Hate?

Chapter Two

The slamming of the large oak library door is what brought me out of my stupor.

I looked up to see a girl with golden hair pulled into an elegant bun. Her turquoise gown brought out the beautiful hew of her blue eyes, and her bright smile. "Hello Mimi," she said, sitting down in the chair next to me.

"Hello Sally," I said, forcing a grin on my face. Thinking about the past always brought the worse out of me, and I didn't want to direct my anger at Sally; who was just about the sweetest girl I ever knew. Even though she is two years younger than I, we have been very good friends since I was six. "How are you?"

"I'm well. Steven's running around in the garden again with the other boys; I didn't see you and figured your mother had you in here studying."

I sighed and confirmed that her assumption had been correct. To my mother, Queen Nenet, studying was the most important thing for a crown princess. To rule a country, especially one as large as Blavan, I must have reputed knowledge. But my father, King Sheldon, says that I should spend my time socializing and just having fun while I still can; when I become Queen I'll be coped up in the palace almost all day.

"I hear Carlisle is coming today," Sally said, giving me a tentative smile. Sally, along with everyone else in the palace, knows that Carlisle Chapman was only visiting to see me. He is the "favorite" among my "suitors" and everyone expects us to be engaged by Winter Solstice. There was just one person standing in my way…

"Matthew is standing outside," Sally continued, looking at the door. "He told me to tell you that your mother and father wish to see you in the throne room."

"Why didn't he just come in here and tell me himself?" I asked, glaring at the door.

"Well, I was on my way in so I suppose he thought it would be easier if I told you…"

I gave her a smile and nodded, even though we both knew that it was a lie.

"He is…so cold," Sally said, her eyes reflecting sadness. "I remember when we were little and played in the woods…"

"Those days are long gone, Sally," I said my voice breaking just saying it. "He's changed. Ever since his parent's death…" I closed my eyes and swallowed. That day eleven days ago had ruined everything. A week after the death of their parents, Sir Preston Johnson and his wife Hillary, Matthew and his younger sister Candace journeyed to Cleavon, to become warriors. Candace came back to Blavan two years earlier, when she was sixteen, the warrior leaders of Cleavon thought her mind too "unstable" and it was unsafe to put her in a battle situation, where she would most likely lose control of herself and let her thirst for revenge take over.

Matthew returned a little over a year ago and soon became my personal bodyguard.

I was ecstatic.

Finally I could have him to myself again. It would be like old times; him watching over me. The only difference would be that Carlisle would no longer be in the picture.

I had long given up my friendship with Carlisle; in fact, it ended the day Matthew had left. Though Carlisle is still persistent and looks after me just as he used to, I have already made my decision.

Its Matthew I want; it's Matthew I love.

Of course, he is not my Matthew; not the Matthew who would shelter me from storms and protect me from wood monsters. The Matthew that returned to me was a cold, distant shadow of his former self.

In the year that he has been with me, I have yet to see him smile again.

I know he scorns me; he despises the fact that it is my decision as to whether or not he is relieved of his duty. To be relieved is what he wants; he wants his freedom, but I can't give it to him. I won't let him leave me again. Not for such a deplorable reason. Not for revenge.

Yes he wants to leave so he can fulfill his revenge. He wants to find his parents murderers and kill them.

I know it is selfish for me to keep him with me but I fear…that if he leaves he may never come back and if he does come back his hands will be stained and would I be able to love a murderer?

I am selfish, I know. But I'm the princess; I'm allowed to be selfish, right?

I let out another frustrated sigh as I heard the two girls giggle from inside the library. Didn't I ask Lady Sally to tell Princess Mimi to come out?

Without my knowing, my foot started tapping and I glanced at clock on the wall for the sixth time. I was about to storm in and drag Princess Mimi out when the two girls slowly appeared form the door smiling.

I glared. "Your parents have been waiting for ten minutes."

Mimi smiled. "I'm sure they'll understand."

"Understand what? That you were being lazy and disrespectful?"

"Um…Sir Matthew," piped the timid Lady Sally. "You…You shouldn't speak that why to the princess."

My glared hardened and she shrank back. "She may be the princess, Lady Sally, but it is her parents who are in charge of the kingdom and all of the inhabitants."

"Y-Yes Sir Matthew."

"I'm sorry Matt," Mimi said, using the nickname from when we were children. "I just lost track of time."

"Troublesome," I mumbled as I started walking down the hall and toward the throne room, stuffing my hand in my pockets.

"Wait for me!" Mimi called. She ran up to me and wrapped her arms around mine, giving it a squeeze. "Bye Sally! I'll see you tonight at dinner!" She looked up at me and pouted. "You could have come in and told me to come."

"You could have been more responsible. I know Sally told you I was waiting." I rolled my eyes as she let out a huff.

"Now you're just being mean."

"And you're just being immature."

