Forgotten

-Chapter 2-

It was simple. I was to wed Leo, manipulate him, and at last murder him and cover it up. I would play the role of a widowed wife and then my father would have his revenge, and I would have my kingdom.

The evil glint in my father's eyes was very prominent, and it disgusted me. "Now my dear Athena," I shuddered at the tone in his voice, "You promise me, as your ruler, you will carry out my demands." I nodded by head. There was no other way out of this. "Yes. As my king, I promise to carry out your wishes under the name of Facia." I bowed carefully in front of his brooding figure before standing back up. He gave me a nod of approval before leaving my room, closing the door behind him. I was surprised when I didn't hear the lock click shut.

Not even a minute later, I had thrown on a pair of ballet flats and walked outside to the castle gardens. My mother was an emotionless person. Never smiled, never cried. But there was one thing she cared about. Every morning just as the sun rose over the hills of Facia, covering it in a pinkish glow, my mother would tend to her flowers and herbs. The garden was a peaceful place. I came here often to clear my mind and let myself go. The sun shone brightly down on me and my eyes squinted.

I heard soft footsteps on the gravel path before I saw my mother's small, skinny figure appear in front of me. The deafening silence between us was uncomfortable. "You're making your father proud, "she spoke, "and you're making me proud as well. Fulfilling this task will not only make us proud, but it shows the power our family holds." Her hands folded tightly at her chest; her posture perfect. Her eyes were dull and colorless, and I wonder how my bright green eyes came from her. I simply nodded in response, not wanting to speak to the soulless woman in front of me.

She sighed heavily, but not out of anger or sadness, out of dissatisfaction at my lack of speaking. "The Romano family will be joining us for dinner tomorrow. Wash up and dress well. You need to seduce the heir to the Gaiden throne. This won't be easy." I looked at my own mother with disgust. It was no mistake what she was telling me to do.

"I won't sell my body for a man." I said between gritted teeth. The woman in front of me just shook her head. "Oh, stubborn child. You can say whatever you want, but you know at the end of the day, you will always do exactly what we say." And with that, she spun on her shiny white heel and walked away, her gown flowing in the breeze. The words stung for I knew they were true. No matter how hard I resisted and said the simple word no, my parents will always find a way to make me do whatever they wanted.

My shoulders sagged in defeat as I sat carefully on a stone bench that sat under the canopy of a large willow tree. Although I was pissed that I was being forced to murder someone at my father's wishes, a part of me was excited. It felt wrong. Yet, here I was, facing the rising sun of my kingdom, a sinister smirk slowly stretching across my face. Was it so wrong to know I can kill someone and get away with it? Maybe it was. But as I imagined piercing a dagger through the Italian man I was to marry, watching the crimson blood fall like silk from his stomach, I felt... good.

I really didn't want to feel this way. Although, in my defense, I was raised by two people who have never felt love or affection. I cocked my head away from the blinding sun, trying to distract myself from the gruesome thoughts. But even as I walked back into the castle, the image of the horrid act replayed at the back of my mind.

I stepped into my room and opened the curtains of the one giant window in my room. The light poured throughout the room, casting shadows all across the floor. I yawned before opening the door to my large closet. I grabbed a bottle of red wine from my hidden stash I had shoved behind my shoe rack and took a long swig before glancing around at my clothes.

Maybe it was alcohol talking, but I slightly agreed with my mother. I needed to seduce the prince if I wanted to carry out the plan. I downed the rest of the wine before tossing it to the ground. My head spun and I stumbled towards the racks of clothing.