Chapter 97 - The Apology.

The peeking of the rising sun woke her from sleep. The night was over, it was time to go and meet with the royal family. Getting up from bed was a problem, she stood up from the bed and went down stairs to make the cupcakes the tutor asked.

If there was any thing Angelina was good at – cupcakes. She made the best cupcakes in Akkad. Sometimes when they were running out of money , her mother would take some to the village market to sell.

"Good morning mother" Angelina greeted. She was surprised to see her so early.

"Morning Angel. I woke early to help you mix the flour. I don't want the tutor to come here and wait for you_ she said, pouring a jar of water in to the pot on the fire. "Also, I want to make breakfast for every one."

Seriously? She thought her mother woke up to make breakfast for them not to help in making cupcakes for some random prince and his family. "Okay, mother."

The tutor came when Angelina finish taking her bath. Quickly, she picked a green dress from the clothes hanging in her room and wore. On her way to the dinning she met her father who didn't looked happy. His face was dull and it seemed he stayed up all night.

"Don't look for trouble when you go out there" he advised. "Be respectful to Queen mother Daria and her sons. Obey all instructions and take care of yourself."

"I will father" she said. He gave a kiss on her cheeks and gave her way to pass. If father was not happy that she was visiting the palace today, then why did he let go? This question troubled Angelina a lot.

The rest of the family bid her good bye and she entered the carriage and left with tutor. The tutor kept on lecturing her on what to do when she gets to the palace.

"Don't forget to kiss Queen Mother Daria's hands when you greet her" the tutor added. Wait, was she supposed to worship the woman because her son was a king? She was already doing what they wanted, it will be better if the tutor did not add to her problems.

"Is there any thing you would like to me to do?" Angelina asked. There were many things to do but she wanted the apology to go perfect not just for the sake of the family but the entire coven. From the way her father spoke last night and this morning, there was going tobe trouble if queen mother Daria did not forgive her.

"Yes" the tutor answered like she just remembered something. Annabelle's frown. Was she going to suffer for just slapping a prince who was trying to play dirty with her? "You have to apologize to the prince . Make sure you go on your knees, I want everything to be perfect."

Perfect? If something was supposed to perfect then,  punishment should be given to that man who had no respect for women not her. But who was she to determine what was wrong or right in this situation. Angelina was not a citizen of Akkad. There were poor migrates. Who would listen to their story and say you deserve a hearing Angelina!

****

He couldn't sleep all night. Those green eyes kept on hunting him. Even when she was angry , Stefan found her attractive. He wished they met on a good day. Then she would have know that he was not a bad man.

It's was morning in the palace. Another day in hell as Stefan would say. If only he was born out side the palace, it would have been a lovely day. Feeling lazy to get out of bed, Stefan took his father's journal and started reading.

A knock came on the door. No need to guess, he knew who it was already. Maybe a guard or a maid who was been sent by queen mother Daria to get him out of the bed. "My morning kiss and prayers is very important Stefan. Don't you ever missed it my dear" she would say. What if he dies on a morning, will she ever get a kiss again?

"Come in" he said, drawing the sheets to cover his naked body. Stefan hardly slept with a cloth on . His mother had quarreled him many times on this but the only reply he gave her was that "stop coming to my room unannounced mother. The door is for knocking. The people who created it were not stupid to put it on there."

The door open and a timid maid walked in with her head bowed "greetings your highness. Queen mother Daria has asked you to see her in the co…"

"The courtyard. Get out' he interrupted her. He wondered why he was getting angry with an innocent maid. She was just a messenger who had no choice.

Stefan got up from his bed and entered the bath tub. He spent an hour taking his bath. During this time, there were about four knocks on the door. 

"Mother" he clenched his jaws. Was she not tired of sending them?

After the long bath. He took a green shirt and wore. Combing his blonde hair, Stefan headed for the courtyard. His mother stood with his brother and his  eldest wife Queen Natasha. He didn't like the gathering because all the people where of same ideology.

"Stefan here you are" his brother said, giving a fake smile. They were discussing but when he got closer they stopped. What a family! "You are always the first to sleep and the last to rise. I wondered if you have something doing in your room at night.

They all laughed. Stefan was smiling. He allowed them to laugh till when they got tired.

"I don't have any worries at all. No kingdom to think of. No one to boss me around" Stefan said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.  "No wife to pleasure during the day and of course no concubines to crawl in to my bed at night ."

He hit three birds with one stone. They were all frowning after him spoke. His mother was the first to speak "that Is by the way" she shrugged her shoulders.

"Mother you called me."

"Yes Stefan dear. I want you to join us for breakfast. It's been long since we had breakfast together" she said.  "We have a lot of differences but don't forget we are family, you shouldn't ignore that fact."

"I have many things to do mother. Having breakfast with the family will end up taking all my time" he rejected her invitation. "Perhaps next time, you should inform me on time."

"Stop taking mother's good gestures for granted Stefan. Is not like your present is very necessary" Lincoln chimmed in.

"This is a son to mother's conversation. If you feel like playing the role of a father, go and  play  that with your sons. I am sure they will be pleased to listen to you"  Stefan yelled at him.

"You this son of a …"

"Stop it the two of you" their mother interrupted. "Lincoln stay out of this okay?"

"Mother? Is that what you are saying?" He was shocked with the way she responded. Little did he thought that his mother would shut him up instead of Stefan.

"You heard her clearly" Stefan said, turning back to his mother. "You see of the reason why I don't like attending family functions? It is one problem from another. Lincoln and I can't be in a room with out fighting each other."

"Don't say that son. Nothing will go wrong today, I promise you that" Queen mother Daria reassured. When she saw that Stefan was not giving in her demand. She broke in to tears. "Your father wanted this family to be whole again. Please don't tear us apart."

Really? Whenever she wanted him to do something for her, queen mother would bring all the memories of his late father to live. Starting from the day, they first met at the ball and how they got married. He found their love stories not interesting but boring. He wished his love story to be different from theirs.

"Okay mother. That is too much"  he said hugging her. "I hate seeing tears and you know that" Stefan wiped the tears flowing down on her cheeks. "You look pretty when you cry."

She laughed and slapped him back. Is not like she hated Stefan or something! This boy was the child that earned her the respect she got from the royal family. Before Stefan was born, his grandmother would punish her for no good reason.

When Queen Mother Daria finally gave birth to him, his grandmother was happy because he was a photocopy of his father. She was treated with love and respect. Things started falling apart when Stefan began to go against her orders..  He didn't think twice before choosing his friends  over her.