The Beginning

Our Goodbyes

Princess Training sounded easy but really it was the hardest thing you will ever have to face. From the brief explanations I've heard from Eliana, the maidens or in my case maiden, are sent on a path to perform in a series of tests. The tests start off simple and get more challenging towards the end, usually a maiden is sent home after each test. But being the the only one I couldn't fail a single one. Oh, this was so not fair. King Norman told me he would call for a coach to bring me to the beginning of my journey. After he had dismissed me to pack a few things, both Luca and Eliana demanded I let them help me. So now we stood in my bedchamber. It was small and smelled musty, which Eliana pointed out as soon as she saw it. "This is where you sleep?" Luca asked looking around the small space. I nodded and glanced at him. "Yeah, it is." I confirmed. As I looked at him I couldn't help but notice how uncomfortable he looked. Queen Eliana touched my shoulder lightly with her hand. "Why didn't you ever tell me, I could have arranged for you to have a better room." She said softly. I looked over my shoulder and placed my hand lightly on hers. "You are more important and besides, this was more than enough room." I answered. Eliana squeezed my shoulder and then pulled away her hand. She turned so she was facing both me and Luca. "I just want you both to know, I only just found out about this moments before you arrived. It's not right that you don't get to choose your futures." She said. 

"Hey, at least we don't hate each other. Right?" I joked. Okay, it wasn't that I wasn't in love Luca. I loved him, but as my best friend, not as like the 'Oh I'm so in love with you, shut up and kiss me' kind of love. I know he doesn't feel that way. We've been best friends since we could crawl. Ever since I turned Fifteen I'd worked right alongside Eliana. I'd always been close to both of them. They were the family I wish I had. I never met my parents. My father was killed in battle, my mother died in childbirth. I was raised by a kitchen maid until I could begin actually working around the palace. 

"That's not funny, Marianna. You know from what I've told you these are no easy tests." Eliana said. Luca looked back and forth between his mother and me. 
"What will she have to go through?" He asked. He sounded more scared for me than I felt. Which was weird and kind of made me feel warm inside. Eliana sat on the edge of my bed and folded her delicate hands over her lap. "Landscapes. Deserts, Oceans, Rainforests. There's no telling. It's different every time. When I was going through training four of the twenty six girls I was 'training' with died. One from bandit attacks, one from food poisoning, the other two..they got into a fight about who should complete the training first and marry your father. They killed each other so the other wouldn't get what they wanted. Marianna is going through alone. I don't know what they'll throw at you, but I hope you make it." Eliana said. I nodded solemnly but Luca was shaking his head furiously. "No. That's ridiculous. She can't go through dangerous situations like that..how does that have anything to do with becoming a Princess?" Luca asked, running a hand through his hair and leaning his other one against the door frame. Eliana shrugged her shoulders so softly you would have missed it if you weren't looking right at her. "I do not know. But that's what they do, well for me at least. Maybe they'll change it for Marianna, since it's only her this time." 
While they were discussing what might happen to me in the near future I turned towards the chest at the foot of my bed. It held all of my belongings. I pushed it open and gasped. I sat back on my heels and covered my mouth with my hands. "What's wrong?" Luca asked, walking over behind me, Eliana getting up and coming to see as well. I heard their gasps as well but all I knew was everything I had ever owned was replaced by a chest full of soiled sheets crawling with I don't even know what..Maggots? Maybe. Sitting on top of the disgusting sheets was a sharp bloody dagger. Carved into the wood it said,

   "YOU WILL NEVER STEP FOOT IN THIS CASTLE AGAIN. PRINCESS TRAINING WILL DESTROY YOU."

"Oh my goodness. Who did this?" Eliana asked. I felt Luca kneel next to me and poke around at the top of the chest trying his best not to touch any of the bugs and attempt to see if anything else was hidden in the disgusting sheets. But all I could do was stare at the words painted in red. Whoever did this really didn't think I could make it through Princess Training. And honestly, the closer I got to going into it the more I was sure I wouldn't make it out. Someone cleared their throat from the doorway. The three of us turned to face them. A guard was standing there looking sadly at us. "It's time." He said. I turned back around to the chest and reached out and closed it with a shaking hand. Luca stood up and offered me his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet. He didn't let go of my hand. And I was thankful he was here. Maybe if by some miracle I did make it past whatever 'training' they threw at me, having to marry Luca wouldn't be that bad. After all he knows me the best, well right after his mother. But, I thought, maybe things would turn out okay. Luca squeezed my hand and I snapped back into reality. Eliana had already begun following the guard outside. I looked over at Luca. "I'm sorry." he said. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Luca, it's not your fault. Maybe I'll come back." I said, when I opened my eyes and met his emerald ones. They stared into mine with such a ferocity I'm pretty sure I felt goosebumps crawl all over my skin. "No. Maybe isn't good enough. I need you to promise." He said. I opened my mouth to answer, but no sound came out. "Please. I can't lose you." Luca whispered, so softly I could hardly hear him. Then before I even had time to process what he had whispered his hands cupped my face and his lips touched mine with such passion, I fell into his chest allowing him a better angle to keep the kiss going. I had this warm sensation take over my body and I couldn't do anything. I just froze. When Luca finally pulled away from me his eyes were glassy, tears threatening to fall. I felt wetness on my cheeks and realized mine had already begun falling. Then before he could start he removed his hands from my face and straightened his shirt. "Come on. Before we get in trouble." He said, his voice wavering. He turned and walked out the door. I stood there confused for a moment. What in the world just happened? I reached up and touched my lips with my fingers. I could still feel his lips on mine. But I couldn't stand here and weigh my feelings I had to go and pass this test with who knows what kind of deadly challenges. Before I could think anymore I walked out of my room for the last time. 
  I walked outside and shivered. It had gotten cold out. King Norman, Queen Eliana and Prince Luca stood waiting next to a coach. Norman grinned suspiciously at me, and Eliana smiled gently at me. I'm not sure what Luca was doing because I refused to let myself look at him. "Climb aboard, Lady Marianna. Your destiny awaits." Norman said gesturing to the door of the coach. I nodded curtly at him and just before I climbed aboard I found myself in Queen Eliana's arms. She was giving me a last hug in case I didn't make it back. When she pulled away I felt something be pressed into my hand. I knew she meant for me not to let the King see so I kept my fist clenched. "Well, aren't you going to say goodbye to Luca? Maybe even a kiss for the camera?" Norman asked. Both Luca and I flinched at the word 'camera.' At this point I knew I couldn't not look at Luca and do as the King said or else the other kingdoms might not believe this was a legit love story. Norman didn't have to explain it for me to figure it out. If I didn't pass Princess Training and I didn't prove I was in love with my Best Friend I'd never see the light of day again. So, I mentally took a deep breath and ran into the arms of my best friend. He picked me up a small fake smile playing on his lips as they met mine once more. I could feel everyone within seeing distance staring at us. And it wasn't as special as it was inside. When he finally pulled away from me, he pulled me into a quick hug. "Please, come back. You don't understand how much I actually need you." He whispered into my ear. Then he pulled back from the hug and I felt a tug on my arm. A guard was telling me it was time to leave. But I couldn't make sense of anything. What did he mean? What was going to happen to me?