Heavy is the Crown

7

"Marcia!"

The princess clearly heard her mother calling for her, but she ignored it as she made her way out to the back of the castle. It was only early morning, and she had already had enough of the days' events.

Tonight was the masquerade ball, and Marcia wanted no part in the preparations that would be going on throughout the day. To avoid them, she made sure to stay outside and out of the way of everyone.

She made her way down the cobblestone path to the castle gardens. When she needed some space, this was where she went. The twins weren't allowed out there if their caretakers weren't with them, not since they destroyed their mother's favorite patch of flowers by running through it, so Marcia didn't have to worry about them following her out. The only one who knew this is where she escaped to was Aura.

And the animals.

She felt like it sounded pathetic, but Marcia felt as if the animals were some of her only friends. She had Aura, but that was about it. The twins were still too young to really talk to about most things, and their two caretakers, Salina and Amethyst, were always busy running after them to keep them out of trouble. There was Robin, but she usually was always working for her mother. At least the animals weren't judgemental. Marcia could talk to them about anything and they wouldn't think anything of it.

She made her way to the middle of the gardens, small animals starting to come out from the flower beds they hid in to follow her closely. It was like they were drawn to her. Birds watched her from small trees before they flew down to join her, one of them landing on her shoulder.

Marcia smiled a little, raising a hand to stroke the soft feathers on the bird's chest. "Hi. You all seem to be in a good mood today."

The bird chirped in response, nuzzling against her as she approached the fountain in the center of the garden. Water poured gently from the top of the stone statue in the middle of it, and Marcia adjusted her flowing dress before taking a seat on the edge.

She watched as a fluffy tailed squirrel climbed up to sit with her. He crawled up onto her lap, raising onto his hind legs and tilting his head as if to ask what was wrong. Marcia sighed, gently scooping him up in ger arms and stroking the top of his head.

"I'm nervous for tonight..." She said quietly, another bird landing on her shoulder and a butterfly resting on the top of her head. "Mother's so determined to find a prince for me..."

The squirrel rubbed his head against her hand, almost like he was comforting her. Marcia managed to smile a little. "I know she means well." She continued. "But I don't think she knows what's right for me. Sometimes I don't think she knows me at all..."

She felt one of the birds press its head against her neck. If they understood anything she was saying, then at least they seemed to be agreeing. "There's a girl." She said, continuing to pet the squirrel's soft fur to calm herself as images of the girl went through her head. "I don't know her name, but she walks by the castle everyday. She waves to me whenever she sees me in the window. I can't stop thinking about her, I wish I knew her name at least."

Another butterfly landed on her finger as Marcia continued to speak to them all. "Sometimes I lay awake and imagine she'd come take me away from here." She admitted. "Not that I don't love my family, I do. I just don't want to be queen if I can't be the way I wish to be..."

She fell silent, taking a deep breath as the sound of water trickling down from the fountain filled the air. She sort of felt bad for feeling this way. She knew there were people out there who longed to have what she had. There were people out there who'd give anything to be in her place. But there was just so much that came with it. There were just so many expectations. Marcia didn't think she could ever fulfill them the way she was supposed to.