Her Crown

Masques

Masks

EVERYONE wears a mask. Even the most genuine person in the world, if they even exist. Why? Because we are humans. Humans are social animals, as they say, ever changing like a chameleon - to fit into the world around them. All they ever want to do is belong. To feel that they are worth the oxygen they breathe in.

Funny enough, in order to fit in, sometimes they loose themselves. Some more than others. They deceive themselves so much that in the end, they are lost forever. Not knowing what they like, why they are doing this and what was even their own name.

But for me, I don't wear a mask to fit in. People wear masks to match with me - something they won't ever be able to do. Why? Because I see through their masks - it is my job. But then, I do wear a mask of my own that is invisible to their eyes. Who will care for me though? All they ever want me to be is perfect and cater to their needs. All they want from me is to make sure that they are happy, even though happiness is something I can't ever buy for them.

So, I try. I have been doing it all my life. Because the world doesn't care if you are just okay, they only have the eyes and the time for the best. And that's what I have been training for all my life, to be the best.

I step out of my carriage, my eyes briefly glancing at the blue sky above me. I envy the birds flying freely in it - dancing through the clouds and bathing in the warm sunlight. I wonder what it feels like to fly - feeling the coolness of the air as it cut through your body and lifts you up. The nature has always intrigued me - perhaps because I derive my magic from it.

I adjust my blood red gown, insuring that there are no wrinkles on it for my mother to point at and then scold me for. No, my mother isn't a heartless monster you might imagine her to be. She can be gentle when the time and situation demands her to but she has been bought up to be strong and firm. She is the ideal Queen and Enchantress - much respected by the people and even, worshiped for all her work. She has surely made it difficult me to meet her standards, but like I said, I have trained for whatever the life might throw at me.

I never dreamt of following my mother's footsteps because I knew it wasn't possible. I am my own person and a unique path awaits for me which might meet my mother's at some points but then, it will be mine alone. I just try to be the best I can be.

Cheers fill the air as I walk through the bridge - my people gathering to welcome their princess home. I have been gone, for far too long. My training started when I was just a child, perhaps ten, and was sent to Lagina to train under the guidance of Lady Lara.

Training was the best part of my life, though. I knew that every drop of sweat I has shed was worth something, that every day when I woke up I knew that it would be better than yesterday. And the day I defeated Sir Adam, the most skilled Arminda in the entire kingdom, I knew that I was done. Lady Lara had passed me with flying colours.

The Arminda were the special forces of our kingdom. Every three years, a hundred and fifty Rubies were picked, from all over the kingdom and trained through difficult hardships to be the best league of soldiers a kingdom can have. They were rather a smart and handsome league of both men and women. They might be undefeatable to others but for us Royals, we succeed the day they surrender to us in a fight.

My magic grows stronger and excited as I walk nearer to the castle in front of me, while bowing and waving to the people I pass by. My smile doesn't leave me and I truly hoped that there were no scars on my skin - have skin as white as snow can backfire sometimes. Cold breezes flow through my hair and send chills down my spine. But coldness is something I am well acquainted with - after all I was born in the land of snow and ice. Our blood might be cold, but our heart isn't. That's what I pride myself in.

The castle looks as grand as ever. It's white marble walls decorated with small red rubies shimmer against the faint sunlight. The eighteen tall towers with lush green terrace gardens look grander than ever - each tower symbolizing the kings before my father. Even my father's tower looks tall enough, but it will take time for the construction to be completed.

An immense circular glass structure is located in the center, the light bouncing on it's surface. A familiar sense of warmth and comfort rushes into me. The snow on the trees remind me of the sweet memories of childhood - they might be a few but they are there. In times like these, that's all that matters to me.

The large metal gates open and as I enter, I am surrounded my Armindas - each bowing to me in respect and on attention to protect their princess. I smile at them, repaying their kindness. It's been a while since I was in the castle so I am pretty sure some of them would be surprised to see me so close. They always are. Sometimes, that makes me feel uncomfortable. They must understand that I am no different. That I just have a crown sitting on my head and I am a human, like them.

I pass through the halls, glancing at the portraits of my dear ancestors. Flower vases sit on the corners and the marble walls are carved with perfection. The names of the brave warriors who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the kingdom shine on them. They are a constant reminder to me that I have to be the best and take care of the kingdom they left behind.

The memories of me and my brothers running through these halls pass through my mind and my heart yearns for their hugs and kisses. It's been a really long time since I last saw their faces and smiles. The comfort their words provided me was immense and our bond can never be broken.

I miss my father a lot, too. Being the daughter of the great King Orrin of the Rubies is intimidating for sure. But my father is the kindest person I have ever met. He has supported me throughout my journey through life and helped me accepted my faults. He is my pillar that I lean onto and my life's ambition is to make him proud of me. I love him dearly, and they way he spoils me, I am sure he does too a lot.

Big black doors stand in front of me. Beyond these doors are the twelve most important people of the entire kingdom and they all await for my arrival. I sigh, calming my nerves. I am not scared to walk through these doors - I have grown quite accustomed to the feeling of nervousness that flows through me when I step inside that room. And one day, I would have a throne in that room. One day, I would be the most important.

The Arminda open the doors for me, and I walk inside, my chin up and heart beating violently in my chest.

Let's do this.