Welcome Party IV.

**

"You disobey my orders and went into that hall, Azrael" My father yelled at me. He was furious. I knew from the beginning that this was going to happen if I get caught. Hope and Lyla were arrested.

"Forgive me, father" I apologized like the prodigal son. But I forgot that our fathers were different.

"There is nothing to be sorry about, Azrael. If you can't follow instructions, how will you rule such an empire?" My father's voice rang in the room. The skin in between his forehead pinched. I could see the vertical marks my stubbornness had drawn.

He paced back and forth in the room waiting for the rest of the family to come.  My father was going to tell them what I did.

My aunt will be happy that I failed before it started. As for Hazel, Williams and Ember, I had no idea what they would do. Whose side they will choose?

I followed the rules given by father all my life. I have never failed him to date. He might forgive me for today.

The door of the room opened and queen Ivy walked into the room. She was surprised to see me in Hope's clothes. I knew that she was hurt. She was also deceived by me.

I wanted to explain to her that it was not what she thought but my father began his explanation. Seeing Hope in my dress broke her heart.

"I was the one who told her to switch places" I heard my stepmother taking all the blame. I was speechless. Was she serious?

She was standing in front of the king. He was surprised to hear her say that. She was not the type of person that supports bad behaviour.

"Do not tell us that" The door flung open and my aunt walked into the room with my sisters. The welcome party was over. I wished it didn't. Seeing them in the room made me sick. They were going to add to my trouble by throwing silly comments.

My aunt was shocked to see me. She did not know the reason why we were arrested. When she saw the dress I wore, she recognized me from the party.

"You? Were you the maid at the party?" She asked. It was hard to believe but I was the one.

"Yes, aunt. I wanted to…" I started but she cut me off. If she did not want to hear the full story why did she ask in the first place?

"Go to your room, Azrael" My father Commanded. I knew that my punishment was going to be little. But what about my maids? I could not leave them there.

"Why should she leave? Azrael disobeyed you, brother. You should punish her for it. We can't have a rebellion for a Princess."

"The last rebellion in Akkad was prince Stefan" Ember chimed into conversation. Sometimes, I wished she could just close her mouth. "He committed suicide."

Queen Ivy glared at her fiercely and she looked down. She told the two of them to leave for their rooms as well.

"What are you waiting for, Azrael?" my aunt asked me when her daughters left. I was told to leave before then but I didn't. She was still angry that my father did not give them the chance to utter more hurtful words to me.

"I want to know what will happen to my maids" I spoke. I did not shiver like other children would do when they were caught in an act. My father taught me differently.

He let go of my maids after I pleaded and promised never to go against him again. My aunt was not happy. She told my father that I was over-pampered. I won't make a good queen if he continues like that day.

I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. They thought I was gone but no, I did not.

I wanted to listen to their conversation. My father yelled at my stepmother, queen Ivy. It broke my heart that she took the blame for something she knew nothing about.

My aunt did not disappoint either. She added more salt to the wound. Her comments made my father angrier. His choice of words at this moment did not suit a king.

I left for my room quietly. Hope and Lyla were sent to the servants' quarters. Before my father took over the throne, the quarters used to be harem. All the women there flew away or died. I knew nothing about them up to date.

People who have seen a few at the party said they were the most beautiful women, God has created.

The late Emperor Sargon had a thousand concubines in the harem. It was unbelievable but my aunt said it was true. She visited the palace for his anniversary with his favourite queen, who was late too.

I wondered why someone would want to keep so many women in a building against their will.

Maybe that's why he died untimely.

I took a quick bath and I lay on my bed. It was a hectic day. There was still time to plan for the evening ball.

I replayed what happened in the hall earlier. The young handsome man I met.

 His image was in my head all day. I could not get rid of him. He did not smile at the party. I wished he did.

I wanted to go and ask Ember his name but I stopped. It was not right for a princess like me. If father hears of it, it would be over before it started.

Tonight at the hall, I was going to ask him for his name, status, land, and family. I wanted to know everything about him.

I sat on my bed and watched from the window. They were so many people going and coming in different directions. I wished I could spot him in the crowd.

Due to my excitement, I forgot that the young man was interested in my cousin, Ember. They already met and liked each other. It would be better if I take my eyes off him. He was not my man. I shrugged off the idea and went to the library to look at the ranks. I wanted to know them all.