"Sit down and stop squirming." The old woman chided as Saffron shifted her legs uncomfortably beneath her.
"Sorry, Nanny." Saffron sighed, trying her best to ignore the numbness in her ankles.
The brush raked through her hair over and over, yanking out tangles. Saffron tried her best to ignore the throbbing pain each stroke left in its wake. Nanny Pine had always been a rough woman. Saffron hummed softly to herself as she tried to distract herself.
"You're done." Nanny Pine declared, setting the brush down on the table beside her.
Saffron glanced at her appearance in the mirror for just a moment. Her hair had been pulled up into a fancy bun. She hated having her hair up. It always gave her a headache. Nanny Pine ushered her over to the other side of the room, where a pile of garments had been left draped over a chair.
"Arms up."
Saffron tried to block out the world around her as Nanny Pine dressed and redressed her like a child with a doll. Royal events had always been such a pain. She hated them with every fibre of her being. The rules, the manners, the etiquette... It was pointless to her.
If it was not for her father's instance, Saffron would not go to any of the events. She was ineligible to claim her birthright as the future Queen, so she saw little point in showing her face. Especially when the world already looked down upon her.
What was a fairy without wings? She asked herself the question a lot. As a child, when the other children had all begun to grow their wings and learn to fly, Saffron was assured it would just take some time. She wanted to believe everyone, but she could never forget the worried look on her father's face every time the subject came up.
Sometimes she would wonder if she was switched at birth. Perhaps she was a human child? That idea was quickly put to rest when her magic manifested. Saffron actually possessed quite a strong Fae magic, but when she first tried to show King Oleander, he looked terrified. After that, Saffron made a conscious effort to make her magic appear less powerful. Eventually, her father calmed down, but he still refused to allow her to study with the other children.
"There's little point. Most fae magic is used with wings, so if you learn it, you won't be able to use it." He had told her firmly.
Saffron's hands clenched into fists at the memory. She drew a steadying breath. Sometimes, she envied the commoners. They had to worry about many things, but she would take it all gladly if it gave her even a taste of freedom.
"What do you think, your highness?" Nanny Pine asked, pulling Saffron from her thoughts.
Saffron turned to look into the mirror. The striking red dress she wore was very eye-catching. Perhaps it was too much.
"Nanny, is this not a little too loud for the Rebirth Ball? The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself."
"Nonsense, you're beautiful and you should be proud of that."
Saffron stared at herself in the mirror for a moment longer before averting her eyes.
"What good is beauty when everybody considers you a freak?"
Nanny Pine placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.
"You should know better than anyone that those people are just jealous of you. You're stunning, and a Princess no less." Nanny Pine said softly, looking her in the eyes.
Saffron offered a smile. Nanny Pine had been with her since she was a child. She had come to the palace seeking medicine for her baby. Saffron's mother had ordered the palace doctor to treat the child, but he could not be saved. Seeing her sorrow, the Queen had asked Nanny Pine to stay and become Saffron's wet nurse. To this day Nanny Pine insisted that, had it not been for Saffron, she may not be here today.
After the Queen passed away from an illness when Saffron was only one year old, Nanny Pine assumed a full motherly role. She had always treated Saffron well. Sometimes it felt as if she was the only person in the palace who did not judge her.
A knock at the door startled both of the women.
"Sister, it's time to leave."
The shrill voice outside belonged to Saffron's sister Blossom. Saffron steeled herself for what she knew was coming. Blossom had been spoiled as a child and it had gotten worse the moment her wings grew. Despite being the daughter of her father's secondary consort, Blossom would be the one to inherit the Kingdom one day. That did not bother Saffron at all. It was Blossom's haughty attitude that made Saffron dislike her.
Nanny Pine opened the door for Saffron. As she stepped out of the room, she was greeted with a scoff. Blossom stood, hands on her hips, smirking at her sister. She was decorated in a pink and gold dress that was as gaudy as her personality. Her pink, glass-like wings fluttered, almost as if to mock Saffron.
"Well now, look at you all dressed up!"
"You look lovely as ever, sister," Saffron replied, bowing her head.
"Don't you think you're going to draw too much attention to yourself? After all, that dress was made with a back cutout... Tongues might start wagging." Blossom snickered.
