I will always remember my 5th birthday. It was the biggest birthday party I ever had, Mami made me a white dress with gold embroidered butterflies and a ribbon in my hair. She made me stay up as late as possible the night before then had me sleep all day only waking up for meals. Then only 2 hours before the party did she wake me up, I had a small snack of milk, beef stew, and a roll of plain bread. Then once I had eaten she gave me a bath and got me dressed.
I always loved watching Mami get ready she was always so beautiful with her long curly hair that she pulled back into a long braid and wrapped it up in a bun and she wore a pale pink skirt and a redshirt.
I was too young to notice that every day she grew bags under her eyes or that she got paler, I actually thought it was normal since I did too, Mami and I were having problems staying awake at times, and sometimes when she coughed her napkin had red on it but I never thought anything of it since she was always smiling and telling me that she was ok. She had taken care with my hair making it look curly and nice even though I had been losing hair but not enough to be noticable. I coughed too at times but I never coughed red. As Mami got us ready she brushed face powder on our faces along with a light pink powder on our cheeks and then we weren't so pale and even looked livelier.
It wasn't until after the sun went down and then we waited about an hour when a knock on the door sounded letting us know that they were here for us.
The procession was a parade through town as everyone watched and waved, Mami held my hand as we were escorted out to a white horse that practically glowed in the night, we rode the horse through town towards the big castle that was the home of the Madrigal family. I was smiling largely in excitement at the thought of meeting him and this time I would remember him not like when I was born.
Mami helped me from the Horse as we arrived at the living house known as Casita I always loved looking at her from afar and I still couldn't help but stare at the colorful house that twiddled its tiles and shutters in excitement and I found myself waving
"Hola, Casita," I said happily as I waved at the huge colorful castle, it had multiple terraces, looking like different boxes stacked on top of each other each different colors, but the part that was most striking part was the tall tower that was at the back of the castle that molded into the mountain behind it the wall was white and green. Everyone knew it as The Emerald Tower because it was His Tower, the place where he lives, works, and spends each day serving the Encanto with his gift of prophecy.
"Okay, Mirabel," Mami said making me turn towards her from gazing at the tower. She knelt down to look at me in the eye and lightly brushing my hair with her fingers, careful not to make it frizzy as Papi came up with my step-mom Julietta both of them were smiling proudly.
"I need to go inside but I will be watching ok?" Mami said bringing me in for a kiss on the cheek.
"Ok Mami," I replied hugging her happily and with excitement.
"Be a good girl for your Papi and I will see you after the ceremony." She said giving me one last hug with a kiss on my forehead. I watched her enter Casita with Julietta and I looked up at Papi who was smiling down at me with pride.
"Are you ready for this Mirabel?" He asked me as he held out his hand.
"Yes," I answered setting my small hand in his.
I was in awe as I took in all I could since this was my first time being in Casita. We waited behind a set of curtains made entirely from flowers as I listened to Abuela Madrigal tell the story.
"It has been 250 years since we came here and we were given our Miracle, and to this day La Familia Madrigal has served, ruled, and protected this beloved community as it has grown from a small town to a large village and tonight we come together once again as another steps into the darkness and help grow our family blessings." She relayed instantly making the curtains part with the roar of the crowd, I looked around excitedly as Papi began walking me down the aisle the people all calmed and just watched excitedly but then it seemed like time slowed down as I looked up at the balcony where Abuela Madrigal stood in front of an altar with candles, but what I saw that made me mesmerized was who was standing next to her and I instantly knew that it was him.
His striking green eyes were easily seen as he stared at me, he wore shiny black shoes, dark green pants with gold pinstripes, a matching dark green vest with gold pinstripes, on top of a light brown dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he had a long face with a very short beard and his black curly hair pulled back. He watched me come closer and he smiled making my heart flutter with happiness because I had never seen such a handsome man.
Papi lead me up the steps and all I could do was stare at him as he looked down at me.
"Who sacrifices this child to The Emerald Prince?" I heard making me turn to see Alma Madrigal looking at Papi with a proud smile.
"Her mother and I do, for the safety of our home and the Encanto. We give our child to The Emerald Prince for his nourishment and to expand his Family The Madrigals to continue to protect us, lead us, and serve us." Papi recited happily.
"Do you understand that after performing this ancient rite of promise, your daughter will be changed forever?" She recited
"I do," Papi replied.
"She will never be just your daughter but she will forever belong to The Emerald Prince and The Encanto?" Alma said still smiling as I just watched curiously and occasionally looking at him memorizing every feature so that I would never forget him.
"I freely give my daughter to The Madrigal family to help build our future," Papi said finally. Alma nodded and looked to The Emerald prince then Papi released me and I couldn't help but giggle happily as my Prince knelt down and his hands were big but comforting as he reached under my arms and lifted me he smiled at me the whole time before bringing me closer and cuddling me to his chest, he held his arm under me letting me sit on it as I giggled and rubbed my face into his chest, he was warm and smelled like Colombian Rose. I heard him chuckle deeply making his chest vibrate and it was music to my ears.
