Thread: The Weight of the Crown (JellyFish & Greeneyed23)

Chilled night air entered the open window, the glowing light of the city wavering below her. A breathless sigh escaped parted lips, as she leaned against the dull colored wall. Her nurse maid was ushering her to move away from her seated place where she had comfortably made her home. Mi'Lady, please. I beg that you come and get ready for bed. If you stay in the cold to long I fear you'll catch a dreadful illness by morning. Aretha snorted, chuckling at the old woman's words. She worried to much in the princess's behalf, always scolding her when she had gotten out of hand. But that was all Aretha knew, being the most troublesome of her sibling. The girl thrived off of the attention of being noticed by passing parties and onlookers. She enjoyed the inquisitive stares of her equals. But that was once upon a time, long ago when she was the youngest. Now she had six smaller siblings that gathered such attention. And the other five, the oldest, played no heed to the needs of their brothers and sisters. But who would judge them? They were growing up, if not grown already. Families were being made and relations and favoritism being left behind to gather dust in castle halls. Aretha finally grew tired of her position. She had staysd down on the large windowsill for far too long. She stood, the flowing robes of her gown draping across the floor as she moved to close the multicolored stained glass. Indigo cushions fell to the ground as she dragged herself lazily away. A delicate hands, simple and plain, unlike her sisters who went to rest each night, hands decorated in gold and red rubies, reached out to grasp the silver handles. But she paused, brushing her fingers against the engraven images of couragious knights and rose covered gardens tangled in untold mystery in the cold glass. I wish for just but a moment, my life was different.... She closed the barriers which blocked the whispering winds from entering her room. She immediately regretted locking herself away. The chambers felt stuffy, perfumes of delicate spices and florals filling the air making her believe she would suffocate that very night due to the offending scents. Ellen, perhaps we can air out the room tomorrow. I don't think I will be able to stand the perfumes another night. The old maid rolled her eyes, very unlike her usual ways of simply telling the royal it wouldn't be good for her health. Aretha, I suggest you go to bed. I'm sure we can talk about this later. It's late and you deprive yourself from rest. Aretha quirked her head, golden brown hair falling from it's loose braid. She searched the woman's face seeing the exhaustion of late spent nights tending to all the princesses needs. She was the last of the girls to be taken care off. Ellen, you deserve your sleep. Go. I can dress myself without any help. But Mi-.. I said go. Don't argue. You need to sleep or you might pass out on the very floor your stand. The what would I do with you? Aretha smiled softly, shooing the fumbling woman who made weak protests. But she had somehow managed to get the maid to walk to her own rooms. With a breath of relief, she turned to the nightgown choosen for her that night. A satin dress that pooled to her feet and a airy robe to be wrapped around her shoulders. She stared at the garment before actually undressing herself. She had stumbled a bit, uncertain of what to do at first. So yes, she lied. She had no clue how to tend to her own needs. She was used to being waited upon and simple habits done by others were foreign to her. She managed though. She pulled on her slippers and waited a moment. Listening. She listened for the sounds of footsteps or anything that could signal a guard passing down her hallways. She was happily greeted by silence. With that, she escaped from her room and down the corridors. If caught she would surely be scolded for her indecency and shameless behavior. But who would notice a girl, quiet as a mouse escape to the back gardens of the castle?