Caspian

Shattered

2 years later…

Life’s been tough and it was the same old life for Amethyst. For the past two years, she was just living in hell with her stepsister who didn’t care about her, her father who sees her like a trash and her stepmother who loathes her to death and makes sure she’s living a miserable life every single day. And throughout these years, Amethyst didn’t know how she coped up with all of it, having the light of hope in her heart that one day she can get out of that hell hole. So from time to time, she would just write letters to vent out her feelings or else she felt like she would explode. And those letters were addressed to just one person, Caspian. Yes, she felt betrayed at first because he left her without a word. She even felt toyed and thought that she was just used by him. But after some time, she chose to believe in the feelings she felt that night. The emotions Caspian made her feel. And she tried to understand that they were still strangers after all. 

Who would take a stranger with them?

With all that in her mind, she kept the hope in her heart that maybe one day he’ll come and find her. That he will eventually help her out of this kingdom and take her with him. So instead of hating him, he became her only hope. She then wrote those letters because he's the only living person she felt like she can trust in this world. And he's the only one who made her feel cared for aside from her mother and Fera. Fera. She knows that she can't involve Fera too much. She doesn't want her to be in danger nor punished because of her. She's helped her too much already and she doesn't want to involve her any further. Besides, she was already removed from her service because of her.

Caspian. Amethyst thought.

She remembered that wonderful night they spent together and she can't help but slightly smile. Funny how that one particular memory of that night can make her feel wonderful and happy in an instant compared to loads of all other memories. For many months, she wondered why. Not until she encountered and read some books which indicated that it is a sign of love.

Am I really in love?

Maybe she is. She shook her head, smiled again and continued what she was doing, currently painting a flower jar. Since she was little, she's always been fascinated with arts and crafts. And in fact, she was quite good at it. However, her stepmother kept emphasizing that her arts and crafts were completely useless and trash. So she never gained confidence about it either. Just as her stepmother says, it won't help her get a good husband to marry her, unlike her stepsister who has a lot of suitors from all over the continent.

"Princess, the queen gave you a tonic for you to drink tonight." One of the maiden servants said, pulling her out of her reverie.

"What tonic?" She asked.

"She said it's tea tree and that it is good for the skin. There will be visitors coming tomorrow from another kingdom and she wants your skin to be glowing." The servant explained and she nodded before she left.

She sighed. It's always been this way. So, she took the tonic and drank it. Because if not, then the consequences will surely not be good.

"Princess, please forgive me for telling you this." Fera said sadly. 

"What is it?" I asked as I wiped my tears after she finished bandaging my back. 

"And I tried to talk to the queen about it once more. And she was very mad." Fera answered.

"Oh, Fera. You didn't have to." Amethyst said immediately as she faced the middle-aged woman. 

"What she was doing is absolutely not right so I had to do something or my guilt will eat me alive, princess." Fera responded. "And now, at least after I said it, I feel a bit better. But-"

"But?" I asked. 

"I was dismissed from my service." Fera declared sadly.

"Oh, Fera. I'm so sorry." She responded and tears began swelling again from her eyes. "I'm sorry."

Why does everyone who cares about me end up leaving me?

"It is my fault, princess. And I had to do that." Fera said as she hugged Amethyst tightly. "I have watched you grow beautifully. And I hope you stay the same even if I am no longer here."

"You can't leave me too." Amethyst cried as she tightened her embrace.

"I will be writing to you regularly, princess." Fera stated and pulled away. "Please be safe and well, always."

Then she hurriedly went out of the room. Fera is now gone too. And she was left alone again. 

All by herself.

Amethyst took a deep sigh before preparing herself to sleep. But later on, she felt a little dizzy and dreamy.

What's going on? She thought.

And before she can realize what's the matter, the darkness consumed her.

***

Amethyst slowly opened her eyes and felt a little pang of pain in her temple like she was having a bad hangover, which was weird because her mind was completely blank. And also, she can't recall herself drinking alcohol. She rubbed her temple slowly and opened her eyes. Then she felt the sunlight on her bare skin and when she looked down, she realized that she was completely nude.

Nude.

Her heart raced. Why is she nude?

Then she heard a soft snore from the man sleeping beside her.

"AAAHH!!!" She screamed in horror as she took most of the duvet to cover herself.

Due to her scream, the man beside her slowly woke up too and suddenly smirked when he saw her. "Morning, princess."

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Amethyst asked and yelled as she fought back the tears in her eyes.

"Last night was amazing." The man responded as he slowly sat down and looked at her. He was also nude.

Then he stood up and began putting on his undergarment and pants.

***

"That's ridiculous!" King Alastor growled furiously after hearing the news from his beloved queen. 

"Absolutely ridiculous, Alastor! I am angered and ashamed at the same time." Queen Ara declared as she paced back and forth in front of the king. "This is totally unacceptable. If this news breaks out to the public-"

"No!" The king growled mightily. "The public should never know anything about this or we'll be disrespected to the uttermost and our family will become a laughing stock for the whole kingdom and neighbouring kingdoms as well!"

"So what do we do, Alastor?" The queen acted a bit worried. "She's been punished long enough but that stubborn child never learned her lesson. And to an extent, she even threw away her dignity and created this scandal! It's certainly outrageous!"

"I will deal with her!" King Alastor declared and hurriedly stormed off to Princess Amethyst’ room. "That lady needs some beating!"

