Chapter 7: Enough Of The Hatred

"You should wake up now, little princess", Charles said waking his daughter.

"Dad!", Aurora groaned. "I'm tired."

"This is 9 am. You really should wake up."

She had no other choice but to wake since she knew her father wouldn't let her be. "Okay, Dad. I'm up", she said sitting on the bed. "Why aren't you going to work?"

"I'm going. I will just be a little bit late."

"Why?"

"What's today?"

"Oh Gosh. Today is Mum's birthday. Oh My God, how can I forget?", She said jumping out of bed.

Charles chuckled softly. "Go get dressed and let's go."

"Okay. I'll be ready in a jiffy", she said and went to the bathroom.

It was a tradition that whenever it was Sandra's birthday, the two go to the cemetery to greet Sandra and have a little bit of picnic to celebrate.

Charles went out of the room to get the picnic mat and basket ready.

Minutes later, Aurora came running still trying to tie her hair in a bun. "I'm sorry I woke late, Dad. I totally forgot."

"It's okay. I know you needed the sleep and didn't bother to wake you. I already prepared everything. We just have to head out now."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you", she said and hugged her Dad.

"I love you too. Let's go. We'll buy the flowers on the way."

"Okay, Dad", she said and carried the basket to the car with her Dad following behind also carrying the mat.

They bought Sandra's favorite flower, the chrysanthemum and got to the cemetery in no time. They got to her grave and spread the mat before sitting and displaying the contents in the basket.

"Happy birthday, Mum", Aurora said smiling. 

"It's crazy, right?", Charles asked.

"What?"

"How we still celebrate her birthday like she is still here."

"Yeah. It's crazy but I like it."

"Me too."

They ate their food while still talking and Aurora's phone rang. She picked it and checked the caller ID and it was Charlotte.

"Hey Char", she greeted.

"Hey, babe. Will you be around later in the day?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Didn't you promise to bake me cookies and teach me archery."

"Ohh", she face palmed herself. "I totally forgot. I'll be home in 2 hours."

"Okay, babe. I'll see you."

"Okay", she said and cut the call.

"She's coming over?", Charles asked.

"Yes. I promised to teach her archery and bake her some cookies."

"Okay. When we leave here, we'll go home."

"Okay, Dad", she said and continued eating.

"Hope you didn't forget Bianca and her son are coming tomorrow."

She choked on water as Charles hit her gently at her back. "It's tomorrow?"

"Yes. Tomorrow is Sunday."

"Why am I forgetting things?"

He smiled. "You don't have to worry. You'll be fine."

"I don't know how I will speak to her. I'm nervous, Dad."

"Just speak to her like you do speak to me. Just imagine you are talking to me or Charlotte."

"It's going to be hard, Dad. You know I don't know how to start a conversation with someone I'm not familiar with."

"Calm down, princess. Don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

She sighed and continued eating. She still couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow. She wants to make a good impression when she meets Bianca. At that moment, she wished she was more social to people other than her Dad, Charlotte and Jerry.

"Aurora", her father called snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Dad."

"It's time to go. I have a meeting in 2 hours."

"Okay, Dad", she said and stood up to pack.

"When last did you practice archery?"

"2 days ago."

"I don't even know how good you are. When I get home later in the day, you'll show me."

"Okay, Dad", she said and they made their way to the car.

They got home in no time and Aurora made her way inside while her father went to work. She picked up a book and decided to learn a bit before Charlotte came over. One thing about Aurora was that she was always reading. The way she reads, you'll think she has an exam coming up but there was none. Since she wasn't social, she tends to bury herself in her book all day. Most of her classmates sees is as a disease but Aurora doesn't care. She loves learning and she does learn new things on daily basis.

Also, despite the fact that Aurora's father is rich, they didn't employ any maid to take care of the house as big as it is. Aurora preferred it that way and Charles doesn't want anyone to make his child uncomfortable. He knows that being around people tend to make her nervous and he doesn't want that. Since Sandra's death, Aurora has been everything to him and he was going to do everything to make his little princess happy even if it means giving up his life in the process. Yes. That was how much he cherished her. And that was why he made sure she doesn't have to depend on anyone to save herself. He knew that as Aurora is, no one can dares to bully her or the person will be six feets down before he can even get a chance to hurt her and he likes it that way. She was intimidating but he was happy she is not vulnerable.

Aurora heard the door bell ring and went to open it already knowing it was her bestfriend and sister.

"Hello, Sis", Charlotte greeted as the door was opened and hugged Aurora.

"Hello to you too, sis", Aurora said hugging her back. "I missed you."

Charlotte pulled back and smiled at her friend. "Just how many days and you are missing me. I already know you can't do without me."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Charlotte sat on the couch and laughed. "See, you agree. You know you love me."

