The next few months went by quickly as I tried to relearn how to do simple body movements. One of my favorite things was when one of the maids would put me in front of the mirror. Knowing what I looked like helped me attach myself to this new reality. The first time I sat up in front of the mirror I studied myself as I saw my eyes were emerald green and my short hair was caramel-like brown. I was much paler than how I was in my previous life. Then again I was never taken outside. My life was within just this room. I had Amanda and Cecilia every day. During the night it was just Amanda and I grew a certain fondness over both of them.

Amanda had to be in her 30’s at least while Cecilia looked more around 16-17 years old. I found out a lot about my new life from these two. While I would sit down to work on my motor skills they would talk about this world.

Apparently Prince David Caperabello was my father and the King’s first child. They spoke about his two younger brothers, my uncles, Prince Cullen and Prince Erickson. At times they mentioned the younger sister, Princess Daphne. They always called the King just “The King” so his name was a mystery to me but I know he ruled over a land called Slinush. My mother was mentioned less since they always looked in pain when they mentioned her. She died a few days after giving birth to me and Amanda and Cecelia were her maids beforehand. Apparently we lived in her house and they called her Lady Caroline. They would remark how I looked like her besides my eyes but that is as much as they would speak about her in front of me. They would tell me about how I came from a powerful family but I felt unattached from them. The only people I knew were Amanda and Cecilia, which was fine with me.

I got used to seeing these two each day and they would give me nothing but warmth. Amanda’s Amber eyes would help me find safety and she never raises her voice as I would pull on her Dark brown curled locks. Cecilia brought light into the room and I became used to her Dark blue eyes staring at me. She did most of the cleaning as I would watch her bright red hair flash from one side of the room to the other.

As I approached being eleven months old I became the “smartest baby ever” as they would call me. I was almost walking and I was successful in getting some sounds out that were close to words. I loved the praise that they would pour on me and as a reward I even allowed them to dress me each day with little fighting. Sometimes they would allow me to sleep on the giant bed that was in there. It was soft and warm. It was a cloud draped in red. I would not mind if it was just the three of us for a while but that was not apparently in my cards for long.

I grew anxious by being in just this room at times and I would crawl towards the door as soon as I could. Each time one of them would swoop in and say that it was safer in here. Safe from what?? I wanted to scream but only sounds would come out that sounded like I put the question through the blender first.

I found myself trying to figure out how to pull some wretched silver rings apart while the two ladies spoke to each other when the door creaked open. I held my breath since the last time it opened it had a King attached.

I’m too young to die! I'm too cute to die!

Surprisingly a man in armor opened up the door and I was curious about his panicked expression to worry about the sword on his side.

“Lucus! What are you doing here?” said Cecilia in a tone of panic.

“Cecelia, Amanda. The prince is almost to the mansion. He is months early and I do not know if he knows about the princess or not!”

Amanda looked at the floor and sighed.

“Well, she is alive after seeing the King. So I would imagine either the king would tell him or something is bound to happen where he will find her. We are in Lady’s Caroline’s room so he will come in here.”

I could feel the bitter feelings in the air.

Who is my father exactly that they worry like this?

I would not have to wait long to find out. Lucus stayed with us and waited by Cecelia.

The only words Amanda spoke were “Do not cry” towards me.

As I tried to figure out why the door opened wide. Two guards came in and were followed by who I am guessing was the prince, my father. He was in a general's outfit and I could see the blood dried on it in some places. I felt a shiver go down my spine as I looked into his eyes. They were emerald green like mine and the King’s but…. They were darker and looked as if the sharpness alone could kill a man. His short black hair looked like a tousled mess. If he was not so threatening, then he probably would have looked attractive!

His voice was stern when he spoke “ So you are this problem I have heard whispers about.”

What is with everyone labeling me as Trouble??

He lifted me up and stared at me, so I stared back.

“What Ugly little eyes you have.”

Excuse you but I am beautiful.

The way he held me my feet were dangling and it was quite uncomfortable.

So took a breath and started right into his face. I noticed a scar on the back of his left cheek. Before I knew it I reached out and placed my hand on it.

“Hrt” I spoke. I swear I am trying to say “Hurt” not making a dying animal noise.

He looked at me deeper and carried me to the chair in the center of the room.

