As plans were put into full bloom over my party everyone grew into a festive mood. Even though we were to stay home, Father demanded only perfection. One day I found myself in my room a lot as Amanda and Cecelia were helping plan and they were trying to figure out which outfit I would wear. One grows dizzy after looking at all of the gowns and jewels. They finally left me alone for my nap.

As I stared across my room I felt my mind wander as it began to shut off.

“I’m happy to see you doing so well, I thought for sure you’d be dead by now.” I heard a voice whisper to me. I bolted up and looked around.

Should I call the Guards outside my room?

I swallowed and answered, “I am happy to be alive.”

I heard a low chuckle and I turned to see a man in the shadows.

Was this how I was going to die?

I made my cutest face because I had to at least try to charm my way out of this, “Elle is supposed to be napping!”

He shook his head and chuckled more, “ Is that really how someone your age should be talking?”

“Elle is almost 5!”

“Look here, even if it is your second life you shouldn’t do a complete hard reset.”

I was shocked and could not believe what I heard!

He walked closer and I felt a shiver go up my spine as I looked at him.

My eyes went straight to his, they shined with flares of orange and red that were bright from that contrast to his black hair. His clothes were baggy and relaxed. He truly looked as if he had no cares in the world.

“Who are you?’ I whispered.

“My favorite conversation topic, I must admit, since there is nothing more interesting in this world.” He sat on the other side of my bed and smirked.

“But alas little princess, we sadly do not have time to dive down into that. I was checking in to see how you were adjusting…” He looked around my room”... and it seems like you are doing quite fine. You must be preferring this life to your last.”

I felt tears well up in my face. My face got hot and my nose burned until I could not hold my tears anymore.

He looked taken aback and stared at me.

As he tried to speak I felt myself shout “ I MISS MY ZOE-ZOE!”

I felt tears rain down my face and I started sobbing.

“Uhhhh… Zoe….Zoe?” He asked as he tried to compose himself.

“ Yes! My Zoe-Zoe! I mean I miss my friends and my roommate. I miss my Aunties and Uncles. But I really miss my Zoe. She was there through my parents' death and my grandmother's. She was there for me every moment and helped me through pain. Now she will think I just abandoned her. I bet she got so sad when I left. I did not ask for this life and she did not ask for me to disappear all a sudden!” I felt my skin flare up in heat again and I got worse as I remembered cuddling her and her licking my hand when she would see me cry.

As I tried to pull myself together he sighed. “I know you are a grown woman on the inside but seeing your cute little face cry is pitiful.” He pinched my cheek and I turned away in a huff. “I suppose I can see what I can do about this Zoe-Zoe of yours.”

I whipped my eyes and asked “What do you mean?” but as I looked up he was gone.

How dare he say all of this and leave! What does he know about my past life? Does he know why I am here? Is HE that one that did this to me? My head ran confused and my eyes still stung. I felt the exhaustion take over my small body and I fell asleep.

I woke up to Amanda pushing my hair away from my eyes.

“Princess! Your face is all puffy! Did you have a bad dream?” She hugged me and I sighed. Maybe it was all a nightmare.

I looked over to where the strange man sat and saw that the fabric was indeed ruffled. Before I could think about it further Amanda picked me up and got me dressed to go play in the garden.

“Fresh air will help you, Elle!” she said with a bright smile. Amanda was the closest thing to a mom that I have in this world and I was grateful for that. I held onto her tightly as she carried me down to the garden. As she opened the doors I saw that the Gardeners had been working hard and the blooming flowers looked even better than ever.

As the put me down she smiled and whispered, “How about we have tea out here today?”

“Wes!” I replied as cute and excited as I could. She hugged me, “Cecelia and Lucas should be by your favorite tree. How about you join them as I set things up for tea?”

I nodded my head and ran towards my tree I saw them sitting underneath it. I Ducked into some bushes to sneak up behind them. I did not get to far before I started giggling.

Lucas seemed to notice first, “Oh my, Cecelia, I am afraid a giggling cat got into the garden!”

As she laughed I popped out and said “Boo!”

After we laughed Cecelia showed me how to make flower crowns as Lucas spoke to her. You could tell they were in love with each other every time they spoke to each other. They were both at the age to get married so I wondered why they had not. Though they did not tell anyone they were together, everyone just knew. I once saw a new maid try to flirt with Lucas and two of the other maids dragged her away before Lucas could even say anything.

I chuckled and decided to see what I could do for my girl Cecelia.

“Elle want to play!” I said boldly. I put flower crowns on both of them and had them stand under the tree. I told them to hold hands and I felt like the entire outside got hotter with the amount of their blushing. There was protesting but in the end, being Princess with orders won. As they held hands and blushed I tugged on their legs and said “You are now married!” and before they could get a word out I took a basket of flowers and threw them. I yelled, “I am flower girl!” A few times so I could not hear them when they were trying to talk to me. I Turned towards them and saw their faces bright red with big grins on their faces.

Lucas spoke, “ I … I think the princess was just wanting to play as a flower girl!”

Before she could reply another knight was calling Lucas. He squeezed Cecelia’s hand and handed her the flower crown on his head. “Do keep this for me, I do not wish to ever lose it.”

After he walked away she ran towards me. She lifted me up and hugged me.

“Oh Princess, I might die with delight!” She let out a squeal as she put me down.

“Princess Eliza! Cecelia! It is tea time!”, I heard Amanda call.