Life is not a fairy tale

In the morning, Lucy woke me up. If it weren't for her, I would have been late for breakfast. I quickly got dressed and ran downstairs. Almost everyone had already arrived.

Me: Sorry I'm late.

Nicholas: "It's okay, we know you're very busy."

Nathaniel: "Your father will come this afternoon, and you should find time to meet him."

The last thing I wanted to do was meet him now, but I had no other choice. For the first time in 15 years, I'm meeting the person who abandoned me when I was 5. I don't even remember what he looked like. He probably wouldn't have recognized me if it weren't for the pictures taken for the article, which are everywhere.

Me: I'll tell Lucy and she'll sort it out.

Nathaniel: "That's great, you found time for dinner too. You have a lot to talk about. You haven't seen each other for a long time. You must have missed each other a lot."

Is he staying for dinner? I'm going to have to stay with him longer than I thought. Why did he decide to stay for dinner when he hasn't wanted to see me in years?

Me: I don't think we'll talk about much. If he wanted to talk to me, he would have come to see me a long time ago.

Nathaniel: "Why do you say that? He's your father, he's always worried and taken care of you all these years."

Me: If that's really the case, why haven't I seen my father even once in so many years?

Did he care about me? If he did, he wouldn't have left me and I wouldn't have to hear all this now. I would be happy now and wouldn't have to listen to so much pointless gossip. It's my father's fault. Because of him, they think I don't care about anything but power and the crown, but in reality, I'm here because of Michael.

Nathaniel: "Everything has its own reason."

Nicholas: "Dad is right. I'm sure he has a lot to tell you, so talk to him and find out everything."

Does he have a lot to tell? Where has he been before? He should have come to see me back then, when they were writing a thousand horrible things about me and everyone was talking about me. No one was there for me at that time. The royal family didn't make a single statement, and I had to endure it all. Because of this, they locked me in the palace. They could have taken some measures, but they didn't. I don't want to argue with them, especially when I have to become a member of their family. Luckily Lucy came to my rescue.

Lucy: "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but Eleanor has an important meeting to attend."

Nathaniel: "It's okay, you can go."

Me: "We'll meet in the afternoon."

I quickly returned to my room.

Me: "Thank you Lucy, if you hadn't come I don't know what would have happened."

Lucy: "No need to thank me. You always take care of me and never treat me badly."

I really don't know how I would have survived here without Lucy. She understands me without saying a word.

I don't have any plans today because I prepared everything in advance with Lucy's help. I could rest until noon.

I got bored of staying in my room and decided to go out into the garden. The weather is nice outside and a short walk in the fresh air will help me. I always walked in the garden with Michael.

There was a swing on the oak tree. I remembered many good memories. I forget everything when I swing on a swing. I closed my eyes and thought about nothing.

Someone: "I knew I would find you here."

I opened my eyes and Isabella was smiling at me.

Isabella: "Did you miss Michael?"

Me: "I got bored in the room. How did you know I would be here?"

Isabella: "You and Michael have loved being here since you were kids."

Me: "It's true, we used to hide here all the time."

Isabella was smiling. After a while, she became serious, it seemed like she wanted to say something.

Me: "I know you're going to say something. I don't mind, you can tell me whatever you want."

Isabella: "I apologize for my family. I think they shouldn't have gotten involved in all this."

I didn't expect this. They never apologized to me.

Me: "You don't have to apologize for them. You didn't do anything wrong."

Isabella: "I know, but I still wanted to apologize. I think they took it too far. It's up to you to decide what to think and do. And they're going to force you to meet your father."

Her words made me happy. There was someone in the palace who thought like me and cared about me.

Me: "Thank you, I'm glad you think so."

Isabella: "Let's think of something to keep you from going to meet him."

Can I really not go see him? But I have to meet him, no matter what, I won't hide.

Me: "Thanks, but I'll meet him because I don't want to hide."

Isabella: "Okay, whatever you say. I'll be by your side."

I was happy. Even though Michael wouldn't be there for me, I had someone to help me if I needed it. I was calmer now and no longer worried about meeting my father.

