DISCLAIMER: If I owned Final Fantasy IX it'd be recreated for the PS3 with voice acting AND have a sequel by now.
16 years later in Alexandria...
I awakened from a peaceful dreamless sleep in my warm and comfortable satin bed. I sit up and stretch. I am very satisfied with my night's rest. I look over at the grandfather clock to see what the time of day is. It says seven-o-clock. I am relieved. I do not know how many times my mother scolds me for sleeping until the late morning. 'Princesses never sleep in later than ten-o-clock in the morning,' she always says. But my internal alarm clock would always ignore her; waking up at eleven or even eleven thirty. I look around around my chamber through my canopy. The only window is to the left right next to my bed in the middle of the room, I always open it to let some air in. Not only that, but I have a great view of the Alexandrian Harbor and certain parts of my kingdom of Alexandria.
I love watching people wander about and watching children play. It is good to know that my subjects are happy. My deepest secret is that I have always wondered what it is like to be one of my subjects... What it is like to wander free and take a break from my duties--just for a day or two. I know my duties are important but it would be nice to have a break from my etiquette lessons, calligraphy lessons, history lessons, and everything else. I just want a day where I do nothing but relax and not read. I do not enjoy reading that much. I only read plays willingly, I read everything else by force. Not to mention, my life is very dull most of the time.
Near the door and my bed is a little wooden table and four matching wooden chairs. Under them is an elegant pink rug with pink roses on it. I look further to my left and see my master restroom and my huge closet filled with royal gowns, shoes, capes, jewelry, and my silver crown. The only piece of jewelry that is not in there is my Pendent. I never put my Royal Pendent anywhere but around my neck. I look down at it and hold it in my hand. It looks like a Falcon's Claw because of the shape. But the shape is slightly different than the real Falcon's Claw, which belongs to the regent of the neighboring regency of Lindblum. His name is Cid--Regent Cid Fabool IX, but I call him Uncle Cid because he was my late father's best friend. When my father died two years ago he left the kingdom to my mother, Queen Brahne.
I look up. The tan walls are fading and the wooden floors are a little scuffed up. I shall ask my servants to take care of that later because I want to tell them before my mother finds out. She can be harsh at times. Lately she's been acting strange. I subconsiously gripped my Pendent. I do not know what is wrong with her. Maybe she is still sad over Father's death? About a year after he died--which was about a year ago--I saw a strange man with her... And ever since then she has been acting very arrogant, selfish...hostile... It makes me worry. I need a break from her. It pains me a little. She had always been so kind, but now...
I hear my door open and I look to see that one of my maids Eva, entered my chamber. Her short red hair bounces as her petite figure walks closer to me. I let go of my Pendent.
"Oh!" she gasped. "You're awake! That's good to see." She walks over to my bed and pulls my canopy open. "By the way, Princess, happy birthday! So how does it feel to turn sixteen today?"
"Well, it doesn't feel any different... But I'm excited nonetheless," I answered.
Today is my sixteenth birthday. I am to get extra special treatment and tonight an acting troupe from Lindblum called Tantalus will be performing my favorite play 'I Want To Be Your Canary' in honor of my birthday. Nobles will be there and since peasants cannot afford a ticket to the play I believe a lot will watch from the rooftops even though they are not permitted to do so. I wonder what it's like to sit so high up there.
"So, Princess Garnet, is there anything I can do for you?" Eva said, interupting my thoughts. "Could I help you dress for the day? Maybe make you some breakfast? Or perhaps make your bed?" Eva also acts as my lady-in-waiting. Oh Eva, always willing to do something for me.
"Nothing at the moment, Eva. You are free to leave," I answer. "I think I may lay here for a little while longer. Could you see to it that no one disturbs me for a while?"
She looked at me with surprise. "Um, of course, Princess." And then she walked out of the room and shut the door in a daze.