"I hate you. And get up from my precious book", Aurora said pulling Charlotte from the book she was sitting on.

Charlotte took the book and checked the title. "History of The Great Africa And Africans. Seriously?"

"What?"

"Can you not do without reading a day?", Charlotte said raising an eyebrow.

"Can you not do without breathing a day?"

"So, to you, reading is like breathing?"

"Certainly."

Charlotte groaned. "So boring."

"Well, I like being boring", she replied and shrugged.

"Whatever. Come teach me a little bit of archery and then we bake later. I intend on hanging out with you throughout the day. I'm tired of Aunt Britt's nagging all the time. She is starting to piss me off."

Aunt Britt was Charlotte's Dad's younger sister who was always visiting Charlotte and her father once in a while since Charlotte's parent's divorced and her mother left.

"Piss you off?"

"Yes. Since she came last week, all she does is nag and complain about every single thing I do."

"What exactly has she been complaining about? Because your Aunt doesn't just complain anyhow. So, what have you done this time?"

Charlotte raised an eyebrow at her. "Whose side are you on?"

"No one's. It's just something I know. Your Aunt just doesn't complain unnecessary. You certainly have done something to make her."

"I did nothing. She keeps on telling me to cook when she knows I don't know how. Then she shouts and say my Dad is spoiling me."

Aurora stood and crossed her hands.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. But to be candid, she is right. You really need to learn how to cook."

"Seriously? You, too."

Aurora nodded. "I'm willing to teach you IF you want to learn."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow at her. "I'll think about it but now it's time to learn archery."

Aurora shrugged. "If you insist, then. I'll be back with the bows and arrows."

"Okay."

Aurora went to the training room and picked up the wooden bow, some wooden arrows and some carbon and aluminum arrows.

"These arrows are sharp", Charlotte said.

"Yes. You're gonna train with these smaller carbon arrows first", she said giving her some arrows.

"Aye aye, captain."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Let's just go. Crazy female."

"But you love me like that."

"Who told you that?"

"No one has to tell me. I can tell."

Aurora chuckled. "You talk too much."

"At least I make you talk. That's all that matters."

Charlotte was always happy that Aurora was talking. Every other person sees the snobbish Aurora but she gets to see the carefree, kind, talkative, strong and great Aurora and she considers herself lucky.

They got outside and Aurora placed the arrows in the holder and gave Charlotte a bow while she held the second one. 

"One thing about archery is that you need to calm your nerves. Relax your muscles."

"Okay. Relax your muscles", Charlotte repeated.

"You need to also have a sharp sight."

"Okay. Sharp sight", Charlotte repeated.

"Can you not...do that?"

"What?", Charlotte asked smiling. She knew she was pissing Aurora off by repeated the words but she likes doing that a lot.

"Repeating the words. It makes me forget what I want to say next."

Charlotte laughed. "Sorry."

Aurora took an arrow and placed it in her bow. "You place your arrow carefully like this. Make sure not to get your fingers in the way or you'll hurt yourself. Open your fingers and let the tip of the arrow be in between your index finger and middle finger. Try it."

Charlotte picked up a small arrow and did as Aurora instructed. Aurora moved closed to her and adjusted her finger a bit. "It's nice that way. Then you draw back the arrow and bring it close to your nose level. Make sure you relax your muscles and spread your legs a bit. You also don't face the target. You face the side and tilt you head in the direction of the target. Focus your eyes on the target and draw your arrow back. Then... release." She released the arrow and it struck the target hitting the bull's eye.

Charlotte dropped her bow and clapped. "Woah! That was amazing. I really want to shoot like that."

"You will. Practice makes perfect. Archery is almost like shooting too."

"Can you shoot?"

"Of course."

"I've never seen you shoot before."

"It's not like I would go around carrying a gun. Dad and I do go to the shooting range."

"That's nice. My turn."

"Yeah."

Charlotte stood and shoot her arrow. It hit the target on the outer red.

"Woah! Look at that. Did I try?"

"You really tried for starters. At least you hit the target. I give you 2 over 10."

"What? Is that even a mark?"

"Be happy I didn't give you 0.5."

"Really? You are mean."

"If I'm not mean then you wouldn't know it. Continue shooting until you shoot at the blue circle."

"Okay. Let's get to work."

¶*¶*¶

"It was annoying! I have never seen him like that before", Lady Sophie complained to Jacob in her room.

"Maybe he also doesn't want to get married to you."

"But he has never been like this. Never. I've known Zue since when we were kids and have never seen him like this."

"Then talk to him. He is your friend. You are his friend. You should see what's wrong with him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You even need to tell him you don't want this marriage instead of wanting him to hate you. That's a very bad idea. The both of you are friends and I think it's good for friends to sit and talk when they are having problems not to come up with stupid plans."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "You think the plan is stupid."

