ORNELLA
Sitting in the throne room was the last thing I wanted to do. Especially after Kathlyn summoned a handful of guards to break
down my door, and demanded I tell her why I barricaded myself in. I didn’t tell her the true reason why, only that I wanted
sometime to myself. But alas, a princess isn’t allowed. That was her response, as she quickly got me prepared for the
morning.
It was the day of the month when we opened up the gates and allowed villagers and locals to come into the castle to state
their pleas and give thanks or offerings to the family. Usually today was set up a week or so before the Festival of Light, but
Mother explained it had been brought forward early so that the room could be prepared for Norok’s wedding.
As I listened to every single person drone on and on, each member of our household sat looking pretty and elegant on our
thrones, while those who came in were in need of new shoes or a good meal.
It made me feel awful. Towering over them and giving them the impression that I was better than them. No—I was just
lucky to have been born into a family with privilege.
Talia sat next to me, and I swore I saw her nod off for a second. If it wasn’t for me tapping her quickly on the arm, she
would have fallen head first off her seat. She gave me the side eye as she realised what I just did. She yawned covering her
mouth, and gave her body a little shake.
Norok looked bored and despite these people beinghisfuture people, as they were bestowing gifts on him for his wedding,
he could barely utter a thank you.
“Father,” I spoke suddenly, as the last person left, and another was being brought in. “Perhaps we could do something
exciting for our people during this time of celebration.”
“They are already getting the festival and Norok’s wedding, Ornella. They don’t really need any more,” Mother interrupted
before Father had a chance to answer.
“Yes, I understand that, but as Lady Gelda’s family are from a long line of knights, I was thinking perhaps we could do a
jousting tournament and the entire court could be invited.”
The idea came to me after I was trying to think of reasons to get Lord Cole back here— one that didn’t seem like I was
interested in seeking him out. Norok seemed to straighten up as I spoke about the idea, almost as if he was intrigued by my
idea.
“I don’t know, Ornella. That would take a lot of organising, and we are only a week away from the festivities,” Father said
as he waved the next person down.
“What if I organise it? Talia can help. It would give her a chance to learn how to organise something. Actually, it would
give us both the chance as one day we will run our own households and be in charge of such events.”