The Fall
Chapter Five: The Fall
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the palace, but Princess Seraphina's mood was far from bright. She had spent the previous day resisting temptation and earning her mother's praise, but today, a new challenge presented itself—one that would test her resolve even further.
Seraphina sat in the grand hall, her embroidery hoop in hand, though her mind was far from the delicate stitches she was supposed to be creating. Across the room, her mother was deep in conversation with one of the royal advisors, discussing matters of state. The princess glanced at them, her fingers fidgeting with the thread. She had been told to stay in the hall and practice her embroidery until her mother was finished, but the task felt impossibly dull.
Her gaze drifted to the open window, where the sound of laughter and chatter drifted in from the courtyard below. A group of stableboys and milkmaids had finished their morning chores, and they were now playing a lively game of tag. Seraphina's heart ached to join them. She had only been allowed to play with the children of nobles, and no noble families had visited the palace in weeks. The temptation to sneak away and play with the common children was almost unbearable.
At first, she resisted. She remembered her mother's rules and the consequences of breaking them. She thought about the spanking she had received just days ago and the promise she had made to do better. But as the minutes ticked by and the laughter grew louder, her resolve began to waver.
Just for a little while, she thought. Mother won't even notice I'm gone.
With a quick glance to ensure no one was watching, Seraphina set down her embroidery and slipped out of the hall. Her heart pounded as she made her way through the palace corridors, her steps light and quick. She reached the courtyard and hesitated, her eyes scanning the group of children. They seemed so carefree, so happy. She wanted to be a part of that, even if just for a moment.
Taking a deep breath, Seraphina stepped forward. "Hello," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Can I play too?"
The children turned to look at her, their eyes widening in recognition. "You're the princess!" one of them exclaimed.
Seraphina nodded, her cheeks flushing. "Yes, but... I just want to play, like you."
The children exchanged glances, then one of them grinned. "Sure! You can be 'it'!"
Relief and excitement flooded through Seraphina as she joined the game. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like a normal child, laughing and running without a care in the world. The rules, the consequences, her mother's warnings—all of it faded into the background as she lost herself in the joy of the moment.
But the moment didn't last.
"Princess Seraphina!"
The sharp voice cut through the laughter like a knife. Seraphina froze, her heart sinking as she turned to see her mother standing at the edge of the courtyard, her expression a mixture of anger and disappointment. The other children scattered, leaving Seraphina standing alone, her dress rumpled and her face flushed from running.
"Mother, I—" Seraphina began, but the queen held up a hand, silencing her.
"Not a word," Queen Eleanora said, her voice cold and firm. "Come with me. Now."
Seraphina's stomach churned as she followed her mother back into the palace, her earlier joy replaced by a growing sense of dread. She had broken the rules—deliberately and knowingly. She had let her desire for fun override her better judgment, and now she would have to face the consequences.
As they walked through the grand hall and toward the queen's private chambers, Seraphina's mind raced. She thought about the spanking she had received just days ago, the sting of it still fresh in her memory. She thought about the promise she had made to do better, and how quickly she had broken it. And she thought about the look on her mother's face—a look that said she had expected more from her daughter.
When they reached the queen's chambers, Seraphina stood in the center of the room, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She didn't dare look up, her eyes fixed on the floor as she waited for her mother to speak.
The queen closed the door behind them and turned to face her daughter, her expression unreadable. "Seraphina," she began, her voice calm but stern, "do you remember the rules we discussed?"
Seraphina nodded, her throat tight. "Yes, Mother."
"And do you remember what I said would happen if you broke those rules?"
Another nod, this time accompanied by a single tear that slipped down her cheek. "Yes, Mother."
The queen sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I am disappointed, Seraphina. Not just because you broke the rules, but because you knew better. You had a choice, and you chose to disobey me."
Seraphina's tears flowed freely now, her chest heaving with silent sobs. "I'm sorry, Mother. I just... I wanted to play with them. I wanted to be like a normal child."
The queen's expression softened, but her resolve remained firm. "I understand, my dear. But you are not a normal child. You are a princess, and with that comes responsibility. You cannot simply do as you please. Do you understand that?"
Seraphina nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Mother."
The queen stepped forward and gently took her daughter's hand. "Come. It's time for your punishment."
Seraphina's heart sank as she followed her mother up the winding stairs to the Queen’s room. She knew what was coming, and though she dreaded it, she also knew she deserved it.