“My Lady,” the servant bowed.

I nodded my head, attempting to hide my annoyance.

Despite my efforts, it seems my annoyance was apparent. 

“I know you aren’t too fond of the word, but you must know that I have to address you as My Lady, or at least Princess,” he paused, “You may also want to get better at hiding that bitter look you give every time someone calls you Princess, it’s very obvious, and I doubt the King would be happy with it.”

I smiled, even if my heart was breaking at each Princess I heard, I could still pretend. It's not like any princess is truly happy anyway, besides the fairy tales. Fuck the fairytales, they couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“I know,” I nodded politely.

It would always be like this. Nothing could ever change. I will always be known as the daughter of the king, some prince’s future wife, or, if I’m so lucky, the princess. No one will know my true name or even the fact that I’m no princess in the first place. I’m a prince. A prince with no name. A prince who will always be known as a princess. 

I envy those princes who can sit proudly on their throne, knowing that they will never be called princesses; they will always be addressed properly as princes. No one would dare call them a princess. If they did, then the Prince could easily banish them, and no one would turn a head, but if I did that? I might as well give up my throne. I will never be known as a prince. 

“Princess, the King would like to see you,” a guard, this time, came to escort me. 

I almost scoffed, but contained myself. They don’t escort princes. Only princesses.

As if princesses will run away the moment they have the chance, which may or may not be true. Some fairytales did have it right: castles can be beautiful. But only if you’re a man. Only if you’re a respected man who will always be addressed as a man. Which is almost the complete opposite of me. So very lucky for me.

The guard was silent the entire time we were walking. He seemed like a new one, poor thing; he doesn’t know what the hell he got himself into. To be fair, though, I don’t think anyone really knows what they’re getting into when they decide to work for any royal family.

We walked into the throne room to find my father practically fuming in anger. 

“Thank you, guard. You may leave now,” his words made me tense. 

This could end in a few situations, and to be completely honest, I don’t want to end up in any of them.

“Princess, do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused?”

I shook my head.

“The Royal servants and guards have been whispering about how rude and inconsiderate you are. You should be grateful that this hasn’t gotten out to the townfolk yet. From now on, you will be kinder to the staff, and if I hear another word about you being rude, then you will be facing punishment.”

“Yes, sir,” I say.

I wonder which one of the Royal staff I pissed off this time. 

I walked out of the throne room to find the same guard outside waiting for me.

“I can walk by myself, you know?” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

The guard silently walked with me to my room. As I was about to open my door, he grabbed my arm. Before I could punch him, he gently put a note in my hand. 

“Someone wanted me to give this to you,” he whispered.

He left in less than a second after, not letting me even open the note.

I went inside my room and closed the door. If this is a love note, then I will be killing that guard. I have no time to waste on a useless guard. I opened the note to find just three words. 

Garden at midnight.

-A

Lovely, a note stating a place and time, but no name stating who it’s from. A perfect way to get murdered. 

I go to throw away the note, but something catches my eye. Their handwriting is something so familiar, yet I don’t have a clue who wrote it. I won’t be going to the garden, but I keep the note in my nightstand drawer. 

I lay on my bed, closing my eyes. I just need to clear my head for a second. 

When I opened my eyes again, I realized I had accidentally fallen asleep. I suppose that one good thing about being trapped in a dreaded place like this is that I don’t have many duties. It’s quite boring, so I doubt you can even see it as a good thing.

I get up from my bed, but I quickly realize it’s dead silent inside the castle. Not even a silent shuffle can be heard outside my door from the servants or guards. I don’t think I have ever been awake at this time, honestly, I don’t think I’ve even heard the castle this quiet. I quietly walk towards my window, and it’s beautiful outside. The moon is out tonight with no shadows covering her beauty. I always assumed the painters and poets were lying about her, but no, she really does glow. The stars are scattered around her as if they’re admiring her too. I wonder if the moon ever feels as I do sometimes. Does she, too, breathe a sigh of relief when the sun finally sets so she can glow her true light? Does she silently wish she would be seen during the day when all the people can see is the sun’s bright shine?

One day, we’ll get our wish.