The Trust

Chapter One

Have you ever looked up past the treetops and the clouds, wondering if there was something else for you? And then, you notice the stars… and you realize how vulnerable you are – how we all are. In one breath, trillions of things take place. Suddenly, you feel small and helpless… but you’re still alive.

            That’s exactly how I, Katrina Fairen, felt on this starry February twilight.

            Leaning out the window of my tower bedroom, I could see the palace gardens, the castle’s time-worn stone walls, and the villages beyond.

            In a swift motion, my hand dusted a collection of dirt from the windowsill, and my legs swung over the edge so that my feet were dangling freely.

            Below in the courtyard, servants were bustling about in mad preparation for the dinner father had planned. Sighing, I was reminded of how my father, the king of The Light Kingdom, had recently signed an agreement with the king of The Kingdom of Light to marry their prince and princess – the latter title unfortunately belonging to me.

            Behind me I could hear my bedroom door open and close. It was Lily, and she wasn’t happy.

            “Princess Katrina! Kindly remove yourself from the window!” She cried out.

            Slipping back inside, I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like I’m going to fall,” I flitted my golden wings.   

            “But it’s very unladylike,” The silver-haired maid opened my wardrobe and selected an indigo dinner gown.

            Taking it from her, I stroked the silky fabric, thankful it wasn’t pink.

            In a few minutes I was ready for dinner, and an escort was at the door to take me down to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, I felt out of place. Here I was, adorned in priceless silks, yet I was surrounded by hard-working fairy servants, all in attire worthy of the dump.

            “Your majesty,” only one young fairy paused to bow, his curly black hair falling into his dark eyes.

            Smiling, I curtsied, slipping as my slippers lost their traction. To my embarrassment, was caught by the boy, who blushed.

            “Sorry!” I gasped, gathering myself.

            “No, it’s my fault,” the boy looked anxiously toward the head cook, who seemed preoccupied.

            “That mishap was entirely my fault!” I could feel my cheeks turning red. The boy’s dark eyes sparkled as they caught my gaze, and it only made me feel more embarrassed.

            “What’s your name?” I asked.

            “My name?” the young man seemed astounded that she would ask him. I nodded, my curly hair bouncing.

            “I’m… Evan,” the fairy scratched the back of his neck, and then he zipped upward to a high shelf.          

            I wished that I could follow, but it was “unladylike” to fly when dressed up. It was the stupidest rule I’d ever heard, but I had to adhere to it whether I liked it or not.

            Fortunately, Evan came back down to earth, this time, bearing a silver tray. The tray was covered with tarts made from strawberries, and on the top was a fresh rose petal cleverly folded to form a fairy-sized flower.