Love, your Highness. #thebestofmemoviecontest

Love, your Highness

"Psst! Mar. Mar! Psst! Over here." Nicolai waved me over around the hall corner. "Grandmama, may I be excused for reasons of personal matter?" I asked politely as I was taught. Grandmama simply chuckled and whispered, "You may go play with Nicolai but don't get into trouble." I beamed happily and ran off around the hall corner to meet with Nicolai. "Mar!" "Nicky!" We each greeted each other using our personal nicknames. "Happy tenth birthday Mar. I can't believe my little Mar is growing up." Nicolai said pretending to tear up. "Whatever Nicolai, you're only two years older than me." "And that's my point little one." He joked wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Papa and mother doesn't like it when I interact with the servants but I don't see the problem, it's not there fault they weren't born with the right blood, grandmama thinks like I do too. She thinks it's cute and that " A young lady should learn early how to be aquatinted with other citizens." Everyone in the castle knows about the ultimate bond of friendship Nikolai and I share. My parents and the elders of the kingdom don't agree simply because some think it's more than friendship, and maybe one day it will be, but for now we just enjoy my time before I'm married off. "Come on let's go play in the garden!" He said knowing it was my favorite place. He grabbed my hand, yet I was a little skeptical seeing as we were barely able to be friends any relationship beyond that was considered an abomination in Papa's eyes and whatever Papa doesn't like the royal guard doesn't like. I released his hand when we got to the garden he seemed disappointed but understanding that if we were caught in a relationship he would be executed. Time seemed to slip away as I spent my birthday with Nicolai instead of the royal celebration. The sky had darkened thus we both had to go. I did a simple gesture of thanks to Nicolai and kissed his cheek. Only when we were both yanked apart harshly did I realize the mistake I made. It was the leaders of the Royal Guard holding us back from each other. Papa's commanding voice rang throughout the garden "You are forbidden from seeing Nicolai again! Do you hear?!?" Papa never yelled at me with suck force and anger. Tears fell down my face as he continued to yell. Nicolai was continuing to struggle against the guards to come comfort me in my tears. The guards pulled us away towards different directions and it rang in my mind like a bell; I will never get to be with Nicolai even as a friend. The impossible chance of us staying together was just ripped apart. Suddenly Nicolai got away from the guards and ran to me. He turned me around in a deep hug and kissed my lips. With all my love for him I responded back. I felt him slide a pendent into my pocket . As quick as it came he was thrown off harshly and dragged off to one of the courtyards. In the time it took for me to be lectured and taken down the halls to the royal seating area word had gotten around. Everyone knew of the young forbidden affair between the princess and servant. His punishment was to be given and served today...and I must be present at both. When Nicolai came in I felt sorrow and guilt fill my heart, the guard had beaten him already just for what they witnessed. He was given a quick mock trial and sentenced to be whipped until he was near death and was to never be in the presence of me. During his punishment grandmama tried to shield my eyes and ears as best as she could but I still could hear Nicolai's screams of pain and in my mind see his eyes growing dull. I can tell if they don't stop soon they'll kill him. Tears are falling out of my eyes as I try to fight to save him. Grandmama was shuffling me away from the sight. With my voice cracking I yelled out, "I love you, Nicky." Almost certain he didn't hear me I was forced to leave. Walking through the halls grandmama and I heard one last ear piercing scream if pain and then silence. I sneaked a look at the pendent, it read, "My love, forever & always."

Since that day seven years ago I haven't seen Nicolai some say his punishment was taken to far and he died, but I refuse to believe it. There were others who said he was taken to work at another kingdom. I would much rather believe that. I hope to one day see my love. With the smallest string of hope I have I imagine one day seeing and being able to love Nicolai freely, that is if he is alive. And even if I can't I still have his pendent and with that I have his love, forever and always. I turn seventeen today Papa is to marry me off soon. I've heard him during meeting with the elders and another king. He is going to join our kingdom by marrying their prince, Sven, and I. Though this was the plan my whole life I can't help but want to reject it. My heart will belong only to Nicolai, my best friend, first kiss, and true love. During their meeting they talked about the date we were to marry. I had to be wed within 3 weeks time. We would meet the day before, once with our families present and once alone. The three weeks seemed to fly by as it was filled with planning, studies, and walks through the garden. Wherever this other kingdom is, I hope they have a garden that comes close to being as lovely as this one. Though if they did it wouldn't have the memories of Nicolai and I. A silent tear rolled down my cheek when I came to the spot where we kissed. Soon this silent tear was followed by several more. I looked in every direction, yet all I could see was a young princess and her best friend playing in the trees, wishing at the fountain, hiding in the bushes. She looked at a particular tree only to see a symbol of a castle within a heart, this was what they had planned to make the symbol of their kingdom when they became of age. Such foolish dreams for one to have. The next thing I knew I was on the ground clutching myself in hysterics. It was my fault Nicolai was punished. It was my fault he's either dead or far away getting treated cruelly. It's my fault I couldn't save him. Soon after days of drowning myself in pity it was the day to meet my soon-to-be husband. I dread this day, I will no longer be free to offer myself to my love the day I see him again. I am ordered to move into their kingdom today as the wedding is held there tomorrow.

My handmaidens are preparing me into my dress for the meeting between Sven and I. I thank them as they leave when mother shows up. She escorts me to a full length mirror on the wall. I'm astonished, if my meeting dress is this beautiful my wedding dress will be from a dream! A gentle smile plays on my mothers lips and soon mine as well. Without a word she walks me down the halls to the meeting room. My breath is taken away, not by Sven but by the man standing in the far corner. He looks up at me and I instantly recognize him. Though grown he was and dull were his eyes, Nicolai was alive. His eyes flickered to his pendent around my neck and grew slightly brighter. I knew that our love, even after so many years, was there. We would have to fight for it but forever hasn't ended yet and always never will.