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Maud doesn't know how to answer.

It's not just the words getting stuck in her head, scrambling around and twisting and turning painfully. It's not the oddness of his tone, the clear mocking in the way he sounds so calm despite literally kidnapping her from her home and turning her life upside down. It's not that. It's not the hate that she feels for him in that moment, as she gazes into his deceiving eyes and finds nothing but cold heartedness. It's the utter realization of; wow, she has no idea how to talk to someone of this man's status.

He is above her in many ways. One could even say that, compared to her he is a god and she is a mere ant crawling on the ground. It's apparent in the way he looks at her, with an ice cold expression hidden by a manipulative half-smirk half-smile. It's also apparent in the way he dresses, with his black royal suit looking more expensive than her life, and a big silver emblem necklace over his clothed chest, showing off his status and power for everyone to see. Or maybe it's just the way he sits, leaned back like he owns the world, back against the most carefully embroidered and expensive couch that Maud has ever seen. The fact that he can so carelessly play around with his expression, do what he wants with his clothes without limits and lean against whatever expensive furniture that he wants, shows who he really is.

The king of the largest empire on the continent. A man that could swallow you whole, and gobble you up.

How could she, a wolf in sheep's clothing, or in this case a peasant in a royal's robes, ever talk to a man like him? And he makes that clear too, only confirming her doubts and nervousness, in the way that he speaks, the way that he sits, the way that he looks at her. It's chilling. There is no love in his gaze, no familiarity, no compassion or even interest in the slightest. But suddenly Maud finds herself remembering that key thing. The reason that there should be love in his gaze, interest and compassion, is because of the blood that they share. Because of course, they are siblings. She is his sister, he is her brother. The closer she looks the more she realizes how alike they are. And that's what grounds her.

He can act however he wants, but they are blood siblings and in her world, that makes them equals of soul. That's what makes her talk, with more confidence than she first expected.

"What do you want from me?"

Because Maud isn't dumb. She knows that there is a clear reason why she first now has been brought before the king. Yes, maybe it's because the king and queen are now both dead, and it no longer matters if the queen birthed a daughter or not. But something inside Maud is telling her that it must be something more. Men are men. If there is anything she has learned over time as a human being, it's that men, especially rich men and rich women too, always want something in return. Or, when they do something, they are expecting something from you that you might not even understand until it's way too late.

Her brother could easily have never told anyone about the princess, he could've left her at the farm and let her live a peasant's life forever. But he didn't. He chose to bring her back, right now, at this very sudden time. A time which appears to be a whole two years since the old king passed. And a whole four years since the queen herself passed. What made him do it now? What made Makai search her up now, and reveal the truth? It's not out of love, that's for sure, it's not out of respect and care for his family. That's clear by one single look at his face. No love can fit inside his cruel heart, Maud can see it in his eyes and expression. So there is only one option left. He has something to gain. Maud would very much like to know what that is, because she is the protagonist of his plans, and she knows it will end badly for her.

As they say, no matter what the situation is, a woman will always suffer for others to be happy. Or indeed in this case, for others to grow their prosperity.

"We're going to have to work on that attitude"

Makai says with the same smile from before, suddenly nudging his head towards a chair opposite of him. Maud is surprised at his laid back attitude, but then corrects herself. She should not expect anything human from him, instead she should bring the bar down the floor. This man is a monster, she has only known him for one minute but she can already tell.

"Go on, darling. Take a seat and I'll explain what you must know"

Maud is hesitant about following his orders, because at heart she is stubborn and righteous, not wanting to follow a man like Makai. A man that kidnapped her from her own home, a man that doesn't care about her despite being family, a man that looks like he would murder without hesitation. But it's that exact fact that makes her obey him. She must remind herself that in this world she is just a woman, no matter her title. She will always be, and always is reduced to her sex, and resisting that could very well end up in her death. Is she willing to die for her pride and justice? For her own sake? No.

