Rumors In The Palace

Valia heard the whispers, noticed the looks, but didn't really think anything of it. People talked about her behind her back all the time, it didn't bother that much. She was also used to the different looks people gave her:fear, curiosity, and disgust.

She knew that there were rumors about her planning on killing Prince James, something she would never do, to take over the thrown. However, not many people believed those rumors since they have been going on for years. There was a new rumor, one Valia had never heard before, and it made her blood run cold.

Did you know that Valia had killed someone because she thought it was fun? Because the man she killed was a farmer, and she thought it would make everyone laugh to show that she could do whatever she wanted?

Valia started to pay more attention to the rumors. It is not that she wanted to, more like she needed to. It was irrational, Valia knew that, but she couldn't help it. She had a suspicion on who they were talking about, and that was why she started listening in the first place.

It was hard, everyone would quiet down they saw her coming, but her suspicion was confirmed. Everyone was talking about Connor Ruton. Just the thought of him made her want to smile, cry, and go back in time. But she didn't do anything. She was even more closed off then she used to be.

The only person she ever really showed emotion around was Isabelle, who didn't believe the rumors. Valia wanted to tell Isabelle that she really did kill a man, not a purpose, but the blood was still on her hands. She had been so clueless and young, should never had fallen in love, but the past was the past. And she had killed Connor.

Valia noticed the only one who wasn't afraid of her, besides Isabelle and maybe the king, although they hardly ever spoke to one another, was Prince James. Around her, the only emotion he showed was anger. It could possibly be because he was courting Anne Ruton, Connor's sister, or that he believed Valia would kill him once they were married.

Married. The word rang in Valia's head. She didn't want to marry Prince James, but she had to. Valia had started to believe that it wouldn't be so bad, that he was a sweet guy, even though he was with someone else. That was, of course, before he had started to hate her. No one would ever say it out loud, in fear of angering Valia, but they all knew Prince James loathed her. The people of Glyd were fine with that. They hated her also.

Two weeks passed before Prince James talked to Valia when he wasn't forced to. It was when Valia was heading to Isabelle's room. Prince James stood one hallway away from the door, planing on intercepting Valia. And he did do that.

Valia was startled when she saw him, not because he looked angry to be by her, but because he was walking towards her. Valia didn't smile, but she did look into his eyes. His eyes, which were normally a warm brown, flashed coldly.

"I don't want you to be around my sister." His voice cut through her like a steal, taking all the warmth that was inside her away.

When Valia responded to him, her voice was even colder than his. "Prince James, I do not see why I cannot visit your sister. If you would be so kind as to explain why, I will gladly except an explanation."

Valia hated how harsh her voice was, she had yet come terms with her new self, but she couldn't be nice. Her parents taught her that there is no power in what comes from the heart. She didn't fully believe them, but she felt like she didn't have a choice.

Prince James glared at her before answering, "I think you know the reason as to why I don't want you around Isabelle. Anne Ruton has told me what you did."

Valia's heart stopped for a moment, and she knew her face was pale, no color whatsoever. Valia had never liked Anne, but it was reasonable dislike. Before Anne new Valia was royalty, she would do all kinds of horrid things. She would try to push Connor and Valia apart, doing anything to stop them from being together.

When Anne figured out Valia was really a princess, she would act sickly sweet around her. Valia didn't mind that much, because she loved Connor enough to put up with anything the world could throw at her. However, when Anne figured out that Connor had proposed to Valia, she started making death threats. Valia told no one about it. If Valia learned anything from her past with Anne, it was that Anne was an exceptional actor.

Valia didn't know what Anne Ruton told Prince James, except maybe that they were with one another, so she could only do one thing about it. She demanded him to tell her. "What, if may ask, did Anne Ruton tell you about me?"

His eyes narrowed before he answered. "You should already know that it is the worst thing imaginable. Something you should have paid greatly for. You killed her brother, Connor Ruton, in cold blood."

If possible, Valia went even paler. She clutched her navy blue dress, almost ripping the fabric. She suddenly wasn't sure she could stand any longer, but didn't want to show weakness in front of Prince James. She knew that she had a hand in Connor's death, knew that he died because of her, and she had to forever life with that knowledge. That guilt. That sorrow.

Before Valia could turn around, Isabelle came into the hall and saw her. She was too happy to really take in the scene, so started saying, "Valia, you had me worrying! Oh, that doesn't matter now. I want to show you something-"

Isabelle stopped talking, noticing her friend's pale face and swaying figure. "Valia, oh Valia, are you ill? You look sickly."

Isabelle waited for an answer as she dashed in front of her friend, pushing past Prince James as he tried to stop her. Valia felt Isabelle's hands on her shoulders, and looked up. She saw how worried Isabelle looked. She saw how angry, murderous even, Prince James looked as he walked over to them, intent on pushing them apart. She felt the first tear roll down her face, and then the second. She tried to stop them, but it didn't work. Valia turned away, walking stiffly back to her room, a sob catching in her throat.

Hello! If you hadn't notice, James is a complete jerk as of now. James does get nicer, I promise.

Bye!