Chapter 1
The shadow princess
I woke up as the sun rise,woken by Marie,my maid,like any other day,I get up,take a bath,get dressed,and sit still as Marie and the other maids brush my hair, today is just like the other days, nothing really change,I take a glance outside,the weather is so nice and warm,but what for,it not like I can step outside,as I am deep into my empty thoughts,I hear a knock on the door, before I even say anything,the butler just walk right in "princess,his highness is expecting you in his office",my body froze,father? Why would he want me there at this early of morning? I didn't do anything,not this time,so why,as I quietly panic,I can feel their eyes on me,some judging,some empathy,tsk,I can't stand their looks,their eyes on me "I'll be there in a moment..." I said quietly as I stood up and follow him to the office,the halls are quiet and cold,no one dares to make a sound,as I stood outside the office,I take a deep breath and knock,my heart beats fast as I hear his cold deep voice l, "come in...",I open the door and enter the familiar room,I bow down to him respectfully "you called for me father...",he doesn't even look up at him,of course,"sit down" he said,not even glancing at me,I sit at the chair, looking around, I've been here far too many times,it so suffocating and cold in here,the only sound is his pen on the papers, he's always there, behind that desk, sitting at that chair,burying himself in work, because it is his only escape from the reality,his voice break the silence in the room "your eighteenth birthday is next month" ah... right..my birthday,I haven't had a birthday since I was six,he made it clear that no one is allowed to celebrate,not since that incident...but this time he want to celebrate? Don't make me laugh, he's only doing it because it my eighteenth,and it'll look bad on him if he doesn't throw a big party "I prepared everything,the workers will come this afternoon for make your dress,be ready,and don't humiliate me" I force on a smile,a one I practiced so much I prefected it "yes father,I won't disappoint you" not even the slightest reaction from him "you may leave now" as I stood up,I got the courage to ask him,maybe he'll accept this time since it is my birthday "um...father?" I say quitly "what is it?" He ask,I stay silent for a while, debating my decision,but I gather the courage to finally say "since it is my birthday,can I please go downtown? For just an hour or two" his hand finally stop writing,and he finally look at me, disappointed and angry,his hand slam on the desk hard, making me flinch "how dare you be so heartless? Your mother is stuck in bed all day,sick and tired,not even able to move,and you ask me to go out? Is this how I raised you!?" No...you didn't raise me at all,you were too busy with your beloved sick wife to even care about your daughter "no father...but please,just this once,I won't be long I promise,just for an hour" he turn his face away again,seem like he can't even look at me "fine,if you're so eager to go then go,but I expect you to be home in an hour,you understand me?" I can't believe he really agreed,it been ages since I left this hell of a palace,I stood up and hurried outside,shutting the door behind me,I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding,I run to my room, finally today,I can be free for once