UNRULY PRINCESS

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: MOONLIGHT ~ MISCHIEVOUS PRINCESS]

....TWELVE YEARS LATER.

"You're the thief, not him!" A young woman boldly pointed at a man twice her size without blinking.

The burly man frowned at the open accusation as people started gathering around. Stealing was a serious offense in the kingdom, and the punishment for it was severe. The man puffed his chest out, trying to intimidate the girl.

"How dare you call me a thief, a mere woman who only squats to urinate!" The man spat, his words causing the crowd to murmur in agreement. However, the young woman stood her ground.

"We can discuss that later, but for now, bring out what you stole from that woman's stall. I clearly saw you, not this man who is being accused," the young woman insisted, pointing at the man.

"If you all don't believe me, then let someone search him," she persisted, but nobody dared to move. Undeterred, the young woman took matters into her own hands. She walked directly to the man, who wasn't expecting her next action, and she dipped her hands inside his pocket, bringing out the jade he had stolen.

"You wench, how did that get into my pocket!" The man tried to defend himself, raising his hand to strike the girl,

The young girl glared at him, "You wouldn't dare." As she said that the local guards quickly intervened.

The girl bowed as if she had just finished a performance in a theater. "Thank you, thank you," she waved at the crowd.

However, everyone in the crowd stared at her with scornful looks.

"What kind of maiden acts so crude and uncouth!" An older woman scowled.

"She will never get married at this rate; look at how shamelessly she touched a man's pocket," another added, and soon the crowd murmured in agreement, judging the young woman.

Ignoring the crowd, the girl took the retrieved jade to the woman's shop. "Goodbye!" She waved and left the place, walking back home.

A young nobleman man in the crowd who was watching the scene, fanned himself as he watched the scene. "Still as careless.."

"Your Royal Highness, do you happen to know her?" The man's servant asked, knowing how wide his master's social circle was when it comes to women. It wouldn't come as a surprise if he had taken the young woman to bed before.

"The woman behaves unruly." The servant added.

The royal blood nodded without saying anything. Then he turned to his servant, "Wagging tongues tend to lead you to your early grave."

The servant quickly bowed, "Forgive me, Your highness. I must have lost my mind for a minute."

"Indeed you have," The Prince said, turning to walk away from there after the crowd had scattered.

Meanwhile the young girl who had caused the small commotion in the market, walked back home reaching the palace. The guards denied her entrance.

"Hahahaha... don't you recognize me? Open the gate; I'm your Princess," the loud laugh of the young woman was heard outside the palace walls.

"She's at it again," a maid tsked, packing a basket filled with clothes, shaking her head in disappointment as she walked through another door to avoid meeting the princess outside.

The new maid who was beside her ran after her, eager for more juicy gossip. "Who is at it again?" she asked, curious about who it was that was laughing loudly outside the palace walls. Only men of high class and elite women were usually allowed in, and none of them would make such noise, nor would the servants behave so crudely.

The older maid didn't stop walking, but she turned her head to the side and replied. "The only person capable of disturbing the palace, even after getting punished for it. It's as if the punishments have become a part of her."

"There's someone like that here? Why won't the king send her away? Isn't that insubordination?" The new maid, who had only just arrived at the palace, asked. She needed to know who and what to avoid while working in the palace.

"Insubordination is for subordinates; what happens if it's family?" the older maid named Julia sighed deeply. "That happens; watch and learn. Also, avoid being a maid for her; she's bad news."

She pointed, and the new maid followed the trail of her finger to where a young woman with blonde hair stood boldly, her dress tied up above her knees, revealing her legs, which was so unladylike. The girl's gold eyes glared at the crown princess in front of her, who looked exactly like her.

The difference was their dress and how they carried themselves; one was an epitome of charisma, the other was the bane of etiquette.

"Oriana! What is the meaning of this madness? The King, our father, clearly asked you not to leave this Minister's son, as he is the only one who finally agreed to keep you as a wife," the Crown Princess Sophie glared at her sister with anger, but her younger sister didn't reply.

"Don't you dare walk away while I'm still talking; you put the name of the royal family to shame! Shame on you!" Sophie scolded her sister angrily, still trying to maintain her composure. "You walk around dressed like a pauper, knowing very well that people mistake you for me. If you want to be shameless, then you shouldn't have my face or even look like me."

The crown princess was right; the two princesses had only grown to look more alike. Their hair color was the same; the only physical difference was their eye color, where Oriana had citrine gold eyes flecked with moonstone white, Sophie was blessed with emerald eyes that brought out her beauty, making her shine even more. Another significant difference was the manner in which the two princesses carried themselves.

Where Sophie held her head high, proudly carrying the title of being the face of the crown of Orion. She was the most sought-after maiden in the whole kingdom, as many officials and palace ministers tried to marry off their sons just so they could be the next king. But Sophie didn't settle for just anyone; she had her eyes set on greater men, like the crown prince of Morado or Avon, or even any kingdom greater than hers.

On the other side was Oriana, the youngest princess.

"Is the problem being unladylike, or being unladylike while having your face?" Oriana asked, staring back at her sister.

Princess Sophie sighed deeply, because this was, in fact, the truth; the fact that they grew up to look alike.

"The problem is your irresponsibility, and you won't be saved with just punishment. Wait until father returns," her last words were more like a whisper that caused Oriana to shudder.

The crown princess noticed the fear in her sister's eyes, despite how carefree she tried to act. Sophie knew just how much Oriana feared their father, the king. After talking, she turned to walk back to the palace, with several maids following behind her.

Oriana inhaled deeply, looking down at her bare leg. "What punishment are you getting today?" she rubbed the dirt off her leg before walking towards her own quarters, which were away from the royal family chambers. Entering her room, Oriana untied the rope on her gown and settled herself deep inside the bathtub, enjoying the warm water.

After her bath, wearing just her undergarments, Oriana walked to stand in front of the vanity mirror. Her hand mindlessly moved to touch her thighs where a deep scar had formed.

"Nana, are you sure scars really leave beautiful traces..." She muttered to herself, and when the corner of her eyes itched, she blinked the tears away.

Knock, knock. A small tap was heard on her door.

"Good morning, Princess Oriana. I'm the new maid assigned to you. My name is Bessie," the new maid bowed, unfortunately, she had ended up at the exact doorstep she was warned against.

Oriana's lips twitched when she noticed the look on the girl's face, just like every other maid before her. This one was also scared of losing her job.

"Bessie, come in. Why have they suddenly decided to assign a maid to me? Care to enlighten me?" Oriana asked with a small smile.

The maid, Bessie, raised her head a little. "I was asked to get you ready before your new governess comes. I don't know how true, but I heard you'll be married off soon," the young girl replied.

"Well, well, seems my reputation precedes me once more. About bloody time, wouldn't you say, Bessie? Let's get this ridiculous pageant over with."