Page 69 of Lost Starlight
“Father, Mother, I am indeed very grateful for the roof over my head, clothes on my back, and the food you and father provided for me. Father, your silence in my life to your wife's actions toward me and your other children did us all a disservice. We needed you, and you were silent.”
Father frowned as if he did not understand.
I moved to look at my mother. “And mother, I have always looked up to you, and I did what you asked of me, and I tried so hard to be who you wanted me to be. However, while I appreciate some of the life I had with you, I will no longer let you make me feelless than. Your words have stung deep. Your manipulations and abuses will no longer stand. If you do not change your harsh language, insults, and assaults toward me, I am afraid that Peter and I cannot allow you to spend time at the castle.” My heart felt as if it were about to explode from my chest. The quick rise and fall of my chest must have been noticeable, even from across the ballroom.
Peter placed a hand on my back.
“That was magnificent,” he whispered.
My mother’s mouth was opening and closing as if she did not know what to say. When she finally spoke, it was not as composed as she prided herself on being in the presence of company.
“Manipulated–abused!” she nearly shouted.
“I do not say this to hurt you, Mother–only to inform you and set new boundaries for our relationship. I will be the one setting those boundaries from this point on.”
“Well, I never–”
“Excuse us, we will give you some time to process what the princess has said, but I have this next dance with her,” Peter said with a smile, and somehow, I was then away from my parents and in his arms, spinning around.
“You did it, Gwen.”
“I cannot believe it,” I said. Saying I was shocked with my candor was an understatement.
“I can. Now, you can free your mind from her, and we can enjoy this ball. My, you are an incredibly fine dancer,” he leaned in, whispering in my ear “No wonder you are a marvelous kisser.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, it's intoxicating,” Peter said with a wicked grin.
I giggled as he spun me. For the first time, I took a look around the ballroom. Although it had been put together with short notice, there were some royals from other kingdoms in attendance.
“King Wesley and Queen Gabriella of Solalune just arrived,” Peter said as I watched a stunning nearly white haired beauty on the arm of a dark-haired man enter the ballroom. “Oh, and King Liam and Queen Elisianna,” he went on.
I saw a blond haired woman in the arms of a darker haired man, dressed in the golden red of Embra. “I heard she is with child,” Peter added.
“That is the princess who won the Princess Tourney at Embra?” I asked.
“Yes, she used to be the frail Princess of Arcadia.”
I had heard of her, her curse was, perhaps, the one best known.
“Who arethey?” I asked, looking toward a black-haired man with scruff on his chin and next to him, a woman with a fair complexion and black-blue hair, wearing red.
“I think they are Torren royals.”
“Far more royals than I thought there would be,” I said looking back at Peter.
“Yes, and yet truly you are the only royalty here that matters.”
“I will never be queen. I am far less important,” I said, touching the silver embroidery on Peter's coat.
“Who said that?” Peter answered, feigning surprise.
“Stop it, Peter–”
“You aremyqueen–” he added.
“You two are dazzling,” Meria said, suddenly, from beside us while in the arms of Prince Dominick.
