Riley

When I was a kid, I used to believe in fairytales. I used to believe that the world was fair and just, that the good would prevail, and that there would always be a happily ever after. Now that I'm older, I know that's a lie. The world can often be a cold, cruel, and unforgiving place. Heroes don't always receive the glory that they deserve for their bravery, and, sometimes, the monsters in the closet are the demons that we're all secretly battling in our minds.

I was late. Again.

My father, king Janus, was currently traveling on business to the sand kingdom of Windsorhowl, and my mother, queen Olivia, was running the affairs of Valdor until he returned. I was seriously hoping that nobody would realize that I showed up late for my shift at the Timecrest merchant's shop for the third time this week. Even though my sister and I were royalty, we still had to complete various internships during school hours in order to graduate, and to become productive members of society. Sure, I was a bit naïve and everything, but even I knew that this was all for show. I practically had the world at my fingertips, and though I hated to admit it, even to myself, I was privileged in many ways that others were, or ever would be. This was supposedly to build trust and a sense of camaraderie with the common people of Alyncia, but this was a glorified lie, and everyone knew it.

"You're late, my Princess." said the merchant.

"I know. I'm sorry. Terribly sorry. I was helping Ash to find Morty," I said, letting out an awkward little laugh. "He thought it was a good idea to play hide and seek in my mom's flower garden. Again."

I shook my head before I said anything else. I had a nasty little habit of babbling whenever I was nervous, and I was definitely nervous at this moment. To be honest, the merchant kind of scared me. He was a bunarf. I wasn't entirely sure of his age, but I thought it was pretty disgusting that he was trying to hit on a teenager, for crying out loud. He was constantly giving me compliments, attempting to smell my hair, and coming up with creative ways to touch my arm, or to put his hand on my shoulder. Currently, he was reaching up to rest his hand on my arm. I quickly stepped away, pretending to adjust some Dragonberry Elixirs from toppling to the floor. I could totally see the hurt in his eyes, but I didn't care. I was so over people trying to use me for their own sick twisted games. This year, I was going to start fresh. I was going to be selfish and put me first, as much as I was able to.

Riley Valdor was about to reinvent herself, and she was going to be selfish. Totally, massively, unflinchingly, devilishly, and daringly, selfish selfish, selfish, selfish. Selfish without a care in the world, selfish without remorse, regret, or apology.

Right now, though, I had customers to attend to.

Angel, no? He's the devil in disguise, rebel, the devil, a manipulator in disguise . I am a carrier, a warrior, tremble on your knees. I'm the monster in your dreams.

The radio was currently blasting Lilia Mason's latest single, monster, and I was singing along. I was shimmying my shoulders while my long brown hair swished around me. I loved her. Like, I, literally, loved her. She was my idol. I was quite possibly the biggest fan in the country. I mean, she was literally perfect, or, at least, she gave off the illusion that she was perfect. I bet girls like her never had a bad hair day, or ever wondered if people actually liked them. Unlike me, of course. I was totally awkward. Like, seriously, what must it be like to have all that confidence at your disposal? I was a princess, but I was struggling. For the most part, I was a regular teenager, but ever since I started attending public school four years ago, there were still students who were determined to put my mistakes on display for the world to see, especially if money was involved. The tabloids were completely ruthless after all.

"I can't believe you still listen to this crap," came a voice from behind me. "She's so fake. Then again, maybe that's why girls like you actually like her. You're all the same, honestly."

I froze.

I knew that voice. I totally wish I didn't know that voice. We were close. At one point. Not anymore. Never again.

Conner Stone.

"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here," I said. I resisted the urge to cross my arms over my chest. I was secretly trembling inside, but I was done cowering over this fool. He had taken too much from me already, and I wasn't going to put up with it anymore. After the incident last year, and months of working with an empath to regulate my emotions, I was never going to be that broken girl again. Not for him. Not for anybody. No, no, no. Never again.

He stepped around me and turned the music down to a moderate level where we could actually have a conversation without yelling to each other.

"You forgot your lunch, again," he said, tossing me a brown paper sack. "The cook was on her way out of the palace when I saw her, so I told her that I would deliver it to you. The gentleman that I am, you know." he finished with an annoying little smirk on his face. I really wanted to slap that smirk off his face. I hated him. I hated his stupid, stupid smug face. And I totally hated myself for hating him.

