Knocking on the door, I was greeted by one of her lady’s maids, who quickly shut it and then moments later returned,
allowing me entry.
Mother’s rooms were always decorated in the most delicate colours. Pale pinks, duck-egg blues, and warm yellows were
either on the walls or part of the furniture. I always loved coming here as a child, as it reminded me of something right out of a
storybook.
“Your father is incredibly frustrating! Going on and on about the Goddess, appease the Goddess, when he should want to
celebrate his heir's marriage!” Mother shouted, waving her hand as I entered the room, before covering her face with the same
hand and groaning out of frustration.
She was sitting with both her legs tucked underneath her as she leaned a little over the back of the sofa. The normal pose
she did when she was stressed out or panicking.
“You wouldn’t have him any other way though, Mother,” I said, taking a seat opposite her.
Her ladymaids both sat next to her. One of them was rubbing her back, and the other was holding her other hand gently. It
did annoy me how much they pandered to my mother’s tantrums. Talia would be like this as well, clearly learning by example.
Whereas Norok and I would lose our tempers, shout and throw things just like Father. Only I would end up crying in the end
and regret every second of it. As Princess Ornella, I would always need to be composed, or at least attempt to be.
“Ornella, my dear sweet girl, we must have the wedding during the festival. It will make so many of our people happy.
They will be able to attend the wedding as well as celebrate our Goddess,” she spoke, swallowing a sob, which I believed to
be a little fake.
“Father’s word is final, and I don’t see him changing it anytime soon.”
Mother removed her hand and looked at me dead in the eye as she realised my words. Father would never agree to
something with Dorian around. As much as it was my father’s crown, Dorian enjoyed whispering in his ear and pushing things
in his own direction. We all knew it happened, and none of us were able to stop it.
“Mother, perhaps when Uncle Dorian isn’t next to Father, you can speak with him then. I’m sure he will be much more
agreeable.”
I was grateful Norok stayed away from Dorian, making up his own mind, following Father's gentleness, but Mother's
charisma and cunningness. Quite frankly, I didn’t believe Dorian did anything with my father in mind. I found him once sitting
on the throne, and he quickly made an excuse of cleaning off dust from the stonework.
I never mentioned it to my father, but I always knew deep down that Dorian stayed close to him as he lusted for power—for
favour.
“You’re right. I shall speak to him when he comes to bed tonight and we can discuss everything then. This is for the good of