Eliza stands upon her balcony, a vast city lays before her. Stone structures, no more than two or three stories high spread out in all directions. Citizens complete their daily tasks, hustling, stealing, trading, freely living their lives without intervention. Although from Eliza’s perspective they look no different than ants, moving product, manufacturing goods and earning money which will all eventually come right back to where currency began, the king. The one who disallowed her from meeting a single citizen outside those that entered the grounds and as her father he expressed how she should count herself lucky. Maturing in the largest safest home of them all, a castle. Servants to care for every whim, soldiers to defend her from the worlds dangers and a family always there for her. But there’s a caveat she may never sway, diverge or leave the castle. This abode is beautiful, where she wears elegant silk garments, tapestries drape the walls, a vast library and an enormous garden surrounds the premises. But still Eliza places her elbow upon the stone railing, chin resting in her hand and blue eyes twinkling as the orange sun begins to set. Her black hair streams down her spine its tips resting upon her lower back, laying upon her pale soft skin. Squinting at the slight glare but not a single winkle can be found upon her skin. No blemishes, sunspots, blackheads or dryness taints her visage. Yet Eliza seemed unperturbed by the sun’s rays ruining her skin and merely mumbles “I wonder what it’s like to be a commoner?” as the peasants light the streets lanterns.

The sound of shoes tapping against stone grows louder until she hears a knock “milady?”

“Come in Sonya.”

A human female servant heaves open the large wooden door, enters and shuts it. Her vibrant maroon hair flicking about, diverting attention from her pale skin, brown eyes and light pink lips. Sonya steps toward Eliza standing a meter behind. “Milady the king requests your presence for dinner this evening.”

“Will he believe my ongoing cold?”

“He said and I quote, if another illness withholds you, he’ll have the soldiers drag you to the dining room in your undergarments.”

“ahhhhh!!” Eliza sighs. “No choice then.” She continues to stare at the wandering peasants below. A peaceful silence passes between the two as a slight breeze sways her few loose hairs. “Sonya could you call me Eliza?” she asks with divided attention.

“Princess, whipping is the punishment for insubordination.”

“You’re being insubordinate for declining my request.” Eliza states but Sonya slightly bows and responds “Sorry princess, I have higher orders.”

“Huhhh” Eliza sighs again “How about when we’re alone, like now.”

“Someone may overhear.”

“Hmm.” Another silent moment passes as Eliza frowns but continues to focus on the masses below. “What do you think their life is like Sonya.”

“Who’s Milady?”

“The commoners.”

“Hard, Milady.”

“Yet free.”

“Most make their own prisons.”

“How do you mean?” Sonya walks up to the balcony and leans against it alongside Eliza.

“In order to provide for their families they need a job, they must work daily and lack the knowledge to escape or change their fortune. We are all prisoners of some kind.” Eliza scrutinizes them trying to pick out their faces, attempting to determine their feelings by their facial expressions, but its implausible at this distance.

“What about you Sonya?”

“What about me?” Sonya looks over to Eliza questioningly.

“What’s your prison.”

“I’m a slave milady.” A subtle agitation hidden within Sonya’s voice as she responds.

“I’m sorry Sonya.”

“No Milady, a princess never apologizes to a slave.”

“How about one woman to another?” Sonya looks back to the sunset contemplating the statement.

“Milady, forgive me, are you considered a woman?” Eliza looks at Sonya, her head bowed looking at the stone floor, her fingers fidgeting yet a slight perceptible smirk lies upon her face.

Eliza looks over to Sonya to see her bowed head yet slight smirk on her lips. “Hahaha, look up Sonya.” Sonya lifts her head, the previous smirk vanishing from her lips and an innocent look upon her face. “You insinuating I’m no female Sonya?”

“No Milady. It’s just you’re not human I’m unsure if woman is the correct term for your species.”

“Oh, both our species have two genders, should a noun be of such value?”

“I suppose not Milady.”

“Sonya, you know you’re a terrible slave and servant.”

“Seems fitting for such a princess.”

“Hahahaha, should I make you shovel horseshit for such a remark?”

“I am your servant, your wish shall be fulfilled. If you want horseshit you shall receive it.” Sonya’s lips purse hiding a grin underneath.

“haha a faeces covered princess.” Eliza giggles at the thought.

“We should leave Milady.”

“Okay.” Eliza turns around and walks toward the door.

“How long have we been together Sonya?”

“Five years, since you were fifteen.”

“How old are you now?”

“eighteen, Milady. Now, I’m sorry but we really must depart.”