So Maud walks right up to the chair where he wanted her to go, and sits down. She makes sure to pull her skirt out of the way and sit with her legs together, hands folded in front, on her lap. It's almost like she's already trained, but in reality it's just her nervousness making her want to please the man that now holds her ward. The man that now decides her fate and molds her life to his wishes. Despite hating him, Maud will not lose this battle. She will live, no matter where. Live until it's impossible. And it's like he can see it, Makai. Staring at her from the sofa, with a smirk that only widens, Maud realizes that Makai can see right through her. And what she feels, he will use against her.

"You must not be scared, little sister. As it is a shame to birth women, many princesses are brought to court at a later time in life, in many other kingdoms. This is not a unique happening, and nobody shall mention it in your future because of your high status as princess of this empire"

Maud isn't sure why he is trying to reassure her of this. She doesn't care about that, she hasn't thought about that. To be fair, it is interesting to know that she is not the first that has experienced this. From peasant to princess, she is not a single case. What did it feel like for them, the other girls from the other kingdoms? Those that were thrown out by their parents only to be brought back later without a clue of anything? It's terrible, suddenly. Maud doesn't feel curious about it anymore, just sad. How far must this society go for their hate of one half of the population? Why do they doom their women like this? Why must they suffer alone? Hearing about other princesses does not offer any comfort, and perhaps it wasn't meant to. Why would Makai want to comfort her?

"I'm King Makai, your eldest brother. Our father is the late king Micah and our mother is queen Margaret, both died years ago. Little sister, you have three other brothers except for me, Princes Noor, Nico and Takao. They are all your older brothers. You were of course casted out by our mother as a child for being born a female. Since they are now both dead, our parents, I have decided to bring you back. That's all your little brain needs to know"

Makai waves with his hand up and down, signaling that it's an unimportant matter. Maud gets a clearer picture. She imagines her mother, the late queen, in this exact same dress as her. She imagines Margaret casting her away during a dark and stormy night, a dramatic sequence where thunder roars and lightning hits the road in front of her, as she orders a guard to ride away with the newborn child wrapped around in white linen. It's a twisted image of the truth, but with only her imagination as explanation it's a story that becomes real for her. Then Maud imagines her mothers feelings. Would she have loved her? Would she have hated her? Did they look very much alike?

All questions will be left unanswered forever. Her mother is dead. Maud grieves her mother, right there, on a fancy chair in a fancy room wearing a fancy dress, her hands shaking ever so slightly, fingers entangled together and a manipulative older brother staring down at her with satisfaction over her reaction. She hardly grieves her father though. In fact, she doesn't even think about him. Why should she spend time dwelling on the man that ruined her life? The man that probably ruined her mother's life too? Why should she keep dwelling on a man?

"Why now?"

Maud looks up at her brother.

"Why have you brought me here now?"

Wrong move. Makai's expression drops, even if it's just slightly. His eyes darken, if that's even possible, and his evil smile quivers to the point where it almost falls. His gaze becomes too much all in just one second and Maud quickly realizes that she has made a mistake. It's easy to spot. She looked at him, straight in the eyes, and she spoke without permission. Two things a woman should never do, especially a princess towards a king. So out of intimidation, Maud is quick to lower her gaze and shut her mouth, hoping that it's enough. All these rules of being a woman really coming to play now, at the worst moment in her life thus far.

To her luck, although depressingly so, Makai accepts the draw-back and keeps quiet about her sudden show of disrespect. Instead, he recovers his old expression and speaks with the same tone from before, now probably with a different content of things to say.

"To put it shortly, you're a princess now, not a peasant. A princess is the toughest role a woman can ever muster, and it will take a lot of effort from your side. I will not have you rest until you are perfect, from morning until evening I will have you tutored in as much as possible"

Makai eyes her for a moment before continuing.

"Seeing your attitude problem, it's going to be impossible to teach you everything. But we are running out of time so you're just going to have to learn the most basic things. You start first thing tomorrow"

Makai abruptly stands up, leaving Maud startled and almost unable to keep her composure. But she forces herself to stay still with her gaze on the ground, hands grasped together and mouth zipped shut. Makai happens to flash a bigger smile at that, but Maud can't see it. He struts towards the door confidently, and yet with so much calm and grace, it's almost unnoticeable. Several guards turn to leave with him. Maud feels, very suddenly, abandoned. But just before he leaves, Makai turns around with one last thing to say. A cherry on top.

