Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter Two: A Prince Is Nothing

Four years Later

H E L E N
I've grown up to be 20, the right age to be married off, but my heart still yearns to be a Knight. Thou it may prove to be difficult, I will succeed in reuniting with my brother. It's been four long, torturous years of escaping the Duchess's wrath, my sisters' brutality, and keeping up to date with the current knowledge of Elevrly. I stare at the farmers outside; they stand up, wave, and return to work. I close my eyes and try to draw up a memory of Eli. The carriage tumbles tenderly across the road. My long silky black hair flutters in the wind, carefree. I twirl a strand around my thumb. It is a dark contrast to my brother's. I loved his strawberry-blonde hair, almost like strawberry milk. My cerulean eyes view the palace, lying my only chance at Knighthood. I study my face in the window: pointed, my nose sharp, and my skin pale; my eyebrows are thick, and my smile bright. I look like my dad, I thought to myself. I almost look like a boy, except with longer hair. My sisters, Naomi and Violet, gossip about the prince's greatest accomplishments; their intent is clear: they want the crown as much as they want the Prince. I wonder what he is like; Arrogant, selfish, rude, conceited, vain? Like the ones, I read about. I fix my hair which is braided into a high bun. Strands decorate my face. The scenery passes like a motion picture. The castle is huge, casting a shadow onto us as we arrive. The ballroom is crowded with wealthy men and beautiful women, but no Knights. I look at the blue dress Lydia made me wear, up to my knees and off the shoulders. I wonder, searching, needing a look at the Royal Knights of the Capital. I end up in the courtyard and all I can see are men practicing archery. I stroll over and pick up a bow and arrow. "Hey little girl, don't try using those, you might break a nail", a voice behind me boast. "Unfortunately, my nails are too short to break", I counter as I pick it up, aim, and make a perfect bull's eye. It's been a long time since I've done this; how many years...six and two months since I last saw them. In my previous life, my father taught me archery since my mom finally allowed it, after much persuasion. Eli always complained about not getting to play with me. I remember the feeling as I let the arrow fly, the sound it made as it hit its target, and the sense of accomplishment it gave me. The memories bring forth forgotten sadness. I slump, even though I can hear Lydia scolding me, saying things like, "Girls should be proper", or, "What will your future suitors think?". "Why don't we bet something, gentlemen", I suggest. Alas, only one man accepts my challenge. He takes his aim and misses by half a centimeter. I, however, don't. I thank him and lower my bow; I shift from my left to my right, balancing myself. I stand in the corner, watching others play each other, laughing and having fun while I feel like an outsider. The clock strikes 12, I must go, I thought. I take one last glance at the courtyard, no Knights, and rush to the ballroom. Fortunately, I make it there in time. I stand in the corner, anxiously eyeing the room for them. My sisters dance with the sons of Marquess Louis, oblivious of my arrival. A man waves me over; I shake my head. He nods for me to join him; his hair is a dirty blond, barely brushing over his emerald eyes. As I wander onto the dancefloor, greeted with judgmental stares, the doors burst open. I held my breath as the Royal family of the Capital walk into the ballroom. Followed by the Royal Knights. Finally, they were here, right in front of my eyes. They looked regal, strong, fearless. Everyone bows, as it is by custom, but I keep my eyes on the Royal Knights. Their white and gold uniforms, with the National embellishment, glisten on their bodies. I am swelled with respect and adoration for them. My key to Eli's return. As we rise, my sisters and all the other women rush towards the Crown Prince. I pity him. I spot the man wave again, except this time a woman brushes past me and starts to dance with him. Embarrassed I head back to the courtyard, but this time I am greeted quite warmly. It seems that my skills were acknowledged. The man, named Grece, leads a brown horse towards me, "My' lady, we are going horseback riding, care to join us?"

I roll my eyes cheekily. "If you insist"

I eye a white horse. "That one", I point towards the grazing stead. It looks up, brown eyes lowered. The man nods, his smile bright. I climb on as the crowd arrives; I eye my sisters each of their arms around the Prince. I fight the blush creeping onto my cheeks and jump onto the horse, feeling its strong muscles under me, steady. I ride ahead; the breeze gently tickles my pale cheeks. The sweet scent of cool air swirls around me and the lush grass and trees perch in front of the sun's sunset; such bliss doesn't come often, I thought. We arrive back at the palace. I jump off Fay, my white horse, and put her in the outbuilding. I set my fingers on Fay's forehead, "You were good today... thank you"; she neighs, rocking back her head. I kiss her soft cheek and return to the party. I undo my boots and put on my dainty little slippers. They kill my feet. I eye Lydia near a Knight. I crave to join the conversation... yet I hesitate.

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Out of the corner of my eye, I eye a little boy; I remember him from my book, Prince Sterling. I pay him no mind and begin to stroll over to the banquet table when he grabs my dress. Eyes of grey and blue with tiny spots of gold. "Why won't anyone look at me?", he asks, his cheeks pink and his eyes watery. I gaze into the crowd. "Because many people want power", I answer thinking of Alison. She always said, "There is power in everyone, that is why only those greedy let it go to their heads". I sip my glass of wine, "The very nature of the world is desperate for more, more than they need, and more than they take. Never thinking of if it will forever be gone"

"Then would people talk to me?"

"If you were a powerful man, then one day that power would consume you. I would rather swim with the fishes than feast with the sharks".
"Nicely said", I turn around to be met with the King's lively blue eyes; so full of loyalty and love. He stares at me, then at his son and smiles. "As you know, the world of Elevrly is a vast chain of power; if one chain becomes more powerful than the others, it would all fall apart". "Just like if the stars were brighter than the sun, would we still value the sun as much". He nods, "Excellent thinking, I might ask the Duke for his daughter someday"

"Oh, you're too kind, my Lord. I am merely a small piece of your statue"

"But, seeing as if you value such thoughts, you must have something that holds prominent in your mind". I sip my glass of wine, smiling over the rim, "In fact, I do have a certain goal in mind". He tilts his head, revealing grey strands in his thick chestnut hair, "Let us hear what the third daughter of the Duke wishes to achieve". I brace myself, "To be accepted into the Academy of Knighthood...your Majesty", this seems like my only chance, why not go for it. Time to put my plan into action. He seems bewildered at my request, "It shall be done, why, such talent shall not be wasted". I stand there, shocked. My face turns over to the outcast that is the Knights, alone in the corner. One day. Someday. The King was going to get me into the Academy. But will they accept it?