Sonya opens the door and Eliza exits the room, her long black dress dragging along the carpet behind her. originally a conservative dress, Eliza adjusted it herself to reveal more cleavage. To tease suitors but mostly subtly irritate her father. She bypasses the guards who follow her without question with Sonya trailing. The castle is filled with paintings, statues and artefacts. Some from long lost civilizations, others originally gifts to earn favour with the dynasty. Torches hang from the hallway’s walls and specially woven carpet line the floors. Eliza ignores the castles grandiosity without a passing look. Descends the stairs and walks to the dining room. Servants surround the walls, several strangers seat themselves on one side of the table with her father at its head, her two brothers, Jonathan, abel and mom Felicity seated at the other. Her father looks her up and down a near imperceptible glare at the dress before returning to a nonchalant expression. He maintains his royal façade in front of the guests, but Eliza already knows her father will probably destroy the dress later. Everyone stood upon her entrance with the exception of the king and queen and only sat until she took her seat. “Eliza may I introduce prince Albert from the Nor Dynasty., his sister Samantha and their family advisor, general Cantor.” Says her father, each individual nodding their head in turn.

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“They come from the Svartam empire.”

“Nice to meet you all.” Eliza responds.

Eliza can tell immediately what her father intends, Prince Albert is a young man only the age of twenty, physically strong, pale skin, blonde hair, blue eyes and attractively sharp features and likely to be the next king of the Nor Dynasty. His sister Samantha is a tall girl, skinny but with a bust that would make most girls green with envy. Her blonde hair, blue eyes make it more than apparent that they’re definitely siblings. A rather rare feature found commonly in the Nor Dynasty. Lastly General Cantor, wrinkles around his eyes on his forehead with suntanned skin, probably from many years on the field. He has dark brown eyes and strong posture of a confident capable military man. His balding head is easily overlooked by his long celestial horns jutting from his head and curving back.

“It’s a pleasure.” Responds Prince Albert, his blue eyes staring into Eliza’s an action that would usually make a young girl giggle. Eliza responds with a nod and polite smile. Then turns her head to read the other individuals.

“General Cantor?” Eliza says.

“Yes princess?”

“I’ve heard of your exploits along the northern ridge, even in this country you’re considered a legend.”

“thanks princess, but against the prevailing rumours, my contribution to those battles is less than people give me credit. My men were the real heroes.”

“I in no way question your men’s ability, I’ve also heard rumour that you are one of the greatest swordsmen’s, even bested Knight Calista.”

“That was a rather subdued duel and knight Calista was distracted.”

“Never the less, I’d love to spar with you while you are staying in our castle.”

“Well my princess.”

“I apologise, General Cantor, my daughter has always practiced with the sword, regardless of our dismay.” Intercedes King Damion.

“Oh no need king Damion, if it’s okay with you I would be honoured to spar with her.”

“Oh okay. If it’s no trouble?” King Damion responds a slight frown on his brow. Eliza can tell her father disdains the idea.

“No trouble at all.” General cantor replies with a smile.

The dinner passes slowly, Eliza listens to the small talk around the table while trying to stay awake. They spoke of the human incursion in the south, elves neutrality to the west and slow whittling of dwarves population continent wide. My father spoke how humans were best treated like mules, you give them an inch, they walk a mile. Hence a whip is the best deterrence. A spiel he commonly spoke among celestials, specifically nobles. Eliza had to hold in a sigh having grown tired of the rehearsed speech. Prince albert responded by explaining how humans have two or three children to every one of ours. Hence they produce faster and have the numbers in a fight, that’s why they have quickly expanded across the continent. Princess Samantha continues the conversation stating humans only live half as long as a celestial or elf, hence the increased birth rates. After an hour king Damion switches topics “So, Prince Albert, your father has spoken of his intention for the continued alliance of our magnificent kingdoms.” Everyone lifts their heads and stares at the king. “That’s why the proposed union of my daughter Elizabeth to Prince Albert seems fitting.”

Eliza drops her knife, the utensil falls upon the table cloth. The sound echo’s throughout the eerily silent room. Eliza looks into space wordlessly attempting to comprehend the words. Her brothers look toward her, Elizabeth usually quiet and subdued accidentally created an awkward moment. She sits staring at a blank wall as prince Albert breaks the silence, “Our families have been allies for centuries, I think it’s wise we strengthen our union.”

“Yes I agree, after meeting a well brought up, intelligent young prince. I believe the idea fitting.” Replied Queen Felicity. “So do I.” says Prince Jonathan. The second prince, a suck up to father. Eliza just smiles, looks down and takes several mouthfuls of soup but on the inside her heart is pounding like a jackhammer, unable to think of a word.

“Hmm, so its settled, you’ll stay a few weeks and Eliza will join you on your return to the Svartam kingdom.”

“Splendid.”

Eliza thought of saying anything, fighting her father, making a scene but said nothing.

“Eliza?” says princess Samantha “I love your dress.”

“ahhh. Thank you I adjusted it myself.”

“Oh wow, which parts did you adjust?”

