The Forbidden Princess

Three Rings.

All hanging from the balcony, near the first stairs leading into our living area. The amount of rings that are shown all have different meanings. This only meant one thing, and one thing only. None of this was going to end well. The last time all three rings were shown was when my sister died, ten years ago. I was only nine at the time, but still remember how it all went down.

Till this day, her body has never been found. I never managed to get my head around it, but had to force myself to let go and move on. Only thing left was the anonymous report that declared she had drowned in a nearby lake, that was an hour away from here.

Ever since she passed, I've been locked up in this hell hole. With limited access to accommodations only around the castle. I was never allowed back into the outer city for anything and eventually lost all touch with my own self. From going to school in the city to being homeschooled in a hollow castle. My parents never moved past it and continued to find ways to push the blame onto me.

"They're waiting for you in the chamber." Our assistant Kenneth came knocking on my door.

Kenneth was the same one who knocked on my door, ten years ago. At the exact time with the same words. I never forgot the feeling of my mind going into a spiral.

I had to wait till he left my door completely, so I could make my way out to the courtyard. When the coast was clear, I walked towards my own secret backroom. I made it to the courtyard and sat near the garden. This was my way of avoiding whatever was about to happen today. My mind was beginning to spiral and my hands were already sweaty. As I try to lay down and get my mind under control, I hear a voice calling for me.

"Paige!"

"Paige, do you hear me?!"

"You know I don't like doing this."

All I heard was echoing noises that bombarded my eardrums. I was able to pick out a big object coming towards me. As it got closer I recognized it more and more.

It was Kenneth.

"Didn't I tell you they're waiting for you, Paige?"

"Yes, I know. I just stumbled here and lost track of time." I replied.

"They have been waiting for almost an hour. Now get up and start heading inside right now." Kenneth walked off.

I quickly got up and brushed off the grass. There was no way I could've been out for a whole hour? I need to pull myself together and get through this.

I walked back towards my secret courtyard entrance, and went up to my room. I started going through my wardrobe. We had strict dress codes implemented for everything, and I mean everything.

I put on my chiffon-bell sleeve sheath gown, that was the lightest pink your eyes could come across. I slipped into my 190 carat diamond-encrusted heels, which is only one of ten in the entire world. And I wore my solid 24k gold necklace that was a vintage piece gifted to me by my grandma.

I made my way down the stairs that led to the first chamber. We had chambers randomly plastered all over the castle, but this chamber was specifically hidden. One wrong move and you could end up lost forever. They were designed to keep any intruders out or keep them from finding anything resourceful. That was one thing I admired about the details of the castle.

I made two steps into the chamber and immediately had all eyes on me. My father, who is Prince Mickael and my mother, Queen Saless. They both scorned at my arrival and looked away. There was my aunt and a few other relatives in the room as well.

"What caused you to be late?" My father asked with a hostile tone.

"I was just-"

"No need for all of the excuses, take a seat." My father interrupted.

I went up to the seat opposite of my parents and next to my aunt. I couldn't read faces to save my life. I was feeling all types of tension from every corner.

"As three rings are laid out over the balcony today, you all should know there is something serious at hand." My father spoke.

I caught my hands starting to sweat again. I pressed them down as I took deep breaths.

"We need you all to be aware that it isn't anything of a passing, but more so of position." My mother stood up.

Position of what? They put three rings out and called us in to tell us about a new position? My mind was close to spiraling again.

"I know this is going as a shock, but I am not doing so well in my condition." My mother continued speaking.

"Mother, what condition?" I broke out.

"Paige. I know this is new to you...but I haven't been doing so well health wise."

What is this about? My mother is one of the healthiest people I know. We went through one of the worst flu seasons a year ago, and she was one of two that made it out unaffected.

"Why wasn't I made aware and what is the illness mother?" I asked.

"No time for any blame, we have a much heavier task at hand." My father chimed in.

What heavier task would be bigger than this? I felt like the lone wolf in the room, and everyone knew more to the story than I did.

"Paige. Please listen carefully, you have to take this seriously." My mother looked directly at me. "With my health being affected long term, I am unaware of the side effects."

"Are you okay, mother?" I was in complete shock.

"It's nothing in terms of death, but I do need to be under rest and care going forward."

That was a relief. I didn't need another loss anytime soon, and was not up for another challenge.

"But this does mean I need to step down from the throne, permanently." My mother spoke.

Step down from the throne? This wasn't like my mother, she's a fighter not a quitter.

"Who-who's taking the throne, mother?" I questioned hesitantly.

My mother and father both looked at eachother, and looked at me sternly.

No.

I'm not taking the throne.

This wasn't for me and never will be.

"Listen to me, Paige. I know it seems like a lot of work, but we will train you through the whole process." My father stood up.

" You won't need to train or go through any proces...

I won't be taking the throne."