What's wrong?

Still having half an hour left before dinner

I hurriedly rushed towards my chambers, threw the door closed and went straight to the bathroom to get a shower. I could feel the sweat and dirt stick to my body, it felt so uncomfortable, greasy and icky but there were more important matters to do so it had to wait.

"At last!" I exclaimed as I took off my dress and threw it in a laundry basket, got under the shower head and turned the knob that spew cold water onto my hair and body.

Nothing beats a cold shower after a tiring and stressful day, I quickly felt the cold sensation spread through my entire body, making me shiver for just a few seconds before enjoying the freshness it brings.

Tilting my face upwards, letting the cold water energize me. Every drop bouncing off my skin, dripping down my body leaving a trace as it makes its way down my feet.

I couldn't help but see how dirty the water was pooling at my feet, the faintly brown colored water was going down the drain. I can't believe that I managed to stay that dirty for hours! This is outrageous! I thought to myself picturing the events that occurred earlier.

This is all those bandits' fault! I thought to myself stomping my feet in frustration, then I saw Monty's face flash before my eyes smiling at me and instantly I felt relaxed.

After taking a proper shower and applying cherry scented lotion all over my body I went to see what I should wear for dinner also, something pleasing to Julien's taste before talking to him about earlier

With one hand on my chin I gazed upon my clothes rack, figuring out what's the best outfit that will scream, I won't take no for an answer!

I had to wear something different, closing my eyes I envisioned myself wearing a powerful attire and imagining how I'd feel if I saw myself face-to-face

"Aha!" I figured out the best look for the evening

Going through the layers on hanged dresses, I pulled out a closed neck dark green long sleeve cotton dress with a side slit that went up until the middle of my thigh and a pair of patent red-heeled pumps completing the "I'm the Boss" vibe

Applying a few strokes of eyeliner and a vibrant red lipstick shade, As I achieved the look I wanted, I gracefully walked towards the door but before I could open it my eye caught something.

Noticing the paper bags beside my bed, I quickly sat down on the edge before taking one of the bags and putting it next to me. Touching the pink soft fur I carefully extracted her from the bag and neatly placed the bear in the center of my bed leaning on my pillows. "Bye Daisy, see you later" I waved goodbye and went ahead to go downstairs after closing my door

I still had at least a couple of minutes before dinner, Julien was quietly seated at the dining table while the Queen Mother and my mom was playing chess in the living room, their sterns looks felt unfamiliar.

I quickly took my place next to him, he was busy reading some reports from the parliament.

"Brother, are you really serious about sending me away?" I quietly asked, I couldn't look him in the eye because I was too upset

"I am" he coldly answered

"But why? What did I do wrong?" I complained looking up at him, my voice was full of frustration and confusion

"Why do you think so?" he didn't even bothered to look away from the reports and just continued reading them

"That's why I'm asking because I don't know!" my voice went a little too loud and everyone around us looked at me with wide eyes even our mothers

"Let's talk about this later in private" he ordered, I was about to disagree when my mother spoke beside me

"Is everything alright, dear?" she sweetly asked

"Y-Yes, mother" completely catching me off guard

"Okay, sweetie" she said smiling at me, i forced myself to smile back then all I could do was sit silently as she went back to her seat next to the Queen Mother

"Where's the Captain?" the Queen Mother asked seeing Monty's absence

But before I could even come up with a viable excuse to say, Julien had already prepared an answer to her question

"I had him do some errands for me but unfortunately he got injured in the process so he's at the infirmary right now resting, mother" he wasn't lying, he did ask Monty to escort me. He ignored me the entire duration of the dinner which was awful

Right after the last dish was served and everyone was finished eating. Our mothers excused themselves to continue playing chess. As they were far away from us in the living room Julien silently stood up and walked towards the stairs

"Are you coming?" he said barely looking back at me, his back faced at me as he gave me a sullen look of annoyance

I elegantly stood up and followed him, leaving some distance between us. I had to stand my ground and show him that I was serious

This look shouldn't be for nothing, of course!

I carefully tried to look confident as I walked behind him, matching his pace but still keeping our distance from each other

He went up the stairs, walked the opposite direction of our chambers and stopped in front of the library. A few steps away from the stair is a big framed paneled walnut door that is housed to thousands of books from different parts of the world and different generations.

Various shapes and sizes, different ages and eras published, a ton of colors and the smell of ink on paper filled the huge room which was 2 storeys high, countless shelves filled to the brim with articles, stories, anecdotes, records and other forms of literature.

I rarely visit this room and it was a lot different from when I last saw it, it was a dozen times better or even a hundred times more.