"I think she looks wonderful." A deep voice boomed.
A giant hand clamped around Saffron's shoulder, startling her. King Oleander gave his second daughter a stern look. Blossom's face paled for a moment before she composed herself.
"Daddy, I just don't want Saffron to feel bad if people start making rude comments! I'm just thinking of her."
"Then let them talk. The talk will change nothing." the King barked, though his voice was less angry than before. It seemed he believed Blossom's lies.
Saffron pushed down the anger inside her and smiled at her father.
"Father, are you sure I have to go? I'd much rather stay home and practice my embroidery."
"My dear, you know as well as I do that both of you are required to attend. As lovely as your embroidery is, I think it can wait a day."
Saffron cursed under her breath. She had never intended to do embroidery. She had struck up a deal with one of the knights in training, Silver, to teach her how to fight and train her magic. It was difficult, as Silver was not used to fighting on the ground, but the two had developed some techniques between them and Saffron was getting better each time.
With a sigh, she pressed up onto her toes and planted a kiss on her father's bearded cheek.
"Alright, Father. It's a shame though... I was making you a lovely coin purse."
The King's face flushed with pride as he imagined the gift. At the end of the day, he did love Saffron. He had become very protective over the years, as more and more talk was spewed in court. He had banned speaking about his eldest daughter in the end.
At that moment, a butler turned the corner, bowing respectfully to the royal family.
"Your Majesty, the carriage is ready to depart."
Saffron hurried after her father and sister as they sped ahead. Most fae preferred flying to walking, so Saffron always found herself left behind. She caught up with them as they were boarding the carriage. Blossom's face was clearly disappointed when they saw her. Perhaps she had been hoping they would leave without her. Not that Saffron would have cared.
King Oleander held out his hand to help Saffron clamber into the tall carriage. She struggled with her dress for a moment before making it inside and taking a seat beside her sister. The King soon followed and sat facing the two. He drew the curtains on both windows as they departed. Saffron glanced wearily at him. She was never sure if it was so the commoners would not see him, or if it was to stop them from seeing her.
The carriage took off, floating through the sky. It was always a rough ride for Saffron. She could never get used to the jerky movements and stomach-turning drops. She had passed out on her first carriage ride as a child.
It was an agonising two-hour ride before the carriage finally came to a stop. King Oleander was first to exit, with Blossom following quickly after. When it was Saffron's turn to get down, she found her legs had little strength left. They shook violently as she moved to sit on the edge of the carriage. Her father helped her down, but her legs gave out the moment she touched the ground.
"Oh dear, now she can't even walk either." Blossom scoffed under her breath.
Saffron scowled as she forced herself back to her feet. There was a small patch of mud on the hem of her dress from where she had fallen.
"Father, she can't come in wearing that!" Blossom pointed out, rolling her eyes.
"You're quite right." King Oleander agreed.
Saffron looked at him in confusion for a moment before he held out his hands and a swirl of purple magic surrounded her.
The dress she had been wearing was quickly replaced with a bright blue silk ballgown. The silver embroidery was magnificent and the chiffon sleeves blew softly in the light breeze.
"You look so much like your mother," the King remarked as he watched his daughter, "This was her dress, too."
As Saffron looked up, she could see her sister's face had turned peculiar a shade of purple with rage. She smiled at her father and bowed to him.
"Thank you, father."
"Hmph. Let's stop wasting time and go in." Blossom huffed.
The King drew a breath, stopping himself from scolding the girl. She was right. They would be late if they did not get moving.
Blossom hurried on ahead, but stopped quickly and turned when she noticed her father was not behind her as she expected, a scowl creasing her face.
Saffron stared in amazement as her father walked along beside her.
"Father, you don't need to worry about me. You can go ahead with sister."
"We have been invited as a family, and we shall enter as one," The King insisted.
Saffron looked down for a moment, a smile lighting up her face. Perhaps it was only because he could see the Queen in her. But Saffron didn't care. She gathered her strength and strode forwards with her father towards the grand Ignis Palace.
"Announcing His Majesty, Oleander of the Fae Kingdom, and his daughters Princess Saffron and Crown Princess Blossom."