The Princess and the Knight

Desi

I am princess Seline Belmont, daughter of Adir Belmont and Isabelle Belmont. My father Adir, the king and my mother Isabelle, the queen have run our kingdom gracefully for more than fourty years now. Our kingdom is called "Desi" meaning desired one, I've come to find that this meaning holds quite true for our kingdom. Desi is very prosperous, far more prosperous than the surrounding kingdoms. The other kingdoms are jealous of Desi. Many have waged war in the past in order to take Desi for themselves. Its been seventeen years since the last war, the war that almost bought our beautiful kingdom to its knees. Our kingdom suffered many losses that day, including my father's most favored knight Ansel Gray. My father knew Ansel since they were children, they were always very close friends. Our families have a long history together. Since long before my father was born the Gray family was awarded with the title "The Royal Knights". Although we have other knights in our kingdom, only the Gray family are the most favored and live in the castle with my family. Ansel died protecting my mother, who was nine months pregnant with me at the time. My father says this was an honorable death, that Ansel put his life on the line to protect the royal bloodline, to protect me. Part of me can't help but fell responsible for his death, despite what I've been told. My father had Ansel buried in the most beautiful spot in Desi, The Garden. The Garden is surrounded by Ipomoea alba plants, also known as Moon flowers because they only bloom at night under the moon. The Garden also contains many beautiful willow trees, brightly lit lanterns, fireflies, red and white rose bushes, and large golden water fountains. Many say the Garden's beauty exceeds even that of our own castle, and I agree. Ansel's grave sits at the heart of the garden. The headstone is made completely out of gold and engraved in cursive lettering " Ansel Gray, a Royal Knight, proud father and husband, wonderful friend, and hero to all of Desi March 22, 1971 to June 7, 1998." His grave is bordered with Ipomoea Alba plants and the long vines of the white willow that sits behind his grave flow gracefully behind creating a magical work of art. Every year on June seventh our kingdom holds a festival for Ansel and the other ninety four victims of that dreadful day. We call the festival "Ansel Day". Ansel Day is not only held as a memoriam for everyone who was lost that day, but also as a celebration of Desi's victory in the war. My father says that just as we should remember those we lost, we should also celebrate thoes we didnt.