The Princess Royal Guard (ENGLISH)

CHAPTER 1 (A Princess Life)

Chapter 1

Eynsworth Castle, 1910

Cucrium City, Estregas

I grew up with Nana’s story about the castle and Princesses. So it becomes my dream to be one of them someday, even though fairy tales and stories about them don’t exist anymore in this modern world, I still wish I would experience it. Knowing that people like them existed many years ago somehow soothes my young mind.

But never in my wildest dream I expected it would happen to me in reality.

I examined myself in the mirror as Eda, one of my handmaiden, adjusted the corset I was wearing. "Are you trying to kill me, Eda?" I joked, but it made Eda white as paper and both of Lena and Eda instantly bow down in front of me. "I am sorry, your highness. Please don't punish us," they both pleaded which caught me off guard.

"Oh my god! I forgot. It was a joke. Anyway, just forget itn just continue what you are doing," I said.

I'm really stupid to forget that I'm not in the present. My little words or jokes can lead to these people's death.

At the same time, Lena, also my handmaiden, fixed the red dress to be put on me. We seem to be having afternoon tea with my Aunt Gisella, as Eda said. I have stayed here in Eynsworth for a week already and today is the first time I will meet them.

"It looks like the corset is going to explode on me, Eda. Can't it be replaced? I can't move anymore," I complained, barely able to breathe.

“Sorry, Princess Atarah but we can't do anything because that's what Lady Sunnifa ordered for you to wear today,” Lena apologize.

I didn't talk anymore because Lady Sunnifa might hear us and will scold them again. Yesterday Lady Sunnifa scolded me for talking without manners in front of the King. What should I do? I’m not used to that well-mannered words they are using here.

I tried so many times to pinch my arms, trying to wake me up with these dreams, but no matter how squeezed, I do. I’m still here in this Castle, walking on this aisle wearing this tight dress they told me to wear and act like a saint. As I walk to the dining area, the brunette woman named Sunnifa is also walking on my sides. She’s the Castle Chamberlains, and the two other girls on my back are my handmaiden.

“Princess, you need to walk slowly.” Eda reminded me of when I walk faster than them.

"Princess Atarah!" I stopped in my tracks when I heard Lady Sunnifa's accented cry.

I could do nothing but start acting refined again as we walked towards the garden. From where we were standing, I could see that the people in the pavilion were so busy that you'd think there were a lot of visitors. Meanwhile, only the four of us will drink tea. It would be nice if the King could join us to say that they need to prepare well. But it’s just this Aunt of Princess Atarah who looks like some evil stepmother you could read in a fairy tale book.

I never thought that being aristocratic was not like what I read in books.

As we walked, Lady Sunnifa kept reminding me of what I should do when I approached Countess Gisella. My aunt who seemed no longer pleased to see me. Lena told me that Aunt Gisella was too nasty to everyone. If you do not know the royal family, you will not consider this woman his daughter.

When I stopped in front of Aunt Gisella, I just bowed to greet her. I noticed the woman sitting next to her, and she was looking up as if something was interesting up there. Does she think so highly of herself that she doesn't even look back at the people around her?

I don’t know why I was dragged here or what is my purpose for being here.

“Sunnifa, didn't I tell you to dress Atarah well? What kind of clothes did you put on my niece? She now seems to be in line with the slaves,” Countess Gisella said before opening the fan she was holding.

I clenched my hands, trying to suppress myself from this ill-mannered Aunt of Atarah. She is the Princess of this castle, but her Aunt looks and treats her like a slave.

Is this how they look down on Atarah?

I will no longer wonder why she left this world and fled from these judgmental people.

Based on the stories of Lena and Eda, who are always with Atarah, she is not interested in her life here in the castle. So the king also often gets angry because she always runs away from the palace as well as its classes.

Who would want to stay in such a place?

I've only been here for a few days, and I'm almost suffocated by the people who are always watching over me as well as the policy that I must follow because I have a big responsibility as the Princess of this Country.

I thought being a Princess is fun. I never expected it would be this hard.

“Atarah! Atarah! Are you listening? Jesus! Where is your mind wondering, Princess Atarah?” my Aunt said in dismay.

I’ve been wondering if my family is okay and if where the hell is your Princess. You want me to say it out loud? I can’t wait to see your face when I cuss in front of you.

“I’m sorry, Aunt Gisella. I’m just not feeling well today. Can I excuse myself for now. I will just rest for a moment,” I politely informed them.

I am trying to suppress my attitude in front of them. I don’t want Atarah to have another problem because of me when she comes back. But these two were really testing my patience.

