The Royal Mess

1

''Alex! If you keep moving that slow you might just start going backwards!'', I yelled over my shoulder, focusing on the path in front of me. Braenaru, my horse, was breathing heavily. We had been going fast for some time and both of us were tired. Although I couldn't stop now and let my poor excuse of a brother win.

''Nay, let's call it a quit for today! Mother's birthday meal will be served soon. We have to go before anyone notices that we sneaked out!'', he yelled from behind. I stopped Brae and let him turn around.

''Oh come on. There is still so much I wanted to do today! I didn't climb up the western waterfalls yet!'', I told him.

''Those waterfalls are in the western forest! Near the western lake and the western hill lands!'', he said.

''I know that! Why are you making such a fuss?'', I asked.

''The western waterfalls are close to the realm of Julia! The wicked witch of the west!'', he said. ''We are going home. Right now'', he decided and I sighed, knowing that arguing wouldn't help.

''Just put on a fake smile and they will believe even the most unbelievable lie you can come up with'', Aunt Brittany told me. She had come for my mother's birthday and when I rejected the idea of wearing a dress my father sent her.

''But Brit, I don't want...''

''I could say that it will be over soon but that would be a lie. You were born into this life. Make the most of it'', she told me and handed me the stiff dress. I sighed but changed into it.

''Oh and the daughter of Lord and Lady Forlorn shall accompany you during this evening''

''Seriously? You know I deteste her! Let one of the maids come. Khloe perhaps'', I suggested.

''I will inform somebody about your wishes'', Brittany said and winked at me.

''That would be wonderful'', I said, trying to fake the cook's voice when she was talking to my mother or father. Aunt Brittany left me alone in my room and I called one of the maids. I think her name was Kyla although I wasn't sure. I didn't like her but she was good at fancy hairstyles and my mother requested me to wear my hair up in a 'modern' way.

''My Lady. Any special wishes for your hairstyle today?'', the maid asked. I shook my head and sat down in front of the mirror. I closed my eyes and let the procedure happen. When Kyla told me she was done I opened my eyes. It was ugly, but what had I expected? All those tailors were trying to be unique these days, and they were. But to me they weren't unique in a good way. Everyone tried to be more colourful than their neighbour which was giving me a headache.

When I left my room I saw Alex walking down the hallway. The servants had put him into fancy clothes too. Although he didn't seem to mind. He had a smile on his face as we entered the great throne hall together. He was much better at hiding his emotions than I was. He had always been.

I tried to get a smile on my face as we walked through the hall towards our parents. It was strange that my mother was such a beauty while I was...ordinary: green eyes, curly auburn hair, just ordinary, although I was taller than most people. Helga, my mother, was short and had long, straight blonde hair. She was a great person and, behind my father's back, it was her ruling the kingdom.

My dad was great, really, but he wasn't the one to rule a kingdom. He would always see the good in people even if there was only bad in them. My mom was much more realistic and knew when people were dishonest or had bad things in mind.

''Happy birthday, mother'', Alexander said in an official voice.

''We wish you all the best'', I said, trying to sound like my brother but failing. I just wasn't made for these kind of official events.