A Prince, A King, A Princess

Chap. 1

A warm summer breeze made the sheer white curtains billow on it as the sun slowly crept higher into the sky to cast its light upon the sleeping form of a young maiden as birds began to sing their soft morning song and the entire kingdom outside the castle walls came to life to begin a new day.
The warm morning sun slowly woke Ester and she sat up, rubbing her eyes free of sleep with a yawn.
She smiled as she looked towards her window and she moved from the bed towards it.
"Goodmorning.' She whispered gently to no one and everyone within her kingdom.
She turned to her wardrobe, her bare feet clapping gently against the cold stone floor of her bedroom high in the tower of her father's castle.
She opened the wardrobe doors and a mirror took in her beautiful sleep worn figure.
She had long silken locks down to below her hips that were the darkest shade of night sky you could imagine. Her face was a soft heart-shaped that held round high cheeks and two beautiful full lips in a natural shade of blushing rose pink. Her eyes were like that of two amber stones on a noblemans ring and that shown within them every kindness the world had to offer.
A true vision in her white linnon nightgown.
She pulled a lavender dress from its hanger, along with her head scarf to protect her skin from the sun.
Quickly she was dressed and ready for the day, with a twirl before the mirror she picked up her black leather bag and turned for her bedroom door but upon opening it she skidded to a halt and took a step back as her smile fell and her blood ran cold.
"Father... goodmorning." She whispered.
A tall, large and rotund man ducked into her room and loomed over her. He smiled a wicked smile at her.
"My most precious Ester. Going somewhere?" He asked, his voice thick as if his tongue would barely allow the sound to pass through his thin pale lips.
"I-I was just going into town... I told the children at the orphanage I'd read to them today." She explained meekly.
Ever since her mother died her father had never been the same, so much so he even sold her very hand to the devil himself to gain more power for himself and wealth for his pockets. He had become cruel and neurotic. From one moment to another she never could tell how his mood would change and if his mood went south many good people could end up hurt.
He chuckled and place a hand under her chin, making her lift her gaze to meet his.
"Such a tender hearted young thing you are Ester. Such a fine princess you are." He praised as he moved to brush some hair behind her ear.
She resisted pulling away from his touch. "Thank you father. I'm very happy you're pleased." She said softly.
He patted the top of her head. "Best run along then my treasure. Wouldn't want the urchins to be kept waiting now would we?" He said, stepping out of her way.
She nodded and curtsied to him before hurrying past him. "Yes... thank you father." She said before turning the corner out of her room and scurring down the tower stairs and out the main door of the castle, waving to the guards as she ran out the main gate and into the early morning streets of the kingdom.
She could smell the fresh loaves of bread coming from the bakers as he opened his door for business. Simple and delicious, that bread was the best in all the world, Ester was certain.
She passed by the young widow who sold flowers from her garden out of a cart as she made her way to the square for the day, "goodmorning princess!" She called sweetly.
Ester turned and smiled at her, moving to walk beside the woman. "Goodmorning Marina! Your flowers are blooming so well this year!" She said as she picked up a tulip from the cart and gave it a sniff.
The woman smiled widely,"Oh princess nothing in this kingdom blooms as bright as you have!" She said fondly.
Ester laughed and pulled two gold bits from her bag and handed them to Marina. "You're too kind my dear! Have a wonderful day!" She said with a wave before turning and jogging off ahead.
She waved to the blacksmith who was already sweating and covered in black ash as he beat his hammer onto the metal piece on his anvil to shape it to his will. He waved back to her and called, "good morning princess!" His husky deep voice echoing out into the street.
She giggled, "goodmorning Rubear! Be safe near the forge today!" She called back as she jogged backwards carefully for a moment before turning back around.
She passed many more kind people who all knew and loved her. She was truly a princess of the people and a breath of fresh air in the little ocean locked string of islands they called home.
On the outskirts of town, nearest the large and worn down church sat the orphanage where children ran around inside and out laughing and yelling as they played with eachother but it all came to a halt as she grew close enough for the children to notice her and suddenly one child yelled, "It's Ester everyone! Ester is here!"
An eruption of excited cries of the children echoed as they each began to run to greet her while the nuns stood in the door of the orphanage with smiles filled with love and exhaustion from chasing around the wild children day in and day out.