Love Shimmers

Chapter 1

            In the darkness of the winter night, wind rustling heavily, indicating a storm approaching. On that day, I was born and named Princess Leticia. My earliest memory was about my mother, Cecile, a very kind and virtuous Queen of our kingdom, Roseland was a woman with obsidian hair and hazel eyes who were stroking an infant for the first and last time. That infant happened to be me. Not long after, my mother died and the roses in the garden withered as if they were showing their sorrow and grieved for my mother’s death. Beside me, my father stood. A King who was hurt with eyes full of regret and sadness, grieved for my mother’s death. He fell on the floor and hit it once, twice and thrice. As soon as he got back his ability to speak, the first thing he ordered was to never let anybody know my existence as his daughter.

            The very next day, the whole country grieved of the loss of their Queen.  There, my father’s heart died and he made an oath that he will not marry anyone from that day onwards. All of the King’s subject tried to persuade him to take back his words but it was all in vain. The palace became cold and all of my mother’s belongings were kept and locked in a room which is at the farthest reaches of the palace. All the roses in the garden were plucked out as how my father had commanded. A palace once called Rose Palace was gone.

            I grew up by the care of a maid in the palace called Ashley. I had the same hair as my mother Ashley said, a dark obsidian hair but my eyes were same as my father’s, where endless mystery was always reflected from them, ocean blue. From the very first day I was born, Ashley had been taking care of me. I was taught about all the etiquettes, fencing, politics, a little medical knowledge as well as all the knowledge a princess should know at that time. Although I had a person who took care of me and taught me lots of things I still didn’t know one thing which was love. Ever since I was born, my mother left me and my father hated me, he believed that I was the one who caused the death of his dearest wife, my mother and he never once forgave me. Sometimes, I wondered why my father told Ashley to teach me about politics and how to be a proper princess when he, himself refused to acknowledge me.

            Every year during my birthday, I could see my father standing on his room balcony. He stood so firmly there but I could see tears rolling down from his eyes to his cheeks. I never blamed him for treating me like this after all I am his daughter and I am unable to hate him. So during my birthday, I just wish upon a star that one day my father would forgive me and teach me the warmth of a family. After that, I went back to my room and found a white gown with gold laces lay on my bed. I was wondering who sent it to me as the only ones who knew about my birthday were just my father and Ashley. Slowly, I fell asleep as I was tired of wondering about that dress.

            On the following day, I was taking a walk around the royal garden wearing the gown I got when suddenly I met a young man around 17 years old. He sat on a chair in the pavilion while gazing the sky. I wondered what was he thinking as he gazed the sky. Suddenly, he stood right beside me and I was startled. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” he asked.

When I was about to answer, Ashley came and kneel before that young man. I was really confused but before I could ask anything my father appear right in front of me. My body froze and I was unable to move even if I knew that I was supposed to kneel and greet the King before me. His face still showed the sadness when my mother died. However, now I can see a faint light of hope shining through his eyes. He led me and that young man who appeared to be my elder brother, the crown prince of Roseland, Prince Benjamin. Later, I knew that he was my mother’s first and only son. Just like me his one and only daughter. He never knew about my existence as when he was small, his body was very frail. As a result, my father ordered him to be taken care in the Royal Villa about a day journey from the palace. Now that his body was better, he came back here to accept his rightful place. I was quite shocked about that as I couldn’t believe that I got a brother. Hopefully, he would be different from my father and accept me as his sister.

            Inside the hall, my father sat on the king’s throne and my brother stood beside him. A chair was offered by my father and so I took my place. The prime minister of our kingdom discussed something with my father. As they were discussing, I took a quick glance around the hall with high ceilings and decorated with gold. There, stood many duke, duchess, count as well as countess. All of them, including the Prince were wandering about my identity. Soon, the king started to speak and the entire hall became silent. “My loyal subjects, I know you were wondering about the identity of this young lady that sat before me. So, now I officially announce that this is your Princess, daughter of our late Queen. I hid her existence before as I was foolish that I couldn’t accept Cecile, our beloved Queen’s death and to comfort myself, I blamed all of this to my innocent daughter. Since, I learnt that I was wrong, I hereby officially return the position of princess to her and now I present Princess Leticia to all of you”, said my father.

            In my heart I said at last I am acknowledged by my father and I heard almost all the people in the entire hall gasped. Before I could be merry again, my father continued his speech. “I would like to announce that our Kingdom and the Kingdom of Ecrutia are in a really bad terms these days so in order to prevent war between the two kingdoms, I wished to have a political marriage between the crown prince of Ecrutia, Prince Damien and Princess Leticia”, said my father. I was really shocked and disappointed at my father. However, the court was dismissed too quickly and I couldn’t convey my opinion.

            Instead of returning back to my room, I ran through the long corridor to catch up with my father. While running, I didn’t care about anything I only think and repeat the words my father spoke before. At last, I caught him and I said, “Father, how could you do this to me. You rose my hope up and you just crush it within five minutes. Do you know how long I wished for you to acknowledge me and how long I longed for a kind father? Is this a result I deserve after waiting for 15 years? Answer me, father!” Beside me, I heard my elder brother convincing me to apologize for my actions but I was really angry at that time and I didn’t care what would be the consequences. Accidently, I just blurted out how my mother would be sad about this news. I realized that I had gone too far and I expect my father to punish me but instead, he just pat my head and said that he was sorry for all he had done to me and took me to his chamber.

I hesitated for a while before entering but I decided that I should be brave to face everything that would come next. Hence, I entered and my father told me to sit down. There, I could not suppress my feelings anymore. I wept while saying all the things I had to go through all these past 15 years and kept saying “How could you” to my father. He listened to me patiently and at last he said, “Leticia, just now you asked me how your mother would feel when she heard about your marriage. I am sure she will be happy even if you need to be separated from her. Try to think, your marriage can bring peace to both Kingdoms and can prevent the death of countless people. Won’t you be proud of it? A princess is responsible for keeping her people safe. Hence, I hope you will accept the marriage and forgive my past actions”.

            Confused, I just sat there for quite a long time while my father waited patiently for my answer and told the servant to bring two cup of hot chocolates. After I took a sip of my hot chocolate, I said that I would go to Kingdom Ecrutia and marry the crown prince. My father was really surprised as he thought that I would turn down the marriage. Then, he said “There will be a competition among princesses throughout the world and the most outstanding princess of all will be Prince Damien’s bride. I will prepare all the things that you need for your journey as well as a horse and carriage for you. I believed that you have learnt all the etiquette of a princess.” When I heard this, I knew who sent me the white dress. That person was my father and before I went back to my chamber, I said, “Thank you for all you have done for me especially the white gown with golden laces you gave me. It was really pretty.” Hearing this, my father just smiled and said that I deserved it. Alas, I accepted my responsibility as well as my fate. Though it seemed unfair, my father was right. The Royal family could sustain its rule because of our people. We lived in luxury using their money in the form of taxes so I thought that at least I should do something for their sake even if I need to give up on my happiness that I had longed for.

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