PRINCESS AND THE THRUSH

There once was a tiny kingdom in a certain region of the fantastical universe of fairytale and lores, named the Dianthus land. It was separated by a charming, hidden gem, lake, from a neighboring, much larger, and more prosperous kingdom called the Aster land. The Dianthus land was ruled by a certain king, named Edwin The Just. He was a good king who very tenderly cared for his subjects; therefore, his people loved and respected him. And due to his impartial diligence, though small in size, his kingdom flourished.

But, just as it so often happens in life, an unfortunate tragedy struck this harmonious royal domain. His beautiful, beloved wife, queen Guinevere unexpectedly got sick passed away, leaving the poor king to raise their adolescent daughter alone. To fill the void and ease sorrow created by the queen’s death, he turned all his attention on the one thing that remained of her, their child. Princess Isabella. Determined to make up for the loss of a mother, he fully dived into the role of parenting. And as a result, some of the duties to his kingdom were neglected, causing the economy to sink. But the king was a diligent ruler! He would never let his subjects down, no matter what happened. And he will do everything in his power to bring back prosperity to his kingdom even if certain sacrifices must be made.

-NO! I’m tired of this! I won’t do this anymore! I refuse to be subjugated to this humiliation any longer! - Isabella yelled back at her father, stomping her foot down in anger.

-Ugh! You’ll be the death of me, Isabella! - King Edvin pressed his hands against his temples with frustration. - What would your mother say if she’d seen you acting like a spoiled child right now!? She’d be ashamed! She was the most benevolent and graceful queen this kingdom had ever seen! And she tried to raise you to be a noble princess like herself! But you turned out to be nothing like her! So just whom does this child take after? - He frustratingly shook his head.

-Hmm, I wonder... - She sarcastically rolled her eyes. - You know what, father? If you continue to use my mother against me in that way, you will tarnish her memory for me. Is it your intention to make me despise even her very name being mentioned? - She snapped, resenting being continuously compared to her lovely mother.

To her, it sounded as if she wasn’t even allowed to have her own identity. She didn’t mean it, of course, She loved her mother very much and missed her still, but she was just so tired of that trick her father constantly pulled on her that she blurted it out in anger, without thinking.

-ISABELLA, MIND YOUR TONGUE! - Her father roared at her with rage, which made her flinch. - How dare you speak so brazenly and disrespectfully about the late queen of the Dianthus land and your mother!? And in the presence of the staff no less! This is unacceptable!

Though Isabella’s father always was a stubborn person who liked to get everything his way, he actually would never dare to raise his hand against his only child, not even when she was little and unruly. And knowing that, Isabella, who, although inherited his beloved late wife’s angelic beauty, unfortunately for him, very much took after his character, constantly pushed back against him. And ever since the sweet, gentle queen, who was the peacemaker between the two of them, passed away, the king and the princess have constantly been at each other’s throats, especially since Isabella has come of age. And, he was determined to establish his authority as a father and a king over her. But the more he tried to bend her headstrong personality to his will, the more she resisted.

-Alright, I admit I went too far... I should not have said that about my mother, and I certainly didn’t mean it! But it’s your fault, father! You keep pushing me to do something I don’t want to! This isn’t fair! - Retorted Isabella.

-And what do you want to do, Isabella? Sleep-in til practically noon, then just paint the day away in your study? Or go running off frolicking out in the wilderness like you always do?! Do you think I don’t know about you constantly sneaking out of the palace property and onto the forbidden territory?! And that’s a whole separate issue I need to reprimand you about! Putting yourself in danger like that! What if someone sees you and abducts you and holds you for ransom?! - Has that ever crossed your mind?! - Her father scolded her.

-The lakeshore that touches our valley isn’t dangerous, father! It’s quite literally in our palace’s backyard! Who would dare to go near it?! - countered Isabella.

-I don’t want you anywhere near that lake! Do you hear me?! - He barked at her.