"Why you're here isn't such a mystery, Margaret. There is only one thing a woman is good for"

He leaves with a smirk on his face, the door slamming shut with a bang. Maud doesn't flinch. She is busy looking forwards with wide eyes and breath stuttering. There is only one thing a woman is good for, only one thing a princess is needed for. The reason why almost all of the abandoned princesses from the other kingdoms were eventually brought home. The only duty and sole reason for a princesses, and indeed a woman's existence.

Sold off to marriage.

She is going to be sold off to marriage.

"Your Highness, please-"

The servant is cut off by her own scream, as a piece of glass comes dangerously close to her body. The sound of the broken glass cup echoes in the beautiful office, a feeling of terror sweeping through the room. Around them, there are marble floors and red stone walls from a shiny material, and one of the walls is a complete balcony-like terrace to the garden outside, where a beautiful stone fountain stands as the centerpiece to the warm park. Inside the office there is one single table made from pure white rock, and a wooden stool carved from an olive tree together with some bookshelves, paintings and statues, in a sort of minimalist, open air environment that is usually very lovely.

Usually.

Not on days like this.

The crown prince turns to the maid with fire in her eyes.

"Get out!"

And after the latest throw, the maid has no choice but to obey. In fact, she gladly does so, scurrying away from the wrath of his Highness Adelio. She closes the door behind her in a hurry, and leaves the prince with nothing but his own rage. Adelio runs a hand through his hair, panting, eyes wide open, feeling stressed and like he's sinking. He paces through the room. Eventually, his hands find the marble desk and he throws the papers on it to the floor, resting against it while his mind rushes through millions of thoughts at a time.

How much time passes, the prince is not sure. But once he finds yet another glass standing on his table, he is snapped out of his rapid thoughts and brought back to that familiar fear and anger. He grabs it, squeezes it and throws it against the wall once again. The glass shatters against the stone and breaks into a rain of pieces, landing amongst the rest of the trashed glasses on the floor. The sound echoes in the room once more. Adelio realizes how stupid he is being, and he knows how dangerous it is to act so crazy when his father could walk in on him at any time. But at that moment, he really doesn't care.

Adelio turns to the mirror in his office, a small one standing on his desk. He looks into it. Looks into his eyes, and finds nothing but fear. Pure terror. A woman stares back at him, back at her. A woman stares back at her, because that's who she is. A woman. She is not any different from her sisters, she is one of them. Lucky, she is, to have grown tall and strong and with several masculine features, clear enough to hide the feminine features that she also has. A luck which her sisters did not possess, and did not in fact need. Lucky she is, that her mother decided to take on the biggest and most dangerous mission of her life, with her life very much hanging in the balance. To take a child clearly of the female sex, and fabricate her as male.

What choice did she have? What choice does Adelio have? She is a man. She has always been a man. Not even her sisters know. The only one alive that knows, or knew, was her mother. The midwives were killed and any guards that saw were framed and executed at the spot. Only her mother knew, until she also died only five years ago. Since then Adelio has been on her own, with a deep secret engraved in her heart, knowing that she is a woman. She is a woman. A woman who is raised as a man, a woman who is a man but knows that she is a woman.

It's all so complicated. It's all so dangerous. Any wrong movement and boom! She's dead. Her mother is disgraced as a traitor of the country, in her grave. Adelio is a man because she has to be. Because in the world a woman is nothing and a man is everything. Blessed with good height and build, blessed with a few masculine features to make her story seem plausible, she is a man. And not only a man, but also the most desired and powerful man around.

So why is she scared?

Adelio looks at the broken glass on the floor.

Princess Margaret. That's the woman she will marry. And suddenly it's all too real. Almost as if she sometimes manages to fool herself to be a man, and once that illusion suddenly breaks, this happens. Rage. Glass breaking. Maids screaming. Adelio panicking. This time, the thing that snaps him out of his illusion is Princess Margaret. The soon-to-be wife of a woman pretending to be a man.

The soon-to-be wife of a queen.

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