::Chapter 4: Mother's Secret::

I hurried through the door, out of the garden. I passed the ballroom as I headed for the stairs. The people were still dancing, eating, chatting, and having a good time, as if my big outburst hadn't happened.

I hate this! This. . . stupid 'gift', Mother had called it. 'Curse' suited it much better.

I sighed, drying the last of my few tears. Maybe Nate was right, I thought to myself as I headed up the stairs. Maybe I WAS taking this a little too hard. No. . . no! This was marriage we were talking about!

I bit my bottom lip.

Well, I still had two more years of freedom. . . I wasn't to get married until I was sixteen.

I stopped the rest of the way up the stairs, walking towards the door to my room.

But Mother hadn't even mentioned anything about the betrothal!

I angrily slammed open the door, shutting it with as much force I had used to open it.

I lit a few candles, and then let myself fall to my bed, ripping the frilly dress off of my body and changing into something more comfortable.

I laid there in the dim room for a few minutes when there was a knock on the door. Startled, I sat up.

"May I come in?" said the familiar voice of Mother.

I hesitated for a moment before I answered. "Okay."

The door slowly creaked open. Mother peeked her head in through the small crack before she opened it all the way.

"Mena," she said gently, stepping in, closing the door behind her.

I kept my eyes to the floor, fearing I might burst into tears, as I had earlier, if I did otherwise.

"Mena, I-I'm terribly sorry you don't like this idea but. . . it's our only choice, for the good the kingdom. . . after not hearing a word from your father since he left to rid of the ogres when you were just a little girl. . . Our kingdom needs a king."

I couldn't control the tear that rolled down my cheek.

"Aren't you going to speak to me?" she asked gently.

I didn't answer.

"Mena, dear, I know it's painful, but I know what you're going through-"

And that's when I burst. "No! You don't!" I cried angrily, tears streaming down my face. "You don't know what it's like being forced to marry someone you don't love. . . let alone someone you haven't seen for almost ten years!" I pause for a moment to catching my breath. "A-And this stupid CURSE! You don't know what it's like! It-it's like my whole world is being controlled my this. . . this. . . 'gift' a stupid fairy gave me when I was born! I hate it! Why does everything have to happen to me?"

I stared at mother. Although my tears blurred my vision, I could still see the sadness in Mother's eyes.

"Amena, although I am your Mother, there are many things you do not know about me," she said seriously. Her eyes looked as though she were thinking upon a painful memory. Then her voice softened, tears welling up in her eyes. "Mena, I miss you. What happened to that little girl who would play harmless tricks on the kitchen maids with me? What happened to that little girl who used to love sliding down the banister with her mother every night until the cleaning maid scolded us? Mena, I miss you."

I fell silent. I could feel new warm tears filling my eyes.

"Mena, I lost my mother when I was not much older than you. I-I know how painful it is to live your life without a Mother and I just want the best for you. . ."

More tears slowly stained my face.

"Honey, we've been drifting apart. You don't talk to me anymore. What happened to my little girl?"

I bit my lower lip.

Mother continued to stare at me with eyes filled with pain.

I took my sleeve and wiped my tears. "She grew up."

Mother stared at me for a few moments longer. She finally turned around and reached for the doorknob. "Good night," she said, without turning around. Then she left.

I buried my face in my pillow and cried. I wanted to tell Mother how sorry I was for what I said. I wanted to tell her how I miss playing tricks on the kitchen maids, like that one time Mother poured tomato sauce all over my bare leg, held up a butchers knife, and jokingly called out for help. I miss sliding down the banister until our best gowns grew too many holes for us to wear them anymore. But most of all, I wanted to tell her how I miss her, too. But my prideful self forbade me to do so.

After quite a while later, there was another knock on my door. I quickly sat up, brushing the tears off my face. "C-Come in."

The door creaked open. "Are you alright, sweets?"

I couldn't help but smile every time I heard this voice. "I'm f-"

Suddenly a dizziness swept over me. I'm fine, Mandy! I wanted to tell her, so she wouldn't be burdened with my troubles.

I concentrated on saying those words, but instead, I burst into tears.

"Oh, sweety! What's the matter?" Mandy called out gently as she took a seat next to me on the bed, surrounding me in a warm embrace.

"Ev-" Again, the familiar dizziness came over me. I wanted to tell her that 'everything' was wrong, to exaggerate my pain, and even if that was just an expression, my curse tugged at my mind to tell the truth.

"Mena, dear, don't fight it," Mandy said seriously.

"When will it go away?" I sobbed.

Mandy smiled. "I'm not sure, but all I know is that it can be done. Your mother broke her curse when she was not much older than you."

My eyes widened. What did I just hear?!

"What are you saying? M-Mother had a. . . curse. . . too..?!"

Mandy nodded, chuckling softly. "Yes, obedience."

"Obedience?" I asked, still shocked.

Mandy nodded. "Yes, she had to obey every little command. If I told her to sing, sleep, she had no choice but. There was this one time when Sir Peter- your grandfather- told her to 'run into to someone else,' and that's exactly what Ella did. The laundry maid had a fit after having to rewash all that clean clothes she was carrying when your mother ran into her."

I couldn't help but laugh. But then I returned to my serious state. "How did she break it?"

Mandy paused. "I'm not quite sure what was going through her mind at the time, but all I know is that your father helped."

Father. I never thought about how much I missed him, until now. "Do you think he's alright?" I asked Mandy.

Mandy stared at the floor. "Honestly, I have to admit, I'm not sure. There is a chance that he is safe." Then she smiled. "The curse can be broken. Just keep that in mind."

I smiled back.

Then, Mandy pulled two things out of her front apron pocket. A little glass bottle and a wooden spoon.

"Open up, it's time for your Tonic!" She said cheerfully as she poured a spoonful.

I groaned. "Alright. . ." I was getting pretty used to this routine now.

I obediently opened my mouth and swallowed the tonic. I paused as I felt the liquid slide down my throat. I made a face.

Mandy chuckled. "Don't forget to show your future husband that face!" Suddenly her smile disappeared. "Oh, sweets! Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up!"

I fell silent. After a few moments, I spoke up. "Mandy?"

Mandy stared at me questioningly. "Yes, sweets?"

"Was Mother and Father betrothed?" I asked, remember when Mother had said that there were many things I don't know about her.

Mandy smiled sadly. "Honestly, no. It was much worse for her, with her obedience and all." Her face brightened. "Don't worry, sweets. You have quite a while to go, you're still just a child. Everything will turn out all right. I promise."

I smiled slightly. "Thank you."

Mandy chuckled gently again, and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "No need to thank me for anything! Now, have a good night!"

"Goodnight," I replied back.

I watched as Mandy blew out the candles and closed the door behind her.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! PLEASE REVIEW!!