"Ugh, My Princess did you open the ledge door during the night again?" The Maid huffed as she saw the partially open door. "You know how we've said it's dangerous..."
"Hehe, sorry Nanny, but I really like star gazing!" The Princess laid in bed, eating her breakfast from a tray brought up to her. She swung her feet off the bed, humming as she ate.
Of course she couldn't tell her beloved Nanny about the true reason why she's been leaving it open each night.
Angel would come soon, she didn't know when but her gut told her he would. Then, they would have fun chatting, tell him stories about the world, and she simply talk the night away, without having to worry whether or not her condition would worsen or get better tomorrow.
She had sneakily hid the Aranka Angel had gotten her in the corner of the bed crack, having a secret friend like Angel was probably the most exciting thing she had done in her life.
Suddenly, a knight announced loudly outside the door.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!" He called out, before slowly opening the Princess's door.
"Mommy!" The Princess exclaimed for joy, disregarding the breakfast in her hands as she ran to go greet her mother.
A tall, cold faced woman stood at the entrance of the door, her black hair tied in a knot behind her as she glanced at the knight with a look.
However, her cold look instantly disappeared the moment the little Princess ran forward for a hug.
"My little Princess, how are you doing these days?" The Empress smiled lovingly, stroking her daughter's hair softly as she held her.
"Better, mommy!" The little Princess smiled as she buried her face into her mother's dress. "Can you read me a story? Can you? Pleaseeee???"
"Of course, finish your breakfast first and I shall." The Empress entered the room, and placed the little Princess onto the bed.
The servants excused themselves with a signal from the Empress, and the little Princess quickly finished her food.
"I heard from your Nanny that you've been leaving the ledge door unlocked at night..." The Empress frowned slightly, giving a questioning gaze.
"U-Uhm, it's because the stars are really pretty, mommy! But of course, my mommy is prettier than the stars!" The little Princess giggled, as she tuck herself back into bed.
Only for a few hours of the day could the little Princess be able to walk around, but even that was limited to indoor and safe activities because of her deathly low immune system.
The little Princess also had a chronic heart disease that would slowly wither her little life and end it early, but she didn't know this.
The Empress got lost in thought as she patted the little Princess's head.
Her first daughter would be doomed to die early, this was the prophecy given to the Empress when she was a child.
A priest from unknown origins came to her while she was traveling in town, getting past her guards as he kneeled before her.
At first it was just gibberish that left his mouth, but then he finally said aloud and yelled.
'Your family's sins are passing on to you, wretched bloodline of the cursed! You will escape punishment, but all your offspring will bear it! Your first daughter will die early, and-'
Before the crazed man could continue, his head had already been lopped off by one of her guards.
If the Empress had known the man's prophecy would come true with the birth of her little princess, then she would have never killed him so quickly. Instead, she would have imprisoned him and tortured him until death would only be a mercy.
Ever since then, the Empress had become devout, praying diligently to the Goddess above to save her daughter. She only had two children, a boy and a girl, and doctors had advised that her little princess was probably the last she'll bear.
"Mommy? What are you thinking about?" The little Princess tilted her head, asking worriedly.
"Nothing sweetie, I heard your condition has been getting better." The Empress smiled, as she pulled a children's story book from her dress. "I was simply thanking the Goddess above."
"The Goddess above truly is a great person..." The little Princess sighed in agreement. "Even though she is so busy, she has sent her angels to keep me company."
"..." The Empress raised her brow, but decided to ignore the last part. "The world outside is dangerous, too dangerous for a little princess like you."
The Empress playfully poked the Princess's nose, eliciting a squeal.
"Hehe, that tickles mommy!"
"Behave now, and I'll read you more stories later." The Empress kissed her little Princess, and began to slowly read the picture book.
The little Princess closed her eyes as she listened to the story. It was about a little princess just like herself, who was caught by an evil dragon and had to stay inside. However, a knight with really bright armor saved her, and brought her everywhere, and then they got married and had a family of their own!
"It's shining armor, not really bright armor." The Empress laughed, teasing her.
"O-Oh, was I saying that out loud?" The little Princess blushed, and then realized that it was getting dark. "Awe...already?"
"Haha, you were napping my little princess." The Empress smiled. "I'll make time and come visit tomorrow."
"W-Wow! Really?!" The little Princess asked excitedly, usually mommy only came once every week, two days in a row was completely amazing!
"Yes, so behave tonight and sleep tight. And mommy will come visit you tomorrow." The Empress kissed the little Princess goodnight, and tucked her into bed, before she left.
The little princess lay excited on the bed, having trouble falling asleep for the exciting events tomorrow.
She closed her eyes, thinking of today's story.
Slowly, her consciousness blurred, and she was brought into her dreamworld.
In her dreamworld, she flew in the skies and walked on the ground like the other little girls, beating down evil bad monsters that hurt her mommy.
And then, when a super big giant monster came, a boy with chestnut hair and a pair of animal ears on his head would appear, his large white wings would protect her as he would grab her and fly away after defeating the big bad monster.
If she had really had the choice...s-she wouldn't mind getting married to Angel...
Little Princess, wake up.
Her eyes abruptly opened as she stared confused at the ceiling, who just called for her?
It's me, little princess.
Ah! Was it already that time again!?
Quickly getting up from her bed, the little princess made her way to the balcony.
"Angel, I didn't know you would come so soon! If I had known, I would have prepared nuts..." The Princess chattered excitedly, putting her cold feet into her bunny slippers, and approached the curtains and pulled it away.
I came to bring you out to the world, little Princess.
"E-Euh? Where are you then...?" The little Princess was confused as she pulled away the curtains, only to see no one on the balcony.
Do you trust me, Princess?
"O-Of course I trust you Angel, why are you asking?" She tilted her head.
Then you see, in order for me to undo my invisibility, and bring you out to the big world to explore, then you have to pass my test.
"Oh no, I'm bad at tests though...!" She said fearfully.
Don't worry, it's not hard. Come to the ledge, princess.
Hesitantly, the little Princess walked out on the balcony, the cold wind hitting against her as she looked around, trying to find Angel.
"Angel...w-where are you? I-I'm a little scared of heights...!" She whispered, scanning above and below her.
I will give you wings Princess, and we can both be Angels and fly to explore the world. You don't have to worry about your sickness anymore.
"Wow...! Really?! How do I get the wings...?"
Step forward to the edge, and bring your arms out forward. Once you step off the balcony, I will catch you and give you wings.
"U-Uhm...isn't t-that...dangerous...? Angel...?"
You trust me, right? This is the just one simple test, and we will be together forever.
The little Princess flushed. "W-Woah, forever..I-I don't know if I'm ready for that big of a commitment...!"
Little Princess, I am waiting. The stars will guide you, look up to them if you are scared.
"O-Okay, I trust you Angel..." The little Princess fearfully climbed over the balcony fence and stepped on the thin edge. Her little frame shook in the strong wind, almost rocking her back and forth.
She shook as she saw the scene below, it felt more scary looking at the scenery from this angle...
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the sky, then back to her room.
"I'm sorry mommy, I won't worry you anymore with my illness...I met a really nice knight in shining armor, his name is Angel, and he actually is an Angel!" She said confidently. "I'll come back and introduce you to him, okay?"
She looked up at the stars, they seemed to be so bright and welcoming tonight.
"I love you mommy, see you soon!" She declared confidently, and stepped forward.