Most of the girls I knew always dream of being a princess in a lovely castle, served by thousands of maids and butlers, and having fancy gowns in their wardrobe. Most importantly, having their feet swept by their prince during the dance in the ball, getting that midnight kiss when aparting to their own kingdom.
Everything they dream of, is what I am living right now.
Yet, I never found it fancy.
My life as a royal is never an exciting one. My moves, my interest, my way of speaking, everything needs to be perfect, a princess perfect, is what my King Father always said.
"You must smile at your suitor."
"Keep your chin up! No one likes a whimper lady!"
"Back straight, young lady! Don't want to get that humpback in your early age."
And more to come, as my 18th birthday is coming soon. Meaning more marriage talk.
I never thought this stage of life would come to me as I prefer not to discuss my love life with my Father. It is not like I am falling in love with a commoner or anyone who is not up to our status, it is just, I do not have any one that I am attracted to right now.
All my life, stuck in the castle, learning how to waltz, table etiquette, lady talk, everything happened inside of my circle. How could I possibly find someone to fall in love with? The closest romance I do feel is with the man portrait hanging on our main hall. If he is ever alive and real.
It is not that I am complaining, in fact, I actually prefer that way. Small circle means I have a secure community around me who I can trust and share my insecurities and stories with. Emma, Avelyn, Lorraine, all three of them are my friends, though Father always asked me to act highly with them, as my status as a Princess needs to be respected and remembered by the servants. Unfortunately for Father, I never listened to him. How can I make friends if I stay arrogant?
They are my only friends in this lonely, huge castle. Unlike them, who can roam outside of these tall concrete walls, interacting with people, strolling through the market, I am stuck in here, like a princess, waiting for a prince to take me out. Except I am the princess with no prince to take me for a walk outside of the castle. Yet.
"Pay attention, Your Highness!"
The high-pitched warning from Avelyn finally woke me up from my daydreaming, and at the same time I managed to dodge her thrust. She quickly changed the direction of her wooden sword to launch another attack toward me, luckily my flexes never disappointed me. I swiftly sidestepped and targeted at the centre of her training suit.
"Oof!"
It made her stumble for a few seconds, but enough time for me to end this. I quickly grabbed the chance, and swept her legs to make her fall.
"W-wow!"
As she fell, I snatched her wooden sword, and finally pinpointed it on her neck.
"Checkmate."
Avelyn looked at me with disbelief, but then she chuckled. Aggrieved, I laughed too. I offered my hand to her and she took it, helping her to stand back again. She cleaned the dust on her clothes, while smiling at me.
"I never realized that you're already improved a lot. A few more months, you might end up as the Royal Knight, instead of a Crown Princess."
I jokingly nudged her.
"No way. You know how Father will react if I wore the silver armorsuit rather than the flowy gown?"
I recreated my Father's astonishing face every time he saw me in an inappropriate ladylike manner. His wide open eyes, with his huge jaw dropped, never failed to make me laugh. Almost made me do something like that more, just to see his reaction again. Avelyn laughed it out loud, until suddenly she stopped laughing and began to kneel down. And I know exactly why.
"Your Majesty."
Avelyn addressed that to my Father, stood up behind me while I did his surprised face. Gulp.
"Ahem, Avelyn, kindly escort Crown Princess to my chamber, immediately."
His soothing, yet threatening voice never failed to make everyone shiver in fear. Including me.
"Yes, Your Highness."
As I was about to turn around, Father already left. Avelyn hurried to my side, and quickly dragged me to my room. She then called upon Emma, as we met in the hallway.
"Emma, help me change Princess's clothes."
Emma, as my Royal maid, quickly assisted me to my room. I managed to glance at Avelyn, and she seemed panicked. There are only two reasons why she panics.
First, she will be called by Father, and will be lectured by him.
Second, something important is about to happen.
Avelyn served as the Royal Knight Second Commander in our kingdom. Her swordswomanship skills are par to all the men in the army, hence she is appointed as the Second Commander. Though I know she is better than the Prime Commander, only because she is a girl, she had to be a second.
"What happened?"
I asked, bewildered, as I did not get to ask my Father about it. He also did not warn or scold me either when he saw me training with a sword. Wooden sword. Father never likes it when I play, adore or even try to swing the sword. He thought that if I ever got involved with the sword, no prince would want to take my hand for a marriage.
"Stop playing with that sword! It's not ladylike!"
Something like that, the things he would say to me. I never knew why but he was always amazed at Avelyn's sword skills, so why can I try it too?
Though I already know the reason, but, I want to know it from him himself…
"It is...complicated. Not complicated, but it will be for you."
Avelyn's reply only made me more curious and puzzled, yet I could not have pressed for an answer more. When Avelyn is serious, small talk and persuasion would not do enough to make her open her mouth. Defeated, I just let both of them ushered me to my room.
As we got closer to my room, another two of my maids greeted us and opened the door. Avelyn and Emma quickly brought me inside and closed the door. Emma then rushed to my wardrobe, cautiously preparing for an outfit for me to wear.
"Just grab the turquoise one. I'm sure Father wants to have a quick lecture about my manners earlier."
I tried to help Emma from deciding the proper dress for me, yet she ignored it. Avelyn, on the other side, pinned me down in front of my makeup table and mirror, adjusting my hair. Though she looks rough and tough, she actually has those magic hands to style the hair. She quickly grabbed the comb and other necessary items to prepare me to meet my Father. I never saw this hype when Father asked anyone, or maids to help me get dressed when I only met him for a couple of hours.
"Why are you guys so serious? It is just Your Majesty wants to have a little 'decent' chat with her daughter. You don't have to prepare for the worse."
I tried to strike conversation with any of those two, but they quickly dismissed me with minimal answers.
And at that moment, I knew something big was about to happen.
After not receiving any replies that I wanted to hear, I remained silent and waited patiently for them to dress me. I looked at myself in front of the giant mirror beside my bed, and twirled around.
"We must not waste any moment now."
Avelyn's sharp order signalled Emma to bring me to my Father. Before we parted, Avelyn looked at me, with her concerning eyes.
"I hope you receive the news well, Your Highness."
Her last words sounded alarming, but I did not get to ask her about it as Emma swiftly ushered me to Father's chamber. She then bowed, and took her leave when I stood exactly in front of the door.
"Please, whatever the news is, know that you are more than that."
And before I can ask Emma, again, she left. I suddenly became confused with my friends' behaviour. Nevertheless, I knew I would never get the answer if I did not come forth with my Father. Confidently, I pushed the door open.
Father's chamber always looks gloomy and sturdy, as it symbolizes him as the power in the nation, fits his image. I never like his choice on decorating a room, but as long as I get to decorate mine, I am not complaining about his. I watched him, sitting on his throne, while reading some scrolls regarding the nation's problem. I quietly walked towards him, until he finally put down the scroll and looked at me. He then rose from his seat and moved closer to me. He grabbed my hands, gently, and raised them.
"You know I love you, and will always do."
I started to feel bizarre, but I did not interrupt. He continued, but suddenly the tone became softer than usual.
"Your eighteenth birthday is coming soon."
No
"You finally become a wonderful lady, and princess the nation will cherish."
No
"Syra, my darling. It is time for you to get married."