"Sorry to say but yes. It is."

She says sighed. 

"I'm sorry if you don't like the way I said it but it-"

"It's okay", she cut him off. "It really was a stupid idea. I should have talked to him in the first place. You are right."

"I am always right", he said smiling.

"You really wish. I'll talk to him first thing tomorrow morning."

It's been some days since Lady Sophie arrived at the palace and it hasn't really been nice. Zuerien was working on making her hate him and she was doing the same. And the funniest part was that, the both of them were getting angry at the other's attitude. 

¶*¶*¶

"I'm seriously tired of all this", Zuerien said sitting on the couch opposite his Mother and Marco.

"What?", Queen Anne asked.

"This hating stuff. I'm tired."

"What do you intend doing, then?"

"I don't know but I can't continue."

She sighed. "If that's what you want to do. I agree."

"I think you should just talk to her", Marco said contributing to their discussion which was unsual. Marco was known to not speak much but if he eventually does, the word or sentence will be perfect.

"I should tell her that I don't want this marriage?", Prince Zuerien asked. 

He nodded.

"You think it's a great idea?" 

He nodded again.

"I'm doing that, then. First thing tomorrow morning. I honestly don't want her to hate me."

"Okay", The Queen said and turned to Marco. "How is the headache, now?"

"Fine, Mother."

Since Queen Anne was the one that took care of Marco since he was a boy, he calls her Mother and she treats him like a son. When he was younger, he always thought he was her real son. He always thought she had him before she got married to the King because he was sure the King was not his father because of the way he was always behaving to him. He only found out one day when the King and Queen were having an argument because of him and the King said, "I don't know why you are sticking up for this kid like he is yours. Anne, you are talking to me like that because of this kid without parents?"

He felt bad when he found out and cried a lot but as usual Queen Anne was there to calm him. He couldn't forget her words. "I don't care what anyone thinks. You are my son. And I'm going to treat you like one and make you happy. I may not know your parents but I know they would be happy you are mine."

He still feels happy anytime he remembers her words and since then he has learnt to shut out King Edward anytime he was making any bad comment about him. Since, Queen Anne was always there for him and Zuerien and Leah treats him like a brother, he is okay. He doesn't care what King Edward or any member of the court feels.

"You should go to bed now. You need to rest", Queen Anne said again snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Okay, Mother", he said and hugged her while she kissed him gently on his head. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, darling. Don't let the bed bugs bite."

He smiled and pat Zuerien slightly on his back. "Goodnight, kid."

"Hey, I'm not a kid."

Marco just smiled without saying anything and went to his room.

"Goodnight, Mother", he said and hugged her.

"Goodnight, son. Sweet dreams", she said and kissed his head.

Queen Anne watched as he went to his room and smiled. She was happy her sons are growing up so fast.

"Mother?", She heard and turned her head to see Princess Leah at the door in her night gown.

"What is it, baby? Come."

Princess Leah walked to her Mother still rubbing her eyes. Her mother pulled her close and sat her on her laps.

"What's wrong, princess?"

"I had a scary nightmare."

"What was the nightmare about?"

"I was drowning deep in the water and was scared but a lady pulled me out and saved me."

"It's okay, darling. Don't be scared. You are safe. Come, let's get you back to bed."

"Okay, Mother", she said and Queen Anne led her to her room to tuck her in.

¶*¶*¶

Prince Zuerien woke up feeling nervous because he has to tell Lady Sophie everything. He doesn't want her to hate him. He wants them to continue being friends like they've always been. He didn't even know how they formed their friendship but it started when Lady Sophie's late mother, Duchess Alexis do come to the palace. Duchess Alexis and Queen Anne were friends. So, when she came to the palace, she brought Lady Sophie along and they would play alongside Marco. Even though Marco doesn't play long with them, the three of them were friends. And since the boys don't go out of the palace and doesn't have friends, Sophie was thier only friend.

And now, he wouldn't want to throw away that friendship. He just have to let her know.

'But what if she wants to marry you?', His inner voice asked but he doesn't want to think about that now. He just hopes she doesn't want to marry him. He doesn't want to be stuck for life. He believes he would find his true love one day. He even doesn't know why his father wants him to get married now. He is still 20 and young. He doesn't want to get married now but his father wants him to.

 He knows some maids in the palace doesn't think he is fit to be King because he doesn't even stand up for himself against his Father. The court also thinks his Mother does nothing but hide him under her skirts but he doesn't see it that way. He was not the one to argue because arguing too much gives him headache. So, all he does is accept the situation like that. And his Mother doesn't hide him in her skirts. She just made sure he was free and could tell her anything and she was always there for him. She has solutions to all problems and help her children out and he would forever love her for it.

