The Middle Of The Night

Chapter I: Runaway Princess

I woke to loud hammering sounds against my door. Listening to the singing song of birds chirping nearby. I rise, leaping up from my bed and sluggishly make my way down the grape-purple carpets against the marble floor, across to the other side of my room where the grand dark oak double-door stands tall.

Opening one of the doors, greeting the hand maidens, ushering the two inside. A pretty young girl, around my age, followed by a slightly older girl. They each had identical clothing which I personally didn't like. I would much rather our staff wore more comfortable clothing rather than the ugly plain, long sleeved light blue ankle-low dress and white aprons. With head scarves, their heads covering their hair.

The taller of the two girls had glistening chocolate brown skin. Jade has black hair and a beauty mark on the left side of her nose. She had two different colored eyes. The left was a deep golden, hazel and the bright green growing color. The two shades, though both greenish, definitely stood out when you looked at her.

The shorter of the two had light rose-gold skin with blonde hair which was tied in a plait, making it seem darker than it really is. She had freckles covering her face and had blue eyes which complemented her outfit well. The one girl who was slightly more filled around the waist and had a more well rounded figure. Hers was smaller and petite looking.

The darker girl spoke first and said "Good morning M'Lady" she said, her accent making her sound more wise and mature than her outgoing partner and it made her seem mysterious and virtuous. "Please, call me Ana." I said and they flinched as if I had said something wrong.

I laughed, asking "And what might your name be?" with a friendly grin on my face. The bright, blonde girl speaks saying "My name's Uylyah (Said like You Leah), Uylyah Eden" grasping my hands and shaking them cheerfully all willy-nilly.. I laughed loudly, and glanced over to the other girl, who looked weary of my kindliness.

Leaving the question, in turn, I asked "Has my father sent you?" I looked between the two ladies, Uylyah being the first responder. She nods, bringing me to my unnecessarily large wardrobe. Seating me infront of my vanity, and picking up a nearby brush, she begins detangling my morning hair.

As this is done, the other girl picks out a green off the shoulder, Ankle low, long sleeve gown. She lends it to me and I change into it behind a curtain in my wardrobe. When I returned, I found her staring at a gorgeous royal blue gown that was shorter than most of my gowns in length, so the chances of my father letting me wear it out are limited. Unlike my off the shoulder gown I'm currently wearing, this one hung safely on the shoulder. Nicely complementing the collarbone. And the front held a deep V neck stopping mid-breast. I smiled and picked the dress out, startling her.

"Apologizes miss. I didn't realize you were finished dressing." She said and I just smiled and nodded in response. Holding the dress toward her, I say "You can have it if you want." She blushes and shakes her head. "N-no.. I couldn't." She refused my offer and I laughed "Don't be silly, you like the dress. Right?" Tell her, holding the dress out, she finally takes it, looking up at me while pulling strands of hair out of her face shyly "Shelby..." She says and I give her a confused look. "My name.. It's Shelby.." and it clicks. We stand in mutual silence enjoying the peace before..

"Ohh my God, guys. I found butterfly jewelry, can you believe it?" Uylyah bursts through the curtain blissfully unaware of the newly found friendship. Startled, both Shelby and I burst out in laughter, leaving Uylyah confused and at a loss for words...

...

Walking down the long, clutter-filled corridors and greeting everyone we passed. The three of us stop when we see two of my seven siblings. Yes seven.. Two of my older siblings are Kierra and Logan. Kierra is 32 and the oldest girl, Logan, is 30. They noticed me and the once bright smiles turned stale.

I looked at them in confusion and paused in my steps "... What?" I asked and Kierra looked at Logan to answer. I'd never seen her so quiet before.. His face is sympathetic and he rubs my right arm which is closest to him. Walking me the rest of the way down the hallway with Kierra, Uylyah and Shelby behind us. "Father has something very.. in..important he would like to ask of you, Ana" He answers, I look back at my handmaidens who in turn look down at their feet.

I was led to two beautifully made doors. Each side had the family crest portraying a wolf emerging behind two trees. As well as intricate little handmade designs. I went to push the doors open but two of the castle guards beat me to it. Which I frown at but go with, walking inside the grand hall.

Red carpets guide the way down, with tall, marble pillars. Eight on each side, leading the way. Behind the near corner is the throne Room. Only two of the ELEVEN seats are filled. Only one of the two being my dearest father. King Darius and the other by my oldest sibling and heir to the throne, Spencer. I walk up to the stairs while the guards and servants bow and greet me and I try my best to return.

I kissed my dad on the forehead and he put his right arm around my waist. Pulling me in for a hug whilst getting up from his throne, "ANASTACIA!" He shouts happily, throwing his arms out in a gentle, charming way. Grabbing my hands, he brings my hands closer to his head. "My little Star..." He says and his voice softens, as does his excitement. He brings one of his hands to cup my face lovingly and I lean into the warm touch.

However, as I look to see Spencer's face, I see the same sorrowful, sympathetic look in his eyes that Shelby and Uylyah and later Logan and Kierra had in theirs. I frowned and pulled away from my father, staring into his eyes. I asked "Okay, what is this really~ about?"

...

My father looks at me and his face hardens. You see. My mother passed away when I was twelve years old. So my father, with the help of the maids/butlers, raised the seven of us. We each had two handmaidens and a butler each.

Every day, our butlers would provide a schedule and each maid was assigned to morning or night routines. One would dress us for breakfast and take us to school, the other would pick us up and bathe us. Or whatever. My father would do as much as he could, but he still had an entire kingdom to run and he liked to solve each problem as up close and personal as he could.

We would also spend a lot of time together. Most of the time, having sleepovers in each other's rooms or something. The workers also enjoyed bringing their kids over and we enjoyed their company. Especially Logan and a certain young maid-stress.

I loved my dad but sometimes he could be quite distant and over commits himself, making half promises, alliances or deal with people and will expect everything to go as he wants.

"So, Ana. I've been.. Meaning to bring this up for a little while now. Um. Ever since my little trip to Eszerwrath." He starts saying and then pauses, signaling everyone to leave the room. The only one who stays being Spencer but he knows better than to interrupt unless needed.

I simply watch every person exit the wide room before I return my gaze to my dad and as he paces the room. "You also know that me and King Ruben have been trying to ally with their kingdoms for a very long time now, well. We've finally come to an agreement." I look at him, face blank. "And that was?" I ask, expectantly and the king is also known as my father. Starts pacing the large room leaving me agitated and rather impatient. "Well.. King Nathan and Ruben both decided that you would be wed His Majesty's.. Younger.. Brother. Prince Thomas.."

...