By the time the clock struck nine in the evening, our house was swarming with reporters. Mom moped around, deep in thought. Dad shut himself in his room. Vic kept on changing the television channels while I went around thinking of what to take along to my new life.
At midnight, dad came into my room. He climbed into bed hugging me to his chest.
"Oh Anna, my child. What would I do without you? You could have said no."
"I love you too much to do that, you know."
He kissed my forehead. The door creaked open. We raised our heads to find mom and Vic.
"Sleepover!" Vic announced.
"This bed won't fit all of us," I said.
"Oh, it will tonight."
We joked, brought up past memories, laughed and ate. I love my family and will do anything for them.
Tomorrow came early enough. I made a god-awful mistake of going to the backyard for fresh air. Reporters were there and camera shots went off. How could they? I ran inside only to realize I was in one of my dad's faded t-shirt. I was glad it wasn't short because I wore no shorts. My hair was disheveled. Ugh! Welcome to my new life.
Royal maids charged in with things I knew my mother had never in a million years bought me.
After an hour of bathing, I was dressed up like a Barbie doll. The pink gown fell in waves from the waist down. The corset was wound tight on my chest, I almost turned blue. How the women of the 17th century survived this is beyond me. I swear, the female royals are trying. They kept brushing my hair even when my scalp cried in protest. The royal maids put on me the most expensive jewels and shoes. The matching pink shoes are tight and high.
My things were taken away in a single luggage. I look at my room one last time and sighed. It's all for the family.
"You look like a princess," Dad acknowledged when I stepped out of the room. I twirled giving him a wide smile.
"She is going to be one," Vic commented sourly.
"Take care of yourself," Mom said, patting my cheek.
"You too. Take care of yourselves." I choke on my words fighting back hot tears.
"Don't cry. You are going to ruin the make up," Mom sobbed, holding my head up.
"Okay."
"If you need someone to talk to, you know what to do," Dad added.
"Thanks, Dad." We hugged.
They followed me out the house where a huge crowd was waiting. Camera flashes went off everywhere.
I gazed back at my home. I might never see it again.
"I love you."
Dad kissed my forehead. "Go."
The limousine door was opened for me and I got in. I gazed tenderly at my family and waved.
I bit my finger nails studying the maids seated in the limo with me. My thoughts ran a mile per meter. What was I thinking? I can't do this. I want to go home. I don't want to be a princess. I'm so stupid. I started to think of what to tell the queen. I didn't want to do this anymore. Why couldn't I be selfish for once?
It was too late anyway. The royal gates glided open and a gasp excaped my lips. It looked better than the pictures in my History textbook. I gaped in awe at the giant bronze castle that spread into the horizon. The sun shone its rays giving it an ethereal look. It seemed like I stepped into eons of centuries older than me with a hint of modern. Seriously, they should have brought me in a carriage instead of a limo.
I gazed on in awe of everything and wiped at the drool that ran down the side of my mouth.
It was a fairytale come to life. My heart leapt at the sight of running horses in the never-ending green valley. How on earth...? How many acres of land is this?
The limo swerved right past the castle. It continued to drive on, deeper into the palace grounds. There were buildings few meters away from the other in different designs. From Victorian to bungalow to contemporary houses. The vehicle screeched to a stop in front of a Victorian like building.
Once I take pictures of this place and post it on my Instagram account, the girls are going to be so jealous. Oh my God, the girls! I haven't called them to tell-
"This is the preparation home for princesses to be" My Chief Maid and instructor, who goes by the name of Mara, interrupted my train of thoughts. She led me into the house and opened a door, "Ma'am, this is your room."
"Please don't call me-" My jaw dropped as I stepped in. This is twenty times the size of my room back home. There was a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling casting the room in a warm glow. A queen sized bed with drapes. A vanity table with different accessories. The furnishings were soft yet firm, a small couch is sitted next to the grand piano. The royal blue curtains draped the window. The bathroom was so huge. It had it's own mirror and vanity table. Cloth hangers lined the walls and the two giant tubs were golden. It was like a room of its own.
Mara led me to a walk-in closet. She opened it and left me inside shocked beyond words. It was a clothing mall in here. There were gowns, dresses, shoes and jewelries.
"I can't. This can't be all mine," I breathed out incredulous.
A uniformed maid came in whispering to my instructor. She nodded slightly. They both bow to me, to which I nervously returned the gesture, and exited the room.
I walked over to the balcony overlooking the valley. I could paint this. I sighed. If only...
Nothing was ever going to be easy, was it?
Well everything starts from something and something would nothing, nothing without a dream. It just takes a little amount of hope or silver lining.
That's it girl. Look out for silver lining. Where would I be if I didn't believe in silver linings?
I kicked my shoes away and bounced on the bed. With each landing, I was thrown into the air. I love this bed. I giggled and squealed rolling off the bed with a huff. My maids rushed to me with worried looks.
"I'm fine," I said waving them off. They seemed amused and confused. They must not meet much people.
Mara came in and bowed.
"The queen would like to see you."
My breath caught. Time to meet the big guns. The big guns that would probably do away with you if she discovers you were jumping on your bed. The big gun that will-
Cut it out, Anna.
I wore my shoes and followed her out to meet the Queen.