I get out of bed and get ready for the day along with many others in the big library. The baby from the mom beside me has been up all night crying and being fussy. She probably apologizes a thousand times but I tell her not to worry about it. I didn’t get to sleep much because of my crying so it was nice to have a distraction but I didn’t tell her that. I finally get ready by putting on one of the few dresses I have. It looks a bit worse for wear but I don’t think anyone cares. I have bags under my eyes from crying so much I tried to make them a little smaller by splashing a little water on my face. I don’t think it works but it makes me feel a little better. I say goodbye to the night guard who has been watching over the library. He tells me jokingly that I should be nice today. It’s one of the newer guys who is being put on duty to Watch Over Me. I look at him with surprise, feeling a little excitement. I nod, I tell him I will be nice. I followed many of the other people out of the library, going next door to the Tavern. It’s where we all eat our meals, it’s where it’s easiest to accommodate so many people. I’m not very talkative so I usually don’t start the conversations but some small talk always finds a place on the way there. On the way there one of the guards, a familiar-looking one, comes over to me. I stop up as he walks up to me “Princess Amelia Lily of Luminara, I’m Clay I’ll be your guard” he says before bowing down. Every day like the day before, same line, different guard. “Thank you, Clay,” I responded smiling. I start walking again following the crowd to the tavern, I’m so hungry I need food. “Are we in a hurry?” Clay asks following behind me slightly. “I’m starving,” I responded.
After breakfast, we walked to the town center right outside the library. I walk up to one of the higher guards on duty asking what I could help with today. We stand there and talk for a bit about the different things that need to be done today, one of them being the monthly report. He hands me a stack of hand-written reports I need to rewrite on the typewriter. I tell him I’ll get it done immediately. While we’re talking Clay is looking around looking bored even yawning. I guess I would be bored too if I followed someone around all day not really doing much myself.
We go back into the library into the small room with the typewriter. “You can just sit down, this will take a while,” I say to Clay while sitting down myself. “Yes ma’am!” He says in a perky tone before sitting down. I smile and giggle lightly before looking down at the stack of papers again my smile fading“This is going to take all day honestly” It’s a big stack of papers and the soldier’s and guard’s handwriting isn’t the best just trying to understand what they have written sometimes will take all day. “You guys aren’t known for the best handwriting,” I say thinking out loud. Clay chuckles. He’s sitting with his arms crossed, relaxed. I look up at him smiling, my cheeks feeling warm once more.
I look down at the typewriter starting to write and read the reports. The first three are done within a couple of hours but that was only the first hours of many. While writing, Clay and I don’t talk at all. Suddenly I hear snoring. I look over at Clay “Are you sleeping?” I say kind of loudly. Clay doesn’t respond, his eyes are closed and he’s clearly snoring. I roll my eyes and continue writing the reports.
When I’m halfway done with the reports I decide that it’s time for lunch, it’s probably just going to be an apple or something but it’s better than nothing. I look over at Clay, he is still clearly sleeping. I stand up and walk over to him. I poke his shoulder “You awake?” He jumps awake grabbing hold of my wrist. I look at him with surprise, stepping backward. As he realized what he was doing he let go of my wrist “I’m so sorry my princess” he said bowing. I rubbing the wrist that he had grabbed. “It’s fine I just wanted lunch,” I say stammering looking everywhere but at him. “Of course,” he says, trying not to look at me.
I feel like Clay has been avoiding me ever since his last day on duty. He’s going to be on duty tomorrow It has been a week since the last time. I just spooked him I didn’t mean to but I really hope he isn’t too upset with me he hasn’t talked to me Ever since And we didn’t talk for the rest of the day when it happened I wish I could read his mind. I wondered to myself why I kept thinking about him and why I was so upset at the fact that he hadn’t even acknowledged me ever since.
The next day the morning went as usual Until Clay approached me “Princess Amelia Lily of Luminara, I’m Clay I’ll be your guard” he said before bowing down. He says the same line as everyone else just like last time but this time he avoids looking at me completely “Thank you, Clay,” I respond like last time. After breakfast, I get to get my assignment for the day making sure there’s anything that needs to be written down or taken account of. Today there isn’t much to do, some days are more busy than others. Many days it’s a waiting game for something to happen To hear news about what’s happening in the country but Often we are left in the dark. We’re one of the biggest settlements but to keep Us safe and out of the enemy’s Line of Sight it’s important for us to be kept in the dark so no paper trail will be left.
