Here's the sequel you've been waiting for! If you haven't read Red Death, go to my profile and click! I'm going to enjoy writing this as much as Red Death! Enjoy :)

Routines

I stared out the window of my large bedroom. Yes, it was luxurious but there were lots of things missing. There was no closet, no bed, no chairs, no pillows, and no furniture whatsoever. I was in an empty large room that I shouldn't have to call "home". I was taking a break from my chores. Even though I'm daughter to a high Queen, I'm treated like manure. I don't like to talk about her very much because I'm afraid. I'm ashamed to call myself a daughter to her. I don't even think I'm a daughter to her anymore. I grew up depending on myself in the castle. To keep myself alive, I cooked my own dinner. Even the staff around here didn't do anything to help me. I'm only an innocent Ofelia Stiltzchen, daughter of Rump Stiltzchen. Why don't I take my own mother's title? She's Queen Reina, daughter of the Bride.

"Knock knock. The Queen asks for you," a staff member told me.

"Did she specify?" I asked.

The staff member gave me a dirty look and walked away. I didn't really expect anything different. That's how of the staff members are. I picked up myself from the window and went to Reina's throne. She sat there, dressed so nicely. Sometimes I wish she would teach me how to be a lady. A girl has to dream sometimes.

"Come closer," Reina's pale finger pointed at me. Her old mother stared deep inside me.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered. I carefully stood up to her plate and bowed for the sake of my soul.

"We're having another one of those parties. I need you to get dressed as soon as possible, dear," she acted.

"Yes, ma'am," I whispered.

"Yes, mother," she corrected me. I nodded and was just about to leave when Reina stood up. She took my face and held it up to examine. She made a hmph and patted my head. "You are just so ripe for marriage. I remember when I was a little more than your age. I was at the top of my game. There were two who appealed to me. They both wanted me but I chose only one," she smiled.

"You're very beautiful, mother. I wouldn't be surprised," I smiled.

"A fifteen year old girl is innocent at heart. You wonder why I let you serve me and won't let you go outside," she started.

"I don't," I lied.

"Don't lie to me!" she bellowed. "Oh, I'm sorry," she calmed herself. "You'd be a spoiled , rich brat by now. If you dared to go outside, I'm afraid we'd have more suitors than we can handle," she winked at me.

I just smiled at her and nodded like I understood. I knew those weren't the exact reasons of why I had to stay here. Sure she kept me inside this house for the sake of my eyes. Sooner or later, a woman has to adventure out sometime. She seemed to want me to leave. I started on my way like a good girl. The only thing Reina can't control, are my thoughts. I wonder about who can see me in this forbidden palace. Do they know that I exist? Will anyone want to rescue me? I doubted that idea, for no man or woman would want to rescue a girl like me. I'm nobody important and I'll just have to save myself. I went back to my boring old window to look outside again. It was the usual scene: a village with poor people like myself. I made up names for certain people that I recognized. Of course it might not be their real names. They were my interior friends.

There was always that one man who I saw a lot. I couldn't see him that well so I called him Mystery. Mystery would usually walk around there and not do anything. He didn't look poor yet he didn't look rich. His face was usually hidden from me. It was like he knew I was there. My heart suddenly skipped a beat, when Mystery looked up at me. He didn't show a sign of expression. I waved my hand just in case he saw me. I could feel my heart pumping in every organ. Someone might've finally recognized me! As I stood up to make him see me more, he looked away and went back to his regular routine. I sighed and knelt back down in front of the window. I guess he missed me. I sighed and decided I should get ready for another one of Reina's disastrous parties.

It was a very late night. In fact, it was much later than I expected. Reina made sure that I was perfected in every single way. My dress went to the floor. I expected it to be red: Reina's favorite color. I felt like a real daughter of Reina but it was just a fake-out. She told me things I'd like to hear but weren't true. I just nodded and smiled, tediously. It was time for me to meet more men who I didn't really care about. Believe me, I wanted to marry someone. Reina pushed me with so many rich, greedy, ignorant, sloths. I couldn't protest, so I went along with it. It was the same old routine. I would randomly choose a man, Reina secluded us somewhere in private, he would tell me he loved me, I would object to him in a nice way, then go home to tell Reina about the failure. Most of the times, Reina would punish me for my wrong-doings. I would explain to her that it wasn't my fault. I would blame it on the suitor and say that he didn't want me anymore. That would satisfy her, for a while.

"You look like a replica of me," she insulted me.

"I am your daughter," I smiled.

"You may be my full-blood but I could make you whoever I want you to be," she said sternly.

"Yes, ma'am," I silenced myself.

She continued to smile and rub my hair back and forth. I never felt comfortable at her grasp. She could do anything to me at anytime. I always try to avoid her if she's in an unusual mood. She might want to test something on me or play tricks. I always hated being the objective.

Everyone informed me that it was time the guests were arriving. I never knew why Reina would have these parties. The first one made sense because I was coming of age. Suitors had to know what they're buying. Nowadays, people just come for the free refreshments and drinks. There have been less suitors that come. Reina blames me for it, of course.

"Introducing Queen Reina of this fine land, Randvauld," she went out first.

"Accompanying her is Ofelia," the announcer said blandly. It was always that way.

Some people clapped for me but it was hard to tell who. Mostly the attention was given to Reina. I always wondered why she never did these parties for herself. She doesn't have a husband and everyone here is as old as her. I shrugged it off for now. I stood in the middle of the party. Everyone was talking to each other. I tried to get into some conversations but I didn't feel right. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Ofelia, I want to introduce you to some friends," I heard Reina unsheathe her dagger.

This part was always the worst. When I was introduced to her "friends", she would point her dagger into my back. She was always hidden, of course. She wanted to made sure I would choose someone or she wouldn't hesitate to kill me. I never understood why she was so serious about this part.

"It's nice to meet the three of you," I smiled at each of our contestants.

"Let me introduce you to Paul, Simon, and Jeran," she smiled at me.

"Yes, I'm Paul. If you let me marry you, I'd take care of you from now till death. Reina and I were just discussing the possibility of a son coming into the family. I've had lots of wives before and they couldn't make it. I hope you'll do me some luck," he smiled. I couldn't believe this greedy man. I wanted to give him a few manners before I'd marry him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure I could manage a son," I tried to form the words right.

"I'm Simon. If you let me marry you, I wouldn't mind a daughter or a son," he smiled. This man sounded like a good person. "Though Reina tells me you're a great maid around the house. An old sloth like me needs a good housekeeper like you," he bellowed. I spoke too soon. This party gave me much more pain than the others.

"Wouldn't you like to introduce yourself, Jeran?" she asked the quiet man.

"Of course. I-I'm Jeran. I swear to take care of you. I'd treat you like the wonderful princess you are. I know I'm not handsome like the other fellows but I'd treat you as my equal. You deserve a lot of riches," he smiled. This man had a good heart. He was one of those rare men who actually cared about my wellbeing. He was nice but I wouldn't say I loved him.

"Who is it, dear?" Reina asked me.

"Jeran, I think we could talk more about our future together," I looked at Reina.

She gave me a little scratch in the back with her knife. I winced a bit but couldn't feel too obvious. Yes, I knew that was a bad choice. It was better than the rich folks. She led us outside of the castle into the cold air. I sensed it was almost winter. Reina nodded to Jeran and went back inside. We both sat down on a bench. I wasn't sure what to say. I've had a lot of experience but I never said anything first.