Settled in Fathers study, I waited patiently for him to begin. I was sitting in a chair on one side of the desk and he was standing at the bookcase on the other side.
Eventually, I gave in. "Are you going to talk to me?" I snapped.
He turned to look at me, his expression grave. Sighing, he took the grand chair opposite me.
"There is a myth that runs in this town," he said after a few moments - he had started the same way Ferox had, "have you heard of it?"
"The one about the girl and the creature?" I questioned.
He declined his head, confirming what I knew. "Yes. You see, people believe it is a myth but I know it is not."
Now I am confused, I thought, Ferox saying it is a myth and the girl was crazy; Father saying it is not a myth.
I waited for him to continue.
"We are questioning someone who may know the answers to this but he has not be cooperative. Drastic actions will need to be taken."
"What is it you want to find out?" I asked. "Surely if you know the truth then you do not need to question this man." I still had to act as if I knew nothing.
"I know they are hiding more than just that creature."
"Why is the creature so important?" I still did not know that.
"Well, like in the story, the girl was able to walk through the town with no one noticing her. This shows that these creatures have powers we do not possess. I want to find those out."
"Why?" I asked. This was a true question. Why did Father need to find this out? What can he need that strongly that he requires magic?
"The town is becoming older - there are few young people." He said. "They are becoming restless and they can sense a battle on the horizon. If I could only control them how I used to be able to, there would be less risk of uprisings."
"Uprisings?" I said in disbelief. "What - why-?" I stumbled over my words until nothing came out.
"They can sense the tension." As he said this, his eyes fell to his hands he was resting in the table." The lack of resources. People are going hungry and they are worried. They need to be contained and kept quiet."
"Why is the town struggling so much, Father?" I asked. "Is it because you are spending all you have into finding out useless information from this young man and you are not worrying about the people who need you? Or is it because you are dying and you want to finish what the previous Kings supposedly started before that dies with you because I am not following in your footsteps. I will not. I will do what is best for the people and I will do what is needed. I will focus on-"
"Hilda." Father snapped. "Please." He seemed to be listening intently until suddenly he came to his senses and had gotten fed up of my voice.
"I will let this die with you." I said powerfully. "I will not bring a child into the town as it is. And I will certainly never let my child meet you."
It was as if I had just slapped Father around the face. He sighed heavily and his expression unexpectedly looked sad.
I ignored this and carried on. "Whatever happened to Ferox, I do not care. All I know is that he possibly deserved what he got. You deserve the same, Father. You do not deserve this-" I said gesturing to the grand study - "you deserve to die this long death. But maybe, it would be better for me to become Queen now - save the town and the people with my love."
"I will not let that happen." Father growled.
I kept my face neutral as I stared down at the weak King. I once looked up to him, longing to be like him, to have the time for my children like he had the time for his. In that moment, all I could feel was disgust.
"This conversation never occurred." Father said to me, rising from his chair and making a move to the door.
I nodded and allowed him to turn the handle for me and I left the room, plastering on my mask.
YOU ARE READING
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴
FantasyIn a world full of lies and secrets, Hilda, a princess, comes of age. Through the darkness of being told who she should marry, she falls in love for the wrong man. Her mother would describe him as filthy, good for nothing. Hilda would describe him a...