"Prince Bruno Madrigal," Alma said and I watched him look to her and that name played over and over in my head so that was his name, I leaned back and stared up at him making him look at me with a smile behind his big nose that I couldn't help but grasp his cheeks and press a kiss to it making him laugh again before he held my head and pressed a kiss to my forehead making me tingle with joy and excitement. He looked back up at his mother who smiled at us and I noticed that Papi had gone back down the steps to stand next to Mama Juli and Mami and they all watched proudly.
"Do you take this child for your needs whatever they may be to aid in your protection and leadership over the Encanto?" Alma asked him making him reply in that voice that I will never forget.
"I do," His voice made his chest vibrate which made me feel so at home in his embrace.
"Do you promise to take care of this child for the rest of her days until the time comes you take her life?" Alma said.
"I promise that she will never want for anything, she will never get sick, she will never be hungry or thirsty. She will always be safe and protected. I make this promise to not only her parents but also to her and the entire Encanto that I take this child as my sacrifice and will use her life to serve my family and the Encanto." He said officially as I cuddled into him letting his voice soothe any worries and fears that I ever had.
"Then place your sacrifice on the altar," Alma said and I looked at the altar as my Prince stepped over to the ornate table and he smiled at me as he carefully set me down on the altar, it had tall lit candles on it but they were well out of the way, I sat down on a dark red ornate pillow and he looked down at me with that same smile. I faced the crowd and waited while smiling.
"Now seal the bond, my son," Alma said and I watched as my Prince took my arm closest to him.
When I got older I always thought about how much I wish I could go back and stop him before he sealed my fate and coursing my life down the path that Iw ish I could change that all started on this day. The fairy tale was a lie, Bruno lied, Alma lied, Papi lied, they all lied to me made me think that he would love me and I would be a Princess. But I am not and I can't change the past.
I will never forget how he leaned down towards me I looked to my side as his head was right next to mine while smiling at me as he removed my shirt from my shoulder and I felt his hot breath over my skin, but then I heard a loud hiss in my ear and I saw a green glow making me look back at him to see his mouth wide open showing off 8 long sharp teeth while his eyes glowed green. My smile had fallen before he bit down into my shoulder. I screamed in fear and pain as he wrapped his arm around me holding my arms to my side as I felt him sucking from me, I had fought and screamed but my strength failed me and I got cold as I felt a liquid being pulled from me and right into his mouth. After maybe a minute or 2, I was too tired to fight and I went limp in his grasp as everyone celebrated I looked at my mom who smiled apologetically at me.
He removed his mouth from me and suddenly I felt too cold, he cradled me giving me understanding eyes that still glowed green while he had a red drip going down his chin. He held me to him once again as I felt myself falling asleep. I started crying feeling betrayed by everyone but then when he held out his hand to his mother and she proceeded to take a jeweled knife and I got even more scared before she sliced his palm letting more red liquid form and then she held up a thin tube that was about as long as her hand. My Prince tightened his hand and let a line of the red liquid drip into the tube and fill it up. Then Princess Pepa came up to clean his hand and show the cut was healed, once his hand was clean he took the tube but I couldn't fight as he leaned over me with stern but gentle glowing green eyes and a flat mouth before bringing the tube to my mouth.
"Mami?" I cried out fearfully but still tired as I felt the warm thick red liquid flow into my mouth and down my throat.
"Drink it all Mi Mariposita." He cooed at me and I couldn't fight at all as I swallowed the entire tube. Suddenly I felt the most comforting heat flow through my body, I barely noticed him laying me down on the altar, I felt rolling tingles throughout my system going into every muscle, every fingernail, and every strand of hair. I wasn't sure how long I fell asleep but when I did I was surrounded by Alma, Bruno, Mami, Papi, Mama Juli, and my 2 sisters that I hadn't interacted with much.
I sat up feeling more strength and energy than I ever had before. My hair fell in my face and I saw that it was fuller and had more luster and shine than before.
"How are you feeling Mirabel?" Mami asked as she helped me to stand.
"What was that?" I asked wanting to cry in fear again.
"That was your bond with the Prince. You are his bride now, and when you get old enough he will take you as his wife." Mami said picking me up to hold me and I hugged her.
Though I still didn't know what happened exactly but deep down I felt a sense of peace.
"One final thing." I heard his voice say and we all turned as he approached Mami and me, the crowd all watched as he held up a small jar of sand taking his finger to his mouth he used one of his sharp teeth to bite his finger letting more red liquid bubble and he dripped one onto the sand. Suddenly the sand began to shake and I was mesmerized as he waved his hand and the sand billowed in the air almost as if it was dancing, his hand glowed green along with his eyes moving his hands to make the sand dance before making it spin and twirl together. I was in awe as I watched that sand turn into a thin faceted emerald that was about the size of a rosebud. The emerald dropped into an amulet he held and the new jewel fit perfectly into the silver casting that had diamonds decorating the rim that was on a silver chain that had small green beads spread out inch by inch.
"This is for you Mariposita, you are to never take it off," Bruno said carefully wrapping the chain around my neck and snapping it together making the jewel sit on my chest nicely.
"It will keep us connected, if you are ever in trouble I will know and come to help you as quick as I can." He said before pressing a kiss to my forehead with his clean face.
"Gracias Mi Principe," I replied reaching my arms out for him to take me from my Mami and hug me with a smile, my heart and mind were flooded with love for this man.
All because of a lie.
