My room exuded wealth, its golden walls adorned with lavish paintings that depicted scenes from my family's illustrious history, serving as both a testament to my father's power and a stark reminder of my confinement. The air hung heavy with the scent of lavender, a vain attempt to mask the dull monotony of my days. Each day, a servant would bring a tray of tasteless delicacies, their appearance more enticing than their flavor, arranged meticulously to form an intricate pattern that seemed to mock my surroundings. I'd spend hours poring over books, my only companions in this prison.
As today's sun filtered through the iron bars of my window, casting a warm glow across the room, I stood in silent contemplation. Beyond the walls of my chamber lay a city, its distant skyline obscured by the bars that kept me secluded. Within, I stood as the hidden princess, oblivious to the reality outside.
"Princess, your food," a timid voice announced, interrupting my silent reverie. The servant, a face I recognized but whose name escaped me, curtsied and headed toward the door.
As the servant retreated, leaving me alone once more, a sudden wave of loneliness swept over me. My room, seemed to close in, and the tasteless meal on the table reminded me of the flavorless existence I led.
"Wait," I called out to the departing servant.
She turned back, uncertainty in her eyes. "Yes, Princess?"
"Would you... could you stay a little longer?" I asked, the need for human connection echoing in my words.
"My apologies, Princess," the servant spoke up hesitantly, lingering at the doorway. "I'm afraid I cannot stay and keep you company. It's not within my purview."
A flicker of disappointment crossed my face. "Please, just for a while. I'm tired of being alone," I pleaded, my voice carrying the weight of unspoken yearning.
The servant hesitated, her eyes flickering between the corridor and me. After a pause that felt like an eternity, she nodded. "Alright, just for a little while," she relented, stepping back into the room.
A sense of gratitude washed over me, and I managed a smile. "Thank you. It's been so long since I've had someone to talk to."
The servant, was a girl with dark brown hair neatly pulled back, revealing a face adorned with the subtle glow of youth. Her eyes, a shade reminiscent of warm earth, reflected a kindness that transcended her role as a servant. "What would you like to talk about, Princess?"
We spoke about inconsequential things, the weather, the passing of time, and the flowers that adorned the palace gardens. The conversation flowed, and soon, laughter filled the room as we shared stories, momentarily lifting the weight of loneliness.
"Tell me about your life beyond these walls," I implored, curiosity shining in my eyes.
She hesitated, a mixture of fear and longing in her gaze. "I'm just a servant, Your Highness. There's not much to tell."
"Do you have a lover?" I asked, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
She blushed, her laughter contagious. "Princess, I'm just a servant. No time for such things."
"Nonsense! Everyone deserves love. Have you ever dreamt of someone special?" I prodded, eager for a glimpse into the personal life of my newfound companion.
She chuckled, her eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "Well, perhaps I have, but it's just a dream, Your Highness."
In a hushed whisper, I confessed, "You know, in my dreams, I often find myself longing for a man with beautiful green eyes. I want them to be mine so desperately."
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Her laughter filled the room, and she gave me a teasing smile. "Well, Your Highness, it just so happens that I might know someone with captivating green eyes. Perhaps I'll introduce you someday."
Playfully, I nudged her shoulder. "Oh, you better! Is he kind? What's his name?" My excitement bubbled over as I rambled about my dream man, envisioning a love that transcended the confines of my golden-walled prison. "And does he enjoy reading? Perhaps we could discuss books together!"
Amidst my ramblings, a sudden realization struck me. "Oh goodness, I don't even know your name," I admitted with a sheepish grin.
She chuckled, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's Alina, Princess, what is yours?
I paused, realizing that I had never had the opportunity to share my name with someone outside the palace walls. "I have never had the opportunity to tell someone my name, but it's Evelina."
Alina's eyes widened with genuine surprise. "Evelina, a beautiful name fit for a princess."
...
As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Alina's visits became a regular occurrence. She would sneak into my room, breaking the barriers that separated us, and we would spend countless hours sharing laughter, dreams, and secrets. Alina became my confidante, the friend I had longed for in the solitude of my confined existence.
Alina became the link between my isolated life and the vibrant reality beyond the palace walls. Our friendship blossomed, transcending the boundaries of royalty and servitude, creating a connection that neither of us had anticipated.
One day, as I eagerly waited for Alina's arrival, a guard entered my room instead, breaking the routine of our meetings. His stern expression hinted at the gravity of the news he carried. "Princess, your presence is requested by the King," the guard announced.
The guard escorted me to my father's chamber with an air of stern vigilance, his presence a constant reminder of the secrecy that enveloped my existence. The palace corridors echoed with our footsteps, each step accentuating the isolation I felt within these walls.
As the grand doors opened, revealing my father seated upon his imposing throne. His tall and robust frame, adorned in intricate royal robes, emanated an air of command that permeated the grandeur of the room. The fabric of his clothing bore the insignia of our lineage, a symbol of the centuries-old history that defined our noble family.
His countenance, weathered by the weight of responsibility and the intricacies of ruling a kingdom, reflected a stern determination. A well-groomed beard, grizzled and distinguished, framed a face marked by the lines of experience and decision-making. His eyes, though once vibrant, now held a steely, cold glint, betraying the weight of the crown he bore.
"Evelina," he began, his voice a measured cadence. "I have been made aware of your activities."
My heart quickened, and I fought to maintain composure. "Activities, Father?" I inquired, feigning innocence while aware of the repercussions that could follow.
"The guard informed me of your recklessness. You exposed yourself for too long, especially with the help," he stated, his words slicing through the air with a steely edge.
A subtle tremor ran down my spine as I attempted to mask the unease that swirled within.
"I only sought normalcy, Father. The confines of this castle weigh heavily upon me," I defended, careful to choose my words with diplomacy.
His eyes narrowed, and a heavy silence lingered between us. "You are hidden for a reason. The world beyond these walls is not a place for the likes of you.
"As your father and the ruler of this kingdom, I must protect you, even from yourself. You will remain hidden, and any further defiance will not be tolerated," he declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
As he continued to outline the issues at hand, I couldn't help but seethe silently. The confines of my golden-walled prison tightened, and the longing for the companionship and freedom I found with Alina intensified. However, amidst the anger, I understood him. My father, for all his flaws, sought what he believed to be the best for the kingdom, even if it meant sacrificing my desires for the greater good.
I was escorted back to my room by the same stern guard. Each step felt like a heavy reminder of my lack of agency, and as the grand doors closed behind me, sealing me once again within my prison, the tears I had been holding back spilled forth uncontrollably.
I crumpled onto the plush cushions, the grandeur of the room now a suffocating reminder of my isolation. The walls, once adorned with the stories of my family's triumphs, now seemed to mock the ache in my heart. The weight of being princess felt like an unbearable burden, and the realization that I might have lost the only true friend I had ever known, Alina, shattered the composure I had maintained in front of my father.
The sobs echoed in the lavishly decorated chamber. The loneliness that had been temporarily lifted by Alina's visits now engulfed me in a wave of despair. The walls closed in, trapping me in a gilded cage of duty and expectation, where the only solace came in the form of clandestine laughter and shared dreams that seemed increasingly unattainable.I realized, with a heavy heart, that I was destined to be a hidden princess, forever ensnared in the labyrinth of secrecy and solitude.