Rise of the Bullied Luna Queen

Saying Goodbye to my past

~RUBY~

I crawled back to my room for the remainder of the night, tending to my wounds with water and the local herbs I had in my room. The night slowly faded; it was a joyous one for Anastasia, while for me, it was a night of tears, whimpering in pain all through, unable to sleep as I pondered over my decision.

Did I make the right decision or not? Wouldn’t I be questioned by those around me about what I had decided to do? I hope not.

Morning arrived as usual, and I woke up earlier than everyone else to clean up the house. The house was buzzing with excitement from my stepmother and her daughter, their voices echoing from their room. They had their plans, while I had mine, patiently waiting to surprise them and beat them at their own game.

After cleaning the living room and heading to my room for a bath, preparing for the return of the messenger from the royal school, I almost collided with my father. He angrily pushed me aside.

"If you know what is good for you, I shall advise you to stay away from the living room today. We will tell the royal messenger that you have decided to stay back," he warned.

I nodded in response, intending to turn away as usual without saying anything. However, this time, I looked at him, meeting his wicked and glaring obsidian eyes.

"You must be happy that I am going to remain here with you, father," I said.

He frowned at first, then raised his brows in confusion. He moved closer, grabbing my throat. "You dare talk back to me now, Ruby!" he exclaimed.

I chuckled, even though his hand was gripping my throat tightly, almost cutting off my breath. I didn’t give up and proceeded to touch his hand on my throat.

"Have you ever thought about your pitiful attitude towards your daughter?" I asked, struggling to get the words out. "You are the worst father ever! For someone like you, a thousand cuts' punishment is what you deserve for what you have done to your daughter and what you allow others to do to her!"

My father’s eyes widened, and he released his grip on my throat. For a moment, I saw a hint of remorse in his eyes, but it quickly turned to glares when I heard the clicking of heels down the stairs.

It was my stepmother, and as if on cue, my father landed a slap on my face, sending me falling to the ground. My vision blurred as I rubbed the cheek where he had hit. He could never change, controlled by my stepmother who he sees as her God. At least, it would be the last time he raised his hand to me.

"Go to your room right now and don’t you dare show your face when the royal messenger is here," he ordered.

I heaved a deep sigh, rubbed my face, and tried to walk away, but my stepmother grabbed my hair, pulling it backward to face her.

"You heard what your father said," she pulled harder, causing my scalp to ache. All I could do was wince in pain as I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. "I would advise you again that you stay behind in your room until all of this is over," she ordered, letting go of my head and pushing me backward.

I staggered forward, heading to my room, tears streaming down my face. When I reached my room, I burst into laughter, then cried again, realizing it was the last time.

I checked the old wall clock in my room and sighed when it read nine am. In thirty minutes, the royal messenger would come knocking on the door. I rushed into my wardrobe, folded the best of my clothes—only five—and packed them into the suitcase belonging to my mother before her death. Once done, I took my bath and wore my purple dress, a birthday gift from a friend.

Looking up at the time again as it struck nine-thirty, I heard the doorbell ringing, letting out a sigh of relief. My freedom had come. I picked up the letter from my bed, held it tightly in my hand, and took a final look around my room.

It held memories, none of them great. I recalled beatings, slaps, being locked up, tending to my wounds, and going to bed with an empty stomach. Now, it was all going to end. I was finally going to be free from it all.

My freedom had arrived, and it was time to seize it. "Goodbye, past," I muttered and walked out of the room. All eyes turned on me, and I could see my stepmother's eyes widening, as well as the glares from my father. Anastasia was not present, making me believe she was already outside.

"I thought you said she is not interested in the school and…" the royal messenger started, but my stepmother cut him off.

"No," she moved closer, placing her hand around my neck. "She is probably here to bid her sister goodbye, right Ruby?"

I looked at her with the brightest smile on my face, a smile of victory, signaling that I was leaving for good. "Mother," I muttered, raising my letter. She gasped, looking at my father and then back at me. Her hand dropped from my shoulder, and she took a step backward. To say she was shocked was an understatement; she was horrified that I held the letter she had burnt.

"I have made my decision to attend the Royal Academy," I declared, dragging my luggage forward. "My luggage and uniform had a bit of an issue," I said, looking back at my stepmother and father. "Will I get another one if it will be…"

"Of course, Miss Peters. Since you are the king’s chosen one, everything will be made available for you, and it wouldn’t have been possible if you had lost the letter."

I chuckled. "I am glad that I didn’t," I said, smiling brightly.

"Time to say your goodbyes to your parents. Is there anything you would love to tell them one last time?"

I looked back at them, smiling, and then sighed. "No, I have nothing to say to them," I stated and walked out of the house, finally leaving the home I called hell and starting with a new beginning.