Princess of the streets

I remember life. I remember the castle and the luxury. A life of royalty and beautiful dresses. This is the story of how I died and how lived. I didn't die a rich girl, I died a poor girl. But that comes later. So my life may have been short, but at least I felt love.

It all started on May thirteenth. A healthy baby was born to two royal parents. Her brown hair made a thin layer a top her head and her bright blue eyes looked like the sea. Marie, is what the parents named her. A king and a queen had been blessed with their first child. Marie grew with the love of her parents and the nannies. She walked and talked at a normal age. When she first began to run and talk clearly she found out a baby will be in the family soon. I was born and looked much like Marie, but she had carried none of the traits as her father. She was fourteen (soon to be wed and I, her sister was eleven (promised to be married to a prince) when our mother died.

"Mama! What is wrong with you?" I told my mother whom was crying. She planted a kiss on my fore head and Marie's as well.

"I have sinned, daughters. And now I will be punished. I love my little Marie and Ruth. I always will. Take care of each other. Marie you must help her get away." She held my cheeks and then pulled me into a hug with my sister. The guards pushed open the doors leaping onto my mother, grabbing her and they left the room.

"Let go child! We have been ordered by the king. He wishes to see you in the dining hall, Marie and Ruth." I followed them down the marble, spiral staircase.

"Mama! I demand you stop! Let her go," I screamed and cried holding onto her dress once we were in front of father. "Father! You must make the guards let go of mama! What are they doing?" I let go of mother and ran to father crying.

"Do not call me father! I am not your father! You shall go with your mother if you continue!" He yelled cruelly at me. "Your mother is going to be executed. Because of you! You are not mine, you belong to a servant."  He slapped me hard across the face. I ran to my room with Marie following me. Marie grabbed two of my dresses and shoved them into a suit case, and she happen to be wearing the same dress as I.

"Ruth, you must go! You have to run away. I have an idea. I will pretend to be you and they will kill me instead of you. I love you so much! Take this to remember me." Marie said while hugging and kissing me. She was crying as she took off her necklace and I gave her mine. It was our necklaces. Our names we on them and our favorite stone. 

"No. I will run away, but tell him I left for Spain. I will live in the city as a peasant. Maybe we will she each other again, sister." I left out the window and through a secret passage that leads to the city after we held hands for a while. I pause and said, "Good bye, Marie. I love you. I will see you again."

"Goodbye. I love you. Now run!" Marie cried as I ran and she fixed the room so it looks like I was never there. I heard the guards open the door.

"Ruth, you must come with us. By order of the king." The two guards said dragging Marie out of the room. After that I ran as fast as I could.

I ran all the way to the fields. The freshly rained on soil ruined my shoes and night gown. The frigid air made my teeth chapter and body shivered frantically. My feet felt frozen and I had fallen into manure. The smell burned my nostrils and the mud and manure weighed my dress down. It hurt to run. I collapsed on the ground with my heart beating out of my chest. I pulled myself up with all my strength and limped to the stables I saw. When I got up I tripped over my linen gown, causing a large rip. I was gasping for air and my body yearned to rest. My bag seemed to be getting heavier and heavier by the second. I dragged myself to a pile of straw. I let my eyes shut and my body rest. I awoke in a heavy built man's arms. I was alarmed and squirmed, but I was no match for him.

"Calm down, child," his voice was low and booming. I couldn't resist falling asleep again. I felt heat hit my face and the light of a fire shown through my eyes lids.

"Where am I?" I said trying to shake the memories of last night out of my mind.

"Are you an orphan, dear child?" She said cleaning me with a rag. I looked around. Who ever this woman is, she is of the middle class (merchant's wife perhaps). Not nobility yet not a homeless peasant. She has a home better than most, but her belonging we not that of my own. I looked at her attire. She was dressed as a servant.

"Yes. Where am I? Do you have my bag?"

"Yes, dear. You are in my master's home. They decided they should keep you. Do you have a name, child?" She said with her hands on my cheeks.

"I'm Ruth. What's your name?" I tried to not sound too polite. If I am overly polite she will know. I got up and she lead me to my bag.

"Do you have a place to stay? Don't you dare lie." This woman seemed kind, but the last part seemed rather firm. She pointed a finger at my. She had long, feminine fingers. Her skin shined in the light. Her eyes reflected the fire and her black hair reminded me of a raven.

"No ma'am. I forgot to ask what you want to be addressed as. What should I call you, miss?" I asked sweetly.

"Call me Joan or miss. The Bleckwells wish to keep you off the streets. Unless you wish otherwise. What do you say, dear?" her sweet carmel eyes looked at me.

But that feels like eras ago. Instead it has one year since my life changed.  I am Ruth and this is my story.