The evil Queen Ara secretly smiled as she followed the angry king walking hurriedly towards the room of the princess. And after the servants’ announcement, the king immediately pushed the door open and was in utter shock beyond meaning. 

"HOW DARE YOU?!!" The King growled making the princess and the man beside her jolt in shock. His voice sounded like thunder and his glare is murderous. "YOU!!!"

Then almost immediately, the King punched the half-naked man. The man immediately went flying to the ground due to the impact and the King wanted to go and grab him again.

"Stop it!" Queen Ara intervened and stopped the King's aggression. "Stop! We don’t want any more rumours!"

Fortunately, the king listened and breathe in deeply to compose himself. Then he turned to the man again and growled, "LEAVE OR DIE!!!!"

The man literally ran for his life without even picking up his shirt. He just scurried off and was gone almost immediately. The King then turned to his daughter who looks so scared right now and then he stormed out of the room despite the queen’s calls.

“You’re really a whore!” The queen snarled as she went and slap Princess Amethyst. Then she looked at the crying princess with her eyes full of disgust. “What a disappointment! A trash! A liar! A whore!”

Then she went out and followed the King. Princess Amethyst was then left there crying as some maiden servants went in her direction and helped her put on her clothes properly.

***

“Father…” Princess Amethyst started but was slapped again by the King.

Amethyst then just touched her pained cheek. The slap was so hard that she’s sure it will definitely leave some mark.

“You! You’re really good for nothing!” The King growled again as he forcefully picked up Amethyst and gripped her arms tightly. “Why can’t you just be a good daughter?! Why do you have to always make me mad?! Why do you have to make a whore out of yourself?!”

“Father, I…I…” Amethyst stuttered.

“SHUT UP!” The King growled as he continued to grip her arms tightly. “YOU’RE A SHAME FOR THIS FAMILY! I WISHED I NEVER HAD A DAUGHTER LIKE YOU!!!”

Amethyst was crying so badly now and she doesn’t know if what hurts her more, her father’s words or the grip he is doing on her arms. But surely, it was the words that stung more. They were cutting her deeply, breaking her.

“SO YOU WANNA LIVE LIKE THAT?! AND BE A WHORE!!” The King roared again in anger. “TELL ME…HOW MANY MEN DID YOU SLEEP WITH????”

“Father…it hurts…” Amethyst just answered and shook her head. “I didn’t…please believe me…I didn’t…”

“LIAR!!!!” King Alastor growled and pushed her to the floor harshly.

So Amethyst fell and sprained her ankle and her wrist which she used to balance herself and control the fall.

“LIAR!!! WHORE!!! HOW CAN I HAVE A DAUGHTER LIKE YOU???” The King continued. “From today onwards, YOU WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED TO STEP OUT OF YOUR ROOM UNTIL I KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOU!!!”

“Father…please…” Amethyst begged.

“TAKE HER!” The King commanded and the maiden servants went to the princess, forcing her to come with them.

“No…father…please listen to me…” Amethyst continued as she struggled while being pulled away by the servants. “Father…”

***

The King is now in action. He paid all the servants who saw what happened and had an idea about the rumour to keep their silence. And he also went to send his messengers throughout the continent to look for a royal blood who's willing to marry his daughter. That is right. It's the only solution he can think of. He needs to find someone willing to take his daughter away from this kingdom. He just needs to keep the rumours away and make sure his daughter will be gone as soon as possible. Then all his troubles with her will be finally done.

So he just stared at the vastness of his kingdom from his balcony and sighed. Anxiety filled his eyes. However, he hopes that a man would agree to marry his stubborn child soon enough.

She should leave as soon as possible. He thought with much concern.

***

The queen went inside Amethyst’ room and with her eyes full of hate, she glared at her. It's been a day since the incident happened and she still hasn't recovered fully from her sprained foot and wrist. Not to mention the bruises on her face and arms. And so when the queen saw this, she evilly smirked.

"You surely deserve it." She said bluntly. "The servants will now be packing your things and so you must get yourself ready."

"What do you mean?" Princess Amethyst curiously asked.

"You'll be married off to some king from a distant land." The queen answered. "Your father no longer wants you to be here. So he's sending you far far away."

"No..." Amethyst voiced out as she began to cry.

"Awe. Crying again?" Queen Ara sarcastically commented. "That's what you do best, princess. To cry."

"Why?" Amethyst asked.

"Well, we have to take care of our family's reputation and so instead of always having problems with a stubborn woman like you, it will be so much better to just make you go away. Just be thankful that a fool of a man actually agreed to marry a woman like you. Tsk." The queen answered smoothly. "And bygone, it means somewhere far far away to a point where you cannot even return. Then we'll finally have peace in this palace."

"Why do you hate me so much?" She asked as her voiced croaked. "What have I done to you, mother? What have I ever done to you that made you hate me so much?"

"Your very existence just makes my blood boil." The queen answered and turned to the door. "I hope this will be the last time I see you, princess. Happy wedding."

Then she left her room as Amethyst collapsed to her bed with all the emotions swirling inside her.

She's now to be sent off to who knows where.

And she'll be married off to who knows who.

She didn't care anymore that the servants are inside her room packing her stuff and some were looking at how miserable she is. She just wants to let her emotions out. 

What a life, she thought.

All these years, she just wanted one thing and never asked or wished for anything. She just wanted to be loved and cared for. But then she gets all this. And now, she finally accepted her fate. Maybe this is really how her life is to be. And she's all shattered.

***