His Father is just being too difficult. He doesn't want anyone questioning his order. He wants his words to be final and nothing more. Zuerien just hates that attitude and wishes his mother wasn't stuck with a man like him or him being stuck with that kind of Father. But he has no choice. It's his destiny and his mother always say that destiny cannot be changed.

He wished to marry someone who would love him unconditionally and he would love her too. He wants a strong Lady who would be the mother of his kids and love them dearly just like his mother loves him. He wants an exceptional Queen to rule the Kingdom alongside him that the people would love. He wants a normal girl that loves him because he is him not because he is a prince. He wants someone who isn't perfect but would complete him. 

"What is it that is making you smile this hard?", Marco stepped in snapping Zuerien out of his thoughts.

"Oh God! You really need to make sound when walking. You scared me", Prince Zuerien said obviously startled.

Marco raised his hand in surrender and sat on the couch.

"Do you believe in true love?", Zuerien asked.

Marco shrugged. "True love exits."

"Do you want to someday have a lady you love?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"You don't behave like it."

"Why?"

"You'll even probably chase her off with your silence."

Marco shrugged and laid on the bed. "You don't know one thing, kid brother. When someone loves you, the person would not see your mistake. Never. That's unconditional love."

"Woah! We have a love expert here. I know behind those harsh eyes you have a tender heart. And whoever she is going to be, she's lucky."

Marco smiled without saying a word. 

"I have to get ready now. I told Sophie to meet me later. We are going to the park."

"Okay. Good luck."

¶*¶*¶

Lady Sophie stood in her room also getting ready to meet with Prince Zuerien. She wasn't happy with the way things are between them since she arrived and she wants that to change. Jacob, Zuerien and Marco are her only friends and she doesn't want to lose any more important person in her life.

She looked at her necklace and remembered her Mum. Her Mum passed away 5 years ago when she was 14 and it was a really big blow to them. Months after her mother passed, she was depressed and didn't speak to anyone. Her Father was also shattered. He couldn't attend court meetings and was always in the room looking at her pictures. 

Her parents love was sweet and she always wished for something like that. He loved her Mother and he made it known. She was always happy to see her parents together but became sad when her mother died. Her mother died of poison but no one has no idea who poisoned her. Her father was angry and fired all the maids in the Duchy but till date no one knows who poisoned her mother and why.

She made a promise to find the person but she still hasn't fulfilled it. She felt like a failure because the person that poisoned her mother was still walking free on Earth and she was here crying and wallowing in sadness.

She blinked the tears away and focused on what she was about to do. She doesn't want this marriage. Her father thinks she is still young and doesn't know what she wants. But it's a lie. She is 19 and knows exactly what she wants. She wants to be with Jacob. Jacob was the one that made her happy again. Since her mother died, she tuned the whole world out and find solace in sitting alone doing nothing. When Jacob was appointed as her bodyguard, she didn't like him. Firstly, he was young and just 3 years older than her and he doesn't seem to leave her alone. He was always trying to make a conversation or another just to make her talk. She hated it. She told her Aunt to take Jacob back to wherever she brought him from but Aunt Louise disagreed. She cried a lot that day and thought about her Mother again.

Unlike her Mother, Aunt Louise was always never giving her a choice. At times, she hates her Aunt a lot because her Aunt was always forcing her to do what she doesn't want. She decided to leave Jacob alone but he just wouldn't leave her alone. With time, she started liking him as a friend. He didn't let her dwell in sadness. He always does things her mother does with her when she was alive. They go to the park, pillow fight and do all sorts of things. He was just perfect and she likes him a lot.

She first liked him as a friend but later she fell in love with him. She first had sex with him when she was sixteen and it felt right for the both of them. She was his first everything. First love, first kiss and she was happy he was the one that took her virginity. No one in the Duchy knows what is going on and they like to keep it that way. She intends on telling her Father but she was scared. She wasn't scared of her Father because she knows he would do everything to make her happy. He loves her a lot but she was scared of her Aunt. She knows Aunt Louise wouldn't accept it but she doesn't care. The reason she is being forced to get married to Prince Zuerien is because of Aunt Louise. 

She couldn't be blame for hating her Aunt that much because her Aunt is just a devil in her life. Just thinking about her Aunt makes her angry and she shook the thought away. She picked up a bracelet and smiled while putting it on. It was a gift from Jacob which he gave her on her 18th birthday. It was not a big deal but she cherished it. The bracelet and her Mother's chain which was on her neck were her most priced possession and she would always nurture it.

She dressed and fix her hair and makeup getting ready to go out with Zuerien and get this over with. 

It's now or never.