"After 25 long years the war in New Asia is finally over," my father, King Maxon Shreave of Illea, said. I was sitting beside my mother in my "throne" which was really just a folding chair with pillows to make it look fancy. My family and I, the royals of Illea, were in the middle of the weekly Friday night Report where my father would tell the entire country the news of the week in an hour long televised show.
Dad's announcement was met by cheers and clapping from all over the studio. I did not know if I was supposed to smile or not, all of my actions were being studied and judged by all of the country, so I snuck a glance at my mother, America, and saw that there was just the hint of a smile on her lips. Due to my extensive royal training, which consisted mostly of the right way to smile, talk, walk and sit, I was successfully able to copy her smile.
Dad went on droning about the good things that would come out of winning the war, but I had trained my mind to tune out needless sounds and my mind wandered to other more important things. This included how I would sneak out tonight to be able to see Jack.
Jack and I had become friends at a young age. His father and mother were some of my parent's oldest and closest friends, Aspen and Lucy Ledger and, since we were the same age, we had always played together in the palace. I can remember when we were little having birthday parties together and throwing cake in each others faces while our parents scolded us and sneaking around the castle to play tricks on the guards who fell asleep while on duty and then getting scolded again. As I grew older though, my parents thought that I should get more friends who were "more suitable" for a princess and would not let me see Jack anymore. Well, being the rebellious daughter I was, Jack and I found ways to see each other without my parents knowing.
At first we would only sneak around after dark and go horseback riding in the forest around the palace or play tricks on the palace guards like we used to when we were kids, but everything changed on my 15th birthday. As I got older I started to realize just how handsome Jack was becoming. He had flowing brown hair that swept over his forehead and was always falling into his eyes, just begging to be brushed back. His eyes were the color of milk chocolate, and when I looked into them I felt like my heart was melting.
On my 15th birthday Jack left a note on my nightstand. It said "Meet me in the stables at twelve tonight. I have a birthday surprise for you." Later that night, I opened the doors to my balcony and looked for any way that I would be able to get down to the ground which was a problem because my room was three floors up. I looked around down at the walls of the palace. They are made of five by three white marble slabs that are held together by mortar which created gaps in between each of the stones. Well, I thought, at least I'm not afraid of heights.
I went back into my room and changed quickly into my riding clothes, wondering what my birthday surprise would be. I started my slow descent down the wall of the palace. It was scary at first but, as I got closer and closer to the bottom, I started to gain confidence and climbed faster, eager to see Jack.
When I finally reached the bottom, I was all but running to the stables. Usually Jack and I would meet at the door to the stable and saddle my horse, Star. We would take turns between jockeying the horse and being the one hanging on for dear life behind. But today, Jack wasn't there waiting for me. Instead there was a piece of paper wedged between the handles of the stable doors. It read "Sorry Mads, but I went early to get everything set up. I hope you're not too full from dinner. Take our usual route and you will find me by our tree. ~ Yours Truly, Jack." The note made me even more anxious to see Jack and I ran inside the stable to go saddle Star.
I did all the buckles on Star's saddle and was out the door in record time, and we tore across the palace yard before plunging into the forest. As I rode in farther though, it got harder and harder to see as the trees started getting thicker and I was forced to slow down to a trot. Finally I made it to the tree and I saw him.
He had dressed up on his best khaki slacks. The top couple buttons on his starched, white collared shirt were undone. When he saw me his face lit up like a kid's on Christmas, he ran out and caught me as I slid off Star's back. I squealed when he tickled the spot on my hip just below my ribs.
"Hey there beautiful," he whispered in my ear while I was trying to catch my breath. This did nothing to help me control my breathing. He smiled and started to carry me, still in his arms, toward the blanket which he had laid out beneath out tree. I turned to Star and said "Stay" and she dutifully sat down and started dozing, just like she had been trained to do.
I had realized that my feelings toward Jack were starting to change about two or three months ago, but I had no idea that he felt the same way… until now. He carried me over to the blanket and sat me down with such tenderness, it made me feel like I was the most precious thing in the world.
"Stay there," he said and he went over to the picnic basket that was on the other side of the blanket. When he came back to the blanket, he had a cupcake in his hand with pink frosting.
"I know it's not much, but it was all that I could do. I had to go into the kitchen and steal it."
He handed me the cupcake and I realized that the frosting on top wasn't solid pink. It had a red heart on top. I looked up at Jack and saw the same things I was feeling in that moment reflected in his eyes. Needless to say, we did not do much talking that night and Star ended up eating the cupcake before we could, but it was the best birthday present I have ever received.
Now almost 11 months later, the feelings I felt toward them hadn't changed one bit, they had only gotten stronger. We snuck out to see each other as much as possible. Even though sometimes it was only once or twice a week it was still extraordinary spending time with him, and when I wasn't with him, I was planning on when I could see him again.
Often times, my princess training stood in my way of seeing him. Everyday I had lessons with Silvia on etiquette in the morning from nine to twelve then, after a quick lunch break, I had lessons on the countries history. After that, I was forced to learn things I would need to know as the future queen of Illea, such as: how to pass laws, the laws that were already in place, military tactics, and so on. The list was endless. Then with the two short hours in before dinner, I would either have music lessons, horseback riding, or free time, which was not "free" because I usually spent it doing homework. All of these things were just obstacles that got in my way of seeing Jack. Just like these God awful Reports that I had to sit through every Friday night.
The Report dragged on for another half hour with Dad announcing various bills that were passed and new projects to help the lower castes. Most nights I was somewhat interested in what Dad was saying but tonight all I could think of was seeing Jack.
After the Report ended Dad came up and started talking to me about some new bill that was recently passed and since I wasn't listening during the Report, I had no idea what he was talking about.
"So Madi, do you think that the bill will help the orphans to get better education in the school systems that it will develop?"
Of course this was a test, what wasn't, and I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. My only option was to fudge my answer and to hope that I could play it off as a headache.
"Yes sir, the new school systems being introduced will undoubtedly give the orphans more chances for better education."
Thankfully my mother picked that moment to walk up, saving me from any further questions on this new bill.
"Will you be joining us in the Women's Room tonight sweetheart?" she asked. My mother was beautiful. She had long red wavy hair and bright green eyes. She was an amazing queen and I only hoped I could be as good as her one day. I got my eyes and curls from her, but I had Dad's blonde hair. As far as attitudes go though, I was defiantly my mother's child. My sharp temper and quick wit has gotten me in trouble so many times I can't even count.
"No I'm not feeling very well. I think I'm getting a headache, so I'm just going to go to bed, if that's okay." Well that's not entirely a lie considering I am going to my bedroom.
"Yes that's fine, sweetheart. Does anything hurt other than your head?" she said putting a hand on my forehead going into her overprotective mother mode. Not that she had any right to because most of the time she wasn't even around, but I guess I can't blame her she is helping to run a country after all.
I felt horrible lying to my parents, but it was necessary if I wanted to get away in the next century.
"Well, I'm feeling a little achy but other than that I feel fine. It's probably just a cold or something."
"Are you sure you shouldn't go to see Doctor Madeline-"
"No Mom," I quickly assured her, "I'm fine, just let me sleep it off."
"Okay Madison, Goodnight," she said with a quick kiss to my forehead, probably checking for fever knowing her.
"Night Daddy," I said giving my dad a hug before all but running out of the room and hurrying up the carpeted staircase.