I usually get everything I want. It is nice to see I am loved. But it can get annoying at times. Even though I just told Eva I was going to lay here a little longer, I might as well get up. I slowly get up and walk to my closet with my white nightgown fluttering behind me. I open the doors and there they are: all of my clothes and accessories in every color imaginable. It looks like a rainbow with all the different colors. I see what I want to wear until the play so I grabbed my silver high-heels, my silver crown, and a short-sleeved shin-length baby blue dress. The dress looks pretty but I don't really like how it fits me. I fell asleep in my corset so I'm still wearing it, that saves me the trouble of finding Eva to help me get it on. I walk into my master restroom to change my clothes.
.........................................................................................................
"HURRY UP!" Madame Eclair shouted. "I DON'T PAY YOU TO BE A SNAIL!"
I hurry my way into the dress shop from my room with the seven new dresses it took literally all night for me to sew. Today is my sixteenth birthday but I'm not making a huge deal over it. Nothing special's gonna happen. It's just another typical day. "Um, Madame Eclair? You don't pay me at all," I point out.
"THAT'S EXACTLY MY POINT! YOU'RE TOO SLOW, HORN!" she lashed back.
Her short gray hair looks even grayer as she's yelling at me. Today she is wearing a huge light blue beret with a huge dark red bow on the top and her dress is the same shade of blue as her hat and another huge dark red bow is on her left waist. The dress is a little too tight on her--she's not the thinnest woman around--and it goes to the top of her knees. Her shoes are the same color as those stupid bows. She wears the ugliest things, I swear... But I have to make her exactly what she wants or she'll throw a fit.
She calls me 'Horn' because of my horn on the top of my forehead. I hate that so-called name but I decide not to argue with her. The last time I did she didn't allow me to eat for two days. I don't get that much food to begin with but I still need my food. I guess I should be grateful that I'm not living on the streets anymore but it's so hard to be grateful when this tramp yells at me all the time.
She is the owner of 'Madame Eclair's Dress Shop,' and she wants it to be the most famous dress shop in Alexandria. It's just a simple little three-room structure. It consists of the main shop, Madame's nice little bedroom, and my room. My room is so small it could be a walk-in closet but all it really is is just a small rotted room with a very firm mattress, a tiny blanket, and of course my fabric and sewing equipment. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have a roof over my head. But Madame only took me in because she didn't want to do everything herself. She still doesn't. The only thing she does is manage the money and get food for me once in a blue moon while I sew and clean. Originally when she hired me I told her all I require is shelter and food. But she later realized that I have nowhere to go so I can't run away. Even if I did, how would I find work, a place to live, and food?
She's very picky and it doesn't matter if I make one little mistake or if I do everything as I'm told, she yells at me constantly. I honestly don't like to displease her, it makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong and how I can improve. Or maybe she's just yelling for the heck of it. I never complain and I never get out of line--for the most part--but no matter what I do I'm always getting criticized. She obviously doesn't appreciate me but I don't really care. I don't need appreciation because I've never had it. I've been alone ever since I can remember. I'm too scared to confront her about almost anything so I usually stay quiet to avoid any cruel and unusual punishments. It's not like she'd care about what I have to say--unless it's money related.
I make all these beautiful dresses and I can't even make one for myself. I just wear a simple long-sleeved yellow dress with simple yellow dress shoes. It's not that I don't like it because I do... It's just I've always wanted to wear something elegant. Although I'm not sure it would suit me. I'm too thin and my long straight black hair drapes over my back and ends with splits. I don't even think I've ever even had a haircut.
I start to put the first dress on a mannequin without saying a single word. Then I notice a woman coming in. Not just any woman--a Noble from Treno! Her dirty blonde hair is done in a complex bun and she was wearing a huge light blue sunhat with a huge dark blue feather on top. Her dress is the same shade of blue as her hat and she is wearing a dark blue fur coat with black dress shoes. And how can I forget her black gloves, her diamond necklace, and her dangly diamond earrings? How elegant! I'm so excited! I've never seen a Noble this close to me before! I watch to see what Madame Eclair does.
She doesn't freak out and just runs over to her and exclaims "Welcome to Madame Eclair's Dress Shop! I am Madame Eclair."
Then she bows so low that her behind is sticking way too high up. Normally I would've ignored it but this is different. A Noble was here and she's bowing like that, how informal. I can't help but chuckle a bit. Luckily she doesn't hear me and keeps talking to the Noble.
