You're getting married!!

Carlotta paced to and fro in the room, feeling so impatient. 

She couldn't believe her father had locked her up in a cell!!!

Not exactly a cell, but a room that looked like a cell to her!

She marched angrily, her baggy dress swaying left and right with her 

Ahh! She was in trouble. Yes, she could feel it.

But why did she have to bump into him anyway? Like... why did he have to ride through the market of all places and at that particular time? He just wanted to get her into trouble, huh?

Urgh!! He was looking so mad at her! And definitely, he must've gotten to know she drugged the guards so she could sneak out of the palace. 

Oh!! This is really a mess! What is she going to do?

Shortly, she heard the door opening and stopped walking, guessing it was him. Or maybe, her mother.

She watched keenly as the door opened and unexpectedly, it was Hannah and Arbee - her step sisters 

Urgh! Seriously?

"And here she is" Arbee chuckled as they both stood by the door. 

Hold on... why did the guards let them in, huh? Carlotta thought angrily. 

"Goodness! Arbee, look at how she's looking like a clown" Hannah said in a whisper, but loud enough for Carlotta to hear.

And the two girls bursted into laughter. 

"This lady is definitely not my sister. I mean... which princess in her right sense would act this way?"

"Hey! If you know you have nothing else to do, I'd suggest you go feed the dogs before I turn you into one myself" Carlotta snapped at them and they laughed heartily.

"You really have no shame, do you?" Hannah scoffed. "You're such a disgrace to the family - always moving around like a tout". 

"You really want to know how able tout behaves? Well, I can show you...".

Kaylan was about going to her when the door opened again and one of the guards walked in. 

"Princess Carlotta, the king wants you in the throne room" he said with his head bowed and Carlotta took in a deep breath. 

"Oh, please! You can just call her Carlotta. She doesn't deserve the title" Hannah said sarcastically and walked out of the room, giggling with her sister. 

Carlotta glared hard at them, trying so hard to control her temper. 

It wasn't so difficult for her to go after them, pull them by the hair and give each of them a desirable beating. But she's made the King angry enough already and didn't want to add to it. At least, not yet.

She took in a deep breath and followed the guard out of the room.

*

Getting to the throne room, she found her mother, the King, and two men and one woman as well. They were all familiar. 

Carlotta bent her head in contrition as she knew what was going to happen. Those people were definitely there to lay complaints on her and knowing how bad she had upset the King today, she knew it wasn't a good idea.

She arrived in front of the throne and took a glance at the villagers.

"Good day, father" she turned to the King and said, but he didn't respond. 

Her mother was wearing a bittered look as well.

Slowly, the King turned to the first man and said:

"Go on".

"Your Majesty" he bowed. "I don't mean to bother you, but what happened is really disheartening and I just need to say it out. Right now, my son is lying on the bed, bruises all over his face because the princess had beaten him up mercilessly".

Carlotta's cheeks got heated immediately. Damn it!

The King glared at her and looked at the second man. 

"Yes?"

"Your Majesty" he bowed. "The princess had almost burnt down my farmland. Although, she didn't, but she threatened to return at night and do it and I just wanted you to please, My King, talk to her so she doesn't carry out that threat"

Carlotta pinched herself slowly. Definitely, these people were devil - sent. 

"And you?" The King said to the last complainer who was a woman.

"Your Majesty" She began. "The princess actually pushed down my goods while running earlier on at the market today. Everything got mixed-up with the sand and became ruined! I know I shouldn't be bothering you, My King, but I had to sell off my important jewelries just to start up that business. And now that it's gone, I really don't know what to do".

Carlotta's head was bowed the whole time, not wanting to look at the King.

Oh God! She was done for. 

It took some time before the King spoke up. 

"Guards!" He called and two guards came scuttling in. 

"Your Majesty" they bowed. 

"Take them to the financial secretary and tell him I want some compensations given to them" he ordered.

"Yes, your majesty". 

"Oh! Thank you so much, your Majesty! Thank you so much!"

"May you live long!" 

The villagers greeted happily and left with the guards.

"Hungry things" Carlotta jibed angrily in her thoughts.

"Carlotta!" The King's voice broke into her thoughts, sending cold chills down her spine. 

Oh! Damnit! And here it comes!

"What exactly do you want me to do with you, huh? How can you go around, causing havoc like a pest?! You've made commoners have every reason to visit my palace at anytime they please. You've turned my throne room into a room of complaints and mockery!

"Other Kings make jest of me - discussing amongst themselves that I have a daughter who behaves like an tout! How could you go around beating people up and burning down their farmlands?!"

"Caleb was at fault, father" she said with her Head bowed. "He had thrown a stone at me and that's the reason I chased him and beat him up. And as for the other man, it was just an empty threat. I can never burn down his farmland. I'll never do such a thing to anyone at all. And..."

"Shut up, Carlotta! Shut up!!" He roared and her mouth clamped shut immediately. 

Goodness! She's never seen her father that angry before.

"How about the woman whose goods you ruined?" He asked, but she didn't say a word. 

"How about Gideon's fruits? And how about the guards you drugged! Are you so bent on bringing shame to me?!"

A stunned silence stepped in. 

"Your other sisters behave matured. They make me proud and have earned a lot of admirations from great Masters and rulers. But you, all you've brought to me is nothing but shame and disgrace. Not even a single prince has ever written to you, or make any form of advancement towards you. And with this, it's shamefully possible you're only going to grow old here in my palace without ever getting married! Is this the kind of life you want, Carlotta?!"

Another silence stepped in. 

"I've made up my mind, Carlotta" he continued, his voice sounding more cold. "I'm sick and tired of having you here in my Palace. And I'm not going to punish you anymore because I'm tired of it as well".

"You're leaving this family,Kaylan. You're leaving this palace. You're getting married". 

Kaylan's eyes dimmed.

What??

"And it's to no other person but Master Xander", the King added.

"What??"