She glared mockingly up at me. "You know Sally's right, I am the princess; you should be more courteous."

I'll be courteous when I'm finally free, I thought, glaring at the smaller girl.

"So…do you know why mom and dad want me?" She asked, looking at me as if I actually might know; though I did have a good guess.

"I suppose it has something to do with Lord Chapman's visit," I said, shrugging my shoulders. It was annoying when she asked so many questions.

She was an annoying girl.

I was relieved to see the big gold doors of the throne room. Mimi bounced into the room and ran up to her father and into his arms. I couldn't help but feel a tightening in my chest.

I concealed my pain perfectly.

"Why did you want to see me daddy?" She asked, while smiling at her mother who was sitting on one of the thrones.

"It is about Lord Chapman's visit, dear," Queen Nenet said, smiling at her daughter. She turned and nodded towards me. "You may wait outside the door, Matthew."

I bowed lowly and walked out, not knowing or caring what they had to talk about.

I wasn't surprised to see Steven Ackerly, cousin to Mimi, standing next to Lady Theresa and smiling down at her. They were talking in hushed tones and the blush on Lady Theresa's face and neck was evident.

Steven had definitely taken after his father, Lord Harper, and had nearly all the women of the court wooing for him; though the only girl that ever stayed near and dear to his heart was his twin Sally.

This was confirmed when Sally walked up to Steven and grabbed onto his sleeve. Steven looked down at her and smiled. Without even glancing back at Lady Theresa he led Sally down the hall and out of sight.

I watched in amusement as Lady Theresa let out an aggravated sigh and stormed past me mumbling about "the nerve of that girl…"

I walked across the hall to stare out the stained glass window and was not shocked to see a horse drawn carriage pull up to the front gate. Carlisle Chapman was most likely sitting in there, waiting to see his precious Mimi and to smother her with gifts.

I really had nothing against Carlisle. After all, he and I use to be best friends.

But things change.

People change.

"Matthew." I turned to see a girl with black hair like mine and green eyes to match her emerald gown.

"Hello Candace," I said, nodding to my younger sister. I nodded once again when Dominic Troy, another soldier but a year younger than me, walked up next to Candace. "How are you?"

"I am fine. How are you?" Candace asked coming to stand next to me at the window. "Ah yes, Lord Chapman. I dare say he's come to make another proposal."

"Poor man," said Dominic. "He can't seem to take a hint."

"Princess Mimi is the one who needs a hint," I growled out, my annoyance at the girl growing by the minute. "She can't seem to understand that marrying Lord Chapman would be best. She is too stubborn for her own good."

"Yes," said a voice. We all turned to see Lady Sadie, the Mage Advisor, walking toward us. Lady Sadie was a beautiful woman. Her golden hair was pulled loosely back and her long flowing red robes made her look elegant. "But it's in her blood; both her parents are as stubborn as mules; made their first few years of marriage hell. I can already see the trait has passed down to all their children as well."

It was true. The six royal children were some of the most stubborn people I had ever met, but their personalities were still very distinguished and it was always a hassle to try and keep up with them all.

Princess Mimi, the eldest at eighteen and the heir to the throne was a very energetic, naïve girl who was always very troublesome.

Prince Ashford Jr. was named after their grandfather and was sixteen years old. He was a very calm quiet boy who enjoyed painting.

Prince Theodore was fifteen years old and was also quite troublesome. He and his cousin Steven always seemed to find trouble, but they also always found a very pretty lady.

Princess Bianca was a very selfish girl, at the age of twelve. She always wanted things to be done her way and hated be left out or forgotten. She is also easily the prettiest girl in the castle and will grow up to be a beautiful woman.

Prince David was a very mysterious ten year old boy who was very good at disappearing and not reappearing until it was meal time. He has a love for sweets.

Princess Fiona is the youngest, at the age of six, and also the sweetest. She loved playing with all the pets and the barn animals of the palace and never said an unkind word; which was strange for a girl of her age.

Yes, the royal children were a colorful bunch and I was stuck here watching over the most aggravating of them all.

I'll never forgive her for keeping me here; keeping me away from my goal.

Someday I'll get free and will have the chance to get my revenge as I have planned for the past eleven and a half years and no one can or will stop me.

Not even a silly little princess.

Author's Note: Hey all. Well I hope you liked it. For those who haven't gotten it Mimi and her siblings are Sheldon and Nenet's children. Matt and Candace are Preston (the knight, remeber?) and Hillary's children. Steven and Sally are Harper and Ember's. Also about Steven and Sally I hope no one gets their relationship mixed up. They are just really close and more about them will of course be revealed, a long with the other cahracters and things.

Also most of the observations and such will be in Matthews POV since his character is much more perspective than Mimi.

I hoped you all liked it and I'll try to update sooner. The chapters will get longer, and jsut like in Love? other POV's will come in later in the story.