-But, father! I...

-None of your excuses! - He raised his hand. - Isabella! You are not a child anymore. In fact, you are approaching your nineteenth birthday! Most princesses are already married at sixteen! But we put off your debut for a year due to your mother’s passing; may the poor thing rest in peace. But you are almost nineteen, now! So it is time you started taking those matters seriously!

-Take what exactly, seriously, father? This ridiculous, backward tradition of ours, this...

-Enough with your audacity, Isabella! - Her father retorted with a deep frown. - As the royal princess, and especially an only princess of this kingdom, it is your duty, your obligation, to serve your country for the good of the kingdom! You are already falling three whole years behind most princesses!

-I don’t care! - She snapped back, crossing her arms, with annoyance, from being compared again. - Even if I’m a whole hundred years behind all those blasted princesses! If I say I’m not ready, then I’m not ready for this, father!

-Don’t you realize that you don’t have that much time left before you grow out of the most desired for a bride, age? - Her father persisted.

-All the better! - Returned Isabella. - Haven’t you realized it by now, father, that it might have been my objective all along? Why else do you think I repel all those egoistical boasters?

-Aye... - He sighed heavily with pain in his voice, rubbing his tired face with his hands. - This is all my fault. I spoiled you too much. I indulged you too much in your childish shenanigans out of pity for a motherless child and failed to discipline you properly, and now I reap the fruit of my neglect. But, mark my words, Isabella! - He then shot a very stern glare at his daughter. - I will not tolerate being publicly made a fool of by you any longer! Whether you like it or not, the tradition on which our kingdom’s prosperity depends must be upheld! You have to remember that you are not some peasant! You can’t go running off to wherever you want, whenever you want! You are a princess, and your duties lie with this kingdom! So should your loyalty be! - He shook his finger at her. - Mark my words, daughter, if you continue to resist, I will have to take extreme measures to make you see reason! Either, willingly or by force, you will learn your place, Isabella! - And he stormed off.

-Reason? What reason can you possibly speak off when you’re acting so unreasonable towards me? - She mumbled under her breath, sharply turning on her heels, and also stormed off to her royal bed-chamber. - ARRRGGG!!!! - She let out a frustrated scream into the pillow as she plopped onto her bed, very un-lady-like. - I hate this! Sometimes I wish I really was a peasant! At least then I’d be free to do whatever I want!

But Isabella! You are a princess! You have everything you could possibly desire! Riches! Wealth! All the sparkling jewels and all the prettiest gowns and most delicious food in the world! So, what’s the reason behind all this drama, you might ask. Well, that’s because they have a certain tradition in their kingdom, called “The viewing.” It is a specific event hosted for a princess; when she comes of age, which is sixteen, attended by all the eligible bachelors, who carry the title of aristocracy or royalty, in hopes of being chosen as her suitor. If you think that at least in this way, the princess has that little bit of freedom to select a man to her liking, which is more than what can be said about most princesses in other kingdoms, who don’t even get to see the man they’re to marry, before the wedding itself, you are mistaken, my friend. Initially, this law was intended in favor of the princesses. But over time, it was taken over by the greed of their guardians. At first, they coerced their wards to choose a man according to their political reasons or selfish gain. Then this event pretty much was turned into practically an auction, where the princess was offered to the highest bidder, who has the most to offer in return, be it his wealth, power, or political advantage. So, not only does a princess have no say in this matter anymore, can you imagine the rabble who shows up to try their luck in entitlement to the throne? If there is no natural male heir, of course, which is the unfortunate case of this particular kingdom, in addition to economic struggles. And a bit desperate at this point, the king has no scruples about who attends as long as they hold the proper title. So, some could be too old, others too young! Some are too ambitious, too political, others too narcissistic and arrogant! And we are not going to go into the looks of all those men! I’ll leave that for the viewing! And the king isn’t bothered by either the age, the appearance of the man, or his characteristics. So long as he has something to offer to their kingdom, he is convinced his precious daughter will be well provided for, as well as his land.

