anything and everything

Scene: Ellie

Ellie had been overshadowed by her brother since the moment of her birth. If the two cried in the crib at the same time, Nolan would he handled, fed, and calmed before a second glance was paid to Ellie.

Nolan was to survive. Nolan was to be pampered. Ellie... They couldn't care less about her.

Ellie didn't let that effect the way she looked at Nolan. She knew it wasn't his choice. However she also knew he liked Cherry better. Cherry liked to run and get dirty while playing with the hybrids. Nolan did too, but Ellie did not. At a very young age Ellie realized she may be able to earn her mother's love.

If her mother thought Cherry was a poor excuse of a princess, so did Ellie. If her mother believed all humans were worth was food, so did Ellie.

Over time it became less of a ploy and formed into her true beliefs. It was repetition pounded into her mind, ingrained as deeply as her ABC's.

Ellie is, was, and always will be, the forgotten princess.

Ellie Age 9.

Ellie looked out of the window of the library where she had been doing her tutoring work. She was assigned less than Nolan but she always looked at his notes and would do the same amount of work.

The queen was in her study across the hall. Her door was open. Ellie could see her mother looking between parchment and books in the exact same fashion as Ellie had been.

However when she stopped a moment to gaze out the window she saw Cherry and Nolan playing down by the creek again. She didn't much like getting dirty but some days she wondered if it would be fun to join them.

Ellie's attention was drawn back to her mother when she rose from her chair. Ellie quickly did the same and exited the library to follow her mother. "Where are you going." She asked.

"To find your father. Do you know where he is?" She answered.

"No." Ellie said.

"Then you're not of any use." Her mother said.

"Can I help you instead?" Ellie offered.

"No. Go back to your work."

"I've already finished my work. I'm just doing extra like Nolan does."

The queen paused her step and looked down at Ellie. "You are tutored seperatly from Nolan, do not copy him."

"I'm not copying, im-"

"Don't talk back to me. Haven't you learned anything about manners?" The queen narrowed her eyes at Ellie.

"But mom, I was just trying to show you I can do as much as Nolan."

"I don't care, Ellie. You aren't your brother. There's nothing for you to prove."

"I can prove that I could make a good queen!" Ellie said.

"You will never be a queen. Only boys take the throne. Nolan will be the king. Your only chance to get power is the same way I got it, through marriage. It's the only way you'll be worth something to this family." The queen brushed Ellie's hand off her dress and continued off to find her husband.

"Hey, Ellie..." Maelle walked over and set a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. She had heard it all but what could she do?

"Leave me alone." Ellie turned away from Maelle and ran off to her room. She wouldn't cry. She refused to. She didn't need pity. She just had to work harder.

• • • •

Shortly after, Ellie realized the only way to prove herself would be to her already fading father. She pushed her siblings away to make herself seem more independent and to stand out. She'd listen in on important meeting from behind doors and study hard on her own.