CHAPTER 4
There were a few guards outside the carriage who bowed and then began to lead her toward the huge palace gates, she had been away from home for eight years and her memories of that palace were now very sketchy, she could only remember a few parts of the palace.
Two women were walking by them but as expected non of them bowed or even stopped to greet her as a princess or royalty deserved.
As far as the people were concerned she had been ripped off of her princess title and her stepsister has been awarded the title which was supposed to be rightfully her by birth because of something she didn't do.
Everyone knew her as the evil princess who killed her own mother in cold blood as a child.
"It must be princess Alice... Heard the king asked his men to escort her back for the ceremony!"
She was able to hear one of the women say, she had very incredible hearing which was strange to her. She could hear any noise even if it was at least twenty feet away from her.
"She is lucky the king still considered her as his daughter and not a traitor. I guess he would marry her off to one of his commanders to cover up the shame she had already brought upon him!"
The other woman replied, it hurt Alice a lot but she just walked ahead and pretended she never heard anything.
She knew of the circumstances of her mother's death and had vowed to bring justice to her late mother by killing anyone who had a hand in her mother's death even if it cost her her life she didn't care about her reputation as no one even cared about her or if she were a princess.
After a long walk, they were finally in the palace and both Alice and Lara were then escorted to the throne room to meet her father, however, they would only stand ten feet away from the king and queen since both of them was not considered part of the royal family.
"Greetings your royal highnesses! I have successfully escorted my lady back home as you instructed!"
Lara fell on her knees at once and greeted the king and the queen.
But Alice stood adamant on her feet, her head up high even though no one could see her face, she had no single smile on her face and she looked like someone who was about to destroy a whole community.
Lara turned around staring at Alice who just stood as if she were a poster.
"Won't you pay respect to the king?"
She nudge her but Alice kept quiet.
The queen who was sitting on her throne beside the king stared at the two ladies, the displeasure she had towards Alice was very well printed on her face, and even though she doesn't even remember what the girl looked like she was still annoyed with her.
"Usually I would make sure anyone who dares show his or her disrespect in front of his royal highness gets severely punished, but you are lucky I am in a very good mood today as you already know that my dear daughter is going to be crowned today.
I'm Very aware that you are the king's daughter but you currently have nothing, your rank is as low as a commoner so don't be too rude dear Alice.."
Queen Helen blurted out, she tried not to sound too annoying for her husband's sake but even a blind man would tell clearly she was annoyed with Alice's presence.
"I don't mind being a commoner at all, in fact, I've been one for eight years and I've gotten very used to it.
What I haven't gotten used to is bowing before a king and a queen who clearly do not deserve my respect!"
Alice retorted, she had no fear or whatsoever in her voice and Lara gasped in fright.
She knew the two of them were already in for a lot of trouble and she had tried to warn Alice to behave but to no avail.
The queen was very shocked while the king just sat on his throne quietly as if he was the only one in the room and didn't care what was going on.
"You little brat! How dare you address the king and queen like that! Apologize at once!"
The queen yelled and stood from her seat.
"If you would please excuse me your highnesses I'd be on my way, you know I need to get ready for my ball tonight, it's not just your princess that's having a ball tonight!"
Alice said, not minding the hideous look on the queen's face.
After bowing slightly she walked away from the throne room without looking back, Lara also bowed and quickly ran after Alice who was almost at the door.
Alice was going to reach the exit door of the throne room when the guards sectioned there suddenly pulled open the large door and a happy-looking girl walked in.
She had very nice brown hair and a very pretty face that looked innocent, she was, in fact, princess Cynthia Alexandria of Mariposa and everyone adored her, she was the one and only daughter of queen Helen and she is treasured so much although she had a very foul character that most of the town people hate, but they could do nothing but only obey her when she orders them or their heads will be served to queen Helen on a plate.
Cynthia was whistling as she walked in and didn't notice Alice who was dressed in all black and a veil covered her face, thus making them bump into each other.
Cynthia stumbled backward as she massaged her forehead, Alice also felt the pain but didn't show it and just made to walk past the door, it wasn't her fault after all that Cynthia was not looking where she was going and had bumped into her while in a hurry.
"Have you gone crazy, how dare you bump into me and then walked away without getting punished!"