Face of fear

Angelica huffed and puffed, out of breath she stopped in front of the main entrance of her home. She had ran the remainder of the way here. It was midnight.

She was aware that once she entered her home her father would be wide awake awaiting her arrival and he would not be pleased one bit.

She took a deep breath and mentally counted to three before opening the door, her dress in hand. She walked into the main entrance. 

Everywhere was extremely quiet, however, she knew that it was just a ploy to catch her off guard, she was alert more now than ever.

She slowly walked up the stairs and turned to the corner, in an instant she heard the sound of a glass vase shattering into pieces right in front of her.

Her body had moved before she could even react. Her blue eyes went wide, that vase would have hit her if not for her fast reflexes.

She looked up to the right and there he was, her father sitting in his favourite red armchair, a menacing look present of his face with another blue vase in hand.

"Tell me where you have been you wretched child of an ill woman!" he shouted with no regard that he might wake up those who were already asleep.

Angelica took one look at his face and glanced at the intimidating vase held in his hand. She was fully aware that if she lied, and he would know if she did, that vase would be thrown at her like the last one was.

"I went to collect my dress from Lady Sellie." she replied masking the fear she felt in the moment.

"And why in your right mind would you leave so late to go and collect that stupid dress?" he asked, his tone demanding nothing but the truth.

"Because I just remembered that she would be leaving to visit her father in law in the village and I would not be able to collect it again till she returns." she spoke clearly and confidently even though she was afraid.

She learnt over the years that even in the face of fear she had to speak confidently or else she would aggravate her father's short temper.

"See, I have my dress right here." she said showing him the dress.

"Be silent you insolent child!" he snapped at her. "Which good obedient child would leave home and only return at midnight?!" 

"Father, I already explained, it took me a while to get there and even longer to get back in the snow considering that the carriage driver resigned." Angelica explained.

"And that is exactly why if you were sensible you would not have gone out late!" Dariel shouted, it looked like nothing she said would be able to quench his anger.

"Father, how many times do you want me to explain? I admit that truly I should never have gone out that late and for that I apologize." she said softly, the confidence in her voice was replaced. "Please, I beg you, do not be angry again." she no longer sounded like the assertive woman she was, rather she was now a girl begging for the forgiveness of her father.

There was a look of pleading present in her eyes, she looked terrified, exhausted almost.

"Do you know what gossip would circulate across the kingdom had they seen you?!" he asked. "They already despise us, now rumours would spread that I, Dariel Rivethans only daughter was out late at night doing what?! Probably rendezvousing with a bastard on the street!" It seemed there was no way to satiate Dariel tonight and every passing second Angelica could see him losing more of his sanity.

"I assure you father, I would never tarnish your reputation, our reputation. I only went to get my dress and that is all, please can I go to my room now to rest?" she asked sighing.

"Let this be the last time you leave my house without informing me first and sending your mother to tell me some useless excuse." he said perilously. Angelica could only nod, having a feeling that this discussion was over.

"And you will never, ever miss dinner again in this house, are we clear?" he said, his voice raised once more.

"Yes, very clear father." she replied nodding.

"That is all, go to your room." he concluded as Angelica was about to leave she turned back.

"Father, please remember to send Lady Sellie her wages for making me this dress." she knew that in order to make sure her father believed her story, she needed to be as accurate as possible.

"And why would I send that woman her wages? Was I the one that asked her for the dress?" he asked arrogantly.

"Father, may I remind you that you promised to pay for this dress on my birthday." she calmly answered. A flash of remembrance appeared on Dariel's face as he scoffed.

"How much?"

"Six gold coins." she replied.

"Six gold coins for what? Is the dress made out of gold?!" he exclaimed. 

"I admit that it is a little bit much father, but she truly did make such a wonderful dress." said Angelica, she heard her father scoff.

"That is sheer exploitation, get out of here before I do something you will regret." he said. Angelica quickly turned around and ran in the opposite direction once she heard the sound of another vase hitting the wall and shattering.

Angelica bolted into her room locking the door behind her. Her chest rose up and down and her blue eyes were wide open. She really dodged danger back there.

She hated how much of a temper her father her, rarely could she have a decent, calm conversation with him and she thought that she had gotten used to his display of temporary madness by now, but every single time he showed his anger she found herself regretting that she was stuck here.

Angelica sighed, she dropped her dress on her desk and fell onto her bed, her eyes closed as she dwelled in silence and utter darkness.