Chapter 6 Wanda's Ought

• AURETTE EVIGHEDEN ROOSEVELT
• “Run, Aurette! Run! Save yourself!”
• “No! I won’t leave you here!”
• “Just run! Don’t ever look back! Get help; I’ll wait for you!”
• “Hurry! Chase the princess! Kill the ones with royal blood!”
• “I love you so much, Aurette! Tell our brother, Mom, and Dad that I love them too! Run!”
• I jolted upright from my bed, my heart pounding wildly. Sweat dripped from my forehead even though it wasn’t warm in my room. I shut my eyes tightly and wiped my face with my palm. I bit my lower lip to stop the tears from flowing.
• That dream again…
• Fifteen years had already passed since it happened, but I still couldn’t forget. The dreams that kept coming back reminded me that none of it would have happened if not for me.
• “I miss you, Aldwus. I’m sorry if I failed to protect you. I hope you can forgive me,” I whispered while holding my trembling hands.
• My gaze turned to the open window of my room. The light outside was bright and pleasant, but the heaviness I felt was the exact opposite. My chest felt tight, as though I were slowly being trapped in a golden cage. Tonight was the event my mother and father had long awaited—the alliance that would grant them more power and instill greater fear in their enemies.
• “Think about my offer, Princess. You’re not the only one who benefits if this concubinage doesn’t push through—I do too. I won’t have to watch my mother and sister get hurt anymore. Think about your future too.”
• I took a deep breath. I probably didn’t fall asleep until morning because of everything running through my mind, especially Prince Maedric’s offer last night. His offer was tempting, but I still had to think things through, especially the possible consequences if I went along with his plan.
• My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door. Wanda’s voice followed.
• “Your Highness, are you awake? May I come in?” Wanda asked softly yet respectfully.
• “Yes. You may come in. It’s unlocked,” I responded and climbed out of bed.
• I was wearing a simple white chemise dress. It was loose and extended beyond my knees. Its sleeves were long and flowy, with ruffle detail at the cuffs. The fabric used was likely lightweight cotton found only in the Kingdom of Ezanao.
• My long, natural ginger hair seemed to glow as the light from outside reflected against it.
• Wanda entered with a smile, pulling a garment rack with several dresses hanging from it—options I could choose from to wear for the royal banquet tonight.
• “Good morning, Your Highness. Are you excited for the big gathering later?” my maid asked while facing away, tending to the dresses.
• I sat heavily at the edge of my bed as I watched her inspect the fine garments. She must’ve noticed my silence, because she turned toward me, though she still avoided my gaze.
• “My apologies in advance, Your Highness. I know that you're aware that I overheard the conversation between you and the King and Queen yesterday—I may not have understood it fully because of your deep vocabulary, but the idea that came to mind was that you were against becoming King Korigo’s concubine. Is that right?” Wanda asked cautiously.
• I chuckled and nodded. “We’ve been together for so long, Wanda. You really do know me well. I’m so lucky to have you. Thank you so much.”
• I didn’t know why I was saying this to Wanda. I just wanted to thank her. She never judged me during the times I looked down on myself because of the cruel words coming from my own parents. She lightened the burden in my heart, which helped me avoid losing my sanity.
• Wanda’s mother was my former maid. Her name was Lourdes, and she took care of me from when I was a baby. But due to a severe illness, she had to leave her job at the palace and stay in their home in Rountis—one of the three towns in Ruilux inhabited mostly by commoners.
• Lordes always told me stories about her daughter Wanda, so I was overjoyed when she took her mother’s place. I thought we would become close, but the Queen grew even stricter and said I could not befriend commoners because I was a princess with royal blood.
• The Queen also warned me that Wanda would be punished if we ever tried to be friends.
• “It’s nothing, Your Highness. It’s my job—and my mother told me to take good care of you,” she said with a smile. “But I don’t mean to meddle, Princess Aurette. As you said, we’ve known each other a long time—I’m just worried about what might happen to you if you attend the gathering tonight. If this goes through, doesn’t that mean you’ll be leaving the Ruilux Kingdom and living in the Vulon Kingdom?”
• I nodded. “That’s right, Wanda. And that also means you won’t be able to come with me since you’re a citizen of Ruilux.”
• Wanda fell silent at my words, but soon she spoke again, “Have you fully decided to go through with this, Your Highness? I know how much you love your kingdom, even if not all of its people know who you are. Why… why don’t you try to escape instead?”
• I gasped at Wanda’s last words. For the first time, as she spoke those words, she looked straight into my eyes. I could clearly see the worry clouding her chocolate-colored eyes—just like Lorde’s.
• “Wanda…” I muttered.
• She closed her eyes tightly before opening them again and slowly approached me. She continued to look directly into my eyes. Once she reached where I was sitting, she smiled and gently held my hand.
• “I’ve seen how much you’ve been hurt by your parents’ decisions. You’ve never had the chance to make choices for yourself because you always think of them. But this time, you need to think about yourself, Princess. I’m willing to help and support you if you choose yourself—because I know if Mother Lordes were here, she would do the same,” she said seriously, holding my hand tightly.
• I didn’t realize tears had already started falling from my eyes. I didn’t expect her to say those words to me today. I didn’t expect her concern to be genuine and not just out of duty.
• I bit my lower lip and nodded repeatedly. “Thank you so much, Wanda,” I said, quickly embracing her.