Chapter 1 - My Abusive Mother

You probably don't know me because no one ever does I'm a nobody. My name is Illyla (it's pronounced il-lie-la) and I'm a slave for the king. My family and I leave in a cold shabby shack in the town market, the markets only 500 metres away from the palace, so it's a short walk.

Our shack has 2 rooms, the tiniest kitchen I've ever seen and a toilet, and the worst thing is the toilet is outside, behind the house! I share a room with the most adorable little brother in the world, he's brings the happiness in my life.

My parents Jacob and Alisha live in the other room, and the kitchen is just a bench and a sink. I hold a dark secret that only my mother and I share. The only reason my mum knows because it involves her greatly. My mum is known as an angel, she's sweet and nice, but around me she's a bitch!

When we're along together she using her anger and stress against me, I'm not sure why she does it cause straight after she apologizes and cries about being a horrible mother. I believe she has some medical condition, or she just hates my guts.

My father and my brother doesn’t know my mother's frequent behaviour towards me, but I don't think they'd believe me if I told them. Plus, I know my mother doesn’t want to hurt me so if I told she'd feel greatly ashamed.

So, I keep it to myself and continue to love my mum as much as I can, she loves me as well, but she has a problem with lashing out.

Breaking me from my thoughts my parents walk into the shack, my parents’ bed is in the same room as the kitchen but me and my brothers’ room is separate. So, I was sitting on their bed when they walked in.

"Hello dear, how was your day?" My father asked while taking a seat on his bed next to me. "It was great, I had lots of fun with James" I replied remembering the tickle fight we had earlier. "Well that's good, but I have some news for you" My father told me.

I raised my eyebrow in curiosity "What is it?" I asked as my father smiled. "Yesterday your mother was diagnosed with behaviour disorder, which means she could lash out, or have constant nervous break downs" He explained, huh that makes sense I knew something must have been wrong.

"So basically, I need you to take over your mother's job at the castle, she'll stay home and watch over James" He added, and there's the punch line. "Yes dad, I wouldn't mind helping mum out with her job “I replied my mother might be cruel to me but she's ill and I'm planning to help her.

Dad opened his backpack and handed me a pile of clothes; they were cheap servant clothes given to my mother from the castle, but they still were 10 times better than my old rags. With tears in my eyes I took the clothes out of my father's hands. "Thank you dad" I thanked him as I admired my new clothes.

"You're welcome sweetie, you start work at 6am tomorrow morning" My father explained as he got up and walked outside, most likely to use our horrible toilet. I unfolded the clothes and had a better look at them, there was a creme coloured dress that came down to my ankles it had a hoodie and I also was given some old sneakers.

It was nicer than my normal clothes, but it still wasn't nice clothes that any girl should have to wear. I folded the clothes and walked into my room, I placed them under my bed to keep them away from James sticky fingers, they needed to look nice for the prince.

My mother cleaned the prince's room and his bathroom, so I might get to see him once or twice so I should want to look my best. My mother entered the room and I turned to face her; James was still asleep in his bed.

"Here's your dinner dear and give James some when he wakes up" My mother asked as she handed me the plate of spaghetti. "Yes Mum" I replied taking the plate and having a bit of the cold plain sauce-less spaghetti.

With one last smile she left me alone in my room, it was already getting dark outside and I needed to rest. Plus, I think Cassandra my wolf was exhausted so we both needed sleep, Cassandra is bossy, demanding and always seemed to get her way even when I disagree with her.

A small yawn escaped my mouth, yeah, I think it's time for bed. I placed my leftover spaghetti next to James bed so he can eat when he's up, I stumbled back over to my bed and collapsed onto my soft duvet.

My eyelids were heavy, so I allowed them to close and I fell into a deep restless sleep...