Larealle led Enya away from the crowd and onto the terrace. Enya groaned, her 'bright' smile now replaced with a deep frown. She stretched her body.

“Thanks, Larealle. I owe you one.”

“You owe me a lot. Did you forget all the other times I saved you? This happens every time. You should just keep me at your side,” Larealle said, chuckling. Enya chuckled, too.

“I would if I could. You're the only thing keeping me here.” Enya rolled her shoulders, hearing a few cracks. “Jeez, this dress is so heavy. Why can't I wear a suit like you? It'd be much easier, more comfortable.”

“You should know better than me. Rules are rules. Women wear dresses. Men wear suits. If you want to wear pants, become a commoner.” Enya rolled her eyes.

“I wish.” Enya's face fell as the thought of her without all her responsibilities grew. Larealle trodded over to Enya and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him. Enya glanced up at him to see his soft-pink eyes staring at her.

In a gentle voice, Larealle peered past the garden, towards the forest, and said, “I remember meeting a stubborn, little girl one day when my father was first honored for his bravery...” Enya followed his gaze, a small smile gracing her. She thought back on that day.

~

A servant helped dress the four year old Enya in one of her many dresses. This one, in particular, had a floral design on it that Enya found absolutely dreadful, but as a princess, she kept her mouth shut. The King would be furious if Enya spoke of her disgust. The servant brushed Enya's hair that touched the middle of her back and moved to pull it into pigtails before remembering the King prided himself on Enya's hair being long. She let the strands slip through her fingers.

“I'm done, Princess Enya.”

The servant asked for Enya's hand and led her down the hallways to the entrance of the great hall. Quiet whispers could be heard from inside. The servant smoothed Enya's dress, and as she stood, she could see the King approaching. He scanned Enya before nodding to the servant, who bowed and stepped backwards until her back touched the wall opposite the doors. Enya reached for the King's hand.

At the King's signal, two servants pushed the doors open. Everyone inside the grand hall hushed and watched as the King led his daughter down the aisle to their royal thrones. They both sat down. Enya sat in her stiff, royal chair and squirmed, trying to get comfortable. She couldn't.

After the royal family sat in their thrones, a man marched through the doors and down the aisle with his head held high. He had a couple scratches darting his body that Enya was sure hurt, as well as a white bandage wrapped around his abdomen that poked from underneath his shirt. Despite the pain he must have been in, pride oozed from him.

The man reached the end of the aisle and knelt down on one knee, bowing his head. King Fraurien stood. Enya fidgeted with her floral dress and tried to shake a strand of her hair off her shoulder without her father noticing.

“Sir Kaigode, you're bravery for defending the people from the wicked, white beast is to be celebrated. I grant you this honor and give you my humblest respect.” Enya wondered what her father spoke of.

A beast? What beast?

Enya watched as her father presented the knight with an eight-sided star. Sir Kaigode stood, taking it, and bowed in appreciation.

“Tonight, we feast!” King Fraurien announced. Smiles spread across the audience like the plague as they thought of the delicious, royal food they could consume later—something much better than their commoner food. The people of higher status shot those beneath them with a derisive look.

As the ceremony finished, King Fraurien led Enya out the big doors and down the halls a little further away. His lips lifted some as he looked at her. He ran a finger across a strand of hair and smiled wider at the length.

“You look just like your mother. So cute and adorable.” Enya remained quiet as her father gazed at her in tenderness. He blinked his eyes, forcing himself to focus. “Okay, Daddy needs to go prepare for the banquet tonight. Can you behave for a little while?” Enya nodded. The King kissed the top of Enya's head. “Good girl.”

As her father disappeared down the hall, Enya escaped into the gardens, running past the many flowers, through the arches, to the pond. She bent down and dipped a finger into the cool water, watching the ripples dance. A soft smile embraced Enya at the sight.

Worried someone may notice her, Enya glanced around her before seeing a boy pull himself up a tree across from her, his deep, red hair waving at her as it bounced. The boy climbed the tall tree in ease. His movements were refined and effortless, bewitching. Enya found herself drifting closer, begging for a better look.

Standing directly under the tree, Enya called out to the boy several feet above the ground with eyes twinkling like the night sky, “Can you teach me?”