No One's Favorite

"You chose the wrong time to apologize," Hazel stated bluntly.

"What? Are you saying there would have been a better time to apologize?" Bel asked, sitting up to glare at her sister.

"Of course," Hazel replied.

"And when would that have been?" She rolled her eyes.

"Before he came to your room or sometime after he left. It would have at least given the idea that you thought deeply about it. Unfortunately, you apologized while he was berating you. It probably came off as you wanted him to stop. You should know Father by now."

Bel looked away. "I am sorry I am not as conscious about people's feelings as you are." 

"Don't be like that," Hazel replied. She lightly touched Bel on her shoulders. "You can still try again later."

"No way in hell!"

Bel would rather starve than apologize to her father again. She didn't want to hear any more harsh words from him.

"Bel," Hazel whispered.

Bel rolled onto the bed again, clutching one of the pillows to herself.

"It doesn't have to be right now," Hazel added. "As long as you do think you may have done something wrong, you can take your time with your apology."

Bel closed her eyes, not replying to Hazel's words. It wasn't a familiar feeling to have everyone against her.

"Bel," Hazel called softly.

Bel didn't respond.

"It doesn't have to be Father. You could start with Mother. At least, she would be able to convince Father to order the guards away."

Bel's eyes flew open immediately, but other than that, she didn't give any other reaction.

"What do you say?" Hazel asked, persistent. "I will be with you every step of the way."

"Are you sure Mother would be able to convince Father to get rid of the guards even though Lord Landon said he couldn't?"

"You spoke to him?" Hazel asked with a hint of shock in her voice.

"Yeah," she mumbled.

Hazel sighed, "I could also speak to Father on your behalf, but I can't speak to him if you don't show signs that you won't repeat your actions."

"Do you really think I would do it again?" Bel asked.

Hazel shook her head, "Of course not, but right now Father and Mother fear you would do anything to get out of the marriage, and they worry about that. You have to convince them otherwise."

"But I do want out of the marriage," Bel whispered.

"Bel," Hazel called gently. The sound grated Bel's ears. Hazel sounded as though she wanted to say more, but she held her tongue and just stared at Bel.

Bel slowly sat up, hating the fact that Hazel wouldn't leave her alone until she gave in.

"Fine, but I assure you, it would be a waste of time, and when I show you it is, would you leave me alone?" She asked.

Hazel's smile almost blinded her, and she had to blink to combat the brightness of it.

"Of course. Whatever you want."

"You don't have to look so happy," Bel said and looked away. She pushed herself off her bed and stood to her feet. 

"Well, I can't help it," Hazel replied, still smiling.

Bel started for the door, but Hazel didn't attempt to leave the bed. She slowly turned around to look at her sister.

"Well?" She asked, waving her left hand. "Aren't you coming?"

"I am," Hazel declared, jumped off the bed, and rushed to Bel.

Bel glanced at her sister before she bent the handle and pulled the door open. The first thing she heard was the sounds of feet hitting the floor and a swish in the air as the guards bowed.

Bel hardened her face. At least this time around she wasn't startled. She walked past them without saying a word.

She turned around to see Hazel beaming at them. It took everything for her not to pull her sister. She wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

Hazel must have sensed Bel's impatience because she immediately locked eyes with Bel and picked up her pace.

"Mother should be in her room," she said as soon as she fell in step with her sister.

"It's noon," Bel exclaimed.

"I know, but staying up late had an effect, not to mention the other circumstances also took their toll on her."

Bel didn't ask Hazel to elaborate; she was sure the other circumstances referred to her, and she wasn't about to confirm. She would rather remain guessing.

The walk to their mother's room was shorter than she wanted, and they were in front of their mother's room before Bel could even prepare herself.

Bel swallowed, suddenly feeling very nervous. She glanced at her sister, who immediately took her palm and squeezed it.

Hazel knocked twice, turned the handle, and pushed the door open. Bel ground her teeth. Why did this feel so hard? 

"Hazel," Queen Eleanor's voice reached her daughter's ears.

Bel tried to pretend she didn't notice that her Mother knew it was Hazel even before she pushed open the door.

However, it wasn't something that bothered her. She would be lying if she said she didn't already know who their mother's favorite was. She was her father's, but right now she wasn't so sure anymore.

"Mother," Hazel called, pulling Bel inside the room with her.

Now she knew why Hazel had held onto her hand; it wasn't just to comfort her but to make sure she wouldn't run because that was the thought at the forefront of her mind right now.

"Bel," her mother called when her eyes rested on Bel. It was hard to tell if her mother didn't want her here or not.

Queen Eleanor was seated on her bed with the covers all the way to her waist. There were pillows stacked behind her to hold her frame up.

There was a maid in the corner who still had her head bent as they walked in. She was one of her mother's personal maids. They were about three in number, they were strictly the Queen's maids and didn't do any chores that didn't concern the Queen.

"Mother," Bel responded and curtsied.

She raised her head to see her mother look at Hazel for an explanation. Her palms twisted the sheets as she stared.