Aria
I set the table, earnestly waiting for father's return. He must have had a long day, so it would be really weird of me to just ask him without helping him calm down foremost.
I sit at the table waiting for him, tapping my fingers in anticipation of his return.
Just then, I hear the door creak open. My heart jumps when I hear the door, and I quickly get to my feet, hiding my trembling hands behind me.
My father walks in, his face looking grumpy.
"Good evening, Father," I greet him politely.
He looks in my direction, mumbles a response, then walks past me.
"Father," I quickly call after him.
He stops in his tracks, but does not turn around, "Yes?"
"I made dinner for both of us," I force a smile on my lips.
He shrugs his shoulders, "Should I not have a bath first?" He asks, his voice obviously laced with irritation.
I sigh, "Of course," my voice drops to a whisper.
He continues his walk into the rooms, leaving me standing there, feeling like I have already failed before I started.
"You can do this Aria, do not be discouraged yet," I hype myself up.
I sit back down, waiting for him to come back out again.
Almost an hour later, he comes out in more comfortable clothes, "What did you make for dinner?" He asks in a gruff voice.
"Wild.. boar stew," I force the lump down my throat.
He shrugs, uncovering his plate, then he digs in. I pass him the freshly baked bread, "Here you go."
He nods, then mutters something that sounds like a 'Thank You'.
I watch him eat for a while, wondering how I would break the news to him.
I curl my fingers thinking of what to say, "Uhm.. father," I trail off, my heart drumming hard against my rib cage.
He arches his brow, "Out with it," he says without looking up from his meal.
I suck my teeth before responding, "Father, I was wondering what happened today?"
He paused then looks at him, "What are you trying to ask?"
"I heard you, and the rest elders imprisoned the king's heir?"
He swallows, giving me a hard glare, "Yes?"
"Father, what if he actually is --"
"Innocent?" He cuts me short, his eyes darkening, "Is that what you want to say?"
I shake my head, "What? No."
"Then what are you trying to say?" He is growing impatient.
I drop my gaze, wondering what else I am supposed to tell him, "You should hear from his side of the story.."
"He tried killing his father!" He snaps, banging his hand on the table, "You want us to let a murderer roam about the pack killing others too?"
I am at loss of words, then something in me just blurts out, "He is not like you!" I snap back at him.
He creased his brow, "What?"
"He is not a murderer, deep down I know it. He.. explained everything to me," I fold my arm stubbornly across my chest.
He blinks in what seems to be horror, "You went to the crimson den?"
"Yes--"
He bangs on the table, then rises angrily to his feet, "How dare you?! How dare you go near that place?" He roars.
I flinch back, my chest rising up, and down as I am breathing heavily, "What do you mean?"
"Do you know the harm you are causing yourself? What is wrong with you?!" His whole face is bright red, and I can literally see stream coming out of his ears.
He pushes his chair back, "Aria, this should be the last time you would ever step your feet in that place!" He points a finger at me, "The very last time!"
"But--"
"You are getting way too rebellious, and I do not like that at all," he sneers.
Tears sting my eyes, but I force myself to remain calm, "Father you can not just send the king's heir to the crimson den! You should have mercy!"
He laughs, the sound bitter, and void of warmth, "Is that so? Mercy? Do you know how expensive mercy is?" His tone changes to a hard one, "Mercy can not just be given for free my dear."
"That is not even true!"
"Everything about it is true! You do not know anything, young woman!" He raises his voice filled with contempt.
"You are just as stupid as your late mother," he grits his teeth, balling his hands into fists, "How unlucky am I?"
I fumble with the spoon in my hands, my heart is still racing fast. His words sting my heart causing it to bleed. He really does hate me.
"Listen very carefully Aria, on no account would you leave this house, this compound, infact you can even think of not stepping out of your room," he pushes his chair backwards, storming off into the rooms.
I do not let that threat stop me, I run to him, fall at his legs, holding them.
"Father please, you are doing more harm than good, he actually is my--"
"You have nothing to do with the palace, I can not believe you took my leniency for granted," he shook his head, trying to break free from my grip.
"For that I apologize! Just please let him go, I promise I will do anything you ask, anything at all."
With one hard kick, he pushes me away, almost sending me flying across the room.
"Why are you being stupid?" He growls, "Can your foolish self not see that I am trying to protect you?"
"Protect me? Is that it?" I sneer, "I have never been in more danger with anyone than you! You have just been so full of yourself ever since Elder Demetrius died!" I yell at him.
I feel a stinging slap across my cheeks. It sends a fresh jolt of pain throughout my whole face, my cheek burning with the stinging sensation. Tears begin to blur my vision.
"Watch that cheeky tongue of yours, woman! I am only doing the right thing, and I am sure Demetrius would have done the same too."
"You are the worst father ever! I hate you so much! You never for once think to care about my well-being for once, only mother did!" I stand up, my feet is wobbly, "I hate you, I do not want to see you ever again!" I scream at the top of my lungs, and run to my room, in tears.