He sat me on his knee.

If you get blood on my dress, you will be sorry.

“Amanda, come here.”

Amanda came towards the prince and with a face that screamed that she did not care what happened to her. He dismissed everyone except Amanda and Cecelia, much to Lucus’ annoyance.

“Now Amanda, would you care to explain to me why this child is in here?”

“Yes, my prince.”

“Good, explain as if your life depended on it.”

The way he said as if made a chill run up my spine that made me realize the seriousness of what was going on. I looked at Amanda who was looking at me as if she was trying to show me to be brave.

She did a bow and cleared her throat.

“You see, My prince, everything we did was under Lady Caroline’s orders. She found out she was pregnant a month after you left to go fight the Thasians. I asked if she wanted to send you a word but refused. She said she knew the world that you were raised in and knew that if there was any chance of her child living then her pregnancy and even the child living would have to be a secret. She told me that if you returned after the child was born that they were to stay in this room until you came and that no one was to know. After Eliza was born everything seemed fine and Lady Caroline said she was happy to see that she was a girl. She said that she was more likely to survive. She was happy and everything was going quite well. Only the doctor, I or Cecelia was allowed in the room during the time that she was showing and then after birth. We did not… know that she was going to pass away so soon after having the girl…. She got a fever about a week after Eliza’s birth and within a day she died. But I knew I had to do exactly as Lady Caroline instructed. Unfortunately, the king found out somehow and visited when Eliza was 3 months old. But we have stayed here”

I looked over to the prince’s face which looked as if he was deep in a bored thought. I looked down trying to process all of this information myself.

I knew that my mother died but I always wondered why I had to be stuck in this dang room! I wonder if my so-called “Dad” even cares. I mean he had to at least some right? He had to love her, right? But then why would he leave so long to fight?

My thoughts were interrupted when I caught him staring at me.

He sighed and looked away from everyone.

“Well, Amanda, when they said my Fiancee died while I was away they only mentioned some sort of fever. How annoying of Caroline to hide such things from me. Caroline is gone, so for now on you keep no secrets from me or you will die.”

“Yes, Sir”

I felt emotions overcoming me and I yelled “Manda”.

She looked at me with a warmth that said everything would be fine.

My Father looked annoyed. “ So you do speak.”

Amanda smiled and said “She is incredibly bright for her age. She has caught on quick to everything and we work hard to catch up to the mischief she tries to cause by growing so quickly.”

He stared at me like he was going to drill holes through me, “Mischief? There is no room for such things.”

I felt threatened but as he looked away I swore there was a smirk on his face.

He called everyone back in and Lucus looked relieved to see that everything was fine.

Father looked around the room and sighed, “ Well she cannot stay in here. Ready the Sapphire room for her. Amanda since you decided that you do not value your life when it comes to keeping information from me, you will have to stay with the child. That goes for you too Cecelia. If anything happens to her, it will happen to you too. Richardson! Find extra guards for this palace. Now everyone leave.”

Richardson gave his promises and everyone left besides Amanda.

“Do you want me to take her also? She has not gone past this room but I will find a way to keep her safe while they tend to the room.”

“I think I can keep her safe enough,” he growled.

Amanda smiled and did a bow right before she left.

Amanda don’t you dare leave me with this lunatic! AMANDAA!!!

I stared at him as he stared off into the distance. I tried to wiggle off of his lap but he kept a tight grip on me. He looked down and looked entertained. I stared right into his eyes with the most bored expression I could muster.

“Is this all boring you? Well, it is for me too. In this world, you learn that you cannot trust anyone. But you better have been worth my Caroline’s life.”

I felt my body grow cold.

At least I know he loved her but that might mean that he will hate me!

I pulled together every bit of cuteness I had mastered with my maids. I looked him in the eye and gave the prettiest smile as I said “Papa!”.

I might as well act cute and see if it gets me anywhere!

He looked at me for a moment, sighed, and let me down.

The next hour was in silence as he watched me use the table to walk around. I tried bringing him my shiniest toys and most beautiful stuffed animals.

He would just glance at me. But I knew if anything, I refused to be terrified of him.

When Richardson came in to tell Father that everything was set, he did not speak a word. He grabbed me and walked through the door that kept me from the whole world.