Beauty and The Key

The pull of attraction

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One

9 years old.

I huffed, my hands trying to free the rest of my body from this horrid dress my mother told my maid to put on me. The area around the neck poked me severely, like a piece of a stick that gets stuck in your skirt after rolling around in the dirt in the forest. The rest of the pokey outfit isn't half bad but still. It's summer so who wants to walk around to act like a lady when your going to get dirty anyway?

"Seri momma sent me to fetch you for breakfast!" Axel, my twin, stood my the bedroom door dressed similar to me. The same colors dark blue amd white but he has to wear trousers and a tucked in shirt. If you ask me that's better than a dress.

"I hate this.." I complained.

Axel rolled his eyes. He started skipping back down the huge dining hall to the main course kitchen room. I followed behind trying to keep up but failing because of this stupid dress. Father was seated at the head of the table with mother on the other side. I sat across from Axel. I removed my pillow and decided to sit on my own today, no extra height. Father's sincere grin stretched both sides of his face, his blond brown facial hair going in all directions like a grizzly bear's would. I giggled.

"My what a big girl you are Serenity!" he exclaimed. Mother laughed with Axel at my red face.

"Food is served my lord." The chef smiled proudly as his servants served us, removing tops of sizzling plates and pots. His round face and big eyes shined in happiness as father thanked him, mother did the same. He left, we ate in silence. I finished my plate, rubbing my napkin quickly against my hands and face.

"May I go to the fields now father?" I asked suddently hopeful. He nodded with a wave of his hand and I took off. Axel decided to join me this time so there was no need for two guards, only one. We ran and jumped over grass, hopped across rivers and streams, laughing and shouting.

"Why do you come here to this forest so much Seri?" Axel jumped down from his log. I reached down to touch the clear blue water. The fish below swam away as I touched the surface.

"I find it pleasant. Just as you do with your friends when you play soldier in your room."

The sun set high in the sky, glowing brightly through the old oak trees. Birds chirped to signal one another, they sounded quite like mother at times when she stressed terribly about something.

Axel picked up a stick, drawing symbols and letters into the dirt.

"I believe a soldier is more important than a princess much anyway."

I felt something, a feeling of..need. "Axel? Have you had things you felt you must do without waiting for consent?" he frowned, a large line forming between his thin brows.

"No.. Only if there is danger involved." we talked and wrestled. Many hours later the sun had begun to lower itself to hide between the line of night and day, midnoon with a glistening orange tint.

Axel suggested we go back to the castle, but the feeling stirred inside of me. I walked slower than him, he ran full force so he could change his clothes before father or Mildred his maid had caught him in such attire.

I brought a fairly large stick of my own, waving it about like a fairytale princess would.

"What are you doing with that stick?" a voice said. I stopped dancing to look around and found nothing, not a soul in sight.

"Up here princess!" it called again. My eyes trailed the trees, could they talk?

A little higher up I saw a boy sitting. He grinned and waved. I waved back, stepping over cracked branches and rumpled leaves.

"Why are you up there?" I called. This was the first time I had seen anyone climb the tree to sit down.

"The view up is much better than below you know." he said. I probably looked like a lost puppy, watching in awe this stranger. He laughed, it brought my insides happiness i had never known until now.

"Would you like to join me princess?"

Only then I remembered. Axel!

"Sorry but I must go! I'll see you here tomorrow." I waved, my feet going up so fast they could kick air.

I raced to the gate with my heart in my chest, threatening to choke me.

But despite my worry they would try to keep me on watch.. I was full. On happiness.

I never asked for his name..