Hunted

Chapter 1 ~ Aria

I don't understand why my mother wants me here. I could be outside, sword-fighting with the royal guards. Or reading a book in the royal library. Instead, I'm listening to another one of her ridiculous flaunts about her precious son, Prince Ambroz. My older brother. The soon-to-be-king. Her favorite.

He's an idiot. He has done absolutely nothing remarkable in his life, besides the fact that he was born first. I hate that he gets the crown because of this stupid birthright. I would be a much better ruler than he'll ever be. I–

"Princess Aria!" my mother yelled. "I am so sorry Lord Selvin. She's never like this."

"Like what?" I asked.

My mother ignored me. "I promise that she'll be much more attentive when she marries you."

Getting married? I thought this was a meeting about him attending my brother's coronation.

"I'm not marrying him," I said.

"Aria! Don't be rude." Scolded my mother.

"I'm sorry Your Highness, but haven't you heard the news? I'm already engaged to Lady Halmar." Lord Selvin explained.

"Oh! It must've slipped my mind! I sincerely apologize, that was very inconsiderate of me. Well, please still consider the invitation to my son's coronation in three days. It will be quite the celebration."

"I'd be delighted. I hope you don't mind if I bring my fiancé and daughter to the event?"

"Oh, I don't mind at all! The more the merrier!"

"Excellent! Well, I must be going. My daughter is waiting for me at home."

"We'll see you in three days!"

~~~~~~~~~~

The castle garden is always so quiet. So empty. Away from my mother, her servants, suitors, and my brother. No one ever bothers me here. They know well enough not to.

"Isn't it a princess's job to serve her kingdom and marry whoever her mother thinks are suitable for her?" my brother asked with a smirk.

"Isn't it a prince's job to mind his own business?" I retorted.

"Oh come on, don't be like that. Show your future king some respect!"

"When he shows up, I will."

He's never here. I don't even think he knew this place existed. Why can't he just leave me alone?

"I've never been here before, and I've lived in this castle longer than you." He said as he looked around.

"That's because I've kept it to myself and used it as a place to be away from you."

"I'm starting to see why nobody wants to marry you. Who did mother set you up with this time?"

"Lord Selvin. And everyone knows that he's engaged to Lady Halmar! Mother just wanted to make me look stupid. He's not even that interesting. All he talks about is his daughter– who's my age! How would you feel if you married someone whose child is your age?"

"Well, it could've been worse. She could've set you up with the Duke of Bounnet. Or Lord Draguisir. Or the famed Prince of Luria. Rumor has it he's a real catch."

"And the Prince of Luria is also said to be a snake. That he's broken engagements with more than 15 women. Yeah, he sounds charming."

"You're going to have to marry someone eventually. It's your duty – to marry one of the suitors Mother thinks will be best for the kingdom."

Sounds more like a stupid excuse to get rid of her least favorite child.

"I don't have to follow anything mother says." I snapped back, "Mother could set me up with the handsomest prince in the land and I still wouldn't marry him. I can do just fine on my own."

"Yeah, sure you can. Has Lady Vespertine accepted the invitation to my coronation?"

"She did. But she also said she's not interested."

"How is she not interested in Zheathia's future king? This could be her chance to be a ruler of our kingdom!"

"I could care less about ruling Zheathia, and who in their right mind would marry you of all people?"

We both turned around, and there she was. My best friend. One of the only people in this entire kingdom who I care about. Lady Vespertine. She had long, red, curly hair that matched her fiery personality. She had a sandy complexion that kind of reminded me of the light bark of a tree. That's actually how she got her name – Lady Willow Vespertine.

"Lots of people would love to marry me. I could make anyone in the entire world my queen, but I chose you."

"I'm flattered."

"And I'm getting sick to my stomach," I said, "What brings you to the castle Willow?"

"I heard about what happened with Lord Selvin. I just wanted to know if you're okay," she responded, fumbling with the threads of her dress. She's always been a wonderful seamstress.

"Of course I'm okay. I could care less about who my mother sets me up with. If I ever get married it will be because I want to, not because she's arranged it."

Ambroz scoffed. "It's not like you have a choice. You have a duty."

"My duty is to myself. Can you leave? Don't you have some coronation planning to do?"

"That's what the servants are for! Now I must go. And Milady Willow, 'till we meet again." He winked as he kissed her hand.

"I can't believe he's your brother," Willow said after he walked away. "And he's going to become king! Half the kingdom knows you would make a much better ruler than him!"

"Tell that to my mother," I said. "No matter what anyone says, Ambroz will always be her favorite."

"I'm sure that's not true,"

She's just saying that to make me feel better. I know she has feelings for Ambroz. She just hides them because she knows how much it would hurt me. If she ever does decide to marry him, at least I'll have a "sibling" I'd actually get along with.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Everything's almost ready for your coronation my dear. Aren't you excited?" My mother asked my brother.

Ambroz looked thrilled. "It looks absolutely wonderful! I love what they've done to the ballroom. This is going to be the biggest night of the year! Don't you agree Aria?"

I scoffed. He hasn't even done anything to help the kingdom. All he does is flaunt around, making villagers swoon as he walks by. It's disgusting. Why does he get everything handed to him while I work hard and get nothing?

"Aria, your future king asked you a question. Show your brother some respect!" Mother said.

"This is ridiculous. Is there any specific reason why you wanted me here? Or is this just another excuse to show off your favorite?"

My mother was about to respond, but one of the servants summoned her to the front gate. She shot me a look of disgust as she walked away. She hates me, and I have no idea why.

"You know she's under a lot of pressure right now, why don't you just –"

I cut Ambroz off. "Just what? Give her a break? Be nice? I'll start doing all those things once she starts treating me like her daughter. I work hard to please her and make her proud while you just get everything handed to you. I learned magic, sword fighting, literature, art, music, math, and a ton of other things while you just flaunt around trying to make people jealous of you. I've had enough!"

And as Ambroz and the entire palace staff stared at me, I heard a scream.