Chapter 4 4

After the introduction party, I had my lunch in my room. My meeting with the king, my father? Well, that word sounded too foreign in my ears, yet I knew I had to adjust to the fact that my life had taken a new turn.

King Henry had only asked me about my life in the village, and I only told him I enjoyed my stay. He didn't look so happy to hear that, and I smiled. My words had the intended effect, if anything, I wanted to be a thorn in his flesh.

How could he have known about my identity and yet, he chose to be quiet about it. He chose to let me live my life in poverty, and now... He had the guts to ask me how my life had been.

I had searched his eyes for any emotion, maybe hate or love or even anger. I couldn't find any. His expression was blank and unreadable. He dismissed me, and I happily left his presence.

"My Lady, would you like a tour around the castle?" Rebecca asked, and I nodded.

"I'll take you on a tour, My Lady." She offered.

"Of course, but where's Sydney?" I asked looking around the room. I hadn't seen her since the introduction party.

"She had to attend to something, Queen Eleanor sent for her," Rebecca explained. That drew my curiosity back to the fact that I hadn't seen this Queen or any of her daughters. They were absent at the party, maybe they were busy, but I dismissed the thought.

Rebecca led the way, showing me around the castle. My quarters were three times bigger than the house I lived in back at Lilach. With maids and guards, all around. I had a kitchen where some maids prepared meals as we passed, they paused and bowed deeply.

Then, there was a greenhouse which was my favorite place to be in the world. I loved the humid warm air and the way the sunlight streamed in. I couldn't believe I had a greenhouse to myself, I had to check it out later.

Then, there was a single room built on its own. Rebecca pointed out the different quarters, The king, his queen, and then... The princesses.

We got back to my quarters after the long tour, and I met Sydney in my room setting my table for dinner. She turned on hearing the door creak open and then bowed.

"My Lady, your dinner is ready,"

"Thanks, Sydney, I was just about to ask Rebecca for it. She mentioned you went to see the queen?" I asked her and I thought I saw a hint of fear in her eyes.

"Y... Yes, My Lady. Her Highness wanted me to do something for her." She explained, without meeting my eyes. There was something off with her behavior but I shrugged. Whatever she did with the queen wasn't my business.

"Is it taken care of now?" Rebecca asked Sydney. The two of them glared at each other and I wondered what that meant.

Sydney held out the chair and I sat, staring at the cutleries. I didn't know how to use these. I stared at Sydney, and she smiled.

"My Lady, watch me," She said. In a few minutes, I got the hang of it. I was making use of the cutleries with ease. The meal was so delicious, that I ate faster than I intended.

"My Lady, you don't eat as fast as you are doing. It's not very ladylike..."

"So what's ladylike? I want to know..." I cut in.

"Very soon My Lady, finish up your meal and we'll help you change into a more comfortable dress," Rebecca said. I nodded and faced my attention back to my meal.

After eating, and changing into a blue chiffon dress, I decided to visit my greenhouse. But just as I opened the doors to my room, I was greeted with the stern face of a woman, flanked by Guards and maids.

Judging by her facial expression, dress and her convoy, I already knew she was the queen. Alright, what was I supposed to do? Bow? I didn't feel like bowing to her. For a split second, I stood staring at her not knowing what to say or do.

"I see your handmaids haven't taught you that a princess bowes whenever she sees royalty." The queen said, her face frowning.

"I... Think the fact that I'm a princess makes me royalty too right stepmother?" I asked, my voice laced with mockery.

All the guards and maids gasped, what? I only made a simple statement. And the queen was frowning?

"Oceania..." The queen began, her hands tightening around her sceptre.

"It's Ocean," I corrected.

"You've got no manners, I'll see you get punished for talking that way to me. Anyway, I'm Queen Eleanor. And you, I guess are Princess Oceania."

"Bow before Her Highness," I heard Rebecca's voice behind me. I bit my tongue and bowed slightly, feeling defeated. If there was anything I hated, it was been walked upon.

"I apologize on her behalf, Your Highness," Rebecca bowed. Queen Eleanor glared at me, then she stormed out of my quarters.

"What was that, Rebecca?" I asked her.

"I'm sorry My Lady, I just don't want you getting on her bad side. She's mean, and so are her daughters. She has the king wrapped around her fingers." Rebecca said,

"Oh wow, great family. Take me to the greenhouse please," I said to Rebecca. She nodded but stopped on seeing Sydney and two people walking towards us.

"My Lady," Sydney and the men bowed. I furrowed my eyebrows. What now? Who were these people?

"My Lady, these are your two personal guards. This is Michael, and this is Calvin." Sydney did the introductions.

"Yeah, I have to get to the greenhouse. Rebecca... Let's go," Even though I knew I was being rude, I didn't care. The incident between my stepmother and I kept replaying itself. I hadn't expected our first meeting to be this way.

As I made my way to the greenhouse with Rebecca leading the way, I made a mental note to try to be respectful. Not that I was a respectful person, but this was a new life. And I had to adapt to it. Even though it was going to be hard, a trial couldn't hurt, right?