The Accidental Royalty

2. My princess

He stood by the door, watching me with a keen but curious gaze as I tucked in an already sleeping Sim into bed, along with her new teddy bear that she so conveniently named 'Happy'.

And then, at the far end, was the new doll I bought her.

I let out a sigh as I stood up.

After two hours we had finally gotten her to fall asleep and now I want nothing but to lay on my own bed and sleep until tomorrow comes, but I know that would be impossible.

I looked it him, and without a word said, he walked out of the bedroom, placing his walking stick before placing his legs forward.

I took one last look at my daughter before walking out of her bedroom and softly closing the door.

He was seated on one of the two chairs by the dining table. Even seated, his broad shoulders, tall stature and long legs sprawled in front of him made the place look smaller than it was.

A small living room with one couch joined with with a small kitchen.

"Do you want something to drink your majesty?" I offered.

"No thanks. Not that you have much anyway," he replied, looking around the small space. I sat on the arm of the couch, facing him, but not quite looking at him.

"I am doing just fine either way..."

"Living quietly in the countryside and in a small, place like this..."

"I like it here..."

"Quite the humble abode you have I see..."

"Living like this was my dream all along..."

"I thought a life like this one is quite beneath you..."

"You know nothing about me!" I snapped at the top of my voice, as I stood up, enraged.

But he on the other hand, regarded me with a cool gaze, unbothered.

I looked away, hugging my arms to myself, all of a sudden, feeling conscious of myself.

"I am sorry for reacting this way your highness," I bowed my head. No matter, he was a king. I shouldn't have reacted this way.

For all I know, he could hate my guts right now and would want nothing but to punish me. Mustering all my courage, I decided to speak.

"Please forgive me. But a place like this is not fit for a king. I will have to kindly ask you to leave," I let out.

"Hah! Hahaha!" he let out, deep from his throat, startling me. I looked at him as he loud out loud. Grabbing his walking stick, he stood up and approached.

Standing in front of me, he grabbed my chin with hand, raising my head and forcing me to look at his face.

"I see that you are trying so hard not to look at my face. Does my scar bother you too much Jacqueline?" he said, his voice laced with anger.

I stared into his eyes and I could barely recognize the man I first met seven years ago.

"Escaping all by yourself while pregnant, raising your daughter alone in this kind and even changing your name. I guess I am not the only one that changed. I bet you never imagined your life was going to end up like this when you involved yourself with the royal family, huh Jacqueline?" his grip tightened on my face as he said in a cool tone, yet his eyes darkened and I could see all the pent up anger he tried so hard to keep in check.

"It's not my fault the royal family ended up the way it did," I gritted out and I could see that it struck a nerve and instead of feeling afraid, I got the courage to continue. "And I don't regret it one bit. If anything, I have my daughter to look after now."

If I thought that would make him angry once again, I was clearly mistaken, as he let let out a laugh, letting go of my face. I slumped onto the couch, touching my face.

"You must love your daughter a lot. She has quite the spirit. This life you have chosen for her does not suit her at all as a princess."

"What?" my head snapped quickly as I turned to face him.

"She is not even your..."

"Gather what ever important stuff you have. The two of you are going back to the palace with me."

"No! You can't come here and...!" I stood up to protest, but he shot me the hardest glare and I found the words dying in my throat.

"You dare refuse to obey your king? He scoffed. Get ready to leave tomorrow," he said briskly, and without waiting for my response, he walked out, leaving me alone.

I dropped to my knees, the tears I didn't I was holding back, gushed out as if they had been let out of a dam. I sprawled on the floor crying so hard as I grabbed onto my chest that felt so tight as if it was going to burst.

Even if he was king, how could he do this to me?

He was right. I did let myself get involved in with the royal family. But at the time, if I had known how things were going to turn out, I would have never let myself get so close to them. But I was too greedy, and I hoped for a life that I never deserved in the first place.

I didn't know for how long I cried, or for how long I laid there on the floor. All I knew was that in the morning, I woke up to my bundle of joy calling out to me.

"Mom? Mommy!" I opened my eyes to her voice. Seeing how worried she was, I quickly sat up, wiping my face and avoiding eye contact with her. I couldn't let her see the mess that was my face after crying all night long.

"Mommy are you okay? Why did you sleep on the floor?" Sim said in a worried voice.

"Sorry you had to see me like this Sim. I didn't sleep on the floor. I was too tired last night that I laid on the couch, I must have rolled off it because I turn too much in my sleep," I lied.

"That's so silly of you mommy, you should sleep in your room," Symphony let out a giggle. "But don't worry, tonight I am going to tuck you in bed so you don't sleep on the couch."

"That is very kind of you sweetheart," I smiled, feel my heart warm up.

"But mommy, where is the man that read bedtime stories for me? He is very sweet..."

"Symphony!" I snapped at her and she looked at me in shock. I was shocked myself, for it was the first time I had snapped at her.

"I am sorry Sim," I said as she pouted. "But you shouldn't cozy up to strangers like that, okay?"

"Yes mommy. But I thought you knew him. He even called you Jacklin. Your name is so fancy just like mine," Symphony let out a giggle once again and I couldn't help but smile.

"Come on now, let's get you ready for school. You didn't think I would forget did you?!" I quirked up an eyebrow and Symphony let out a groan and pouted up her lips.

"I thought you would forget just this once! Come on mommy!" Symphony whined while I laughed as I stood up and picked her up.

"Let's get you ready now. You can't afford to be late today, okay?"

Ah! The innocence of being a kid and being unaware of any dilemma. And I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible.

And more than anything, I hope that yesterday was nothing more than a dream, that it was all in my head, and yet, when we got into Symphony's room, that huge doll was still on her bed, and not just that, when I dressed her up and got myself ready for work, and we stepped out of the house, a black limousine was parked in front of the house.

And immediately we got out as I stopped in my tracks, the chauffer that was by the door opened it, revealing the one man I wished I didn't have to see again.

And as if yesterday didn't happen, he let out a bright smile as he got out of the car.

"Good morning, my princess," he greeted Symphony as she laughed giddily. "Guess who is here to take you to school?"