“We rushed to visit you here when we found out you were back. Now you will suddenly leave in the middle of our tea party?” my cousin Rohesia suddenly spoke.

“Rohesia, stop it!” Aunt Gisella warned her that even you could feel the conviction.

"No, Mother!” she snorted. “She needs to hear that she's not behaving well. She's a Princess so she should act like one. I really don't know why Grandpa chose a bastard like her!” she added in her last statement.

Don’tworry Rohesia, I also hated to stay here since day one. All I want now is to go home and spend the rest of my days with my sister, Nana, and Quillan.

“Thank you for reminding me that Rohesia. Don't worry next time I won't forget who I am. Anyway, see you later at lunch. Please excuse me, Aunt Gisella.”

After saying goodbye, I called my handmaiden and stood up, walking away from them without looking back. While walking, a smile appears on my lips as I hear Rohesia mumbling about my rudeness.

Whose rude?

Me? Oh, she’s dreaming. I guess she hasn’t seen herself in the mirror yet.

Back inside the mansion, Eda said goodbye to fix my room. On the other hand, Lena kept following me as if I would disappear if I got lost in her sight. Honestly, I don't feel bad. I just want to run away from my rude Aunt and her hypocritical son. I wonder how Atarah keeps up with them every day?

“Lena, how far is the town from here in the palace?” I turn to Lena, who is looking down.

Everyone knows that I don’t remember much from my past. So they no longer wonder why I often ask questions about things I used to do. I want to get out of here. I want to experience the life of Atarah. The life that everybody dreamt of, but they will never have.

“Outside the palace, there is a town. All you need to do is pass-thru that forest and you’ll see the big wall separating Eynsworth and the city of Estregas. The next town was about 15 miles [15 km] away. There are still as many cities as big as the whole Estregas, dear Princess,” Lena explained, still without looking at me.

The Ruins of Misty Moon are farther away than the town here. I want to see what the era looks like where Princess Atarah came from. However, I’m super curious about where she is, and I wonder why I went to this place. My curiosity still keeps on bugging me since day one.

As I was walking around the palace, I sneaked out from Lena. I was not comfortable that someone always followed me as if I were an important person. Of course, I forgot that the owner of this body is an essential person in this country. But others don't think of her that way. Other people here think she is just an obstacle to their plans.

"What is my dear Princess doing here?"

I smiled as I turned at King Rupert, the Grandfather of Atarah and King of Eynsworth. He looks kind, and for the few times we met, he doesn’t treat me as a threat, unlike his daughter-in-law, Tita Gisella.

Did he know his granddaughter was in danger?

How could he allow Atarah to suffer like this just for a crown?

I don’t think a person’s worth doesn’t measured by what he or she can do. Whether her role is big or not, everyone shouldn’t think ill about her. It’s tiring to work for the respect she deserves.

“Avus…” I called him.

A burly man in his fifties walked up to me. He was wearing a blue robe with a belt embedded with gold and a red cloak with the Royal emblem of the King. The King’s deep eyes were staring at me while his hands were behind his back. King Rupert’s eyebrows are almost glued to as its thin lips, which scares you.

“Did I surprise you? You are thinking too deeply that you haven’t realized I was watching you for a minute. Is there a problem?” he asked me worriedly.

I looked back at the scene I was watching earlier. It was a group of soldiers who had been training since a while ago. They are not resting as if they never get tired with every move they make the whole time.

“I’m good. I'm still overwhelmed by everything but I'll get used to it. What kind of people are my parents, Avus?” I ask King Rupert.

I watched the reaction of his face change. The deep and invisible emotion suddenly softened, and a timid smile flashed from his lips. It was as if he suddenly remembered something from the past to make him smile like this.

“They are one of the people who makes me regret all my decisions in life.”

A frugal statement that made me curious and think of how they are before. Before King Rupert could speak again, the counselor for his next appointment arrived. He hugged me and kissed my forehead before saying goodbye, but before he could leave, he said one thing that made me think.

“Everything that happens is a test to you if you are worthy of the throne. I hope you don't give up like your father because I know you are the only ones who deserve this throne. Forgive me if I am not always by your side to protect you, but I love you so much, remember that.” He said before turning his back on me.

I responded with a smile to what Avus said just to let him leave with peace of mind. I didn't even know what he meant, but I was suddenly overwhelmed with nervousness and fear. Even the truth is that I am fainting and quietly asking in my mind that I wish I had returned to my world.

After Avus left, Rohesia suddenly appeared, looking at me badly. "Is that what you're doing to win the king's heart? Tsk! Just wait, one day he'll also realize that you don't deserve to be the Princess of Eynsworth," she exclaimed before leaving.