I asked the higher guard if there was any news from my brother, my dad, or anyone else. Sadly no. It makes me more worried for each day that passes with no news I just wish I knew what was happening. I think the higher guards for letting me know Before I left to go into the library once more. While walking I turned my head to Clay Looking to make sure that he was following or Something. Clay is following but Try not to look at me still. I turn my head back and walk in through the big doors to the library. I don’t care what’s going on with him I’m too upset about not knowing anything about my family, I just wish I knew something, Just a simple message that they’re okay would be enough but there’s nothing. There are not many people in the library unlike normally, I’m so used to it being filled With people that it’s weird for it to only have a few. It’s much quieter than it normally is It gives me a weird feeling, I’ve been so used to it being so loud in here that it feels weird for it to be quiet. I walk across the room to my bed, Reaching underneath the bed to grab the small bag I have most of my belongings in. I place the bag on my bed rummaging around in it to find my book. I noticed from the Corner of my eyes that Clay was looking at me Confused. Without him asking I tell him “I’m looking for the one book I got to take with me, There’s nothing else to do so…” I say looking down into the bag and finally finding the book. I smile as I take it out of the bag. I quickly turn the pages to the end of the book where there’s written a message. The message is from my mom. The book used to belong to my mom and she always wrote poems in the bag of her own books. I smile while reading it.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
> In a kingdom so grand, where love was esteemed,
> There lived a wise king, and a queen so esteemed.
> Their hearts intertwined, like a tapestry sewn,
> Destined to flourish, this love they had known.
> With regal demeanor, the king took the lead,
> His words were like honey, sweet poetry indeed.
> He’d whisper in her ear, beneath moonlit sky,
> His love for the queen, he’d never deny.
> She, a queen so fair, adorned with jewels rare,
> Her radiant smile, like the sun in mid-air.
> With grace and elegance, she stood by his side,
> Together they ruled, their love growing wide.
> Each night, they would dance, their steps in perfect sync,
> Lost in the rhythm, a moment to drink.
> Their hearts beat as one, in a love so pristine,
> A love fit for royals, a love so serene.
> Through trials and triumphs, they conquered as one,
> Supporting each other, the battles were won.
> Their love was unbreakable, forged in deep trust,
> A union so sacred, built on love’s gust.
> The kingdom rejoiced, their love now renowned,
> A love that surpassed, any treasure they found.
> King and queen, united, forever they’d reign,
> A true love story, an eternal refrain.
> So, let us remember, this tale of true hearts,
> For love knows no boundaries, nor any false starts.
> May we find our own king, or queen by our side,
> In love’s grand symphony, to eternally abide.
This poem she wrote shortly before her passing. It makes me feel so close to her when I read it. It makes me remember our family like it used to be. It makes me smile thinking about the love my parents had for each other. I hope one day I’ll find a love true like theirs. My mom is the only reason why I haven’t been promised away to someone already. She wanted me to find my own love just like she and my dad found each other. I continued smiling looking down on it. At the corner of my eyes, I can see clay moving closer to me I try to look over my shoulder to see what I’m looking at and, why I’m smiling so much. Before he’s able to take a look I closed the book abruptly. “That’s private!” I say with an accidentally harsh tone. Clay took a step back avoiding my eyes once more.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask abruptly “I’m really sorry if I scared you please don’t be mad at me” Clay looks at me in surprise Finally looking me in my eyes, The first time today we’ve had eye contact. Please down the book on my bed, I place my hands next to the book on the bed and Look down at the bed, Closing my eyes in frustration. I’m just so frustrated with everything not getting any Information about my family being treated differently like everyone else, This all be new Then what I used to, Being treated like I’m scary, Like someone is afraid of me. Out of frustration tears start forming in my eyes. I hate that I cry when I’m frustrated, It makes me more frustrated. “Just leave,” I say in frustration Not looking up from the bed.
Everything is quiet before I feel a hand on my back, I look up and am surprised to see Clay has moved next to me looking down at me smiling. I suddenly noticed how tall he was compared to me, He’s almost a foot taller than me. “I’m really sorry I was scared… I made you uncomfortable or scared…” He says with a slight smile I can see the worry in his eyes for touching me again but He seems worried for me. I take a deep breath standing up straight again, I wipe my eyes with the back of my hands. “No it’s fine I’m sorry I didn’t say anything I’m sorry about this I’m just frustrated it’s so different and don’t know what’s happening… I miss everyone…” I Spit out the words without taking a breath. I just Feel like I need to get the words out like it’s trapped in me. It feels nice telling someone something. While I talk Clay just nods acknowledging my words. “I just wish I had some kind of news I just wish that I knew something just a simple we’re fine about anyone… I haven’t heard a word from any of my family since the War started it’s been months” The words continue to fly out of my mouth not giving me any time to acknowledge what I’m saying. I just need to get it out. I don’t want to be alone with these thoughts. Clay let me finish without saying a word Continuing to have a hand on my back supporting me. I finally take a deep breath, Closing my eyes for a bit. “I’m supposed to be strong I’m supposed to show the Citizens that we are stronger but I’m crumbling…” I say finishing my talk “Yeah that must be hard” Clay says softly, He has a deep voice that helps me calm down a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say all that I just needed to get it out, “ I say looking down trying not to look at him. I don’t want to see his face. I don’t want to see if he’s disgusted, weirded out, or what he is. I can feel my cheeks getting warm in embarrassment. “Don’t worry about it” Clay says before rubbing my back In small circles. We stand there for a while not saying a word more. Clay continued to rub my back. I finally take another deep breath and look up at him “I need some air, can we go somewhere?” I ask Not wanting anyone to see me like this not wanting him to see me like this but not really having a choice anymore. He smiles and nods.