Misfortunate Princess

Duke Ashington's Mansion in the capital was lavish. Large beige walls that just continued down and down, as far as the eye could see. Natural light from the open windows shone on them, but even if they were closed, It was obvious that the corridor would not darken. At least, not much.

It must be a pain to clean... was my first thought.

Looking around from corridor to corridor, I couldn't help but hold my breath.

Unlike the one in the fiefdom, it contained a great many room and maids which occupied them all. Even when no one lived there.

Walking down the hall, I took in its white marble colour and the expensive paintings and vases that were strategically placed but none of them really made me feel...

I stopped at the window for a moment, taking a breath as I stared out into the beautiful greenery or the garden. It was illuminated by the brightest sun I had ever seen. It was a paradise and yet, I didn't smile.

I just couldn't. This wasn't where I belonged... But there was nothing I could do about it. I clenched my chest as I continued to look out, and I breathed in a shaky breath, and for a second I was glad. Not to be here, exactly, but to still be alive...

However, there was still something I couldn't shake off even if I tried. No matter how much time I spent here, the memory would still drift into my mind, almost like clockwork...

"Daddy, please don't leave me..." I felt myself whimper but he would not turn back. He just walked away, his hand tightly clasped onto the hand of the child who wasn't me. Smiling. Giggling. While I sobbed.

Suddenly, I felt a tug on my arm. Looking behind me, I saw my mother. A woman once beautiful and brimming with light now had sunken eyes and black tears streaming down her face. She sobbed as I did, but those sobs had unbearable pressure, it was as if they were chains wrapping themselves around me.

For a moment, I felt my throat begin the close and burn. As my head began to throb. My mothers figure faded from the scene, leaving me alone in pitch-black darkness. But then... there was light.

Opening my eyes slightly, light shone brightly, shocking my body awake.

It was the middle of the night, I thought. So why is it so bright?

With the realization of the light, I took a deep breath. But then, I suddenly felt my lungs burn and began a fit of coughing.

All I could sense was the taste of ashes in my mouth.

I opened my eyes wider, feeling them sting, and tasted the bitter air I had breathed it, once more.

Looking around, I saw red, yellow and orange dance in front of me angrily.

My books, comics and games all burned on my shelf, adding fuel to the already raging fire.

"Mama..." I tried to scream, but due to the smoke I had inhaled, the call was hoarse and hollow.

Urgency suddenly filled my body. I scrambled off the bed but before I could put a foot to the ground I felt myself crash into it with full force.

I groaned for a moment and then pushed myself up, but I still couldn't stand. Looking back at my legs, I felt my stomach sink.

Pinching them, only feeling a slight tingle. This made my heart race.

But still, the words 'I need to get to mama' rushed through my mind.

Knowing I was unable to walk, I crawled. Come on, come on, come on! I screamed urgently in my mind. But once I got over to the door, I heard a loud boom! And my mothers piercing scream.

"Mama!" I tried to call but the smoke I was inhaling made my head begin to throb and my eyes begin to blur.

"Ma...ma..." was the last thing I remember saying before my arms gave out, and my body crashed hard onto the hardwood floor.

Ah... I'm going to die.

But what about mama? What about my friends? Would papa even cry when I'm gone...

Those my last thought before everything when dark.

I didn't feel the flames consume me. Just darkness overtake me. And then, I felt myself drift in a dreamscape for a second.

Please let this be a dream, I was able to think.

It was strange. I thought death by fire would have been more painful. Extremely painful. Actually. But I felt nothing now. As if I was at peace.

Suddenly, I felt myself being dragged out of that peace. Or rather, I felt as if the whole world sank. But once I had sunken to the bottom of an abyss, I felt a softness bellow me. One which I had never felt before and it enveloped me warmly and cosily.

"Ceci... lia..." I heard a soft voice call. The voice started in a panicked yet faint voice. But when the sound came the second time around, it contained more urgency, "Cecilia!"

I felt myself wince.

"Cecilia wake up!"