I hated the fact that he could still evoke such strong emotions in me even now. Even after everything. Dang it, I was not going to cry.

Not . . . gonna . . . cry!

Get it together, Riley. I silently scolded myself. Keep it classy, princess. You are so much better than this idiot.

"thanks, I guess," I muttered savagely. "You can leave now." I pointed to the door, flipping the sign to close, in case he totally didn't get the message.

Conner opened his dirty little mouth to say something.

I cut him off before he could get his words out. I didn't want to lose it. If he did, I would totally slap him for sure. Today was my last day in this dump, and I needed a good recommendation from my employer in order to be eligible for another job placement. I was massively sick and tired of rude customers who constantly chewed me out when the mail Muffies were late delivering their specialized orders, or the ones who threatened to harm me when their goods were damaged, and they had to wait for a replacement from the company.

I never wanted a guard to shadow me. I was able to fly, and I also had an emergency panic button if I ever felt as if I was in danger. That was a last resort for me. I was never going to let anyone push me back into the palace like a scared little rabbit who was always afraid of breathing wrong. I deserved to be a part of this beautiful world, not hidden away like some priceless porcelain doll who was constantly afraid of her own shadow.

Conner cleared his throat loudly, and shifted from foot to foot.

"Listen, Riles, i'm sorry about what happened between us last year. I didn't know how much my actions that night were going to hurt you. If I could, I would take it back in a heartbeat. If I had known, I would have done things differently, I promise. Seriously, it was a joke. I was just messing around with you. I was kidding. You're always so serious about everything. You really need to lighten up, ya feel me? If you laugh more, you live more."

Was he seriously for real right now? He wasn't sorry for his actions. Like, at all. He was only sorry that he got caught. I rolled my eyes.

Real cool, Conner.

I didn't answer. I simply walked into my boss's office, collected my recommendation and my paycheck, along with a chocolate pie that he gave me for my outstanding service, politely shook his hand, and left. It was time for a change. I was done with this place. Done, done, done.

I could hear Conner's footsteps behind me, but I would never give him the satisfaction of turning around for him to see my face. He could talk to my back for all I cared. I was going home to refill my milk feeder for the muffies in the palace. They were gentle creatures. They didn't deserve to be slaves to the people of Alyncia. According to my father, though, they were citizens in the land, and they needed to work to earn their keep, just like everyone else did. Yay for capitalism, I guess.

When I was ten, I had the royal architects construct a drinking fountain in the courtyard of the palace for the muffies. The MuffieMail Drone featured a sleek, bioluminescent design that merged organic and technological elements that mirrored the appearance of the Muffies themselves. Its lightweight yet durable exoskeleton provided protection during atmospheric flight. These drones also had specially designed compartments called Muffie Aviaries, where the Muffies could rest on their journeys. They were climate-controlled and equipped with automated food dispensers and comfortable resting areas. The muffies were the core of the drone's mail delivery system. They navigated using natural instincts and GPS-like technology embedded in their harnesses.

My father insured that they had the best of everything in order to provide an exceptional delivery service for the customers. As a treat, I took it up on myself to purchase sapphire dwarfgon milk for the muffies. For me, this was freedom. For me, this was independence. I was able to spend my money the way I wanted to, and it was beyond rewarding watching their cute little faces as they pranced happily around the fountain. Honestly, it made the palace feel more inviting. Not so cold, not so harsh, and sterile.

Lost in thought, I jumped when Conner touched my shoulder. "Get your hands off me," I snarled. "Stay away from me, Conner. I hope you get eaten by a chomperjocky!"

I was shocked. He was shocked. I didn't know that I was capable of being so vicious.

Before I could blink, he grabbed my lunch sack that I was still carrying, and threw the laughing Pumpkin pie at me. He started cursing viciously to himself. He tossed me a glance filled with so much hatred that I unintentionally took a step back. He started walking away from me.

"Just remember, rat. I am a princess. You're a popper. Without my father, you wouldn't even be in school right now." I didn't need to say anything else. The threat was already implied. If he crossed me, I could make his life miserable.

Ignoring the shame twisting my stomach, I opened up my wings, and headed off for home. It was a hollow victory, to say the least. Even though I had gotten the last word, in some ways, I was still the pathetic girl who ended up with pie on her face over a boy who didn't care about her.