I can hear the sound of the ocean waves soothing my aching nerves. The seagulls are chirping lightly as well, creating almost a harmonious song for me. The sun is bright today and the sand is as soft as the flour the family cook would use in baking. It's been so long since I've had such a relaxing day. I never want it to end.

"Lucy." The voice of my brother calls to me. His orange hair waving in the soft gentle breeze surrounding us. "Loke!" His smile almost combats the bright sun. I return it in kind and rush over to him, we embrace for a moment or two.

"I haven't seen you in so long! How long are you home for?"

"Just for 2 days I'm afraid."

"It's not fair! Can't the castle do without you a little longer?"

"I'm the captain of the royal guard. I doubt that."

My mouth forms a pout, forcing my almost non-existent lower lip out of hiding. He chuckles at my antics and runs his fingers through the knots in my hair. "How is it that you've already grown so much? Last I saw you, you were 12. Barely old enough to attend parties with the adults and now you're 18, old enough to marry some idiot noble who has some seriously bad breath. No doubt from all the shit he spews."

A gasp left my throat as I put a hand to my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. "You know if anyone hears you saying things like that they'll tell mother and then you'll be in some serious trouble!"

"They wouldn't dare! I'll arrest them before they can!"

"For what?!"

"I don't know..slander?"

"Don't abuse your position!"

Our laughter continued for a moment but unfortunately even the sunniest days can suddenly turn cloudy.

A gasp tore from my mouth as I awoke startled. Where was I?

The room I was in was decorated exquisitely. There were paintings all over the walls and the bed's frame took up nearly a quarter of the room. I had to wrestle the beds countless pillows and it's thick blankets just to escape from the comfortable prison. Once free, my feet came into contact with a beautiful purple rug that had mixtures of whites, pinks, and blues in it. The tassels at the end looked like they were made almost yesterday.

There were a few wardrobes and dozens of vanities and tables that decorated the room in almost a maze like gesture. I couldn't believe this was real. It couldn't be real. It was just too grand. It was as if someone had found a gorgeous room all on its own and then fed the room steroids to make it even grander. If that was possible…

"This isn't my room." My arms had goosebumps on them as I ran around the princess sized chamber. The walls were painted a pale white with bright pink diamond patterns over top. There were also light purple curtains on some of the walls so there must have been windows in the room as well not to mention the- no- was that- A BALCONY?!

This was most certainly not my room! It was like my parents took me on vacation to a castle in Klareista! But that would be impossible as Klareista was basically a fairytale kingdom from the past. It was lost many years ago after countless battles for its vast resources and its beautiful land.

I made my way over to the doors of the balcony and held my breath as I opened them. There, in front of me was the most beautiful view I had ever seen. My knees fell weak as I looked out at the scene before me. It was a garden but not just any garden. This was the king of all gardens to ever exist. There were tall oak trees surrounding the sides, a hedge maze that went on for miles on the outer edges, a sparkling crystal green house surrounded by all sorts of exotic flowers, and a fountain made of gold! What was this place, Heaven?!

"Oh shit, am I dead?" I covered my mouth quickly and looked around the room. Thankfully I was alone. I let out a relieved sigh before looking down at my state of dress. "Perhaps I should get ready for the day-" Then another thought creeped up to me, what if this was a dream? Well if it was a dream, I don't wanna wake up just yet. I haven't even gotten a chance to see all the outfits they had in store for me-not to mention the jewels!

I clapped my hands in excitement. Even if I was a noble in real life, who had beautiful gowns and pretty jewels, I couldn't help but want to be a princess sometimes. Call me spoiled or greedy but I just want a taste of how they live. Besides it was my dream and I was going to dream big!

I ran for one of the closets on the far side of the room, well at least I'll be skinny if this wasn't a dream. I let out a small laugh before opening the doors. I fall silent at the scene in front of me. There was a giant dress maze screaming at me to enter. "That's it, I'm never waking up again!"

I ran into the closest and started browsing before my hand paused on a lovely gown colored in a light purple and dazzled in silks and fine ruffles. It was off shoulder as well. I looked around feeling a bit risky before throwing my night clothes off and placing the gown on. I did my best at tying the back before twirling around in the dress. I felt like a child for the first time in ever!

That was until there was a knock at the door to the room I was in. "Shit!" I covered my mouth again for letting the slur escape before hiding among the dresses. I think I almost suffocated there as well because there was absolutely no room for me.

I heard the sounds of someone opening a door, followed by a call. "My Lady?" I held my breath as the door closed and the sound of heels echoed across the floor of this large room. I think she must've noticed the closet doors either opened or slightly skewed because before I knew it there were feet standing in front of my hiding spot. If I could call it that.

"Not to be rude My Lady but you do know you're hiding in a closet right?" Without missing a beat I jumped from my spot and leaned against the cluster of dresses behind me. I guess because there were so many of them, the dresses could actually hold my weight without me falling backwards back into them. I laughed awkwardly as I tried to explain myself. "H-Hiding?! D-don't be ridiculous, I-I was just...you know..and then I was...lost in thought...and…pretty flowers.." My rambling was cut off by a small laugh. It was now that I finally looked up at the girl standing in front of me.

She was beyond beautiful. She had gorgeous white hair and blue eyes that shimmered like diamonds. My face flushed at her beauty and from my embarrassment. I felt her hand in my hair for a moment before she removed what seemed to be a strand of my bed head that had fallen into my face. "My Lady, do you need help getting ready?" I gave a bashful nod as she led me out of the closet and to a lovely vanity near the opposite side of the room.

