Evolution of a Queen

Prince James

“Princess?” There was a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I was sitting in front of my mirror while Abby, my head maid, did my hair.

The door opened, and my other maid, Lucy, came in. She wore a grim expression.

“What is it?” I turn towards her.

“I have news from your father. He doesn’t want you to come down and meet Prince Jason today. He wants you to avoid him except for meal times.”

“What?” I exclaim and stand up in shock, “Why?”

“Apparently he’s a possible suitor for Princess Seriah. His majesty doesn’t want you to influence Prince Jason’s feelings.” Lucy bowed her head in sadness.

“How long will he be staying?” I wanted to know how long I would be confined to my chambers because that was the only room he wasn’t allowed to enter besides my other family’s chambers.

“He’ll be leaving after Christmas this year, my lady.”

“I’m going to be staying in here all year?” I shriek.

“Ma’am?” Abby suddenly spoke up.

“Yes, Abby?”

“Would you like to see him when he arrives? There’s a place where you could hide near the entrance that only the staff knows about. We use it to clean and light the chandelier when the machine that brings it down is broken,” Abby was looking me in the eyes as she spoke.

I stay silent as I motion for her to lead the way. After walking for a short time, we arrived at the balcony. It turns out that her hiding place was the hallway on the fourth floor only the staff used. Looking down into the entrance hall, I could see that Price Jason was already here and was talking with Father, Mother, and Seriah.

“Say, Your Majesty?” His voice drifted up to me as I stepped closer to the railing.

“Yes, Prince Jason?” My father was unusually polite. Well, he’s ordinarily polite with anyone that isn’t me.

“I heard you had a second daughter. Where is she? I thought my father requested that the whole family be present when I arrived.” 

“I would like to know that as well,” Seriah spoke up, “She loves meeting people from different kingdoms.”

My father shook his head in mock disappointment, “I tried telling her to stay, but she insisted on going into town with some of her friends. She said to send her regards and that she would meet him at dinner.”

During their exchange, I hadn’t noticed that Prince Jason was looking around the entrance hall and had spotted me. Horrified with myself I stepped back in shock. Luckily the hallway was behind father so that it might seem like Prince Jason was looking at father, but it was better safe than sorry. I turned and ran back down the hall towards the safety of my chambers.

To pass the time till dinner, I pull out my sketchbook and start sketching an idea for my next dress. My maids let me come up with my dress ideas. My maids just sew them for me.

About three hours later, there was a gentle knock on my door.

“Who is it?” I wasn’t expecting anyone. During the days, my maids had other chores to do, so I was typically left alone until it was time to get ready for dinner.

“It’s Prince Jason. Is Princess Lilly in there?” I could hear the smirk on his face.

“N-no she’s out right now. Please come back later!” I was nervous because he might recognize me from the hall.

“Open the door then.”

“I can’t. The miss doesn’t allow people to open the door unless she’s there,” I was lying through the skin of my teeth.

“When will she be back? I saw her on the balcony so she isn’t in town and I want to meet her before dinner so that I can have a proper talk with her,” He was so persistent.

I opened the door just enough that he could see my eyes, “It’s me, alright? You’re not supposed to be here, Seriah’s supposed to be showing you around. I shouldn’t even be talking to you right now!”

Suddenly the sound of footsteps could be heard coming down the hallway. I quickly shut the door and backed away from it.

“Princess?” I could see the door handle started turning, so I fled to my study.

Behind my desk is a passage that foreigners wouldn’t know about. Not only did it lead to a safe room if there was an attack, but it leads to the kitchen as well. I help out there every once in a while. My father never goes down there, and I don’t think he even knows where it is. 

“Princess?” The prince’s voice was louder now. He had entered my room.

“So now you come into my room without permission? Is this a custom in your kingdom?” There was a tremble in my voice, and you could tell I was afraid. I hated myself for being afraid of him.

I race over to the passageway and rip open the entrance. After I carefully closed it, I ran as fast as I could to the kitchen. Luckily there were a couple of guards I was friends with sitting and chatting in the kitchen. Apparently, today was their day off.

“Liam! Alex! Thank goodness you’re here!” I race over to them, feeling very relieved.

“Lilly!” They stood up in a panic when they saw my frantic state.

“What happened, Lilly?” Alex grabbed my upper forearms, and I sagged into his grip in relief.

“Prince Jason forcefully entered my room. I don’t know what he wanted, but he entered my room without permission. I was scared he was going to do something to me. Please,” Tears started pouring down my face, “Help me do something. I don’t want to get in trouble for him being in there.”

Both of them looked angry, “please stay here, princess,” Liam wiped away the tears on my cheeks.

I frantically shook my head, “I have to get back before anyone notices I’m not there.” Neither Alex nor Liam looked happy with my response but didn’t say anything else as I led the way to my room.

When we get back to my room, I notice Prince Jason standing outside my closed bedroom door.

“I was wondering where you had gone,” He looked at me for a moment, “It’s not a custom in my country, but I was worried about you. I left when it was apparent you were no longer in the room. How did you leave your room without going past me?”

“Every room has a secret way out. Standard rooms like yours just go to a safe room. Please leave before anything happens. You shouldn’t walk so freely around the castle.”

“The more you push me away, the more I want to get to know you, Princess Lilly,” He smiles at me a little.

“That’s not a good idea. You are here as a suitor for Seriah, please don’t make trouble for me,” I look down at the ground.

“Actually my father sent me here as a suitor to one of  King Patton’s daughters; he never specified which daughter.”

“My father did,” I mumble under my breath. In a louder voice, I say, “Please allow these two gentlemen to escort you back to your room. Dinner won’t be for a couple of hours, so please rest back in your room.”

“Why don’t you want me around?” He looked almost hurt at my words,” I saw you on that balcony, so I know you wanted to be there to greet me. What’s there to be afraid of?”

My dad’s face pops into my head, immediately making me tense up. I take a couple of steps back and look down. 

“Please just leave,” I whisper as my eyes tear up again.

I hear a sigh and footsteps approaching me. I didn’t look up, but I saw his shoes stop in front of me, “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I will find out. It’s apparent you’re afraid something will happen if people know you met with me, but I still want to talk and get to know you. Maybe I will have that opportunity after dinner when you get back from town.” The prince snorts and walks away with Liam and Alex trailing after him.