New Beginnings
I was being transported in a large carriage, unable to make out the people’s faces near me as we bustled up and down slightly from the horse’s rapid pace. The air thick with fear, footmen sat up front guiding the large animals as two royal guards kept their eyes on us as we journeyed forward.
We were all loaded up to leave on the same day, ten females and three males were needed at the estate.
“There must be a lot of princesses and princes here if they require twelve of us.” I thought to myself, keeping my eyes out the small window as I took in the views of the thick forests. Watching the mountains rise from the background.
A large, dark castle sat neatly on top of the mountain, the closer we got to it the more slanted it looked, the large sloping roofs cascading down and out to the side in peaks while large statues loomed in the background. The windows were long with a dim, yellow hue radiating the sunlight back outside.
The carriage came to a stop, a heavy creaking of metal gates sounded in the air. I stared out at the fog that seemed to encase the castle watching as we got closer to the front doors. As the horses quit moving, the carriage door opened and everyone in it was ushered outside, my bare feet touching the cold grass as we marched one by one into the castle.
Once past the heavy stone doors the foyer came into view, dark walls encased us in a black shroud, dimly lit candles lined the floors with light as we moved forward, everything was some shade of dark purple, charcoal or black including the ceilings, a wide oak staircase led up to the second floor. I took in the view as much as possible, following the guards down the hallway and up a flight of rickety, steep stairs. I kept my hand on the rail as I followed behind, keeping my eyes forward.
I’ve only been in one other estate like this and was sent away two days later, I wasn’t chosen. Those who aren’t chosen get sent to other places.
The room the girls and I shared was huge, the dark walls extending for what seemed like miles. Large poster beds sat side by side along the room, including three closets and twelve dark, wooden wardrobes.
I counted the beds, there were fifteen in total. Up to fifteen women could be here at a time, it seems this family cycles through us quickly.
I was always told if you’re lucky you get chosen forever, if not then you get passed around for the rest of your life.
That could be true, could not be true. The girls around me were whispering to each other once the guards left us alone.
They let us bring in our own clothes, however, we have been instructed to wear this itchy, unflattering, cream colored robe.
I tuned in to hear some of them, “I heard one of the princes does nothing but abuse his slaves.”
I winced at the word, I’ve never called myself that but some are far too used to being considered as such.
They kept on speaking about him in particular, how he enjoys senseless violence. I got dressed in my robe, laying back on the bed I claimed as the girls talked more and more.
Three sons and two daughters, their mother died when they were younger and father is ailing. The eldest has been encouraged to find a princess to marry and the girls assume that’s why he doesn’t treat us well.
A few hours later two guards barged into our quarters and each of us jumped up straight, staring directly at the door.
He called on a few of us and behind them I could see the boys being marched to the princesses’ rooms. I prayed for them silently as I stayed holed up in these chambers.
I imagine I’ll bounce from one estate to another until I run away for good. I tossed and turned, ultimately falling asleep.