I guess she was afraid I'd try to hide in the closet again. How embarrassing. She must think I'm a child. I suddenly let out a gasp as the back of the dress suddenly tightened. I guess I'm wearing this today.

"I do apologise for laughing earlier, My Lady, you were just so cute!" That didn't help my bruised ego.

"Why do you keep calling me, My Lady?"

"Oh, do you prefer something different?"

"Lucy's fine." Here she gasped, with a shake of her head.

"Don't joke about things like that! I can get into a lot of trouble calling you without an honorific, My Lady."

"Okay...how about Lady Lucy. Is that better?"

She was hesitant for a moment but soon nodded. "Alright Lady Lucy..."

"You don't have to say it in every sentence. You make it sound like I'll forget my own name if you don't."

"Forgive my bluntness, My Lady, but you were hiding in a closet only a few moments ago. I'm afraid of much more than that."

I laughed alongside her now. Her laughter must be contagious...crap what's her name?! Seeming to understand my sudden silence she lightly giggled at my antics. "My name is Mira, My La- Lady Lucy."

"Thank you...Mira..how long have I been here?"

"Not long. You arrived last night with the other guests."

"Wait- So this is real?" She nodded in response. I winced as she finished brushing out my tangles, to which she gives a small sorry. "Why don't I remember last night?" Mira seemed hesitant for a moment before looking away from me.

"Mira?"

"I'm afraid you wouldn't like to know...Lady Lucy.." She then began to busy herself with styling my hair in probably a braid of sorts.

I stared at her for a moment. "Is it something bad? Have I been kidnapped?! Am I going to be sacrificed?-" I winced again as she suddenly pulled my hair in surprise. She gave another quick apology before responding.

"No My Lady! Nothing of the sort!" She looked hesitant again before whispering in my ear. "You were...rather drunk last night.." If my face wasn't red before it was now. "Oh no." I covered my face in shame before quietly asking. "Was I...you know…"

"Embarrassing My Lady?" I could only nod in response to her.

"Do you want me to be honest, Lady Lucy?" I bit my lip, of course I'd make a fool of myself the first chance I get. She placed a few flowers into my now braided hair.

"You weren't bad My Lady! Honest! Just..um…"

"You can tell me I can take it."

"Well you had an interest in the castle...as well as..colorful..word choices…."

I felt my head fall onto the vanity as I closed my eyes and wished this was a dream. But the pain in my forehead said otherwise. "Oh no, that's it. Let me die alone now."

"Don't be embarrassed My Lady! I'm sure no one even remembers!" She smiled lightly which gave me hope. Then she began my make up for the day. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

"Thank you for meeting with us early esteemed guests! I know for some of you it must've been hard especially with all of the headaches you must be experiencing right now!" There were a few chuckles around me as well as some whispers. I tried to squish into myself and pretend I was anywhere else.

Apparently all of the nobles in our kingdom had sent their daughters to the royal palace yesterday after an order from the King was sent out. They were looking for the future bride to his son, Crown Prince Natsu. However, this wasn't going to be a normal courting ceremony, no it was going to be a competition. First girl to win the heart of the prince quite literally wins the throne beside him.

The King's Prime Minister last night during dinner had explained the whole competition to us and by us I mean 12 different noble girls. Each of us had been hand selected for specific traits the King said the prince liked. He had given us a card which stated what the prince liked about us. We were allowed to keep it secret and use it to our advantage if we wanted to or not and let everyone know. He said it was up to us. Of course mine wasn't that good. The prince apparently liked my body and that was it.

To be honest I didn't even want to be here in the first place but here I was standing in front of a bunch of judgemental prissy girls who all just want to be queen and after last night they knew I wasn't much of a threat. Mira had said I must've gotten drunk because of how hurt I was to be only liked for my looks but to be honest I don't know the real reason. Maybe I just really liked the wine and couldn't stop drinking it.

Yeah that didn't sound right either.

I'm just embarrassed that it happened in general, I was always so careful in the past to only have one glass but it appears that I must've had one glass too many.

"Well, I'm sure you ladies must be ready to charm the prince so I'll give you a hint. He's somewhere in the royal gardens today. But I won't tell you for how long he'll be there for. You're dismissed." Almost immediately girls began to leave from the hall, some were faster than others. I looked around confused before feeling his majesty's eyes on me. Quickly giving a bow, I began to make my way out of the hall before his majesty's voice called out to me.

F my life.

"Lucy, was it my dear? Could you return for just a moment."

Turning around, I forced a smile, albeit an embarrassed one, onto my face. "Good morning Your Majesty." I politely curtsied to him which he in return waved off.

"My Prime Minister said you had a lot of fun last night."

"I'm so sorry Your Majesty- I'm so embarrassed! Please forgive me for such an indecent display-"

"That's quite alright my dear, I'd be excited too if given the news that you were given last night."

I nodded politely, unsure of what to say in return.

"But let's try to limit that kind of behavior in the future, yes?"

"Yes of course! Thank you Your Majesty!" I could tell my face was beginning to flush, so I bowed my head in front of him.

He chuckled lightly before raising my face to meet his eyes. "Welcome to the castle my dear. Please continue to bring light to it's dark halls. Just be more sober about it if you will." With that I smiled in return before taking a step back awkwardly.

"You're dismissed!" I gave another frantic nod before deepening my bow and turning and making my way rather quickly out of the throne room.

Ah yes, the beginning of a new story! I hope you all enjoyed! Stay Healthy!