The love of a mother

Pov.Asteria

*4 days*

Today was the day I would finally be free. We would temporarily go to the dragon's realm. I knew they would accept us, as I would free the non-transforming dragons. They would grant us sanctuary for a while. It was a win-win as I would leave them without external transportation.

I had been for an hour already, just staring at the ceiling. Re-passing the plan over and over in my head, just a few more hours. I got up and walked toward the dining room. The dress I chose to wear today was overly exaggerated. It was humongous and had tightened the corset so much that my belly was almost non-existent. I wanted to please mother just for today, it was my goodbye gift.

When I finally reached the dining room, which was the opposite of where my room is. I took a deep breath in. The doors opened slowly, and there they were all laughing and enjoying breakfast. And there he was, the monster I've been avoiding. It took everything on me not to attack him. I cleared my throat to get everyone's attention.

"Good morning," I bowed in respect to my "parents" and the phoenixes. Not that they truly deserved it. I strode towards my chair, head held high, not showing fear or weakness. Making sure to sit as far away from that monster. I waved my hand to be served, and the servers hurried.

Mother and Father stared at me in surprise knowing I shouldn't be here today. After all, yesterday was my eating day, but I had skipped it as well. It was almost ten days that I hadn't eaten anything. And the food looked ravishing.

"Can you move any slower?" I snapped at the servers. They served me fruit, cereals, yogurt, toast, and marmalade. I reached for the fork and held it for a second, contemplating what to start with. I moved my fork towards the fruit as a starter. Then moved on to shove a piece of watermelon in my mouth, making sure to use my manners. I ate slowly, not wanting to get sick. I could still feel everyone's eyes on me, but I didn't make a move to acknowledge.

"So, Prince William," I spotted his name out. "When was the last time I saw you? I can't remember." I gave him the sweetest smile I could manage. I could see him swallow harshly. I wanted to see this bastard's reaction.

"I believe it was the ball," he replied nervously.

"Really, Asteria told us you had a great time Wednesday Friday," my father said as he bit into his toast. He lifted his head and smirked.

"Oh yes, now I remember," he looked my way and said. "she made me pass the time of my life."

I wanted to punch that smirk off his face. I looked at him straight in the eyes and wished his dick would burn off. I saw him twist in his chair while having discomfort with my glare.

"Oh yes, the best moment of my life," but with my eyes, I was telling him I would kill him. I cleared my throat and moved my eyes to my mother.

"Mother, would you like to go to the garden with me after breakfast is finished?" Even if I hated her and she was a monster, she is still my mother. I want the last goodbye. Her eyebrows furrowed and nodded.

I slowly finished my breakfast, and as I was halfway done, I saw Queen Eliza and King Aiden retired from the room. The asshole followed minutes later.

Mother and I quickly finished. And walked towards the garden. I sat on one of the benches, and mother followed. When she sat I looked at the fairy that took care of the garden.

"Mother," I called to get her attention, she turned her head to look at me. "Do you love me?" I know I took her by surprise with my question, but the hard look in her eyes didn't disappear.

"Why do you ask?" There was my answer.

"Never mind," I told her and got up. "I think you just answered."

"Do you love father?" I turned to see her nod, but I knew she was lying. "How did you know you loved him?"

"Why all these questions?" At that exact moment, I felt pity for her and myself. I realized she doesn't know what love is or no one ever taught her. She was taught to be this persona that doesn't feel anything at all. And she was turning me into that.

I walked her way and kneeled in front of her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, she looked down at me and furrowed her eyebrows. "I'm sorry no one ever taught you how to love." I was sorry too that one day I will have to kill her. Because I promised myself, and I'm not breaking that promise.

I looked her in the eyes, and I saw a spark of emotion, but it disappeared so quickly I thought I had imagined it. She got up and swiped her dress from any wrinkles.

"Asteria, stop this nonsense," she ordered.

"I'm just telling you this because this is the last time you'll see me like this," she turned to look at me. "I'm afraid I'm turning into you, and I like it, so this is the last time you'll see me this weak."

She looked at me, really looked at me. She scanned me head to toes. I knew she liked the way I had dressed.

"Why now?" she asked.

"Because I'm tired of being weak," I said. "I thought I would spend this last day with you, here, like this." She looked at me like I was crazy and didn't know who I was.

"But you can leave, from this day on I would do good to remember you don't love me," I said harshly. " From now on you are just Queen Esther to me, no more mother."

"And you'll do good to remember that," she snapped and walked away. I smiled as she walked away, it seemed to hurt less each time. She took a piece of my heart that day to crush it with her bare hands.

That was my goodbye, now I could only look ahead.