Was it the tight corsets? Was it the maids constantly breathing down her neck? Or was it the fact that Mirajane Harrington had never once been able to make a decision for herself? Even the clothes she wears are prepared for her; she need not even lift a finger. Even if she wanted to.

It was yet another royal event or rather, a party for the royal family, one that her father; the King was constantly throwing. Although her father often acted nonchalantly about said events, truth be told that every social event had its own reasons. Whether it was to forge connections with various dukes and marques or to secure an extension in his lands through small talk. All in all, the King hosted these events for one reason and one reason alone; greed. King Julius Oden Harrington already had it all, the title, the fortune and the lands. Yet somehow, despite already ruling the richest and most fertile nation, it wasn't enough. To him, he needed more, he wanted more and in wanting so, he did everything in his power to get exactly what he wanted. No matter what he had to sacrifice.

Now, of course, being his daughter, Mirajane was a princess. On the outside that is... Truth be told, Mirajane's been held captive for years in her own home she was anything but a princess. Despite the smile she forces out at every social event her father throws, on the inside she wants nothing more than to rip away from the pressures of the monarchy and hierarchy and to run away and see the world. A privilege she has never received; freedom.

Ever since her mother, the Queen, Mirabelle Rose Harrington passed on, her father had begun to show his true colours. He was definitely not the kind of man he displays himself to be at the events he hosts. Mirajane never knew he'd have this side to him, then again who could have predicted it? No sorcerer could have been powerful enough to have seen the darkness that brewed inside King Julius. It was as if he had waited his whole married life for the Queen to pass.

Before he was King, King Julius was but a simple man, a cobbler that made just enough to get him through each day. One could say it was more of surviving rather than actually living. It just so happened one fine day, when he was going about his day, cutting through the forest like he normally would to buy supplies that he had chanced upon a crying, former, princess. On that day, a rare power that many would kill for had sparked, love. It wasn't your ordinary love, this love was special, the kind where the two has only known each other for less than a day but would readily lay their life for one another.

The Queen defied laws, rules and even odds to ensure that she be with the man she fell hard for and not some random lad that her own parents chose for her. Being of pure royal blood, and the only child of the King and Queen at that time, she was closely watched. Thus of course, how could the Queen, a royal blooded elite, be allowed to be together and be wed to such a simpleton and even worse, a commoner. And yet, through it all the pair had fought hard for their love and in the end, they won. Many say it was absurd for two such different titled people to be together but, despite all the harsh criticism Queen Mirabelle received, she was happy. She was with the man she loved and would soon start a family of their own, which was all she could ever ask for.

-

"Princess are you alright?" One of Mirajane's handmaids inquired.

Snapping out of her own little reverie, Mirajane replied,

"Yes, of course, I was just feeling a little tired that's all."

Of course, she was tired. Who wouldn't be? Mirajane was constantly forced into attending these events by her father and failing to perform up to his standards would result in dire consequences for Mirajane after the events. She had no choice but to attend, being of pure royal blood and the next heir to the throne, her presence had to be there. It hadn't been that long since the event had started but Mirajane was already beginning to feel the tightness of her corset and the sharp, judgemental gazes of the people. It made her feel small.

After her mother died, all she had received at the tender age of ten years old was nothing but criticism whether it was not being 'lady-like' enough or not being elegant or beautiful enough. Whatever she did it just never seemed to please the people around her, no matter how hard she tried, people just continued criticizing her.

She was exhausted beyond measure, but she had no choice. She had to endure it, not for herself but for her younger sister Myrtle. Myrtle was the last reminder and remainder of what was once a happy family to Mirajane. Mirajane had to keep her innocence safe she couldn't let the realities of royal life taint her childlike wonder and innocence. Myrtle was the last source of happiness for Mirajane after being forced into a life of forced smiles, tight clothing, and no control over anything. No matter how powerless Mirajane was, everything she did in her power, she did for Myrtle.

Suddenly, an icy cold hand placed itself upon Mirajane's shoulder. Her handmaids retreated back in fear cloaked by a facade- that was respect.

"My dear, sweet princess why are you not mingling and dancing with the dukes that come from far beyond our kingdom?"

The King said, venom laced in his falsified sweet tone of voice.

"Oh, father I apologize I was just having a quick rest to myself."

Mirajane replied, her voice as small as her confidence and her head just as low.

His grip on her shoulder tightened, and then loosened as he walked away slowly, giving Mirajane the glare that has sent countless shivers down Mirajane's spine before. Defeated, Mirajane lent her hands to the nearest duke that offered theirs first. Yet another night and event in Mirajane's life, wasted as she played as her father's own little puppet.

As the young night began to age, the event was over as fast as it had started.