Princess Dreams

Chapter 3 - Ignorance is Misery

So my days had gone on, or that it is how it seemed to me, it had to have at least been 3 days, each day I would sit at my new home and I would stare out the window into the vast green meadow, hoping that the test would come soon so that my love may be saved, foolish as it may seem, that is what this boy was to me. It seemed as though I had only seen him yesterday, and it probably was considering time has been frozen in my home, or so I hoped, I can only imagine the panic that would occur if my parents were to discover their beloved daughter was no longer within the suffocating castle walls, the whole kingdom would be in turmoil. But back to my love, he may be someone I have never had the privilege of knowing however the comfort given by the connection between us was more than enough to confirm to me that this young man who I had only seen before in my dreams was truly meant to be mine, as I was to be his.

As I thought this, my brother, a sibling, one I'd never had but am more than thankful for having now, appeared, greeting my in what I had learnt was typical behaviour between siblings, however I had grown accustomed to it, and gathered my own weapon as we proceeded to have a water fight in my room, laughing joyously, allowing me to forget for a mere moment in time my duties.

However, the fun soon came to an end when our father entered, I was not worried that he would be upset for he was a kind and loving man, but I was worried as he wore a grief stricken face, and when I questioned what brings him this immense sorrow, he replied "the castle is requesting all youth to attend a 6 month trial of education, to enable out kingdom to prosper greatly" understanding his sorrow that we would have to go I comfort him, asking when we leave "A week from now he replied" suddenly I am excited, however this turns to panic when I realise the castle personnel would recognise me when I enter the castle walls, and I prayed that the mysterious woman who froze time would be able to resolve this issue.

In the mean time, my brother and I spent time with father comforting him, our mother I had learnt, was killed in a mysterious accident no one could recall, so father would be alone once we left, and I feared for him, as although he is strong he is too reliant on our presence within the house, and our absence may break him. Despite the ominous aura of our departure to what I could sense would begin my trials for my love, I could also feel an electrifying excitement, meeting more people my age was a privilege I rarely had as a princess, and in my new identity we lived on the outskirts of a town, doing agricultural works.

Among the multitude of emotions I was experiencing, was curiosity, why would the castle request the youth to attend compulsory education, from my memory I do not recall my parents nor any of my attendants or guards ever discussing this, which led to a sense of dread filling me for what if when I left the castle I left the entire kingdom, and no matter how much I tried I would not return despite if I succeed or fail this mission.

The lack of knowledge was daunting, and whomever stated ignorance is bliss has clearly never faced a day of responsibility; let alone the responsibility of rescuing another person, a person so dear to my heart, with no idea of what to do, how to do it and why, so to me personally ignorance is purely misery.