Crystal Heart

Chapter 1 ~ It's Time

Chapter 1

        I closed my eyes as I felt the cool wind from the crack in the window cradle my face. It had been so long since I have felt a breeze. This meant that fall was coming. Closing my eyes I focused on the smells. The delicious meat pies, the crisp leaves, and the roasting apples and cheese with the lightly toasted bread. Oh yes, today was a day of celebration as a prince was coming. Maybe he could save me from my miserable existance...No. I shook my head as I tried to clear such traitorous thoughts. All I could feel was frustration and anger though. How could one person hold so much? Surely anyone else would have burst by now. I sighed and gently started to pin my hair up.  

        Tears were streaming down my face by the time I was completely done but I wiped them gently away and straightened my back. No one will see me cry. No one deserved to. Who had been there for me when my parents locked me in my own castle deep in the woods? Who had said anything or tried to do anything? No one. "He did." A voice in the back of my mind whispered but I pushed it away, trying to forget. Yesterday, my parents had dragged me back to the royal castle and ordered me to wear a mask. My fingers traced the gashes that caused deep scars in my features since I was young. They only grew worse as I grew older.

        Now, I'm 17 years old and the only one who had ever spoken to me was Lilith, my blind maid. She was a sweet motherly woman who has brought me up. I have stopped her so many times from bumping into walls or the furniture. When I had gathered the courage to let her trace my scars, she hadn't shuddered away. Lilith had only smiled and asked me if I wanted to help her bake a cake. Although Lilith was meant to be my maid, I called her mother, for who else teaches you to cook, clean, and sew. She taught me to read and write. For a blind woman she was quite accomplished and efficient. She also didn't hesitate to scold me if I did something wrong. Lilith was the only thing in this world that was stopping me from turning into a dark and twisted person. She had asked me to be kind and thoughtful even when others were cruel and evil.

        Sighing, I turned to the door as it opened and didn't even blink when I caught my mother's wince as she stepped in.

"Hello Aradia. I trust you slept well?"

        So formal. So cold. Was this truly what I deserve?

"Hello Mother. I slept quite well, thank you."

        My mother tried to hold her composure but she eventually just gave up.

"Put on your mask. I can't think when I am forced to endure such features."

        I kept my face blank as I reached for the gossamer veil. I could see through it but no one else couldn't see me. 

"Thank you. That's much better. I only came to say that your maid should be up with your breakfast as it will hardly be proper for you to come down. The prince will arrive in an hour's time so I expect you to be completely ready by then and down stairs. Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

        With that, my mother disappeared in a swish of silk skirts. Moments later, Lilith walked in and giving me my breakfast, said, 

"I know that your mother wants you to wear blue but I have a dress that will set off your beautiful hair."

        Curiousity consumed me and before I could contain my excitement, burst out,

"Can I see it now? Please, mum."

        Lilith laughed and her milky eyes twinkled as she strode to my wardrobe and pulled out a white gown. The full silk skirts rustled with their many layers and the bodice held a simple design that was set in silver. The gown itself was exquisite and if I was aiming to dress to impress, this would definitely be my choice.

        I gasped.

"It's gorgeous. Thank you."

        Lilith blushed. 

"It was nothing. I just want you to smile."

        She walked towards me and put her hand on my cheek. Suddenly, she frowned.

"Why on earth are you wearing your mask?"

"The queen paid me a visit."

        Her fown deepened.

"What the bloody hell did she want?"

        She said in a grouchy voice. I couldn't help the smile that graced my lips.

Chuckling, I said,

"Just the usual. You know, dress fancy, wear your mask, and don't be an embarrassment. Yep, that was the gist of it."

        Lilith grunted in response and I giggled. Grinning, I opened my mouth just as someone knocked on the door. My grin disappeared as if it was never there and a voice called out,

"Princess Aradia, your mother is requesting your presence down stairs as the prince has arrived."

        I groaned in irritation before calling back,

"Thank you, please tell her that I will be but a moment."

        As quickly as I could, I stuffed a lot of food in my mouth as Lilith pulled my corset laces tight and fixed my hair in record time. She arranged my hair in a bun with a few curls here and there. My silver circlet rested delicately on my head and before I knew it, I was walking down the stairs and sitting next to my parents in the throne room.

"Hell has come to Amoriana." I thought grimly just as the doors swung open to reveal the prince.

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