Fragile Dream

The snow was finally melting. Spring would be here soon and Prince Nikia would come again like he did every year. It was pointless but sweet. He was the reason I was still sane but I'd never admit it in front of him. That would be too much, too honest. Estelle kept arranging her needle-case on the ottoman, completely oblivious to what it was about to change. "You're going to need a new cup of hot cocoa, sis." She pointed out, surprising me for a moment. I looked down, my hands were still holding down my favorite pinkish cup but the content was now lukewarm. Gross. "You're right." I replied. "I did not realize I spent so much time looking through the window." She shrugged. "You always spend a lot of time looking through the windows. Sometimes I don't even understand what are you looking at but..." She cut herself out as soon as the maids entered the room followed by my husband. "There you are! I have something for you." He said, not even noticing my sister presence. I sighted. His manners were always lacking for a king. But his dominance wasn't. He grabbed my arm and took the cup away from me, putting it down on the table, almost breaking it, the mystery would be to know which one of them. Suddenly a huge box was in front of me. "Well, open it!" I rushed to it, trying to keep my manners and at the same time pleasing him. A bit scared of him and without knowing what the gift was this time. He wasn't exactly kind or considerate when it came to gifts. Some of his gifts were more a punishment, or a lesson to be learned. I was trapped. And so was Estelle, but in a very different way. He came to our kingdom when I was merely seventeen springs. He claimed the land and my hand in such way so my father could not refuse. He would lately set everything on fire and poison my parents to make sure I could not escape. My sister became a prisoner and I traded my skills for her life. After all, she was useless in his eyes, except for the fact that he could use it as leverage to manipulate me. I smiled, relieved. At least it was not the head of a rabbit or something grotesque. Only he was able to turn my favorite hobby of receiving gifts into a nightmare. "This is a marvellous dress, Livius." He smiled, obviously pleased with himself. "I want you to use it in the welcome ceremony." "But that's a few weeks from now isn't it?" I asked. He smiled and the chilling sensation returned. "Ah, yes. I decided to give a ball. A masquerade if you must. Like the one where we met each other." Delirious as always. I think. He keeps claiming that he saw me in middle of the dance floor several years ago, and then he decided to conquer my kingdom. But of course, not such thing happened, ever. Still, the mention of the masquerade brings new concerns to my not so peaceful life. Will Nikia be able to reach the palace on time? Knowing my husband character, he could die if he didn't. After all my husband never cared for keeping peace with other kingdoms he could easily destroy. "I have to send a letter to our guests immediately." I muttered to myself once he finally left the room but I found Estelle pale as a ghost, still on the ottoman. As soon as I reached for her to comfort, she cried. And cried a lot. Shaking and cursing our lousy destiny.