I had fallen asleep by the door last night and I woke up on the cold floor. The windows had been left open and cold wind silently swept in from them. My feet had gone completely numb and my legs were aching badly because I still had my heels on and I was still fully dressed as I'd been since yesterday. I stood up too quickly, causing my head to throb and my feet to stagger. The throbbing sensation continued and I felt very dizzy, my throat was also sore and my eyes were swollen from crying all night long. I made my way to my bed, removing each piece of clothing as I walked by. Not long after, I heard a knock on my door. I didn't care who it was, I just needed to sleep; comfortably and warm too. The knock came again, louder than the first one and this time, whoever it was had succeeded in making me upset.
"What?!" I yelled, not making any attempt to open the door.
"Elise…" Father's voice came from behind the door.
"Oh! Your majesty!" I threw the bedclothes off and sprinted toward the door, almost injuring myself. I had no idea it was morning already.
"Oh dear, did you fight dragons in your sleep?" He asked with shock printed on his face.
"No" I chuckled.
"You're lucky it wasn't your mother who came to fetch you."
"Do I really look that awful, dad?"
"I mean…your majesty" I hung my head low. Father didn't have any fans to hit me with so I was lucky.
"Don't be so formal with me child, I am a king to my people and a father to my child." Father said, patting my head.
"Now, go get ready before your mother arrives."
"Do you think she would've treated me differently if I were a boy?" I asked.
"Who?" He replied, as if pretending he didn't understand.
"Mother. Do you think she would've loved me more as a boy?"
"Child, stop talking nonsense." My father began to say. He slowly made his way into my room, taking my hand in his.
"Sit down, child." He squeezed my hand gently and smiled at me.
"Your mother would most certainly be as hard as she is on you now even as a boy."
"She's such a perfectionist. Even I am not free from her harsh scolding" He laughed.
"She's so scary…I've never had a heart-to-heart with her like I do with you." I grumbled
"She is scary, yes. But she's also a very smart and strong woman who just wants the best for her only daughter." Father said, stroking my hair.
"Give her some time, she will eventually soften up. I promise"
"Thank you, father." I hugged him. It was reassuring to know that he was someone I could trust and tell anything.
"Now, go get ready before your mother comes." He said, making his way toward the door.
"Elise?" He called.
I turned around and he smiled a very big smile.
"You'll make a fine ruler someday." And with that, he left.
I went over to my dressing table and looked into the mirror to see if I really looked as awful as Father had mentioned; it was worse! My hair was up in all directions, I had smudged makeup all over my face when I 'thought' I had wiped it off perfectly, one shoe was still strapped on and I didn't notice until now, and my dress was in pieces—apparently I had torn it while undressing. No wonder Mother was always upset with me. Father, on the other hand was a different case. Soon enough, my ladies-in-waiting arrived and they too were taken aback by the scenery on the floor. They curtsied and immediately began to clean up, preparing me for the day's work.
After a thorough cleanup, I went to join my parents for breakfast. I was feeling a little nervous to sit and eat especially after what had happened the previous day. I began to practice how I'd apologize to both Mother and Father for my mistakes, mostly to my mother. I got distracted and stepped on my dress, causing me to slip and hit my head on the dining hall's door. What a grand entrance, Elise, I thought to myself. The doors opened and I hurriedly made my way through them, head high with a bump that hurt, my back straightened and my feet still sore. I got to Mother's side and curtsied, then I did the same at Father's side before sitting to eat. I raised my hand to signal the butler and then helped myself to some water before the food arrived. With the staff distracted, I thought it would be a good idea to apologize to my parents like I had practiced.
"Mother, Father…" I began.
The clicking sounds of plates stopped. Mother put down her cutlery and wiped her mouth. Father gulped down his glass of wine and silently put away his dish. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth too. I looked over at Mother who still wore her usual look, her hands folded perfectly.
"Elise, I believe you have a reason for drawing our attention?" Mother asked.
"Well, yes. I wanted to sincerely apologize for my actions at the meeting yesterday. I completely disgraced you, Father and myself. I promise to be a better princess and do my best to become this kingdom's next ruler." I affirmed.
"I too have an apology to tender."
"Mother?"
"I'm sorry I humiliated you in the presence of the governors yesterday. Was rather harsh." She said and continued her meal.
I froze in disbelief. Mother apologized to me! I wasn't sure if she had meant it or not since she looked very indifferent like she always did. Then, it dawned on me that this was the first time Mother was rendering an apology. Why? Did Father threaten her to do it? Had my mother been cloned? Did the governors express concern after yesterday's meeting?
I had so many questions but no clue how to answer them. I looked down at my shoes and smiled. Maybe Mother was starting to soften up like father said, I thought.
The butler finally came with my food and I began to eat. The atmosphere was calm and the clicking sound of plates and cutlery filled the room. Everything was going smoothly— all three of us eating breakfast together like a normal, happy family, laughing and smiling when I suddenly blurted out-
"Where is Kunga? I searched for it on the map but I can't find anything that looks like this place."
Mother suddenly stopped eating and Father had choked on his food. I watched her serve him some water to help him stop choking. But, she still had that indifferent look on her face. Then almost immediately, she looked at me with anger. I had given away the fact that I'd visited her room and gone through her books. Whatever this Kunga place was, my parents knew about it and they were keeping it a secret from me. The reason? I was about to find out.
"If the maps were of no help to you, I don't think we are as well." Mother quipped.
"Elaine…she's come of age to know." Father said. He was still coughing.
"She can hardly give accurate reports at the council meetings, what makes you think she's any fit to understand the kingdom's history?"
"Elaine…"
"Whenever you show some more determination and seriousness about being an heiress, then I will tell you."
"If you'll excuse me, I lost my appetite." She said and left Father and I in the dining hall.
"Father, I…"
"Come child, don't blame yourself." Father cut me off
"I was only trying to get better at taking responsibility like she asked."
"I too should've told you about our history. It makes sense that you're going to rule someday. What kind of ruler is oblivious of their heritage and history?" Father signaled the butler begin clearing out the dining table, then he turned to me and said-
"Kunga still exists, Elise…"