MISUNDERSTANDING

‎PORSHA POV

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‎“Anne right there, that's the spot” I informed Anne who was casually giving me a head massage. Gosh I needed this, Anne's hands are pure magic, they are what I needed to get rid of all the stress from the night before.

‎“Porsha, can I ask you a question?” Anne asked as she applied ointment to my scalp.

‎I let out a sigh before answering, knowing fully well that she was about to bug me about what I wanted to wear for my wedding, like I cared.

‎“Sure Anne, shoot."

‎“About last night, what actually happened between you and Leviathan? Why did you run out of the ceremony like that?" She asked, her tone laced with curiosity and I immediately held her hand, removing it from my head.

‎My blood boiling with rage.

‎“I have no interest in discussing that matter" I confessed with a gigantic frown, my eyes blazing with rage.

‎The last thing I wanted was to be reminded of how horrible my night went. How my body betrayed me, how I yearned for the very man I hate with my entire being.

‎I had to push him away and run out of the garden, cause if I didn't I would have let him have his way with me, and I would have hated myself for ever for that.

‎“Forgive me Porsha. I was just worried cause I noticed you pacing back and forth the entire night” Anne explained, her tone sincere as she went on her knees.

‎I could almost feel the worry in her voice, indeed I didn't get any sleep last night cause I was mad at myself but I never intended to worry her as well.

‎“Anne is fine, I didn't mean to shout at you," I apologized, helped her to her feet and placed her on a seat next to mine.

‎“My princess you don't have to apologize. I am not mad at you" She voiced with a smile, but just then the door open and mom sailed in, her eyes fuming red.

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‎“Porsha what was the meaning of that stunt you pulled last night?” Mom asked, her voice thunderous with anger.

‎I didn't say a word instead I just gestured for Anne to leave, and she quietly obliged.

‎“What are you ranting about mom?” I ask nonchalantly, as I crossed my legs.

‎“What was the meaning of the rubbish you did last night? Why did you run off on your fiancee? Why are you doing your best to ruin this alliance?" She asked endlessly, her eyes blazing with rage.

‎“I see you and your husband have been gossiping about me” I said with a small smile, which opposed the anger brewing within me. I still can't believe that she cares more about some worthless alliance than her own daughter.

‎Her face fell, her anger palatable as she held me tightly by the hand.

‎“Young lady stop beating around the bush and answer my questions" She commanded.

‎Letting out a sigh, I looked her straight in the eyes and without a hint of fear in my heart said exactly what I was feeling, “Why mom? Why should I answer those pointless questions of yours?. I don't have to" I said, my voice trembling with rage.

‎"How dare you...?" Mom said, raising her hand to slap me but stopped at the sound of my voice.

‎“No, how dare you mother?” I yelled, rising to my feet. My chest heavy with rage, “I have done everything you wanted. I agreed to this marriage agreement despite hating my supposed husband. You demanded I take part in this stupid mating ritual, and that's what I did. Mother if your eyes are functioning properly you would see his bite is still fresh on my neck. I do everything for you ask but you're never satisfied. So what more do you want mother? should I kill myself for you? Do I not even have the right to express myself mom?"

‎Her face immediately fell, her anger replaced with a puzzled look as her eyes softened.

‎“Porsha why would you ask such? I care for you and everything you do matters to me" She lies, her tone calm and soft.

‎“No, you don't mother” I interrupted, my anger palatable, “You don't care for me, you only care for yourself”

‎

‎“That's not true...” She denied but I wasn't going to let things slide this time. If I was going to die by night fall I intended on expressing myself fully.

‎“But it is,” I put it to her, going head on with her, “Tell me mother when last did you ever do anything for me? Have you ever taken care of me, or attended to me while I was sick, have you ever asked me if I have had something to eat”

‎She opened her mouth to speak but no words fell, instead her eyes just watered and she lowered her head.

‎“That's what I thought. You have no recollection of anything. Mom you have never been there for me, at least not when I needed you, so I beg you do not interfere in my personal life now that I don't need you” I said acrimoniously, my voice floating in the air with unease.

‎“But my dear, I'm sorry....” She tried speaking but I cut in once more.

‎“It's a bit too late for that now mom. So I humbly beseech you to leave my room” I said with a straight face, as a dull ache rose in my already heavy chest.

‎“Porsha please...” She voiced at the brink of tears but I interrupted, the last thing I wanted was a heart to heart discussion, while my heart still bled.

‎“Mom please leave” I beseeched her, turning my back at her. My eyes begining to well up with tears.

‎“I will leave, but just know that I do care for you” She said in-between sobs, before striding out, and then came the sound of the door slamming.

‎I fell to my bed, my tears flowing out of me like a broken damn as I clenched onto my hurting chest. Gosh! I didn't expect talking to my mom could hurt this much. I always imagined it was going to be a heart warming reunion with hugs and laughter but all I felt was pain and heartache.

‎I cried and cried on till there were no more tears to shed. I pulled myself together, dusted off myself and made my way to my mirror to apply some makeup.

‎I refused to let Leviathan see me defeated, instead I would give him the best version of myself.

‎Just then I hear a knock at my door.

‎“Who is it?" I asked, plagued by curiosity.

‎“David your majesty. You have a visitor from Ember nest" He informed and my heart skipped a bit.

‎I wasn't expecting Leviathan's guest this early, the wedding was still a couple of hours away.

