The Life of a Princess

My fairy tale life has always been my nightmare.

On the outside, I suppose my life looks radiant and full of possibility, however it's underlining shows my truly dark and deformed existence.

A princess, whose family has been ruling for hundreds of years and with more wealth and jewels than anyone could want. In the books I have read the princess is always depicted as a beautiful and free spirit, however that couldn't be more further from the truth in my case.

My heels grace along the stone hallway floor, stopping every few minutes to look at the paintings that hang perfectly on the walls. Family portraits dating back centuries telling me my heritage. The longer I walk in the silent hall the closer to the present I get according to the images.

After a short time the room I've been summoned to appears around the corner. Stopping shortly outside the thick wooden doors I turn left and see the portrait I never forget. A couple holding in their arms a little baby girl with glorious golden hair and large brown eyes. The couple look at her lovingly, warm smiles etched onto their faces.

My eyes drop from the image and fall on the title of the work at the bottom of the frame.

King Jude and Queen Layla Heartfilia with Princess Lucy Heartfilia.

That was only painted a few years before my mother Layla passed away. That painting is the only evidence that I have of my mother, and the only thing that ever told me of my fathers happiness before she passed.

Speaking of my father I turn back to the doors remembering my business of being here in the first place.

One step.

Two steps towards the door and I couldn't be closer to the wood.

'Stop procrastinating Lucy, the longer you do the more likely you'll be punished.' I think to myself.

Mustering up my courage I raise my right hand and gently knock on the door. Hearing a grunt from the other side as my signal for entrance, I slowly open the barrier between me and the beast of my fairy tale – my father.

He doesn't acknowledge my presents in his large office until I am stood closer to the desk and make myself known.

"Father, you wished to speak with me." I hesitate only slightly when he looks up from the various documents that had otherwise held his attention, before I glance at down in a sign of respect or submission. Either one.

"Yes, I wanted to discuss the future. Meaning your future husband." He says calmly looking back at the documents.

I was utterly shocked. I knew that I would have no choice in the matter but I had always dreamed that I would have a prince rescue and take me away from this castle before I was paired with one of the snobby, wicked princes that I had met at rare parties and events that invited neighboring royalty.

Every night, whenever I would see the first star peak its way into the night sky I would wish that my love of my life would appear and take me from this place. I dreamt of that for so many years as I grew older. When I began reading more and more I would often put myself in the shoes of the princess who needed rescuing. That dream was sometimes even the reason that I woke up in the morning and studied how to behave like a lady for my soul mate. And now I had no chance of that becoming reality?

"W-What?" I asked in a small voice. Probably not my wisest move to question my father but that didn't stop me.

I could've handled if my father was going to yell at me for poor behavior or grades, which are the only reasons he would ever summon me to his study, but having the only dream that I had clung to for years suddenly ripped away from me was too much to handle. I couldn't seem to hold my tongue even if I wanted to.

"You're marring me off to a complete stranger? You don't care about my wants or dreams. Father all I want is to marry the one I love! Is that too much to ask? That's been my dream since forever!" My eyes widen as the words tumbled from my mouth and formed sentences that could easily have me going without supper tonight or much worst.

He raised his eyebrows only slightly at my outburst.

"Lucy, I think it would be best if you think about your next few words. You have no choice in the matter and my word will forever remain absolute." He gestured to the paper in front of him.

"There are many men who want to marry you Lucy. Some richer than others, some with larger army's than others and some with far more resources than others. With all these choices the kingdom could have great benefits from you marrying one of these men."

The want to protest must have registered on my face as my father stood slowly from his seated position uttering his words with venom and meaning.

"Don't forget, Daughter, my world is absolute. My. Power. Is. Absolute. Hell, if I wanted too I could have you marry a chimp and no one would question it! Don't forget your place of princess of this Kingdom. All your good for is to be married and produce an heir for whichever royal family I choose for you."

At those words I feel the way I've always felt – abandoned and used. In my fathers eyes I am nothing more than a tool to gain him power and wealth.

"But what about my fairy tale that I've always dreamed of?" Pathetically I ask the man before me with a small whimper in my voice.

"Fairy Tales do not exist in real life Lucy! The sooner you learn that the better. Because of this you are not aloud to read anymore of those stupid book putting false lies in your tiny little brain. You need to learn the difference between reality and fiction you stupid girl, now get out and think about your insolence!" Father bellowed out.

My eyes filled with unshed tears as I briskly waked out of the hollow room. I had over heard from the servants that the castle had once been beautiful and full of life and love. However I find that hard to believe when the man who runs this very castle is like its stonewalls and floors, cold and void of any emotion.

Before I know where my feet have taken me I am in front of the large double doors of the library. Reaching out with my right hand I touch the cold golden knob with my fingertips slowly placing my whole palm over the round doorknob.

Before I can twist it and be welcomed by the silent, musky library that holds my fictional friends that live in stories a guard comes up towards me and gently holds my elbow drawing me from my thoughts.

"I am sorry Princess, however we have been given word from your father that you are not permitted to enter the library. We have also been asked to clear any books that aren't for study from your room."

I look down remembering my fathers words from just a few minutes ago when he 'band' me from reading any more books.

I sadly nodded and turned in the direction of my room. Slowly I made my way through another long stone hall that lead off to a series of unused rooms. This floor was practically a ghost town, I often feared leaving my room at night incase of monsters hiding in the shadows on the silent floor, however I have now grown accustomed to the loneliness of this part of the castle.

I suppose that if my mother hadn't died that this floor would be filled with brothers and sisters. I often think to myself that if she were still alive that we could have all been a big, loving family.

Arriving at my room I see that my door is open, two servants are picking up my books that are kept in a pile near my study desk by the window.

'He was serious when he said that I couldn't read, huh.'

I felt sad watching the piles of books be hauled out of my room, without them it seemed empty and spacious. It was silly however I felt as if those characters, fictional as they may be, were my friends who I understood and could relate too.

The final servant left the room looking back at me with pity in his eyes as he shut the door. With a click that's when everything that had happened today came crashing down onto me.

I felt myself shed the large, frilly dress that I wore to meet with my father and climb sloppily into my nightclothes. My vision was blurred with tears as I crawled into my bed amongst the many blankets and pillows. I buried my head between the pillows as I cried for myself.

My hand touched a hard object under a pillow; carefully pulling it out I saw it was my mothers' copy of her favorite book – the Beauty and the Beast. I had been reading it last night and guess I fell asleep with it, however that may now be a blessing as this very well could be the final fairy tale I ever get my hands on.

I don't remember much about my mother, except she would always read this book to me. Before she died she had given me this book, telling me that it reminded her of her fairy tale. She had thought of my father as a Beast whom she changed when she met him, she hadn't even been a proper lady yet she managed to marry him and was well respected by the citizens of the Kingdom.

'To me mother he will always be a beast.'

I clutch the book to my chest as I close my eyes wanting this horrid day to be over.

Today not only was I had my dream of freedom ripped when I was told that I would be married off in the near future to a stranger. Then to further my 'punishment' my father took my books – my friends from me within a matter of minutes.

This is the wonderful life of the Princess Lucy Heartfilia.

A/N

Just a quick Thank You for reading, let me know what you think and it will be a big help.

Thanks Jamie x