“Elara!” I am pulled from my head by a voice calling out to me. I can immediately recognize this voice as my mother’s. “My apologies, mother. I am paying attention now.” She begins to go off on the same rant that she makes every day. “You need to be better. As the princess, you set the example for girls all around the continent! You must live up to society’s standards. Revalia expects more of you. I expect more of you.” I’ve heard these same words almost a million times before, but I still reply with, “Yes, mother.”

“You need to be more like your brother!” I have to physically restrain myself from rolling my eyes. “Yes, mother.” My older brother, Astin. The perfect, never wrong, golden child. The heir to Revalia’s throne. The conceited, snotty brat who will run the country soon. “He knows not to answer the press’s questions. Why don’t you know that? Why can’t you do anything right?” I look down at my shoes, afraid to meet her eyes. It’s never good to meet her eyes when she gets angry like this. “My apologies, mother. I should have known better.” She begins to yell. “Yes, you should’ve! God, it is so hard to love you when you act like this! Why can’t you act like you’re deserving of my love for once in your life?” I fight the urge to flinch. By now, I’m staring at the floor so hard that I’m practically burning holes into it. “My apologies, mother. I’ll do better, I promise.” She just sighs and replies, quieter now, “Leave me, Elara. I can’t stand the sight of you right now.”

I lift my head ever so slightly, enough to spot the door and quickly and quietly make my way out of her room. Once I get to my room, I step inside and lock the door behind me. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I am lucky today. She usually hits me when she gets that angry. Suddenly, I hear my door unlock and I panic for a second, only to find my bodyguard stepping into my room behind me. “Please lock the door behind you, Callista.” I hear the lock click into place. I begin to silently weep. Callista is at my side in an instant. “What is wrong, my princess? How can I help?” I look up at her with my tear filled eyes, and hold out my arms for a hug. For only a moment, Callista looks shocked, before she extends her own arms and holds me while I cry into her shoulder.

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I don't know how much time passes, but when I pull my head from her comforting shoulder, the sun has set and someone is knocking on my door. I wipe my face, and look up at Callista. “Thank you greatly. It won't happen again, I assure you.” Callista nods at me, then bows her head. I stand up and walk to my door, praying that whoever is there does not ask about the redness under my eyes and the puffiness of my face. I open my door to find my brother, standing there with a bored expression on his face. “Sis, I shouldn't have to wait for you to open your door. It should not take that long.” I roll my eyes. “Well, Astin, maybe you should learn to be more patient.” He pushes past my shoulder and strolls into my room without a care. He doesn't spare Callista a glance, which I hope she doesn't take offense to. “Sis, did I ask? So, what did you do to piss off mom this time?” Thinking back to our argument makes me want to cry, so I simply reply with, “Nothing, dear brother.” I bat my eyelashes at him and cup my hands so the point sticks. “You selfish jerk.” Without thought, I quip back, “You nosy asshole.” He sticks his tongue out at me like a bratty child. “Well, don't piss off mom tomorrow. We have to present ourselves to the people.” He acts like I can't remember that stupid shit by myself. “I know, dipshit. I'm not stupid.” He rolls his eyes, which signals that he is about to leave. I step to the side so that he doesn't run into me again. “Goodbye, brother.” He scoffs and walks out of the door without a second glance. When he leaves, I lock the door and tell Callista that I'm heading off to bed. She bids me goodnight, then steps outside of the room to guard the door while I sleep. I am so exhausted by my fight with my mother that I forget to change from my day outfit into my sleeping clothes. As my head hits the pillow, I pray to Thalian that tomorrow will be an easier day.