04.

"So you have no idea who your father is?" Otis asked me.

We were now on the first term basis. It had been three months since he'd first stated his intention to court me. Now, I wondered why I didn't like him in the first place. He was fun to talk to and very understanding.

"I-" I shrugged not knowing what to say.

"Althea," He breathed moving closer to me on the couch we both sat on. "It's okay to ask her. She has to tell you. It's your right to know."

I turned slightly to him. "I never told you it was because she's never told me."

"You don't have to tell me." He said with a wry twist of his lips. "I can already see it. Everyone can," I wondered what he meant. If I was supposed to feel offended. He shook his head as if to clear a thought and then he said, "As I was saying, you should talk to her. Demand an answer from her. You deserve to know."

Feeling uneasy with how deep into my life we were going into, I changed the topic.

"So, how about your uncle?" I asked. I saw him stiffen for a moment before he forced himself to relax. "He says I have to get married before he steps down from the throne."

"Oh?" It came out like a question. Marriage. I'd completely forgotten about that. Which was stupid since that was the point of this friendship between us.

"Yes. Well, I suppose I should be going." He said standing up as he took out his pocket watch. "My uncle wants me back at the palace by tomorrow noon."

"Okay," I said getting up. "I'll see you to the door."

Once we got to the door, he turned to me. "Remember what I told you, Princess. You have a right to know. You should demand to know."

I swallowed, nodding. He then turned back and walked into the gardens. I turned around with resolve to ask my mother about my father. I'd demand an answer from her because I deserved it.

On my way to my mother's wing of the palace, I heard hushed voices.

"He said he loves me and that he wants us to get married before next month." It was the voice of a maid I didn't know.

I felt envy wrap its cold fingers around my heart. I'd never had anyone say they loved me.

"That's great!" Her friend gushed to her. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you! I'm going to request some time off so we can have the wedding."

She had the freedom to choose who she'd marry. The envy was starting to crawl up my throat. What was it about me that made me undeserving of love. When would someone say that they loved me? I shouldn't get distracted by two maids. I had questions that needed answers. I called Ketki to summon a meeting with my mother.

"You requested my presence, Princess Althea." Ketki shouldn't have been able to appear before me two seconds after I'd asked for her. Sometimes I wondered if she possessed secret abilities.

"I'd like to see my mother, please." I told her.

"Princess Althea, the Queen wishes to remain undisturbed for the rest of today." she said hesitantly.

"It's urgent. You have to tell her I want to see her."

She held back words as she nodded before turning to fulfil my request.

On my evening stroll around the palace, Ketki appeared behind me.

"Princess Althea, Her Majesty will see you in the throne room." I let out a gasp of shock. It was as if she'd appeared from thin air. Recollecting myself, I nodded before going to the throne room.

I wondered why my mother would want to meet me in the throne room. My mother who was sat tall and straight on her pure gold throne looked in my direction as I entered. Her auburn hair was in a neat, tight ponytail. The purple gown she wore went nicely with her pale skin. She had that cold, aloof look that never seemed to leave her face.

"What is it this time, Althea?" I could her exasperation in her tone.

I inhaled deeply standing taller as I did. "I wish to know who my father is, Mother."

She got up from her throne before moving towards me. "I thought I told you to stop asking questions. You have no father."

"But that's not possible. I had to come from somewhere. You were pregnant. It had to have happened somehow."

"Let this be the last time you ask these questions-"

"NO, Mother!" My anger was rising. "I can't let this go. You have no idea how it is to see people with their fathers while I don't even know what happened to mine. Did he die? Did you someone to give you a heir? I don't even know! And I have to! I deserve-"

My mother's palm connecting with the left side of my face was what shut me up and if she hadn't slapped me a second time, I would've believed that I was only imagining the stinging of my cheek. I even tasted blood from my tongue which I bit from the force.

"You deserve nothing. To deserve implies that you've worked for, you've earned, and you haven't. You think the fact that I educate you, I shelter you, I clothe you and I feed you gives you the right to disrespect me? In my own home? You don't deserve any of that. That you are my heir now does not mean anything. So, I strongly advise that you start being careful."

I could only hold my cheek as I watched as she walked out of the room. At the exit, she turned to me and said, "Have Ketki pack you some items. The rulers of all Kingdoms have a meeting in three days."