Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
The words were barely out of her mouth when she felt the sharp sting of his palm. London’s hand flew to her injured cheek, and her jaw dropped not so much from pain, but more from surprise. Her father had never laid a hand on her before, and she supposed she deserved it for speaking so disrespectfully about her mother, but it was still unexpected.
From wide-eyed expression on the Emperor’s face, it seemed like he was just as shocked. He stared at his hand as though he couldn’t believe what he’d just used it for. A fat tear escaped London’s eye, but she closed her lips tightly to hold back the cry.
Her father clenched and unclenched his fists before turning to leave. London walked over to her bed and sat down heavily. She shouldn’t have spoken to him like that. He wasn’t a tyrant, but she’d been so mad that her tongue got ahead of her thoughts.
“I know you’re upset, baby but what you said was out of line,” her mother’s voice cut through London’s depressed musings.
“I know. I’ll go apologize.”
“As you should, but not now. Give him a chance to cool off first. I don’t condone him hitting you and I’ll see that he also apologizes but you need to understand he didn’t hit you because of the stunt you pulled in the banquet hall. He did it because of what you said about me. Your father is very protective of me and he won’t allow disrespect from anyone about his Queen, even you.”
London rubbed her check. Truthfully it didn’t hurt that much. Her father probably held back and maybe even tried to stop himself before he did it but it was too late. She knew how strong he was and had he used his full strength she probably would have been knocked unconscious. “I realize that now. I’m sorry Mom, I was just so angry.”
“I know baby, and I accept your apology. We all say and do things in the heat of the moment that we shouldn’t. But I’m very disappointed in you, London.”
London swiftly wiped away another stray tear. “Not you too. I don’t think I can bear another lecture right now.”
“Well, that’s too bad because you’re going to get one. What got into you out there, baby? I know it doesn’t seem fair but as a member of the royal family, we’re expected to conduct ourselves in a certain manner to uphold the dignity of the throne. Otherwise, it could cause political unrest.” Taking a seat next to her, Queen Calliope wrapped a slim, dark arm around London’s shoulder.
London laid her head across her mother’s chest like she had when she was a little girl, and allowed the tears to flow. No words were needed then as she allowed herself to be rocked, taking the comfort she so desperately needed.
“Oh, Mommy, I messed up didn’t I?” Her sadness and helplessness had reduced her to using the childhood name she’d called her mother.
“Yes. You did, but a simple apology goes a long way. Your father is more upset that he struck you than anything else. Your father loves you very much and you hurt him.”
“I know and I’m ashamed of what I said. I can’t blame him for what he did, but, Mama, I can’t go through with this betrothal. Zahn frightens me.”
“You have to get married eventually, and as your father pointed out, you’ve rejected the hand of every eligible bachelor in the kingdom. Haven’t you expressed to me on several occasions how much you would love to have a family of your own? You can’t do that without a husband… well, you can actually, but that’s not an ideal situation.”
“I know, but… I don’t want to end up like the women I see walking around after their men, doing their bidding like a bunch of slaves. Slavery was outlawed on this planet when I was only a child, but it seems like when a woman enters into a marriage, she gets the raw part of the deal. I want to be able to love my husband, not be dominated by him. I want to be in love like you are with Papa.”
A faint smile touched her mother’s full lips. “Even though you think I give in to his every command?”
London’s face grew hot. “That comment wasn’t exactly fair was it?”
“No, and it was beneath you to say it. I know you feel that the situation is bleak, but you could always grow to love Zahn. You know the story of how your father and I came together.”
“Yes, you were a harem girl, and Papa instantly fell in love with you. That’s so romantic. I want love at first sight too,” London sighed dreamily.
“Honey, it wasn’t that simple. Your father and I both fought our feelings for each other for a while. We were both stubborn and to be honest, even though I found Blaze attractive, I didn’t love him right away. My love for him blossomed. I used to think the same way that you did. The men in our world can be very forceful, and your father and I clashed at the beginning, but things worked out in the end.”