1 The Invitation

The sharp sound of the whistling kettle on the stove woke Pandora from her reverie.

'Oh no. I've done it again.' she thought to herself. She rose up from her seat and turned off the stove and the whistling sound started to fade.

As she was pouring the hot water to her cup, she reprimanded herself for being reckless.

'You can't afford to lose your thoughts like that again, Pandora. How many times do I have to remind you? I won't be able to forgive myself if I hurt someone else...', she was cut off when she heard soft knocking at the kitchen window. It was a messenger bird.

Pandora went closer and saw that it was not a typical messenger bird. It was an eagle and it was carrying an envelope with her name. She stopped at her tracks and went pale, for birds as majestic as an eagle are only used by the royalties; and it has been more than a decade since the last time her family received one. Pandora hesitated because whyever would a lowly girl living at the edge of this unassuming village receive a message from the palace?

She went closer and saw that the letter the bird is carrying looked curious. So she opened the window to let the bird in, but it only stuck its head to her direction, indicating that she should get the letter from its beak. Pandora marveled at how majestically the bird carries itself. How it still looked regal while flapping its wings, refusing to rest at the windowsill like a common messenger bird.

The bird made a sound. It gave her a look asking what in the three kingdoms is she waiting for.

'Oh! Forgive me!' she said and hurriedly took the letter from its beak. At once, the eagle took off. Pandora followed the bird's flight with her eyes, and wondered if the bird could still maintain its regality if a strong gust of wind would hinder its flight.

Immediately, a strong gust of wind came even though it is a clear, sunny day. It caused the tree tops to sway hard, and the peaceful nesting birds cry in alarm. Pandora watched as the eagle flapped its wide strong wings harder against the sudden wind. A few moments later, the wind stopped and the eagle flew easily once again.

Pandora started to smile, but stopped and became furious at herself.

'STOP IT! CONTROL YOURSELF!' she shouted. She ran upstairs and faced the mirror. She had a crazed look in her eyes. 'Please... Stop. Just stop. I can't. I shouldn't... '

She glared at herself for a while. Thinking how twisted and dangerous her thoughts can be, and how she would never forgive herself if she ever hurt anyone with it.

A few moments later, she noticed that she was still carrying the letter. It was now crumpled, but the beauty of the paper and the writing of her name still made it the most important looking letter she received in the eighteen years of her life.

She wondered if she should wait for her mother to come home before opening the letter, but her curiosity got the best of her.

She turned the paper over and carefully teared the wax bearing the royal seal of the Kingstons. Pandora read the summons.

The prince is looking for a wife.