"All the dresses here are custom made by me. So if you need any help finding a dress, please ask me and not... anyone else in the shop."
My excitement faded. What? I made all of these dresses! Is this what she's been telling her customers all this time? She takes all the credit? I'm bewildered even though I probably should've seen this coming.
The Noble smiled with approval and said "Thank you. I just might."
I run over to where they are and... Well I have to say something!
"What are you saying, Madame? I made all these dresses! Is this what you've been telling everyone? That you made them?" I'm not yelling but my voice is raised pretty high. I'm not a yeller.
Madame looks furious as she's turning to face me but the Noble doesn't notice. "What are you talking about?" she says with a fake laugh. "Of course I made all these dresses!" Then she turns to the Noble. "I'm so sorry, ma'am! This girl, I'm afraid, is not right in the head, She always thinks she made them whem all I have her do is put them on display. Please ignore her." Then Madame fake-laughed again.
I can't believe what I'm hearing. Anger is boiling up inside me. After all these years of dealing with her... I have to say something!
"No!" I tell the Noble. I point at Madame. "She's lying! I made them all!" Then me and Madame start fighting and try to persuade the Noble who's right. The Noble just walks out of the shop with her nose high in the air.
Uh-oh.
Madame then grabs my arms and shouts "COME WITH ME!" She pulls me into my room in the far-left corner of the shop. She throws me against the wall, grabs a broomstick and starts beating me like there's no tomorrow.
"YOU FILTHY VERMON! YOU MADE THE NOBLE WALK OUT! THIS SHOP WOULD'VE BECOME THE MOST POPULAR DRESS SHOP IN ALEXANDRIA IF THAT NOBLE LIKED IT! BUT LOOK WHAT YOU DID!" Head, hip, side, leg. She's hitting anywhere. Each blow feels like a gunshot. She starts beating me harder to the point where I start to moan and choke. One final blow sends me straight to the ground. I can't move at all. My sides, my back, and my head are all aching even worse now. I haven't fully recovered from the last time.
"That'll teach you," Madame said with a smile. She slams the door and says she's leaving for a while and that I should mind the shop.
I have to admit I'm shocked. Literally. That was too much, even for her. I never thought she'd go this far. Sure she's beaten me before but somehow this is filled with more physical pain. I figure there are even more bruises now. It wouldn't surprise me if some bruises resurfaced. Ugh, I can't believe I'm not mentally ill from everything in my life.
I look at a nearby clock that's nailed to the wall. Seven-thirty. I must've been laying on the floor for about twenty minutes. I slowly get up and start to limp back to the shop, ignoring my pulsing head and other achy parts of my body. If I didn't get up I'd be in for it even worse later. I guess I should be happy that no bones are broken. At least I'm not bleeding this time. Although I probably wouldn't mind going unconcious for a little while.
I open the door and I'm amazed to find that she trashed the place. There's dirt all over the ground and a lot of dresses got knocked over on the dirt. So she wasn't satisfied with hitting, huh? How did I not hear her make this mess? I sigh and get the broom she beat me with and start sweeping the dirt. It hurts to stand but I do it anyway. I'll do whatever it takes to avoid another beating.
My eyes start to feel strange and I don't even know why. I stop and wipe them. Then a tear trickles down my cheek and another right behind it then all of a sudden it's as if my eyes are waterfalls. I bottle up the useless cry, ignore the pointless tears, and keep sweeping the mess without wiping them away.
Author's Note: *Yawn* I'm tired. And kinda sick. Fun. Hmmm... was this too long? To express how I feel about this chapter I shall use a quote from Glee: "Oh hey, buddy. I thought I smelled failure." Haha I know this chapter's kinda slow... I know in the beginning you pretty much already know most of it... But oh well! I promise things will pick up by the next chapter! Oh and every time I read the lines "I do not know how many times my mother scolds me for sleeping until the late morning. 'Princesses never sleep in later than ten-o-clock in the morning,' she always says. But my internal alarm clock would always ignore her; waking up at eleven or even eleven thirty." I always think sarcastically: "OOOOOO! YOU'RE A REBEL! BAD PRINCESS! BAD!" lol.