“Well honestly is use to be a more conservative dress.” Eliza replies shyly. Samantha looks at Eliza’s bust and back up, Eliza face turned away with a slight redness to her cheeks.

“hahaha, you definitely have an eye for it, I may have to get your opinion on some of my future dresses.”

“I appreciate the confidence but it’s just a hobby.”

“We’re princesses, ruling is first, everything else is a hobby and you have quite a competent hobby.”

“Thank you, but looking at your dress, you hardly need my help. The bodice is perfect, waistline hugs correctly. A beautiful dark green, off the shoulder mermaid dress, with a shawl.”

“Ahhh, don’t make me blush. How about we have our dresses tailored together next.”

“That sounds like fun.”

After the dinner, Eliza walks out the room, up the stairs and back into her room, the guards no longer tailing her. she walks into her room and shuts the door. Her chest heaving with each breath, placing her palm upon it to sooth her heart. She leans against the door and sinks to the floor. The “badum, badum, badum” pounds loudly in her ears. She gasps for air repeatedly attempting to fill her lungs that refuse to be gratified. She slumps down further laying upon the floor, unmoving attempting to breathe for several minutes. She hears a knocking upon the door.

“Eliza its mum, can I come in.”

“sorry, I’m rather fatigued.”

“Can we talk for a moment?” Eliza sighs quietly.

“give me a moment.” She inhales several breathes, adjusts her hair and dress. Then opens the door.

“Can I come in?”

“I need to get some sleep, I’m rather tired.”

“That’s okay.” Queen Felicity says looking away, a slight hurt in her eyes.

“You doing okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good.”

“About the engagement to Prince Albert. I think..”

“It’s fine.”

“What?”

“I’ll be leaving to another kingdom and that’s what I always expected.”

“Eliza, it’s okay to feel uncomfortable, aren’t you at least upset?”

“Why would I be, it’s something I always expected.” Eliza’s face neither has a frown or a smile, no quirks or twitches give off anything.

“Ohh, you know I’ll visit often.”

“I know, is there anything else?”

“ahh no honey, but your servant is here, Sonya.”

“Would you like any help tonight princess?”

“Not tonight Sonya, leave me be.”

“Yes princess.”

King Damian waltzed into his chambers, his wife sat on the bed twirling a glass of wine in her hand. wearing a rather revealing dress where a long slit reaches up her leg. But even with the perfect skin she’s maintained over the years, her frown worried him.

“What’s the matter darling?” asks King Damian.

“Just thinking… “

“about what?”

“you know Eliza.”

“What’s there to worry, she’ll be fine.”

“I don’t think she is. She hasn’t been for a long time.”

“What do you mean?”

“She hardly said a word at the dinner table, didn’t you notify her of your plan to meet her groom.”

“I thought it would be a nice surprise, that’s how I found out about our engagement.” “hmmm” Queen Felicity swirls her glass, her frown deepening as she looks at the wine.

“You usually hide your emotion well, is it really that bad?” asks Damian.

“No, no it’s just, she didn’t seem happy at all at the table.”

“She spoke exuberantly to princess Samantha, our informers tell me she is a friendly kind girl.”

“Yes but I don’t know, I can never read the girl. The knife dropping was the biggest reaction I’ve seen her have in a long time.”

“So we did surprise her?”

“I don’t think it was a nice surprise.”

“What’s not to like, she’s marrying an attractive, nice, charming young prince, who’ll soon be a king. She’ll be safe, have a family and worry for nothing.”

“Yet still I worry. Maybe, we made a mistake while raising her. When she was younger she use to speak to me all the time, ask questions smile at everything. But as she’s grown she only became increasingly more distant.”

“She’s a beautiful young princess and she’s safe. Her future secure. All our kids have become more distant as they’ve aged. Although that dress, I want to burn it, but cannot because princess Samantha complimented it.”

“She looked wonderful, you will do no such thing. But she doesn’t even speak to me anymore. Just a few words at most. She use to ask about the world, to leave with her brothers to see the kingdom and we always said no. So many times she asked, then one day she stopped asking. Slowly she spoke less and less to me. I was so busy with everything I never realised it was happening until I had not spoken to her for nearly a week.”

“She’s never said she was unhappy or upset, she reads every day, eats, studies and walks the garden. Her teachers say she’s incredibly smart. Maybe she’s content speaking to few people.”

“I don’t think so, she used to love talking to other celestials. Honestly I think, in our obsession to keep her safe, we may have still lost her.”

“In what way?”

“She may never want to see us again. When was the last time you talked to her and she replied with more than a few words.”

“uhh, I don’t know. I just didn’t want her to end up like Alice.”

“neither did I, that’s why I agreed to keeping her in the castle.”

Neither said anything and stood in silence, the queen wiped a few tears from her eyes.

“What should we do then?” asks Damian

“She’ll be leaving in two weeks I think we should try speaking to her.”