Being royalty is hard enough but being born as the seventh prince to a queen that desperately wanted a princess really sucks. When I was younger, it didn’t matter to me that my mother insisted on raising me to be the perfect daughter despite me being biologically a boy. Thankfully, my brothers never made fun of me for being treated this way and actually treated me like a girl despite knowing I was born male. As I got older, I realized how wrong this treatment was but knew there was nothing I could do that would allow my mother to see me as her son. So, I learned to live with it.

Walking through the palace to my lessons one day, I happened to pass by the training grounds and paused at the sight of my two eldest brothers, Evander and Octavius, sparing. Evander, who had short black hair like our late fathers was wearing a dark blue shirt and black jeans while Octavius whose hair was red like mine and mothers wore a black shirt and blue jeans. As I watched, I saw Evander get nicked by Octavius’ sword kneeling on the ground in pain before I rushed over to bind it with my head scarf.

“Thank you, Margaret” commented gratefully as I knotted it. Giving him a sad smile, I stood back up and admonished “you two should really be more careful during practice.”

“It was an accident, dear sister” Octavius placated placing a hand on my shoulder. Sighing, I was about to say something about being called a girl but my handmaid made an appearance at that time.

“My lady, there you are. We must hurry or you will be late for your lesson” Mina sighed respectfully the loose strands of her brown hair blowing in the wind along with the skirts of her maid uniform.

“Sorry, Mina. I was just worried about Evanders’ arm, we can go now” I apologized as I turned to leave. Grabbing my wrist, Evander pulled me into a hug and whispered “thank you little brother.” Hugging him back, I whispered “thank you Ev” before letting go to head to my lesson. Sighing, I heard Evander and Octavius talking as I walked away saying “I hate how she’s treated. It should be up to her now that she’s almost fully matured to live how she wants.”

“I agree but we both know mother won’t ever let that happen. And as I hear it, there may be a political marriage coming for her soon” Octavius worried making me feel sick to my stomach.

Finishing my lessons a while later, I went back to my room and flopped face down on my bed feeling drained and incredibly sad as the conversation I heard earlier played through my mind.

“If it’s true, I wonder if my husband will hate me for being something I’m not or will he accept me as I am. Maybe he’ll let me live the way I chose and not how mother wants me too” I thought as tears started running from my eyes. Reaching up, I pulled the hairband from my long red hair letting it fall across my bed. Some time later, a knock sounded on my door before Mina nudged it open slightly as she gently called “my lady, her majesty says to tell you dinner is ready and you are required to join the rest of the family for it.” Sitting up, I sighed “okay” before getting up and moving towards my dressing table as I continued “would you help me with my hair and some make up to hide my red face, please Mina.”

“Of course, my lady” she obeyed coming in to stand behind me and pull my hair back into its low ponytail before refreshing my makeup to hide that I’d been crying.

“There, good as new. I’m sorry you’re hurting” she apologized putting her hands on my shoulders as she met my eyes in the mirror.

“You’re the only one who really sees the real me, Mina” I whispered as I got up to head to the dining room.