"Well that's…" Lady Mary's expression faltered for a moment. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Lady Elizabeth didn't quite react to the princess' sudden outburst. Between Mary and Elizabeth, it was the latter who was her senior.
It seemed like the princess now knew how to effectively plant seeds of division between two people who were once allies. It was exactly what Rowena learned during her lessons on court intrigue and kingdom history.
"She is learning fast," Lady Elizabeth muttered underneath her breath. She was impressed and angry at the same time because of how a little girl could be this smart and use what they taught her to go against them.
Even though the ladies taught her, Rowena didn't quite like them. They could be immensely strict and harsh on Rowena. She received small slaps from a stick whenever she did something wrong or when her posture was wrong.
Little Rowena instinctively knew that while Leia and Emma genuinely cared for her, these two ladies were only doing this for the prestige and honor of serving the princess. They didn't care about Rowena, it only mattered that she did not embarrass them.
"Well?" Rowena raised a brow daintily. Her cute cheeks were puffed up as she stared at them seriously. Both Elizabeth and Mary were shocked to see how this beautiful girl suddenly looked a lot like her father the ruthless king.
"Well, Your Highness…" Mary tried to reason with Rowena but she couldn't find the right words to say. The little princess was right.
Rowena continued her words, "I am not sure how we shall proceed with our lessons now, Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth. If the two of you do not know how to treat a princess, I feel like I must inform my father about this."
Both Lady Elizabeth and Lady Mary remembered when the young Rowena was quite polite and even apologetic to them. She only wanted to do anything to please her father and earn some adoration from him.
However, after a year of spending time with the ladies, it seemed like the young girl learned some characteristics and traits, especially what it meant to be born as royalty.
It was no longer just the two ladies using their position and will on the young and naive princess. Little Rowena was also trying to fight them back with the same knowledge they had given her.
"We apologize for our improper manners." Lady Elizabeth quickly bowed and motioned for Lady Mary to do the same.
They decided it would be better if they abide by the little princess' attitude for now, but it was still like a slap to the face.
If they had the opportunity to shame and humiliate the girl as Rowena did to them, they would do it. How dare this young brat try to act like she was the head of the kingdom?!
"Good." Rowena smiled a little.
Secretly she felt relieved that she could put her two teachers in their place. Maybe it wasn't so hard after all?
"Is it possible for us now to know Your Highness' whereabouts?" Lady Elizabeth politely said. "We just need to make sure that you are safe at all times. The king entrusts us with you wellbeing. We don't want disappoint His Majesty."
Rowena fluttered her lashes and easily made a lie. "I apologize for my absence, Lady Marsh and Lady Rochester, but I was out doing some important business."
Lady Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "Important business?"
"The lavatory." Rowena frowned and raised her head proudly. "You must understand that it's strange for me to still be accompanied by adults when I do my business. A princess can excuse herself but not divulge her location."
Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth exchanged looks. "Of course, Your Highness."
Rowena easily picked up on court manners and knew her rights when it came to her alone time. The two ladies taught her well enough that she learned how to create a presence where she wouldn't be bothered by them.
When it came to other skills like flattery, she didn't quite like them or found much use for them when interacting with her instructors.
However, Little Rowena was still a child. Lady Elizabeth walked up to her and she completely towered over the young girl and smiled viciously. She gestured at her dress. "I was not aware that the lavatory now serves desserts to Your Highness."
A look of terror immediately covered Rowena's little face. She was speechless for a moment and didn't know what to say. "I…"
"Unfortunately, Your Highness," Lady Elizabeth said wickedly. "It seems like it is us who will be informing your father about your misbehavior instead."
***
King Draco was tempted to slap the young girl in the face. That was how he was treated as a child when he underwent his training as a Knight and he knew that the rod of correction was good when it came to disciplining young children.
People did not learn from their mistakes unless they were punished.
Fortunately for the young girl, Rowena had a beautiful face that King Draco didn't want to tarnish. She was not allowed to have any scars, wounds, or any kind of injuries whatsoever in order to maintain her appearance.
So instead, King Draco immediately summoned all of the people working in the kitchen. Among them all, Leia was included. The woman stood at the back and she was trying so hard not to shake and tremble.
Both Emma and Leia were dismissed back to their villages. However, since King Draco wasn't necessarily strict when it came to hiring servants to serve him in the castle, Leia chose to return to stay close to the princess' side.
Leia tried to make herself look small and indistinguishable among the fellow workers. Her heart pounded so hard that she almost felt like it would leap out of her chest. She knew how ruthless King Draco could be.
.
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From Missrealitybites:
As I often said, the sweeter and fluffier a story begins, usually the later part will be more heartwrenching.
So, apologies, this story is slowly going in that direction. However, I can promise you that this, too, will have a happy ending.. I HATE sad endings and am not interested in writing one.
