♛ When Castles Fall ♛

Chapter One

          In this world it's every man for himself. At least that's how my family sees it. They believe that everyone has a right to fend for themselves. They don't like to help anyone, even if they beg for something like food. My father will send armies out on a whim if anyone dares defy him, and he'll have anyone exiled with the wave of his hand.

         I am next in line for the crown, but as funny as it is, I actually don't want to be queen. Being cooped up behind stone walls for your whole life, dictating the lives of countless others and using them only for your gain doesn't seem like the job for me. At night, I'll sneak out my window and climb onto the small balcony close by. I could sit there for hours listening to the hushed sounds of the wind, and watching the small village below. Every night I come out here, I imagine myself as one of them. Farming crops, herding cattle, living in a small house full of people. It seems kind of appealing to me.

         I've lived in this castle my entire life, and I hardly know anything outside the walls of our kingdom, Wispshire. It may seem luxurious, but if you've lived your entire life having anything you want at the palm of your hands, it gets boring really quickly. I've had countless lessons about etiquette and manners, and years of training to do the one thing I despise. Everything just gets so tedious and repetitive and I never have anything fun or exciting to do. I don't have any friends here besides my younger brothers who I am forced to like, and although the castle is always bustling with activity, whether it be the maids, butlers, chefs, teachers, cleaning ladies, or the seamstresses, they never have time to humor me. They're too busy doing useless and repetitive deeds for my family. I have my own butler as well, but he never usually has anything to do, as it feels wrong bossing people around. I am fully capable of getting what I need myself. He'll try to do things for me, and it always makes me furious.

         When I was growing up I was allowed to do as I pleased, at least until I reached the age of accountability. When I turned thirteen, everything changed for me. I was bound to my studies, and it was of utmost importance that I did everything perfectly, otherwise I was a failure.

          I always have way too much pressure on me. I am the princess of Wispshire, and soon to be crowned queen, meaning that sometime soon will need a husband; someone to rule alongside me. I haven't found anyone yet. At this point, I'm surprised I haven't been set up with one. My mother has made it glaringly clear that she is going to rule over this kingdom for a long time, and wants one of my brothers to rule our kingdom after her, while I rule alongside my future husband in another one.

          Pushing away my thoughts, I try and focus on the task at hand. As of now I am finishing one of my last classes for the year. This is my last year doing studies. I hate my private lessons. I can't doze off, fool around, or be rambunctious because I am the only student. It's a one on one in every class, but with different teachers. If I don't like the teacher, I can simply tell my mother, and she'll fire them on the spot. Of course, I've only done that once. His glance caught mine. His eyes pierced through me like daggers. He knew I got him fired, and I just laughed. But that was years ago. Sometimes I wonder where he is now.

          Right now I have to be reading a book, but I can't stop my mind from racing. I so desperately want to sneak out and explore the village. My mother won't let me go past the gardens so I will have to plan an escape sometime. Maybe I can meet some potential friends in the village.

          With all these thoughts rushing through my head, I absentmindedly found myself rubbing the necklace my mother had gifted me on my thirteenth birthday. It was very special to me, and although the relationship I have with my mother isn't the best, this is my most cherished possession. She told me it brings good luck whenever you rub it. Though the necklace is small and seemingly worthless, I never take it off. The necklace itself is just a simple silver chain connected to a single cut of black tourmaline; the stone that wards off evil and brings positive energy to the wearer.