When I awaken the morning of my plan, Callista is sitting in the chair by my bed and staring at me. I look over at her, and just the sight of her makes a smile bless my features. She makes me feel safe, not just physically, but I know that I can truly trust her. If I told her right now that I wanted to run away, she’d get the getaway car. “What is it, Callista? Am I needed for something?” You can tell she didn’t know that I was awake, because she stumbles in her chair and looks away from me with a slight blush on her cheeks. “Nothing to worry about, Elara. I just thought you looked so peaceful. I can barely see you nowadays without that crinkle in your brow from the intense weight on your shoulders. It’s just nice to see you with no worries for once.” I smile gently, before looking away as I notice the blush creeping up my own cheeks.

“Is there anything I must do today? Do you know, Callista?” Her features harden, a slight scowl replacing the beautiful smile there only moments before. I somehow already miss it. “Your mother has requested a visit with you today.” I try my best to keep the smile on my face and the worry out of my eyes, but I can tell she notices. “I’m sorry, Elara.” I look back at her. She looks so guilty, as if she’s the reason my mother acts this way. I sit up and take her hands in my own. “This isn’t your fault, Callista. She’s just like that. I’ll be okay, don’t worry.” She looks up at me with tears in her beautiful green eyes. Suddenly, I wish that I could take all of her sadness for myself. I don’t know why I feel like that.

She just looks at me before saying, “I just wish that I could protect you more. I mean, I'm your bodyguard. I’m supposed to protect you from harm and yet I can’t protect you from the only person that is harming you. I’m so sorry, Elara.” I look at her and wish she knew that it’s not her fault. “You’re not doing anything wrong, Callista. You make living in this place bearable. And, I mean, I’m luckier than most. I live in a castle, for Thalian’s sake. I’m literally a princess. I think, in her mind, she’s just toughening me up, and it has made me tougher. I’m grateful, in a weird way.” She looks at me with pity. It’s as if she understands something that I don’t. She stands and wipes the tears from her eyes. “Well, you should get dressed. Your mother expects you as soon as possible.” I look down at the ground. “Very well.” I ring for Coral and begin to get out of bed. As I walk to my dressing station, I can see the bags under my eyes. I pray that Coral can cover them up, otherwise Mother will be upset.

Coral arrives very quickly in my room and gets to work right away. By the time she is done, I look like a true princess, whereas most times, I look like shit. She has managed to cover-up the darkness of my under-eyes whilst still making the make-up look natural, which I am eternally grateful for. After taking a second to breathe, I make my way out the door with a silent look towards Callista telling her that I will be okay.

When I arrive at my mother’s door, I knock lightly, as she always says princesses are supposed to. After she answers the door, her face twists into a scowl as soon as it meets mine. She looks upset, and so I bow my head. “Mother.” Before I say anything else, she grabs by the hair and drags me into her office. I try not to show how painful it is. “Elara, have you been practicing magic?” I make myself look shocked at the question. “Mother, I know royals are forbidden to do such a thing. I would never.” I try to make myself sound convincing. “There are books going missing for days at a time from the library. They are all about magic use. Do you expect me to believe that it was your brother?” I force myself to not roll my eyes. “No, mother. Maybe it was one of the staff?” I look down ever so slightly, afraid to meet her eyes. “You think I didn’t think of that, Elara? If it is one of them, then it will be dealt with swiftly. Look me in the eyes and answer my question. Are you using magic?” I meet her eyes. I just barely stop myself from cowering at the intense anger in her gaze. “No, mother. I would never break your rules, or the law.” I pray that she doesn’t see through me.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

She finally breaks our eye contact and from the look on her face, she thinks I’m telling the truth. She seems disappointed that in her eyes, I am. I try not to let it go to heart. “Fine, Elara. If I find out it was you, however, you will be swiftly punished.” I look towards the ground. “Yes, mother.” She glances at me. “Leave me, Elara. I no longer have any use for you.” I make a slight curtsy, and immediately walk out the door before she can get any angrier.

When I arrive back to my room, I am bombarded by Callista immediately running up to me and asking if I am okay. I quickly dismiss her questions, assuring her that I am okay. Afterwards, I simply sit down at my desk and begin writing a more well thought out plan. Callista just watches me carefully with her worry obvious on her features. I try not to focus on it too hard, but fail, and walk over to her to let her know once more that I am okay. Once she sees me getting up, she looks away and pretends she wasn’t staring. “Callista?” She looks over at me. "Yes, Elara?” I smile at her gently. “I know you’re worried, but I swear on the god Thalian himself, I am okay. Mother didn’t do anything. You have nothing to worry about.” I can see how the stress is affecting her. She’s sweating profusely, and her eyes are bloodshot and darting every which way. She sighs a bit at my reassurance. “I know, Elara, but I’m still worried.” I smile at her out of sympathy more than anything. I walk up to her and hold out my arms. She accepts my hug almost instantly and burrows her face into my neck. I feel a slight blush creeping up my cheeks, but I ignore it.

We wait for a minute longer than we should before pulling apart and going our separate ways. She goes to stand outside my door, and I go back to my desk to keep writing more intricate planning. After a while of just sitting there and studying what I have written, I use my fire spell to burn the paper, erasing any evidence of my plan. I then call Coral to come take off my makeup and get me ready for bed. After doing that, I close my eyes and lay there for a few hours, getting some non-restful sleep and preparing to wake up in a couple of hours. I wake up right on schedule, ready to sneak out. I complete the illusion spell with no trouble, and change into a basic shirt and trousers that I stole from Callista with the excuse that I wanted to be able to wear normal clothes, which wasn’t a lie, per say. After I put them on, I realize they are so much comfier than my dresses, and now I get why Callista wears them. I then step out onto the balcony, close the door behind me, and begin to use the bricks of the outside wall to help me climb down. As I look up at my balcony one final time, I come to the stunning realization that my life will never be the same after tonight.