Previous to Ever After

Two

"You deliberately disobeyed me!" Mother yelled as she paced the floor, her shoes making quick, clicking noises after every small step. Her long, blue gown made a swishing sound as it brushed the floor behind her, and her long, chestnut colored hair, which was currently pinned up, bounced up and down as she walked. Her fingers were pressed tightly against her thin, red lips and her cold, gray eyes were focused on the ground in front of her.

We were in the kitchen, the same place she took me every time she lectured me, (which happened often). I was sitting on a wooden chair with my back pressed against the long, polished wood table where the chefs prepared our meals. The chefs were currently huddled in the dining room, where mother politely asked them to give us a minute while we discussed family matters, which really meant that we actually needed about twenty minutes so she can yell at me for what I did wrong. But something tells me this time was going to be a little longer. We were already in here for about fifteen minutes as she silently paced the kitchen floor.

"Mother, I'm sorry-"

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you anymore, Genevieve," she started, turning to face me. "You've broken every rule, disregarded every lecture, and for heaven sake, put your tiara on your head, now."

I groaned and reached for my tiara which I had placed on the table after Gretchen had given it back when I returned from the village. She had told me that she was worried I wasn't coming up the trail before midnight so she had told my mother where I had gone, who, by the way, never even realized I left the ball in the first place. That's when they sent the artillery to take me home.

I placed the stupid tiara on my head and stared back at mother who was staring at me, tapping her chin rapidly.

"I don't know how to say this any other way, Genevieve, but you are a princess, and you need to start acting like one," she spat bitterly.

That's when the anger boiled over in my chest. I jumped off of the chair and clenched my fists. "What if I don't want to be a princess, mother?" I yelled at her, my voice rising just as fast as my heartbeat. "Have you ever considered that? I never asked for any of this! And I sure as hell didn't ask to be yelled at like this! What did I do that was so wrong? If wanting to do more in life than sit up straight and have good manners is such a crime, then why don't you just arrest me? I'd be happier living in the dungeon for the rest of my life than in this bloody castle, anyways!"

Mother walked closer to me and held up her perfectly manicured finger to my face. I backed up against the table, frighten starting at her. "Now, you listen here, young lady," she growled. "Don't you ever curse or raise your voice like that again, do you hear me? That was more than an inappropriate response for a princess."

"Mother, I didn't mean-"

"Please go to your chamber," she said, glaring at me.

I groaned. "It's like you're not hearing a single word I say!"

"Go to your chamber," she repeated, louder this time.

"But if you would just listen-"

"Now!"

I clenched my fists and turned around, running out of the kitchen. I ran down the hall and stormed past my father who was walking in the opposite direction. He called out my name, sounding very concerned, but I didn't stop running. When I reached the grand staircase I sprinted up almost tripping on my stupid shoes. Finally, I reached the top and stormed into my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I collapsed on my bed and stuffed my red face in one of my pillows. I heard my tiara fall of my head and clatter loudly on the floor. I sobbed.