-Sigh... - Isabella deeply sighed, pushing aside a book she was reading earlier that day. - What love and romance can there be spoken of, about which I read in the novels?

-My lady?... - Her handmaid, who just then came in to deliver Isabellas freshly cleaned linens, glanced questionably at her mistress.

-If at first, the princess could marry a man she was at the very least attracted to, now you just stand there, at that “viewing,” and watch your entire fate is being reduced to nothing but a business deal. - Stated Isabella, more to herself than answering her handmaid. - You don’t know how lucky you are, Marie. You are not bound by any obligations or traditions to your status... How envious I am of those girls, who are free to choose their own destiny! - She wistfully stared at the canopy over her bed.

-But, my lady, our kingdom isn’t the only one that has this tradition. - Replied Marie. - Quite a few neighboring kingdoms do the same, and even some noble families started following our example...

-Yes, I know. We all like to copy each other. - Isabella got off the bed and took a seat at her vanity table.

-Would you like for me to fix your hair, my lady? - Asked Marie, noticing Isabella’s falling apart hairdo from carelessly laughing on the bed just now.

-No, that’s alright, Marie. I don’t plan on leaving my quarters until dinner time anyway.

-You seem to be in low spirits today again, my lady. Is there anything I can do for you? Perhaps a cup of tea?

-No. You no can go now. I would like to be alone.

-As you wish, your highness. - Marie curtsied and left her quarters.

Downcast, Isabella motionlessly sat there for a long, gloomy moment, staring at herself in the mirror. She was trying to understand what is it about her that all those men could find so desirable, even though she made it her mission to repulse them with her attitude. Just like her father keeps constantly reminding her, in a couple of days, she’ll turn nineteen. Usually, when the first “viewing” is given, the “bride” is snatched up right away. But not in her case. The viewing her father determined to give her on her nineteenth birthday will be her third one. Twice, she’s been put on display, to her father’s great disappointment, without success so far. Thanks to her stubbornness. And even though she rebelled against this farse by verbally brutalizing every potential suitor that comes to seek her hand with the severest of insults she could conjure up, trying to discourage anyone from even thinking about marrying her, her father kept persisting. And even though the reputation of her repugnant personality spread wide and far, just like she wanted to, more and more of those “loathsome predators,” as Isabella called them, show up each year.

-And all because of this much-spoken beauty I inherited from my mother. And, of course, all the wealth and power that comes with me. - Sighed Isabella. Rumors of which spread like wildfire. As if people don’t have anything else to talk about.

Yes, Isabella was truly famous for her divine beauty and contrasting temper. She was even referred to as “Rosa Rugosa” by the townsfolk. A rare type of wild rose with the most beautiful and fragrant blossom but nastiest thorns of all the roses in existence. Of course, they have it in their garden, which is filled with all sorts of exotic plants. The Rosa Rugosa is truly exquisite, especially when it’s in full bloom! However, this particular flower can only be admired in the garden and from a distance because it’s nearly impossible to pluck a bunch for your table without severely scratching up your hands. “And so I was honorably dubbed the title of that bush. And you would think that would discourage all the suitors from trying their luck with me, but no! On the contrary, it excites them! In fact, they turned it into a sport! They even started making bets to see which one of them would be able to ‘pluck that rose’... Ugh... This is so irritating! Men are so shameless! I’m nothing but a game to them! I hate them! I hate them all! The entire male race!” She frustratingly smacked the mirror, getting up and resting at the windowsill. “Well, I just have to hold out a bit longer until I reach past my prime, which is when a maiden hits twenty-one. Then I will not be so desirable anymore because I’ll be considered an old maid by then. But oh, the pressure I’d still have to put up with by the... Sigh... Thinking about it is giving me a headache! I need to get out of here to clear my head!”