Chapter 14: The Pacifist

Hazel appeared angry or hurt, or perhaps a mixture of both. It was a little hard to tell, and Bel didn't know how to react to this. It wasn't very often her sister expressed negative emotions.

She shrugged and looked down at the table. "I don't know. I thought it would be fun," Bel replied, her tone low.

"Fun? Why would you even think that? I understand that you don't want to marry Prince Davien, but you don't have to embarrass Father and Mother like that. There is a limit to certain things."

"I wasn't trying to embarrass them. You don't have to assume the worst of me," Bel whispered, picking up her cutlery to dig into her breakfast. She didn't like how she was feeling; to distract herself, she used her hands.

Hazel's expression softened immediately. "I am not assuming the worst. I am just trying to figure out what you were trying to accomplish by doing that. Mother is mortified and Father is very angry."

Her voice was softer, and Bel could see Hazel's anger dissipate as her eyes filled with understanding.

"I was hoping to lose points with the Royal Family," Bel whispered. Having Hazel scold her was gnawing at her confidence.

"I am sorry, what does that mean?" Hazel asked, her perfect brows furrowing closer together. It made Bel think of her much bushier ones.

She dropped the cutlery and let out a sigh. "I was hoping that would give them one reason to want to call off the marriage."

"And that's how you went about it?" Hazel asked, horror evident in her tone.

"I realized now that I may have been a little impulsive," she reluctantly admitted, picking the cutlery back up again.

"A little? I want to downplay it as much as possible, but Father is angry, very much so, and I can't help but fear he would want to enforce his authority. You would have to apologize or things may take a turn for the worse."

"What? I am not doing that," Bel replied with a horrified expression. "It wasn't like anyone was harmed; they don't have to make a big deal about the situation," she added nonchalantly.

Hazel looked torn for a few seconds. "I am worried about you, okay? I don't want you to anger Father. I want you to have as much choice in this matter as possible. That's why I am hoping that in time you'll see how much this benefits not just you."

Bel's expression darkened. Hazel, the pacifist. Most times, she adored her sister, but sometimes her attitude of not wanting to upset anyone annoyed Bel.

She dropped her spoon. "I will be off to the clinic." She stood up without waiting for Hazel's response, leaving more than half of her breakfast untouched.

"Bel?" Hazel called, confusion evident on her face. She obviously was trying to figure out what she said wrong.

Everyone just expected her to marry some strange man. It wasn't that big of a deal; it was a good marriage arrangement. All her refusals fell on deaf ears.

Bel didn't respond to Hazel's call; she just walked out of the dining room without looking back. She heard the door close behind her just as she realized she was surrounded.

Well, not exactly, but standing not more than six feet away from the dining entrance were seven guards, all holding spears. Bel frowned; she didn't like this.

They moved their spears to the side and bowed to her in perfect coordination. Their bows perfectly lined up, none higher than the other.

"What's the meaning of this?" She asked, glaring at them.

Their presence could only mean one thing for two reasons: her father was increasing her security either to protect her as she left the castle or to make sure she didn't leave, and from the tension between them, she could easily guess which it was.

"We are to escort you to your room, and you are to remain there for the rest of the day," one of them said as they slowly raised their heads.

Bel's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Firstly, there were too many guards—seven! Just to see her to her room; was a little too much. She could tell Hazel had not exaggerated when she said their father was angry.

"Absolutely not! Out of my way, I have places to be."

"I am afraid not. The King's orders," the same person responded. She could tell he was a high-ranking guard; his insignia was different.

She narrowed her eyes at him. This set of guards was unfamiliar to her, and she prided herself in recognizing faces.

Bel took a step forward, staring the guard down, but he didn't flinch, neither did he make eye contact with her. Whenever she tried to look at his eyes, he would look at the side of her face instead.

"Out of my way!" She repeated.

"We can't do that, princess. We will gladly escort you to your room, and anything you need will be given to you." His back was straight as he spoke, his eyes unblinking, his chest to the sky, and his spear by his side.

She tried to take another step, and all the guards immediately made an X with their spears except the guard in charge.

Bel tried to go around them, but they anticipated this and moved accordingly. She glared at them, but nothing changed.

"Please, Princess," the guard in charge responded. "The King has asked us to guard you, and to disobey his order would be likened to treason."

"Guard, don't you mean imprison?" She scoffed.

He didn't reply to this, and Bel didn't need anyone to tell her that speaking to them wouldn't change anything. Only two people could stop this. She didn't want to speak to one, and it was obvious Lord Landon wasn't in the castle yet.

Her expression darkened; she would have to comply. She hated this. Somehow, it only got worse.

Spinning on her heel, she headed in the direction of her room. She could exercise some patience. They weren't going to break her so easily.

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