CHAPTER I
2273 Words
(FOREST OF DREAMS)
“BEING ordinary is an atrocity remember that, Miyu.”
That is the first lesson that I needed to learn, I have learned and they always remind me ever since they realize that I am not an ordinary aristocrat.
“An aristocrat who had the wit unlike no other.”
I whisper to myself while looking at the mirror and talking about how a proper princess should think, move and speak. Rules that shackle me in this life of luxury and status, that I both love and hate in ways and at the same time.
“You are above everyone and no one dares to tell you what you should do.”
Firm, bold, and standing on the highest pedestal. That is my life, the luxury, and power that I am sheltered all my life. The bloodline that will always put me above everyone else, with or without remorse.
“Repeat after me.”
My everyday routine, or so they establish for me to do.
“I am the only princess.”
“I am the only princess.”
The word I was naïve then to realize how cruel and twisted it is all about.
“The world and everyone should bow down to me.”
“The world and everyone should bow down to me.”
The lesson and words I believe, until.”
“Stay away from me! I do not want to be your friend anymore! You are a monster! Your entire family is a monster!”
Called a monster is one thing. But losing the only friend I had because of all the restrictions and rules that one should fulfill before being one for me pushed me to the end.
“Why did you do that to his family?”
“What do you mean? That stupid commoner of a boy? Tsk! Do you think that I would let such filth be my daughter’s friend?”
His words, their pride. The name that doesn’t suit anyone but is above or equal to that standing. The horror that I needed to face and received the biggest and most painful slap about. For a princess deserve only the best. The cruel lesson that I learn firsthand.
“If you wanted what’s best for you, then listen to our words. Follow the rules, for that, is the only thing that will keep the ones you love safe.”
I do not understand then, as I do not have a slight clue from what he said to me. The Prince, the crown one. My father and his ambition that as deep and wide as I could ever imagine. His greed and standing trap me in the perfect cruel life of being of royal blood.
“Your highness, do you want to play with us?”
“Can I?”
The words and a fake smile that I need to show. I mastered and even perfected it. Reminding myself that finding one true friend is something that I couldn’t ever have.
“Of course, we will always be glad to have you around.”
Their fake smiles. Their fake warmth that I know, I can read it to their eyes that it was all but a façade. For they wanted something from me. They wanted the title that I have.
“Thank you.”
The truth is that in this world, I couldn’t be the one I wanted to be, for being ordinary means being nobody, and nobody means you are nothing. The reality I want to run away forever from and the same truth that’s what makes me curse this life, for every time I open a door, all I can get is nothing but lies. And once I’ve learned about the truth it always ends up with their words.
“That little b***h of a princess thinks that she is special. That she can have everything. Well, she only had that title and nothing more. We are only bowing and pampering her because she is a princess. But she is nothing compared to us.”
Their laughter. The giggles and backstabbing that I always received. The words that I always heard behind the door and by which I am not surprised.
“Keep your smile a all times. Do not let anyone see your weakness. A princess shouldn’t have one, to begin with. Remember, you are perfect in every way.”
Another lesson. Another burden and cruel thing that I needed to carry behind my back. But so far, I didn’t care anymore. I stop caring.
“Your highness, would you like to join us for tea?”
The invitations, the gestures, and their smiles behind the cruel words that they are talking behind my back. In the garden of roses, only one white rose stood out.
“What do you think about my garden?”
I ask of them. A casual question that uninterest them, yet, they need to answer perfectly without offending the princess that is me.
“It is lovely.”
“It’s perfect, your highness.”
Their praises that I fake an expression of satisfaction. Their pretty words which I knew that they are only doing because I am the princess. The Princess that everyone should please no matter what.
“I see.”
I took a sip of my tea, calculating my moves and perfectly doing the things that are thought to me. Not missing a single thing and never doing any wrong. The perfect Princess, the only white rose from the thousand of roses with thorns that anytime will prick and stab me with their poison.
“Her garden? Tsk! More like garbage.”
“Yes, you are right. Garbage.”
They all once more whisper behind my back. Those little peony aristocrats who know nothing, but be the mirror of their family’s sin and greed.
“Luxury, status, and power. Which one is the deadliest?”
I suddenly ask. Walking back to our little tea party where none of them even notice that I didn’t leave. I was just, let’s just say hiding. Observing them from a distance and evaluating their ambitious and fake personality I do not have the slightest will to condemn them.
For all and no matter what, I am the Princess.
“What do you mean You’re Highness?”
One stupidly asks. Pretending that she didn’t know, they all pretended so.
“Let’s just say, it is a simple warning, a reminder that---”
I look at them with the eyes of authority. My standing and status forever will be above anyone of them. That is what I am thought ever since, the life I needed to endure. Being me is everything about not being ordinary. An impossible thing for me to have, that I deserve nothing or anyone below my status. For the luxury of this life, the gold and silver that I wore and everyone adores of me are all but a well-laid cage and privilege that I am within and born into.
