Forced to be a Hero - Chapter 2

Instructions

The sun broke through my window as my maid pulled open the curtains. “Good morning, your majesty!” She exclaimed. I rolled over and pushed my face into the pillows. The sun hurt my eyes. “Good morning, Agatha.” “Your parents would like to speak to you this morning.” Agatha told me, trying to get me out of my bed. I sighed but rolled out of bed. As I stood up, the skirt of my silk nightgown fell to my ankles. I patiently waited as Agatha made my bed since she was supposed to help me get dressed (I could get dressed by myself, but she wouldn’t let me). While it did just seem like Agatha was just trying to get me up by saying my parents wanted me, I had to wonder if they did want me and what they wanted to tell me. It was probably nothing. A meeting with another country’s royalty (or even worse, a party I would be forced to attend) seemed likely. I felt like something was wrong, and those feelings tended to be right, but I ignored it. The feelings meant nothing. I wasn’t special, just another princess. I met my parents in the throne room. My brother wasn’t invited, which was a bit concerning. “Good morning, Father.” I curtsied and smiled. “Good morning, Mother.” “Good isn’t the word I’d use, Arielle.” My father frowned as if I wasn’t told my whole life to greet people with a smile and a curtsy. “Is something wrong?” I bit my lip. “Don’t bite your lip, darling, you’re a princess.” My mother sighed. I stopped immediately, hoping I wouldn’t be criticized more. I wanted to pull on my hair, but they wouldn’t approve of that either. “There’s been reports of magic users attacking people.” My father narrowed his eyes. I pulled on my dress nervously. My mother scowled at this as well. “Magic users?” I clasped my hands. I, personally, didn’t believe all magic users were dangerous (as I knew someone with magic quite well), but I had been told my whole life that if someone used a lot of magic, they were extremely dangerous. The people in Hylako don’t use magic (at least not often) and we haven’t since the war, so most here wouldn’t be dangerous... I’m pretty sure. My mother was the one to continue. “We have reason to believe that they’re from Whispina.” That would explain it. The Whispinian royalty hates us. Whispinians are also well known for being dangerous magic users. “We have decided we need to send someone to Whispina to reasom with them.” The King informed me. “Send me!” I offered. I wasn’t sure why I offered, I didn’t want to go to Whispina. “Arielle.” My mother glared. “I can handle myself.” I stated. “What are you going to do, offer yourself to be the Whispinian prince’s bride?” She laughed. “No.” I crossed my arms. “I can do archery.” “And what if they take your prisoner?” My mother inquired. “Then Damian can take your throne.” “You really want to go to Whispina?” “No, but…” “That’s what I thought.” She scoffed. I have a feeling that she didn’t like me that much, even though I was her daughter. “I think she has to go.” My father told her. I jolted. “What? Are you crazy?” Mother frowned. “Remember the legend?” Father asked. I didn’t remember the legend. I wasn’t quite sure what legend he was even referring to. “Not sure it’s a legend…” Mother scowled. “Whatever.” Father groaned. “We’ve always known she was in it. She needs to go.” My mother gave in. “Alright.” I still wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but I guess I had to go to Whispina… and do something. Mother smiled at me, which was a bit creepy. “Goodbye Arielle.” “I’ll leave tomorrow.” I informed her. She didn’t drop the creepy smile. “Goodbye Arielle, we’ll miss you.”