The Forgotten Princess

that and attack me even more.

”Would you like me to get your coat? ” Martha asked when she heard that I was cold.

”No need.
I guess the cold has passed. ” I smiled.

My eyes surveyed the rectangular table.
The one that was sitting was only Satiana.
Gladiolus and my sister Elizabeth hasn’t arrived yet.

”Big sis. ” Satiana smiled happily after seeing me enter.
”Come and sit right next to me. ”

By order of hierarchy, Gladiolus is the highest with the queen absent so he will be sitting at the head of the table.
Satiana will seat on his right side while his fiancée Elizabeth would seat on his left where the wife should seat.
I will seat beside Satiana, being I am a family member.

I took the seat beside Satiana and composed myself.
I looked around and saw Jack standing at the servants’ side.
It looked like he was the one that escorted Satiana this morning.

”I only heard my big brother’s arrival late last night. ” Satiana said.
”He didn’t stop by my quarters when he arrived.
Maybe he thought I was asleep.
This would be my first time seeing him after more than a year. ”

”Oh, is that so. ” Was my only reply.

’Gladiolus didn’t see his sister upon his arrival but had gone to see me and my mother.’ I thought with a bitter face.
’It would have been better if he hasn’t gone to see me last night.’

Just the thought of what had happened last night made my skin crawl.
I felt a mix of fear and anger.

”Crown Prince Gladiolus and Princess Elizabeth have arrived. ” The servant announced.

Satiana and I stood up upon their arrival.
Gladiolus walked first while Elizabeth was behind him.
Satiana and I looked at each other in puzzlement for a second and proceeded to look at the couple that arrived.
The common entrance of the royal couple should be walking side by side with their hands or arms intertwined.
But by looking at their current positions, it looked like Elizabeth was a concubine.

”Greetings to the future sun and moon of the Jennovian Kingdom. ” Satiana and I said in unison and curtsied.

”Good morning dear sister Satiana.
Good morning my dear Alicia. ” Gladiolus greeted us while Elizabeth stayed silent.

Elizabeth was standing across me with the table separating us.
She looked at me with loath and anger.
I was surprised with her reaction upon seeing me.

’What do to her?’ I thought to myself.
I haven’t seen her for more than a year now, maybe two.
So why is she glaring to me like I did something bad to her.

Gladiolus pulled a chair and let Elizabeth sit.
What shocked me and Satiana was the seat offered to Elizabeth was not the first one on Gladiolus’ left but the second one.
Elizabeth didn’t say anything and took the seat offered to her.

When Gladiolus and Elizabeth has seated, Satiana and I was about to seat as well.
But when I was midway into my seat, Gladiolus stopped me.

”Alicia, my dear.
You must seat here. ” Gladiolus offered me the seat on his left that should be for his wife.

”B-But that… ” I was about to reject the offer Gladiolus gave me a glare as if saying I cannot resist.

Gladiolus was reminding me that I have no freedom here and this was his domain.
Even if I want to oppose him, I can’t.
I need to follow him so that he won’t suspect my movements or our escape plan would be in jeopardy.

I walked silently towards the seat Gladiolus offered and sat silently.
I looked at the people in the dining room discreetly and all had an expression surprise and confusion.

’This seat was for the main wife of Gladiolus and the future queen.
This should be Elizabeth’s place.
But why was I seating here now?’ I thought.

”Let’s start eating breakfast then. ” Gladiolus said with a smile on his face, seeming very content.
The maids started to serve our breakfast and we ate in silence.

Mid way in our breakfast, Gladiolus started to make idle chat.

”Sati, your birthday is next week. ” Gladiolus said.
”I heard Duke Matias will be the one hosting for your coming of age ceremony.
I am sorry if I was late on coming home.
I should have been the one planning for your coming of age ceremony but I am currently busy with the wedding preparations. ”

”It is fine big brother.
I know that you are busy with your wedding coming up. ” Satiana replied.
”It is kind of Duke Matias to be the one to host my coming of age.
I will also be working hard on my ceremony so you don’t need to worry big brother. ”

”That’s good.
I hope you are not mad at big brother for neglecting you this past year. ” Gladiolus said in a worried tone.

”Of course not big brother.
Why would you think that? ” Satiana smiled awkwardly.

It was just yesterday when Satiana knew about her mother and brother’s plans.
I am not sure if she can continue acting being that she and her brother are close.

”B-By the way, how is your wedding preparations with Princess Elizabeth going? ” Satiana changed the topic in an instant.
”I hope you would like it here Princess Elizabeth.
Jennovia might be a cold country but the people here are warm hearted. ”

Elizabeth flinched with hearing the topic has gone to her.
She was visibly distraught, as if frightened of something.

”I-I guess I’ll get used to it here. ” Elizabeth replied.

I looked at Elizabeth with curiosity.
I have lived with her since we were kids and she was always feisty and hard headed.
But now she was as tame as a sheep.

’This isn’t like her.’ I thought to myself.

”The wedding preparations are going on smoothly and would be held in two weeks time. ” Gladiolus replied.
”But my bride won’t be Princess Elizabeth. ”

Satiana and I looked shocked after what Gladiolus just said.

”N-Not Princess Elizabeth? Then who? ” Satiana asked the same question that was in my head.

”Elizabeth and I had already signed the marriage contract and there is no need for any ceremony to be held because she is just a concubine of mine. ” Gladiolus replied.
”The one I am marrying is my future queen. ”

Gladiolus looked my way with endearing eyes full of affection.
He took my hand and placed a kiss on my knuckles and smiled.

”My future queen of course is no other than Alicia. ” Gladiolus said with a voice full of endearment.

edited by: nalyn

editors note: Can’t wait what will happen next, what about you??

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