I stared at Rohesia for a few more minutes before quickly picking up the coat on one side. I hid it there last night when I came out for a while. I will go out into that forest and out of the palace. I want to know what else awaits me in this place. If anyone tries to take Atarah's life, I'll know when I'm alone. It’s hard to predict when there are so many people around me.

I passed the very back of the palace and quickly jumped up the low wall into the large garden. Fortunately, there weren’t too many people there, so I promptly crossed the garden. But before I could get out of the courtyard, I gasped when something hit my head before I lost consciousness.

I don't know what happened to me. As long as I woke up, I was in my room. When I moved my head, I winced at the sting from my head. When I touched my forehead, there was a bandage on there. Eda quickly approached me and helped me sit up straight.

"What happened to me?" I asked her.

"You have been asleep since yesterday, Princess. Lena found you in the garden unconscious and with blood on your head. What happened to you?"

"I don't know either. All I want is to get out of the palace and I want to go to Estregas," I confess to her because I know I can trust them.

“You wanted to leave this place, you should have told us so that Lena and I could help you. We are not your enemies here Princess Atarah. We are one of those people who want to see you happy and well. We have always been on your side even if it meant that the King and your Auntie would be angry with us,” Eda said, making me feel ashamed of what I did.

I know they are kind people. But it’s just scary to trust people you don’t know if you actually can count them all. Or they are one of the people who want me to get lost in the palace.

The whole day passed and I was just here in my room. The king came by to greet me and ask about what had happened to me. There was a look of concern on his face when he visited me. Almost everyone who enters here in my room can’t help but observe every reaction they show me. Atarah's daily life is hard because she has to weigh every action and word she utters to avoid making mistakes in front of people who secretly hate her.

I woke up early today because of my class. Lady Sunnifa never stopped reminding me. As Lena and I walked down the hallway, I couldn’t help but wince because of the tightness of my corset. It's as if my t**s are about to sink because of its tightness.

"Princess, you can't be naughty. The other servants are watching you and they will definitely report to Lady Gisella and Sunnifa if you don't behave properly," she reminded me immediately.

"Lena, I can't seem to breathe anymore because I'm wearing this tight dress. Do I really have to always wear this?"

"I'm sorry Princess but this is what you should wear because your body has to be curved when you meet your fiancé. We can’t do anything about your clothes,” she said, feeling sorry about me.

I quickly stopped walking and looked at her violently. "Fiancé? I’m getting married? " I ask her. I can’t believe what I’ve just heard.

“Yes, you are getting married when King Rupert chooses the right man for you.”

I was suddenly stressed because of what I heard. I have also been beaten and shouted at several times by my rude Master. I couldn't help but be stunned because I was always obsessed with what Lena had told me. I’m getting married to a man who I haven’t met or seen before.

I hate this life of Atarah. I take back what I’ve said before that being a Princess and living in a castle is fun.

After class, my head was aching because I didn't understand anything he was teaching. "God, it's tiring!" I said before I sighed as I fell on a chair here in the garden.

I decided to have my snack here. I don't want to be inside the palace because I might see Aunt Gisella again and will be preached again. She always sees me and points out every mistake I’ve made as if she’s not doing anything except guarding my every move.

Later a servant came and delivered my snack. Eda moved quickly to prepare my food and promptly tasted it before handing it to me. On my first day, I was wondering why they had to do that thing. But eventually, I realized why they were so strict with me.

Many people were not happy that I returned, so they were just more careful.

“You can eat now Princess,” Eda said, making sure my food didn't mix anything.

I don't know what food they serve me, but it looks delicious. The food the cook prepares here is different compared to the food Nana cooks for me. Even if I want to request my favorite pasta, I can't because they might think I'm crazy. I think the only pasta in here is Bolognese, and it’s so sour for me.

I get a pretzel or a piece of bread. I don’t know what the people called it here. But it does taste like bread and some fruits on the side with tea. Now I’m missing my cup of coffee, not this one.

I was almost halfway through eating when I suddenly choked. Lena quickly handed me some water and drank it. I thought that if I drank it, it would go away,, but I coughed even more and had trouble breathing.

"Princess! What's going on?" Eda shouted as she quickly approached me, and so did Lena.

"I can't breathe," I whispered, causing the people around me to panic.

I punched my chest a few more times because I might have just choked on something. But it didn't work, and I became even weaker with shortness of breath. A man quickly approached me, and I just felt him lift me.

Before I completely lost consciousness, I heard him speak. "You're a Princess that everyone hates. You should be more careful with everyone and not just trust them easily,” he uttered.

That was the last word I heard from the stranger before my vision darkened.