Crashing Wish

Chapter 1

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No not yet, I'm still putting the pieces together myself," I said, worrying my lower lip.

"Okay, well, tell me when you do," said Emma, my maiden, my best friend. The gentle tugs of my hair as she braided the strands were soothing my previously shaking body.

I was requested to visit my mother, the queen's, large office earlier that morning. I walked up to the oak doors, the emblem of our kingdom, Corastell, carved into the surface. Knocking gently, I hummed our kingdom's anthem, waiting to be allowed to enter.

"Come in," came my mother's confident voice through the dark wood.

I opened the doors cautiously, wondering what Mother could have wanted to talk about.

"Oh, good, you got my message. Please sit." I had never been allowed in her office before. On the right wall was an immaculate portrait of our family. Directly across the room was a map of the kingdoms, the painting taking up the entire wall, and in front of me lay a sturdy desk, the glossy surface reflecting the cool gaze of the queen. I did as I was told, facing her. "As you know, our relations with our neighboring kingdom, Cedarbriv, have not been well for more than a decade, but your father and I have managed to keep their conflicts at bay. But recently, things have escalated and it is harder to maintain order." I didn't know why she felt the need to specify these things, it's written in our history books.

"In order to keep the peace your father and I met with Cedarbriv's king and formed a treaty. Because the king didn't want to risk sending his son here, you are to go there."

I was shocked, "But why?"

"Because, daughter, you are betrothed to the eldest son, Prince Michael. You have to fulfill your duties now that you have come of age. We have soldiers more skilled than any in the realm, I have no doubt that you will get there safely."

"And what if I don't? What if we are ambushed?"

"Katherine, you shouldn't worry about such things. I have already chosen our finest soldiers who are more than capable of protecting you during this journey." I didn't know how she was so confident, the journey is a little over one hundred kilometers, through the mountains nonetheless. Those mountain forests are riddled with bandits.

"Princess?" Emma's worried question brought me back to the present. "What's wrong, should I get the physician?"

"What? Oh, nothing's wrong, I was just thinking," I murmured, brushing a stray hair out of my eyes.

"About what?"

"Nothing."

"Do you want to tell me about nothing?"

"I already told you, Emma. I don't have the pieces put together yet!" I exclaimed, face reddening from my outburst.

"Forgive me for saying this, but I think you do."

"So what if I do, I don't want to talk about it, I'm not ready."

"Alright," Emma calmly replied.

"Emma, I'm so sorry, that was a terribly rude thing for me to say. I'll tell you when I'm ready, so please, stop asking, okay?"

"Okay."

A few moments later, after my lip had turned red from my thoughtful trance, I turned to face my friend. "I'm ready."

"Okay." She said nothing more, waiting patiently for me to tell my story. I took a deep breath and relayed everything as  as quickly as I could

"Oh, Katy. I am immensely sorry. I will miss you dearly," Emma crooned, using her childhood nickname for me.

"But the problem is not that I am going. 'Tis that I am in love with someone else."

"What?! Who?"

"Um, his name is Finn, you know, the soldier."

"The tall, handsome one with the gorgeous smile?" I blushed a little at her remark.

"Precisely."

"He's dreamy, that one."

"Oh my, you like him too!"

"No. I- we're just friends."

"Oh, of course." I smirked, letting the conversation end. I didn't believe her for a second, however. Finn had been our friend since we were young, before I started training to be Princess. He has never shown signs of liking me, yet will he miss me if I go?

"It's getting late, princess. Shall I help you undress?"

"No, thank you. You may go."

"Alright. Sleep well, Princess."

"You too, Emma. Good night." She quietly left the room, leaving me to fiddle with the strings of my corset.

Once I got my night gown on, I crawled into my bed fit for a queen and curled up into the welcoming arms of sleep.

*****

I woke up to the sound of my curtains opening, encouraging the shy rays to peak through. "Princess, it is time to get ready; today is your free day."

"Alright," I mumbled sleepily. Pulling back the covers, I kicked my legs over the edge of the bed. The cool wood was cold beneath my feet as I slowly padded over to my wardrobe. I opened the doors, deciding what I want to wear today.

"I'll wear the red gown today."

"That is your favorite, miss." She pulled it off the hook, spreading the deep red fabric over my comforter, allowing the gold trim to glint in the morning light. 

She grabbed my corset and laced me up, then she slipped the full skirts over my head and put the red slippers on my feet.

"Thank you, Emma." She nodded in response, then continued the routine.

"How would you like your hair today? It is quite windy outside." Emma knows I love the wind blowing through my hair as I walk in the gardens on my free days.

"I'll keep it down for this morning, thank you."

"Shall we go to the gardens?"

"Yes, that sounds delightful. 'Tis a beautiful morning."

"Should we get going then?"

"Please." We laughed at our regality.

The fresh morning air felt crisp on my skin and the cold breeze gently wafted memories to the forefront of my mind, when I would try to run away from everything. I remembered also how I used to play chase with my younger, taller brother, Prince Peter Timothy Van Adams, before my training started full time. His long legs made him too fast for me, so I used to climb trees above the path. I'd always chuckle quietly as I watched his form pass beneath my branch. I smiled at the recollection, even then no one ever looked up. When I become queen, or A queen rather, I will do so no longer, having to confront problems, not turn away from them.

<<<<>>>>

We walked the rest of the day enjoying the fall weather and gossiping about the other servants and maids. Around the sixteenth hour, it started raining. 

"Oh no! Please stop raining, I want to keep walking!" I begged the sky after I was already soaked, my silk dress sticking to my curves, water droplets dripping off my chin. "I wish we could walk like we did today every day, but unfortunately, we are not blessed with that." The irony suddenly donned on me and I started laughing uncontrollably. Being out there on the best day I have had for a long time and rain had ruined it. I never thought rain could ruin anything, until now.

Little did I know that that was the last time I would have such frivolous, carefree days.