“A simple reminder.” I took the cup of tea, poured it all above their heads, and said. “I am the Princess of this kingdom. The only heir to the throne. Nothing could stop or defy me, and no one should have the guts to laugh and stab me when my back is turned.”
They all screams, while I teach their little ring leader the lesson that she deserves. Using my power and why not? I was thought to be this way.
“Learn your place, review who you are in this kingdom. You do understand that simple words, am I right? Duke’s little peony daughter, Adriella?”
The look that I gave her fired something within her. The humiliation and the scared look from her little minions are the most satisfying thing I ever witnessed so far. The little peony aristocrats who think they can laugh at my back are the foolish ones who taught me to fight.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
She screams, standing with her clenched hands and burning anger towards me.
“Did you somehow forget who you are facing? Did that little brain of yours burn with the tea that I just poured unto you?”
I smirk, looking at her with the authority that no one of them could ever have.
“One time you are adoring me with your words. Then the other you are putting dirt right on my back. Do you think you can get away from insulting me?”
“You!”
She screams, which boils my rage, yet I still held my composure. Calm me and all else one more time. I am the Princess who owns everything.
“Watch what you are saying and even doing. In between the two of us, who do you think the world will believe?”
She shuts her mouth as her tears fall to her cheeks. Now speechless and into her rightful place. I smiled and look at her scared little minions, saying the words.
“Next time, make sure that you keep your voices low. Remember, in this land I have eyes and ears.”
I drop the cup shattering it into pieces. Taking that as my little rebellion against those little peony autocrats who thought that they can make fun of me.
“The Princess, then I’ll act accordingly to this power you gave me.”
I whisper to myself, marching towards the study room of the crown Prince. My father, the dearest one that I hated more than anyone in this land and even in this world.
“What do you want Princess?”
He always welcomes me with a smile. His dotting character is the perfect plot for me to have everything that I wanted.
“I’ll give you the list. I want you to punish the family of those peony little aristocrats that are making fun of this kingdom's only heir and Princess.”
A sinister smile then draws on his face. The kind of smile that I always see from him. Making me think twice if he is a human, and even my father after all.
“Very well. Your wish is my command.”
I was suddenly taken aback, seeing a glimpse of someone and something that I never saw before, yet it is screaming at me that I have. Shaking those away, I smiled and went my way. Acting that perfect Princess that they all wanted.
But then, not everything will always go to what I wanted.
“Helping those commoners and that filthy village will only cause trouble! Your pity towards those thieves will only put our kingdom into ashes!”
Ashes? That’s the word that completely shove me to the side and more than I could ever chew of. The village that I secretly help, and the people that I care about are now all in ashes. All because of the stupid little selfish words of Adriella.
“You got what you wish for, don’t you think? You’re Highness?”
I was left defeated, scared, and cursing this world. For none from this fair, no one seems human at all. Completely fed up and hurt from deep within, I desire one thing.
AND THAT ONE THING CAME IN QUICKLY WITH THE WORDS.
“Do you want your wish to be granted?”
I meet a peculiar gentleman, someone whose smile is knocking with all the sense of authority, yet a full reason to be trusted in a faulty way. Coming across a man that offers something that is beyond possible, yet his very eyes, smile, and gaze tell otherwise. I face him on that one cold night of spring. To the bright full moon above and my beating subconsciousness to stay away from him and shield myself from the unprecedented danger in front of me. I am taken in wonder, in utmost intrigue, as he offers his hand with its pristine pure white gloves and asks.
“Nothing is impossible for me, as I can grant anything of whatever you ever like. Name it, ask for it as just a snap of my finger, everything of those will come true in an instant. Would you not believe it? Well, you can try?”
Taunting, yet somehow asking for validation that he does not need as he holds everything of the truth of his words and everything that he said will never fall into the category of lying. He snaps his finger as he reads my thoughts and gifts me with the impossible.
“A moonflower for the sophisticated princess of this land.”
Smitten as I am taken in surprise and pleasure to the very core by the thing that he introduces. Where it is like some kind of sorcery to be called, yet a beautiful one in all the side of good, yet not. I reach my hand as I accepted the flower with all the sparks and colors from the legends and myths that tell that it shouldn’t even exist. Just then, he once more asks.
“Loneliness, longing, and even grief. I can erase everything, as I can grant anything of what you ever desire. Name it, command it and ask for it. For I will grant it in an instant.”
Never trust a stranger, that’s the first lesson. Yet, I am naïve as my loneliness and isolation in my world are too much for me to bare anymore. Now looking at his face with the smile that marks with somehow a sinister one. I finally ask.
“Can I have a wish?”
- Writer
