Flowers with thorns

It's already been a week since Father's guest arrive at the palace. How long will he stay here? A month? I hope not, because of him I can't leave my room, I don't want Sylvan to get angry at me. I look outside through the windows. I sigh as I look over the palace servant, I envy them. I don't care if I'm poor, as long as I have my freedom, I'm fine with that. As I was drowning in my thoughts, I suddenly heard something fall and when I look down, I saw my Father's guest sitting on the ground. What is he doing? I was about to give my conclusion to myself when he lifts his head and our eyes meet. He immediately stands up and pat his pants. He waves him at me and give me a gentle smile. I don't want to be rude so I also wave my hand and smile back at him. He was about to say something when the head butler come in rushing to him. I saw them talking about something and I saw my Father's guest made a sad face. I wonder what they're talking about to make him sad? I was about to leave the window when my eyes and the head butler's eyes meet. I suddenly shiver when our eyes meet, oh no, for sure he will tell this to mother. I ran away from the window and cover myself with my blanket. The head butler might seem to be nice if you meet him for the first time but he's ruthless. When I'm still a child, he would punish me by the order of my Mother, wounds and bruises stay at my body for months because of him. Those dreadful days only end when my brothers find out about me but now that my brother and Sylvan are away, no one can help me. I take a deep breath and calm myself and sing the song Sylvan taught me.

"Oh lovely child, this world adores you. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Everyone loves you so smile and be proud."

This song was taught to me by Sylvan. When I'm still a child, I get nervous for no reason and when that happened, Sylvan would sing this song to me. Ah~ I wish Sylvan will come home now. He will be staying at the Academy for 6 months and he will be given a 2-3 weeks break from school. Yesterday was the last day of Sylvan break and he need to go back to the Academy. I wish I can also go to the Academy but Father said I don't deserve an education because I won't be using it in the future. Whenever I go out and go to the town, I saw a lot of girls and boys in my age wearing a school uniform. I wish I can also wear those uniform, going to school with my classmates, eating lunch with them and going to places after class. That would be fun right? While I'm in deep thoughts, someone suddenly knocks. I jump and I heard it, I slowly step away from my bed and walk towards the door. I don't know who's the person behind the door, maybe it's the head butler?! Oh God please make sure it's not him, I don't want to be punish for nothing.

"Yes? H-how can I help you?"

After a few moments, I hear no reply and it knock again. Waaahhh!! Sylvan please help me!!!

"Princess, don't fear. It's me, the guy who you meet at the kitchen yesterday."

Huh? It's Father's guest?! I immediately open the door and pull him inside. I look at him and make a sigh of relieve. I look at him and ask him.

"May I know why you are here? This place is off for non-royal blood. You can't be here and if they found out you're here, we will be in big trouble."

He keeps looking at me and didn't reply. I tilt my head and look at him with a confusing look. Can't he understand what I'm saying? Or is he deaf? I don't think so he's a deaf. I look again at him and wave my hand to get him attention.

"Hey Mister? Can you hear me? you're not deaf right?"

I think he suddenly snaps out of it and look at me. He coughs and smile at me. He takes my hand and kneel in front of me. I feel my mouth gaped and I look at him with unreadable face. He smiles at me before he kiss my hand.

"You're the most beautiful woman I ever meet"

I feel my face turn into red and tomato and I pull my hand away from him. Is he insane?! Why did he do that?! I, I don't know what to do. I was about to speak when a knock interrupts us. I immediately push him into my closet and gesture him to keep him mouth shut. I look at him for the last time and close the door of my closet. I take a deep breath before I walk towards the door. When I open it, I saw Mother standing in front of me. I feel myself turn into a cold corpse. I hold my hand behind me so tight, so that Mother can't see me shaking.

"M-mother, how can I help you?"

"Stay back."

Mother push me aside and she started to roam inside my room while putting her fan into her mouth. She keeps walking in my room and looking at each thing she sees. When she feels likes there nothing to look into anymore, Mother look back at me with her usual cold stare.

"You, did you see someone? A handsome guy that obviously would never look at you."

Oh, he's searching for Father's guest. She can just directly ask me "Did you see your Father's guest?", there's no need to disrespect me. I sway my head lift and right to show her I never saw Father's guest, even though he's in my closet right now. She looks at me from bottom to top and walks towards me. She touches my face with her fancy fan and tilt my head upward.

"You, stay away from everyone's way do you understand? No one loves you, no one needs you and no one will."

She opens her fan and march outside my room. He heard everything, but…. It's not new to me, whenever she has the chance, she always humiliates me in front of other people. I walk towards my closet and open the door. He looks at me with mix emotion in his face. This is nothing new to me, all of them has the same reaction whenever this happens. He walks out my closet and stand up in front of me. I point the door and look at him so cold.

"That's the exit. You heard Mother right? My Father is waiting at you; you better go now. It's not a good idea to make him wait."

"Wait, when will I can me— "

"There's no second chance we'll meet. This is the last time, goodbye and it was nice meeting you."

Before he can speak, I close the door and sigh so deep. This is nothing new to me, those who witness my Mother's true attitude towards me, tends to feel pity towards me and I hate it! I don't need your pity! I feel my head throb and I decided to sleep this pain.