The Princess passion

The birthday

Diamond

Edna dressed me in this beautiful yellow gown, filled with clear and yellow gems. They fluffed out my hair and braided a row across the front of my head to place these wonderful flowers and gems. I refused to wear any jewelry other than my Jade bracelet, to which Edna was not very happy about. Ludith and Ardith were in the middle of feeding me my breakfast in my room when Phillis called from downstairs. She was my parent's handmaiden.

"Your grace! Your parents have arrived!" She shouted.

Everyone quickly helped me put on my shoes and helped me make my way down that dreadful castle stairwell. I arrived at the main door which had heavy locks the big bar of wood that sealed it shut from the outside had been lifted from the two guards who stood watch at the door for days. New ones would come to replace them and so on and so forth. (Honestly, I'm surprised my parents didn't build a moat around our castles. My parents had arrived by horseback in the most beautiful black and gold carriage. (The colors of our kingdom.) my mother had picked her hair out into a beautiful afro with flowers perfectly placed in them. She wore a pink dress. (Honestly a ghastly-looking thing.) while my father wore a gold and pink pattern outfit to match my mother. My father stood there with his hands behind him, cold with no expression. My mother almost on the brink of tears comes over to me.

"Diamond!" She exclaims before giving me a big hug. "Hello mother" I greet and embrace her back. We both walk over to the carriage. My father's cold expression drops and is replaced with the biggest smile.

"Diamond! He laughs and scoops me in the biggest bear hug. "Hello Father" I laugh as I am swallowed in his hug.  He takes me by the shoulders. "Happy birthday my gem," he says. "Alright, now we must be going! She has a big day planned" scolds my mother as she enters the carriage.

Later that day

I spent the day in parades and celebrations. The whole kingdom gawking at me like I'm some exotic creature. From anywhere in the kingdom you can see me and Jade's towers. The whole day that people were giving me gifts I couldn't help but stare at our towers. Apparently, I was staring a bit too much and my mother scolded me for daydreaming.

***
It was tradition for the kingdoms to allow their "jewels" (me and Jade.) To spend the night at the castle after a family dinner. We arrived at the castle a bit ago and I was escorted by Phillis to my room. I sank into the side of my bed. The room was never dirty, not a speck of dust anywhere. It had everything! A big dresser, a fireplace, a huge closet full of clothes I never wore. The wood furnishings matched the royal gold and red wallpaper. And there was a huge body-sized vanity mirror next to the fire.

*knock on the door*

"Miss! Dinner is almost ready" called one of my parent's many servants. I sank off the bed to the floor on top of the ridiculously fluffy dress I wore. "I'll be right there" I groaned placing my hands in my lap.

***
I got dressed in a more slimming and elegant black gown. I still had on my jaded bracelet. The servants escorted me to the dining room where my parents were waiting for me. They talked about how perfect the day was as I sat across from both my mother and father. The cook came in to give us our salads before the meal. I picked at it as my parents went on and on about how mighty their champion was, and how many unworthy suitors had been slayed by him trying to court me. I ignored them as dinner finally came out. It was roasted duck with vegetables and bread. I pick at it too as my father takes a deep breath and motions a servant over to give me a sealed letter. Confused I shoot my father a puzzled look. I look over to my mother who has a worried expression on her face. My father's face was cold and detached. 

"What is this?" I asked unsure of how I should react. My mother sighs. " You only have one year for a worthy suitor to fight maverick....that being said measurements must be taken!" Said my father in a stern voice. I open the letter in disbelief... My heart sank as I saw which kingdom it was addressed from.