The Shattered Crown Of Caerynth

We were just three girls and I was the first. I’ve always wondered if Papa wanted a son but he never for once showed it, he always kept us close to heart. I admired papa. He kept things in order, read books to us when we were young, taught us how to ride a horse and built our knowledge on the kingdom and its wonderful treasures. I believed that the Kingdom Valtherion was the greatest reason for Papa’s happiness and calm nature but he always insists that we brought him all the joy he exhibits. Us. His three princesses. I; who just clocked 21, Amyra; my immediate younger sister who was 18 and Mythara; who was only 12. Mama died after giving birth to Mythara. There were whispers saying she died because she was cursed and unable to give Papa a heir to the Throne but that wasn’t one bit true. I loved mama very much and we were very familiar with each other. I would tell her about a fight that broke out between my two sisters over a silly thing and we would both laugh, She would do my hair and tease me about boys, even when I was just a child and I had no interests. Mama was cheerful and beautiful. She had pale, porcelain-like skin that seemed to catch and reflect the light softly, giving her an almost ethereal glow. Her hair was long and silky, a shimmering shade of platinum blonde that fell in gentle waves around her shoulders. Her eyes were striking, a clear ice-blue that seemed to hold depth and curiosity, framed by long, dark lashes. High cheekbones and a delicate, symmetrical face gave her an elegant, classical beauty, while her soft, full lips curved naturally into a warm, inviting smile. Sometimes, I wish I had her graceful features. I never thought of myself as being beautiful, I never wanted to think of myself in that manner but I would always get compliments on my shimmering green eyes and freckles that well suited my face. I missed mama. Things would have been easier if mama was here with us. When I turned 21, the pressure of of finding a suitor was no longer hidden. Papa’s sisters now made it clearly obvious that I was not getting any younger but it was more complicated than I even knew. It was difficult. If mama was here, she would have given me a clear directive on what to do but now all I have are my two sisters. I lay on Amyra’s bed. The bed filled the vast room, its dark carved frame crowned with a heavy velvet canopy. Pillows and silk sheets were piled high, glowing softly in the light from tall windows. Even in the spacious chamber, with its polished floors and roaring fireplace, the bed felt like the heart of the room—grand, inviting, and impossibly luxurious. She was at the other end of the vast room by her dresser, running a comb down her silk brown hair and humming a song under her breath whilst looking into the big mirror with turquoise carvings at each corner. Amyra was beautiful, she didn’t have freckles like me but we had similar green eyes; She also had dimples on both cheeks. Unlike me, Amyra had a love life. It always seemed easy for her, I wanted to ask her what I was doing wrong but I didn’t want to come off as frantic. So I just decided to start by asking her how things are going for her and Aelric; the prince of a neighboring kingdom; Kingdom Kyrendale. I watched her again, she was humming another song now but still brushing her hair. “Amyra, what’s going on with you and Aelric?” My voice came out in a husky tone, so I cleared my throat and continued “I barely see him around anymore” She dropped the pink brush she was using on her hair and placed it on top of the dresser. “I don’t know for sure, we had a fight and he hasn’t dropped by since then. He also hasn’t written to me for days” She looked sad, I regretted using this format. “Ohh, I’m sorry. Was the fight about something serious?” “I didn’t think it was, I just confronted him on how he barely writes to me these days” Amyra shrugged, put her hair in a quick bun and walked over to the bed and fell straight on it, followed by a huge sigh. I didn’t know the right words to use to make her feel better, I wasn’t good with issues like this. I was silent for some minutes, then started stroking her hair slowly; as if that would make up for the soothing words I couldn’t deliver to her. She broke the silence and I was thankful “Enough about me, what about you? Found any suitable suitor yet?” She looks towards me and I tried to grin a bit, but it didn’t work. I don’t know if the problem was about me finding a suitor or the problem was about me having to leave the castle and my family, the only place I know as home. Could I ever adapt elsewhere? I nodded slowly “All the men Aunt Ravendir has recommended are not to my liking” She stopped looking at me now and her eyes were on the ceiling of her room. A loud knock interrupted her thoughts “Your Highness, Ms. Amyra” It was Maria, one of the fifty eight servants in the castle “Yes? How can I help you?” Amyra answered hesitantly “The cup of tea you requested for is ready” “Come in and drop it” I watched as the woman in her mid to late 60s bowed her head in front of us and rushed to drop the tea set on a table, alongside some napkins. “Here it is” “Make sure to come back after 30 minutes for the silverwares” “Yes, your highness” She bowed her head once again and dashed across the room. It was silent once again. Amyra sat on the bed now, took the cup of tea from the tray Maria had served and put it to her mouth. She loves tea, just like mama did. Mama had always requested for tea in the late afternoons like this, when the weather was getting a bit chilly. “Perhaps, I can introduce you to some of Aelric’s finest friends that are of your age” She smiled and took another sip from her cup of tea. She liked that idea but I wasn’t sure I did. I gave her an opposing look, all I wanted was tips on what to do or even how to keep the idea of marriage from everyone’s mind. I just didn’t feel ready yet but of course I couldn’t say that. At least, not yet. “Wouldn’t that be a little bit weird?” “Maybe you’ll like me to introduce you to some of Papa’s friends then? Would that be more comfortable?” Then, we both burst into uncontrollable laughter that filled the air of the room. She was always good at this, telling jokes and making an environment that should feel tense; subtle. “That is absurd” i was almost choking on my words from laughter “Okay, then you have no choice but to accept my first offer” “You leave me no choice but you have to talk things out with Aelric first. You need to sort things out with him” I start to get up from her bed and then walked to her dresser and looked at my image in the mirror. I may be pretty, I think to myself. “Look who’s giving the advices now” I look away from the mirror “I’m serious Amyra, I see how you guys are so indebted with each other. Don’t torture yourself” She smiled “Yes, my princess” I giggled playfully and made my way to the door, gave a funny bow which she reciprocated before heading out.