Me: "Thank you. I'm glad I don't have to meet him alone."

Isabella: "You're like a sister to me. I'm glad you're going to be Michael's wife."

For the first time in a long time, I smiled. I felt that his words were sincere.

Me: "You are like a sister to me too. I remember our first meeting. You were very cute."

Isabella: "I'm still cute."

It was the first time we both had free time and we were walking in the garden. Almost everything was the same as before, the only thing missing was Michael.

After the walk, I went back to my room to get ready. There was barely any time left to meet my father. I wasn't nervous anymore, even though I knew it would be an unpleasant meeting. Lucy had my clothes and jewelry ready.

Talking to Isabella really helped me. I'm glad she made time for me. I hope we can talk often from now on.

I got ready and it was time to go downstairs. I went down the stairs as slowly as I could. I had to go to the living room for guests. I was supposed to arrive first according to protocol, but Isabella promised me she would arrive early. When I got to the door, I hesitated for a few minutes, but I gathered my courage and entered the room. I found only Isabella in the room.

Me: "Where are the others? Shouldn't we meet at this time?"

Isabella: "I think they're talking to my father."

If they're already talking, why did they call me here? Something was happening. Something they were hiding from me. Is my father going to sell me again? He's probably asking for more money because of the engagement.

Isabella: "Sit next to me. I think they'll be here soon."

I sat down next to Isabella. What else could I do but wait? Time stretched endlessly. I'm tired of waiting. If we weren't in the palace, I would have left long ago. What are they talking about for so long? I was lost in these thoughts when suddenly the door opened. I thought the wait was finally over, but Nicholas and Natalie entered the room.

Me: "Do I have to wait much longer?"

Nicholas: "I don't know, they were talking in the garden. We saw them when we were coming this way."

I had no choice but to wait. Now that Nicholas and Natalie had arrived, I couldn't easily leave the room.

The longer I waited, the angrier I became. I would be in my room right now. If they had finished talking, they could have called me and I wouldn't have had to wait here so long. I was so angry that I wanted to go out to the garden with them and tell them everything I was thinking.

After waiting for over an hour, they finally came to us. My first impression was that I didn't look like my father at all. We just said hello to each other. I didn't even understand what they were talking about. I didn't care what they had to say, and that's probably why.

My and Michael's wedding had been decided a long time ago. I couldn't understand the point of this meeting.

I'm in the same room with the person who left me, and now he's back as if nothing happened.

I can't breathe. I want to escape from here. Lucy couldn't help me now. I felt like I was in a nightmare. I couldn't stay like this anymore. I didn't say anything and just left the room.

I couldn't go back to my room. I immediately went out into the garden because right now I need some fresh air.

They'll think I ran away, but I don't care. For years, I have obeyed them without a word. Despite everything, I thought they were my family. Everything has changed lately. I no longer think of myself as a member of their family. I think about leaving every day. I'm tired of all this. I want to wake up one day in peace and not have to worry about all this.

Someone: "Are you okay? You suddenly left the room."

Someone: "Do you need our help?"

Isabella and Natalie came out to see me. They looked scared.

Me: "Are they still talking?"

Isabella: "Yes, they are talking. They are agreeing on the details of the engagement."

They're still talking, even though I ran out of the room. They don't even care how I am.

Natalie: "Do you want some water?"

Me: "It's not necessary, I'm just tired. A little fresh air will help."

Nothing surprises me from my father. I'm sure he doesn't even recognize me as his daughter.

I decided to return to the room. They immediately fell silent as soon as I entered.

Me: "Have you decided everything yet?"

Nathaniel: "We agreed on everything. Tomorrow evening we will celebrate Michael's return and engagement."

Me: "Have you already chosen our wedding date and children's names? You probably don't consider it necessary to take our opinion into account. Please tell me at least an hour in advance so I can get ready and not miss my engagement and wedding."

I didn't even wait for their answer.

Me: "I will leave you now and discuss the remaining details."

I said this and left the room. I had wanted to say all this for a long time and finally I dared.