brushed past me, her friends casting a look of scorn over me. I raced to the direction of the throne room, in the dire need to know what Mayra was angry about. My father, King Raymond the Seventh, sat in all his might on the throne, with Mayra’s mother, Queen Lola by his side. On noticing my entrance, he dismissed the three Lords before him.   “Father,” I curtseyed before looking up.   “What is it my dear child?” the delight in his voice was no mistake.   “I met Mayra-“the Queen cut in, her usual rude tone enough to send one reeling in fear.   “It’s the Princess Mayra for you,” For once I was glad I would not have to deal with her anymore.   “I met Princess Mayra and she was upset,” I corrected.   “Don’t worry about it dear. Let us focus on your marriage,” he said.   A messenger walked in, making all of us turn to him. His clothes were dusty and in his hand he bared a seal letter. Wait, that was the royal seal of the kingdom of Varci? Did that mean my suitor was from Varci or was it just another political affair between our countries?   “His Highness, Your Majesty,” He acknowledged the King and Queen, then turned to me,” Princess,” he bowed his head to me and I smiled lightly in response.   “What news do you bring?” Father questioned.   “This is a letter from King Leon of Varci,” he presented the letter to the king.   King Leon of Varci? I had only heard of him by the news of his looks. Some said he had the face of a god, eyes greener than the healthiest shade of grass and the prowess of a lion. His competence with a sword was one that many young men had wished upon themselves. I watched father’s face change as he read the letter. He then stood up with anger in his veins.   “Marriage by proxy? This is my daughter, the princess of Gatiah and not some ordinary girl,” he rumbled, his voice thundering in the quite throne room.   “Calm down Raymond. The King of Varci is not to blame if he wanted a marriage by proxy. If Elizabeth had been a legitimate princess then this offer would have been an insult to us and our kingdom. But she is a bastard with no royal roots except for your blood flowing through her veins,” The Queen watched my face as she said the last part. She wanted a reaction but I gave none.   “Am I to wed King Leon?” I questioned staring into my father’s eyes.   “Yes my dear child,”   “But he was betrothed to Mayra since they were children,” I pointed out, wondering why father would do something like that.   “Alliances can be as easily broken as forming new ones. When you are a royal you should always remember that,”   “But father-“   “That would be all,” he gestured with his hand dismissively.   Gathering my dress in my hands, I walked outside. Palace servants bowed as I walked by, on my way to my chambers. Monica was rearranging my clothes while Laila stared out of the castle through the open windows.   “Are you okay Princess?” Monica asked. She must have noticed my sudden change in mood.   “I’m getting married,” I sink on the bed slowly as Monica and Laila rushed to my side.   “But that should be a cause of celebration. You were happy earlier when you left  your chambers,”   “It would have been a cause of celebration if I was not getting married to my sister’s promised,”   “King Leon? But why would the King do that?” Laila wondered.   “Apparently alliances can be broken as easily as new ones are formed,” I echoed my father’s words as I laid on my back, golden strands of hair decorating the bed.