Disembowelment of Princess Alora

Standing by the door of Freya's room, Alora looked at the maids busy preparing her sister for the banquet. Whenever Freya chose to wear a gown, it was always Alora who helped Freya, as the latter doesn't like gowns that restrict her movements with jewels, hair, and whatnot.

Seeing other people taking away the sisters' time, stealing the little things she does for her sister, Alora wasn't sure if she should give in a hand or leave silently.

Alora snapped out of her thoughts when the maids started gasping one after the other at the sight of her. Red hair and red eyes? They had heard many tales in which she was evil.

Alora's fingers curled into a tight fist. Give in a hand? Probably she shouldn't. The maids wouldn't be able to stand in her presence. She apologized for disturbing them, "I am sorry."

Freya turned towards the door hearing the mellow voice. The voice which would have been lively and cheerful filling their private manor was filled with reluctance.

Alora pointed at the door to say she would leave but Freya greeted, "Sister Alora…" Her eyes went over Alora from head to toe.

Without getting out of her chair, Freya didn't expect her to still be roaming in the chemise when it was a very important day for them. "What are you doing here? The banquet will start soon, go and get ready quickly." Her indifferent voice sounded.

Alora pursed her lips. Looks like she wasn't needed for her sister either. However, she flashed a sweet smile, "You are looking beautiful."

Freya was wearing an off-the-shoulder princess gown. It had a small waisted, heavily embellished corset that highlighted her curves. The gown was a forest green gown with white ombre shades.

The gown was layered with a high-neck short, open jacket that had a long trail adding an appealing look to her appearance. The high neck and the long embellished sleeves avoided the need for any accessories that she disliked.

Freya barely smiled and hurried Alora, "Sister, go, go and get ready."

Alora nodded and rushed out to her room. She saw four maids in her room, standing at the side and trembling like leaves in the wind, barely hanging on the trees.

Alora was undoubtedly aware of what was going on in their mind. Those young girls were frightened to death, assuming she was going to burn them alive if they made a mistake. It was very disturbing for Alora who doesn't possess any kind of special power.

Nevertheless, Alora doesn't like unknown people helping her out with clothing, "You may leave." Alora was yet to end her words, the maids ran away in a blink of an eye.

With complex thoughts filling her mind, Alora couldn't even bring a fake smile to her face. She wasn't liking anything in the palace when she was aware that this was her today and the future. Her new beginning as a royal.

Nobody was going to treat her like a normal girl, much less a princess. Bound by so many rules, she wasn't sure whether she really could be different from others.

She understood the real meaning behind her father's words. 'Be brave.'

She has to be brave because the palace and people were going to break her again and again. She should be daring enough to face everything and stand up each time when she falls.

She was about to rush towards the bathing room when there was a knock on the door. The two men entered inside in hushes, trying to be careful of anybody's eyes.

Alora's smile returned looking at Lothar and Cuillin. She sprinted towards them, "Grandfather…" She curtsied, "Lord Cuillin."

Cuillin breathed out the air he was holding while hiding from Orla. He was helpless against her curtsy. He bowed to her, "Your Highness."

Then he gave another attempt, "I am a mere servant at your service, Your Highness. You should only be courteous to your parents, His and Her Majesty."

Alora stood by her grandfather when she responded the same response that she used in past years, "Respecting the elders should be a courtesy ingrained in every one of us. Manners are to treat elders with dignity and respect, Lord Cuillin."

Lothar faintly frowned, hearing his granddaughter. Orla was right, Alora has to experience life and learn about people before stepping up as a crown princess. Or else, everyone will take advantage of her or worse, endanger her life.

"Your Highness, you…"

Lothar waved his hand to dismiss their arguments. Experience has stronger effects than words. "Alora, I brought you the gown for the banquet." He especially looked into the design and made it for his dear granddaughter.

Cuillin, who was hiding a folded dress under his cloak, pulled his hand out and displayed the dress.

Alora was amazed by the gown that didn't go by the palace rules but her kind. The palace etiquette expects a princess to hide their legs, whereas Eugenie always brought her a dress, that was shorter or shorter in the front so that she could easily go around in the forest without restriction or tripping on her dress.

Cuillin, who looked around for the maids, became furious, "Your Highness, didn't any maids arrive to prepare you?"

Lothar, who wanted to know if Alora liked the dress or not, turned grim in a second. He clenched his teeth and breathed harder. Although Alora has to learn by experiencing it, he couldn't just see people being unfair to his dear granddaughter.

"Does Catherine think she could do whatever she wants?" Lothar hissed in annoyance, ready to blow up the west palace.

Catherine Roosevelt, elder daughter of Lothar and Orla. An elder sister of Eugenie. Due to the absence of Eugenie in the palace, she was taking care of inner court duties.

Almost everyone's aware of Catherine's hatred towards her younger sister who became the Crown Princess.

It wasn't Eugenie's fault that Catherine failed to complete the ritual of Coronation, yet Catherine antagonizes Eugenie. Since Eugenie's daughters will come in line for the throne, Catherine disliked Eugenie's daughters too.

Alora quickly cleared the air, "Grandfather, there were four maids. I sent them away." She wouldn't want to put more aversion between sisters.

Lothar could only sigh, understanding that those maids must have been scared by Alora's appearance.

He rubbed her head, "I will get you a list to choose your ladies-in-waiting." He was thinking of taking the task personally so that Catherine doesn't try to plant a mole around Alora.

Cuillin cut in, "Pardon me for interfering. Your Majesty, I guess we should leave to let Her Highness get ready." Lothar wouldn't be able to see Orla rebuking Alora in front of everyone for being late.

Alora received the dress quickly and flashed them a hurried smile, "I will see you at the banquet hall."

Worried, Cuillin remarked when they left Alora's chamber, "Your Majesty, it's going to be very tough for Princess Alora."

Normally every princess will go through difficulties but it was double for Alora due to her appearance. Even her beauty was going to be a curse for her.

Lothar was also afraid of it. But Alora has to face everything. "How are the royal household reacting to Alora's arrival?"

He was aware there would be two kinds of uproar. One is to cause chaos due to Alora's appearance, and another one is to find the man with the crescent to control him. As he would be marrying one of Eugenie's daughters who is next in line.

Cuillin hesitated to respond. Meeting Alora in the past years, he was like a grandfather to her. He wished her nothing but the best in everything. However, some people were traitorous.

"Duke Blewett is requesting the court to bring his sons to the banquet. He is also supervising Earl Evander to propose a dance with Princess Freya." It was infuriating him just thinking of it.

Edward Blewett, spouse of Catherine. Apart from Catherine, he has three mistresses from noble families. He had tried to show dominance in the court to crown Catherine but failed.

Thus, he was trying to set up his sons born to his mistresses with the next princess on the throne. Although there was no blood relation, his sons would be brothers in the name of Freya and Alora.

To add fuel to the fire, Edward was encouraging Evander Caswell to have Freya as his second wife. Evander Caswell is married to the first daughter of Catherine.

Thus, the west palace was just greedy for the throne. If they can't have the throne, they are eager to control the throne.

Lothar gritted his teeth. Although Duke Blewett was considered a part of the Royal Household, his mistresses and their children aren't royals. Hence they were allowed to the banquet.

Cuillin added carefully, "Princess Catherine has gathered other royal members to cause commotion in the banquet to… banish or… disembowelment of Princess Alora."

Lothar's special power flared up in a rage, freezing the hallway and guards into rocks of ice.

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Check the comment section for the Royal Roosevelt family tree. It will give a better understanding.