The Princess (On Hold)

The Princess - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

From the early days of my childhood, I always knew my family was different from most.  Not every eight year old had an uncle as a bodyguard and who attended every single class in elementary school with them like I did. The uncle was always different each year, and I had a lot of them, however they all worked for my father, who constantly reminded me it was because I was a princess that I needed so much protection.  At the age of thirteen when my first school dance came around, I couldn't go with with any of the boys from my class who had asked me, some more than once.  I had to go with my cousin Ronni, because he was a more "suitable" choice for a girl my age.  We never really stayed in the same place more than two years, because of my father's business, even though he mostly worked within the home.  No one outside of the family ever visited the house, maybe only a handful, and in the end they either told me they were now my uncle or they would look at me with sad eyes full of pitty and fear, and I would never hear of them again, unless on the news. However in the end, it wasn't until I turned sixteen that I finally understood just how different my family was compared to others.

The night of my sweet sixteen birthday party had been almost magical.  My parents had thrown me a huge party and not only were my friends from my high school allowed to attend, but our neighbors were invited as well.  We had just finished our first full year of living in this new city of Columbia, South Carolina, and as I blew out my sixteen lit candles I only wished that we could stay here until I graduated.  Yet somehow I just knew that it wasn't possible for my father, somehow every year or so he would come up with an excuse of why they had to up and move, and there came to a point that I just lived out of my boxes.  This year was different though, I had actually unpacked everything finally a few weeks ago, when my father gave a little hint that we may be staying for at least another year.  Perhaps that was the reason for the grand birthday party he and my mother were throwing for me this year.

As the night went on, music, presents, cake, and laughter filled the air, and countless of my friends made it well known that this was the party of the year.  However, it wasn't until once all the party guests had left that my father and mother told me they had a special birthday gift for me.  Little did I know that the gift was also a curse that would stay with me for the rest of my life.  I remember walking into our huge living room, my parents standing infront of the lit fireplace despite the warm weather outside.  My uncles, aunts, and cousins all gathering around in various spots in the house, as my parents smiled and began.

"What's going on?" I asked with a shakey voice, I looked around noticing the change of atmosphere.  The excitement from outside had quickly became much of more of a serious vibe.

"Jess, darling, your father and I are just so proud of you.  We all are.  You have become such a beautiful, strong, smart, young woman." My mother said with a smile.  Her hazel eyes full of light and joy as she looked at me, causing me to blush.

"Jess, before we continue, we just want you to know that we all love you very much, and everything that this family does is to ensure the safety and the well being of you and everyone else within the Caproni name." My father said as he took a sip of his alcoholic drink before continuing. "With that being said your mother and I have a special gift for you."  He said as he took out a small jewlery box from his blazer jacket pocket and placed it in my hands.  I flipped open the dark grey velvet case, and saw the most beautiful gold ring, with a crest in the center of its flatten surface.  The sides were lined in both small diamonds and two small rubies.  My eyes began to mist as I read the inside enscription, although it was the same of all of them, the inside band read, "Caproni".  My parents had given me the family ring, and as I put it on my right hand ring finger, my parents smiled.  Those within the family who were related by blood all recieved their rings at the age of sixteen, and for me this was a very special gift.