Love Outside The Castle Walls

In the early hours of Ravenglade, the sun starts to rise. The castle is slowly waking up and moving in a notorious way. Lucille is sound asleep in her bedroom. With dreams of freedom on the horizon. 

As she rolls over enough to feel the gentle soft fabric of her pink plush bear that has been with her since she was little. It reminded her of a time when everything felt steady in her world, not the unbalanced feeling it has now.

Lucille hugged the bear tightly against her. She knew this day wasn’t going to be easy as she slowly woke herself up from a restless night. Not having her mom come in to give her a gentle shake, not having her dad loving on her with excitement to see her. She missed them so much.

News spread within weeks that her parents were lost at sea. It devastated her because she didn’t know anything about ruling or taking over her home. She didn’t know what was expected of her.

Lucille slowly sat up on the bed looking around her wide bedroom with white, pink and purple flowers with green vines across her room. She saw the pictures that she once loved laying flat down. She looked herself in the mirror seeing such a broken hearted princess that didn’t know life would be so hard without being with her parents.

A knock at the door didn’t startle her too much but she saw her servant at the door and Lucille couldn’t help but give a nod as a tear threatened to come out. The servant gave Lucille a little more time. It was the space she needed to cry into her plush bear that was sitting in front of her while still being tightly tucked into her blanket but she knew the day had to begin. It was a matter of what she could make happen in the short time.

Lucille let out a soft quiet breath after her crying. She knew today that she had a Kingdom to address. She wasn’t ready for any of what she was supposed to do including a meeting with the headmaster and Belinda first thing before approaching her people. Lucille pushed the blanket off herself and then made herself get off the bed before placing her bear back on her pillows with a soft kiss and a whisper, “The princess has to try. Mom and Dad are watching.”

As she took off her precious night gown that kept her free and her feet being clearly visible smiling at her pink toenail polish. “Mom would have loved to fix my polished toes.” She whispered to herself. The memory is still in her thoughts like a reel playing. It was something that mattered to her dad. “Sweetheart, you are gonna make someone happy some day with the brightest smile in the world.” It was hearing their voices in the morning hours.

“Lucille, can I come in and get you dressed?” The servant asked.

“Yes, ma’am, you can. I do want to wear a special crown though that is in my closet.” Lucille said gently to the lady.

“What would you like to wear for today?” The servant asked again.

“Simple. Elegant. Roses.” Lucille replied with a small smile.

“White everything and the rose crown that your mother had made for you. Easy to do, Princess.” The servant responded then went into the closet to grab everything.

Lucille brushed her hair out watching the waves of it with a small tear, missing her mother smoothing it out. She missed her innocence. Her freedom. Her life with loving and supportive parents. It was the moment the lady servant came out with her outfit. A long simple white dress, white pantyhose, and white low heels. She took a breath seeing the rose gold crown that had pink roses and green vines wrapped around. Her outfit was delicate to her outfit that morning.

Slipping on the dress over her bodice, putting on the pantyhose and heels to twirl in front of the mirror. She knew it could use color but decided against it. She had no authority to change what is hers because that was her mother’s role. As she grabbed the crown to place on her head the servant stopped her a moment.

“Let’s say a small prayer for your parents before placing this on your head.” She said in a gentle voice.

“You are right. Let’s bow our heads and pray.” Lucille replied.

They both made a silent prayer together then both said amen at the same time. Lucille would want to remember this moment. Lucille let the servant place the crown on her head and then kissed her forehead.

“You will do well today, my dear.” She said as she patted Lucille’s hand. “Let me grab your white gloves.”

Lucille never wore gloves so she raised her eyebrow at that thought. It was never something she was required but with the headmaster ruling, she couldn’t refuse even if she wanted to. Her servant Elnora with silver hair and a gentle face came back with the white gloves that weren’t her normal wear of white gloves that had flowers and vines at the end. Was this her mom’s? Lucille touched the fabric gently and looked at Elnora with a curious look.

“Were these my mom’s?” Lucille asked.

“Yes, she had me save them.” Elnora replied, putting on the gloves for Lucille.

They were so soft in her hands and she looked back at the mirror one more time to see her complexion. She knew her parents would be so proud of her. Taking on her princess duties while grieving them. Elnora grabbed Lucille’s hand to guide her away from the mirror to escort her out of the bedroom.

“You have to go to this meeting. It is important. Remember to stand your ground like your parents taught you. I’ll be watching and listening. We all believe in you.” Elnora said as she gave Lucille a gentle push toward the door.

Lucille wanted to look around her room one more time but she couldn’t do that when she knew the headmaster and Belinda were waiting for her. Lucille released her hand from Elnora then made her way past her door with confidence she didn’t know she had. She looked at her bedroom door one last time seeing that her memories are closed inside and then turned herself around to see that the meeting is down the hall that she has to attend. It was going to be a long day.