‎“Send them away David. I don't want to see anybody,” I commanded, my decision influenced by anger, the last thing I wanted was another confrontation.

‎"Sure princess," He said, stayed quiet for a while before speaking again, “I'm sorry my princess but there insist on seeing you. They claim his majesty Emperor Leviathan has sent a gift for you"

‎His words took me aback, was he in anyway undermining my authority because of Leviathan?.

‎

‎My blood boiled with rage, and with trembling limbs I walked to the door, opening it to see the face of the one who chose to defile my orders.

‎“Did you say no to me David?" I asked, my eyes blazing with rage.

‎“No my princess, I wouldn't dare. I was merely informing you of the situation of things” He explained with shaking legs and I praise, it's a good thing he still feared me.

‎“I gave a command you will follow it to the latter. Now kick those people out" I commanded, my voice venomous but just then the voice of a fairly old woman echoed across the hallway.

‎“I am afraid that wouldn't be possible princess" She said, majestically walking toward me in a long red gown, which matched her head scarf and veil.

‎“Greetings future queen of Ember nest” She greeted infront of me with a smile, and a hand gesture.

‎“Greetings gracious servant of Ember nest" I greeted back, with a smile of my own and a bowl.

‎Her lips immediately fell, replaced by a frown, “Servant!” She exclaimed, and I cursed on the inside.

‎“Princess Porsha, are you not aware that she is the woman who raised your future husband. She is the queen mother Matilda of Ember nest...” A huge tall masculine woman dressed in servant outfits said as she walked in.

‎“No need to correct her Velma. Let her say whatever she wishes, after all she is soon going to be the queen of Ember nest and I am nothing but a servant" She said through gritting teeth.

‎“I'm sorry madam. I didn't mean to insult you. I just assumed that was what you were referred to in Ember nest? ” I confessed with a sincere frown, the last thing I wanted was to hurt anyone's feelings.

‎She burst into laughter, more like an abject laugh, “Of course princess I'm nothing but a servant"

‎“You know what princess, I like this talent of yours, downgrading people all the while maintaining the persona of a good person,” She added with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, and my intrigues were immediately plagued, "I can play that game too"

‎“What do you mean?" I doubted, my mind racing with unanswered questions.

‎She just smiled and said,  “You’ll see.”

‎And with that she clapped her hands, increasing my confusion significantly.

‎I watched as a female servant walk in, with a gigantic covered tray, and stood in-between I and Matilda.

‎Matilda smiled at me and in one swift movement unveiled the tray's content.

‎When I saw the dazzling light reflect off the tray, I almost gasped. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, a glittering diamond embellished crown.

‎I tried speaking but my words didn't fall, as I basted in the outer worldly beauty before.

‎“Truly beautiful isn't it princess?" She asked, her eyes radiating with pride and I nod in agreement. Indeed that piece of Jewelry was breathtaking but there was no way I was letting myself be bought over with jewelry.

‎“Of course you like it, it must have resonated with your personality. Glittering on the outside but who knows, it might be cheap as plastic on the inside” She said and I froze.

‎“What is that supposed to mean? Are you trying to insult me?” I doubted, bile rising up in the back of my throat as I gazed on her smiling face.

‎“No, I would never princess. I was merely stating an observation,” She voiced, making my skin crawl.

‎“Anyway, we must be on our way princess. Enjoy your gift, and I hope you wear it for the celebration” She added gesturing for the servant to hand me the tray.

‎“There will be no need for that. I don't want your highness's gift. Return it to him" I commanded, in a cold, calculative tone.

‎

‎“I am sorry to disappoint you, but his highness does not take back anything he gives away” She informed through gritting teeth but her smile remained plastered on her face, “This jewelry is one of it's kind. It was made specifically for you. The jewels on it were gotten from the dangerous Himalayan mountains. I assure you there will never be another like it, cause the adventurers who found these precious stones, eyes were taken out. So even if they wanted more Jews like this once, they wouldn't be able to find their way”

‎I looked up at Matilda, a cold chill running down my entire body as I noticed her remorseless face.

‎She was clearly not sorry for what that monster did to those poor people who did nothing but hustled for an honest living.

‎“Can you hear yourself speak. You and your king are crazy if you think I would accept that blood stained gift" I voiced acrimoniously, my voice trembling with rage.

‎“You will do well to watch your tone princess" She said through gritting teeth.

‎“Or what?" I asked, coming face to face with her, she tried to speak but restrained herself.

‎“That's what I thought. If that's all, get out of my house” I commanded, turning to leave but she grabbed me by the arm. Her hold was tight, that it felt like my bone was about to break.

‎My blood boiled, and I did the most logical thing I could think of, which was to pull my hand away, but I immediately regretted my actions, as my innocent pull resulted in the fall of Matilda.

‎

‎“Queen mother..." Velma exclaimed with shock.

‎Matilda sat on the floor, her eyes widened as she stared up at me in disbelief.

‎“I'm so sorry” I apologized sincerely, rushing to her side, in a bit to help her to her feet but she pushed me away.

‎“Don't you dare touch me” She commanded, with a raised hand before gesturing for the servant, Velma to help her up.

‎“I'm truly sorry” I apologized once more as she was pulled to her feet.

‎“Keep your apologies to yourself. I don't care for them. Princess, I will be sure to deliver your message to his highness" She voiced, her voice trembling with rage as she walked out.

‎The hate in her eyes was evident, in that moment it became clear that I had just made a new enemy. Life in Ember nest just became a lot more harder.

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