I am a Princess

I stir on my bed when I hear the extremely loud screams that come from below. I recognize that voice very well and I know I have to do with the screaming, it is not a good thing. From one moment to another the door to my room is rudely opened and Estella enters through it, as I had predicted, she´s angry. And as always, I am the reason. "Tell me where is it ?!" She stands in front of me, her gaze reflects anger and I know that will bring me consequences. "Where´s what? What are you talking about?" "My new dress! The rose with flowers; I gave it to you to wash it, it better appear if you don't want to have serious problems with my parents, that dress is very expensive" Estella crosses her arms waiting for an answer from me. I try to remember each of the garments she has commissioned me to wash, but there´s only one that matches that description and she did not give it to me for what she says. "Let's see if you're good at something," she says in a heavy tone as she walks to the edge of her bed. "Why are there so many clothes on your bed? I organized it yesterday" My amazement is impossible to hide when I see a gigantic mountain of clothes that I do not remember seeing. "Look, this part of the clothes is going to the laundry, and the other part that is in the blue basket, throw it away." Her tone is pronounced and so slow that it makes me look as if I was unable to follow her instructions, I despair. What does she think I am? dumb? "Can I donate what is on the blue one? It is in very good condition" Looking at all this I think it is a waste of money, there are things with the label on that indicates that it has not been used yet. "Do what you want but I want everything organized in two hours, Diana and Melany will come and I do not want them to think that I am disorganized" I only nod since I cannot freely express my thoughts as the laws of this kingdom mark, for misfortune. I start by organizing the bedding and as soon as I open the basket I realize that more than I thought of this large pile of clothes is new… it is a total waste! I finish arranging her and begin to put the clothes that are to be donated in large black plastic bags, but a certain pink dress with flowers with the label on it catches my attention. « I can't believe I will have to donate new tagged clothes, I thought.» "The one with the sweetheart neckline?" My concern is reflected in my question, and of course, there is a reason for it, the consequences of anything that is supposedly my fault will not be overlooked. "Yes, that one." The tone of her voice increases more and more and I just want to run. "I donated it, it was in the blue basket that you indicated to me that it was the clothes that I had to get rid of" My confrontation is not a good idea, it is never good to debate with her, it would be better to just take the blame for something that is not my responsibility and wait for the punishment. "This is going to cost you a lot"  Estella always fulfils a threat, the last time it was very bad for me and I am sure that this will not be the exception unless there is a possibility of solving the situation between us. "Okay let's do this, tell me the price and I'll give you the money from my savings so you can buy it again. Deal?" She seems to think my offer, and apparently, she knows is not a bad proposal. "Deal, pay me two thousand dollars and we are even." I go blank for a moment. What dress does that amount cost ?! And to make matters worse they had to be in dollars. We are in England! "Yes, I have them, take them from the white chest on that table" I say and she wastes no time taking the money I earned for four months, but that is better than getting in trouble with her parents. "Oh! And hurry up, we'll be late for the Institute" She turns around and I take the opportunity to roll my eyes since she can't see me. This will be a long day. I go to the bathroom next to my room, which is the service bathroom since I don't have one of my own; I take the shower as fast as I can and return to take out of the drawers a floral skirt in olive tones, a basic grey shirt and a wool sweater, finally I take some brown boots that are already somewhat worn. I untangle my wet hair and go down the driveway to get into the car in the back seat. "I should reconsider leaving you and going on your own. Do you realize what you did?" Says Mr Julian angrily. I look into the rearview mirror and the first thing I see is Estella´s big smile, a part of me knew that she would give me away even though I thought she wouldn´t. "I-I ... I-I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time." Or rather, next time I'll make sure Estella knows what she wants to do. "This will have consequences, I strive every day so that my daughter has the best things and it turns out that an abandoned orphan spoils it." His tone remains firm and threatening. If working hard is being in charge of a company that his father gave him and for which he never had to move a single muscle, not to mention that he takes the money that the government gives me for them... I want his life!. "Dad, it´s ok, we both figured it out, I'll get my dress back, relax" Says Estella trying to comfort him. I hate when she makes herself the good one. Unfortunately, I can't say anything, I already have enough problems to make the situation worse. "Okay sweetheart. Why don't you go to the mall today with your friends and buy some new clothes? Your mother told me that your closet is very empty"  My desire to laugh is getting bigger and bigger. Estella without clothes? In what world?! "Thanks, Dad." Estella smiles as she gives me a victorious look through the rearview mirror, I'll just try to stay out of their way and stare out the window for the rest of the way. As soon as we arrived, we both got out of the car, Estella goes with her friends like every day and I try to find my only best friend that I have on the whole planet, Lili. Once I find her on the esplanade, I approach her slowly, and as always, her are eyes glued to her cell phone. "Hi, Sophie. How are you?" She smiles when she sees me. Lili is the one who always tries to makes my days better, it is almost always the same in my daily life, problem after problem. "Well ... it´s not my best day" I answer, with a grimace on my face. She knows what my situation is with the Rivers family, she knows that they did not adopt me and that I got there practically for charity, although it is clear that they do not want me. "What happened?" She asks in a questioning tone. That question is already common in my life, something always happens and most of the time I´m not responsible but at the end, I get into trouble no matter what, and all I can think of is: How did this happen? "Another problem with Estella, now it was an expensive dress that I will have to pay for, and that is not the worst. Despite having reached an agreement, she betrayed me! So I gave her the money and I will receive a punishment" I complain taking my hands to my head. "seriously?!! I just nod my head. I can not believe it! That is a***e! Do you know that you can sue them?! The difference between us is that she is the one who gets angry for me, I am usually more... peaceful, although that does not mean that I do not care what happens with me. "You know I cannot do anything, much less involve the authorities! The government would pick me up and goodbye institute; This is my life, and thinking about it, it could have been worse so I can't complain" Maybe I don't in a pink world, but it's not all dark either. "And if the government picks you up, my mom will adopt you" She assures. Just thinking about that possibility a smile starts forming on my face, her mother is like a mother figure in my life, and of course, I would love to live with her but it would be a lot to ask. "That would be too much... Shall we go to class? It's a bit late" She nods and we start walking towards the entrance of the school, making our way through the students. Our first class is chemistry, which by the way is one of my favourite classes and one in which I stand out the most. We both walked through the corridors but it only took a second to distract me and bump into one person, a guy. His well-groomed straight brown hair and brown eyes would be a shorter way to physically describe him. The books fell and I with them, the guy extends his hand to help me which I accept immediately; I have seen all the students here to know that he is not a student. "Are you ok?" He asks, helping me to pick up the books that I brought with me and which are now scattered around the floor to hand them over with a friendly smile. "Yes, thank you," I answer. I turn to Lili who just looks at the situation from afar, holding her laughter for another embarrassment that I just experienced. "What's your name?" He asks, making me turn my eyes on him again. I quickly inspect him, he does not bring a backpack or books, which confirms that he is not from here. What strikes me is his clothes, it's very... formal. "My name is Sophie. And yours?" "My name is Erick." The way that he answers me it's like it's the most obvious thing in the world. As if I had asked him how much one plus one is, maybe he forgot the fact that I don't know him. "Are you new? I've never seen you around here" I scan his face for a few seconds, analyzing all possible details. For some reason, it seems familiar to me but I don't know from where, maybe he is a customer of the cafeteria where I work. He looks me in the eyes without saying anything, as if expecting a reaction from me. "No, I'm not a student here, I'm here because..." The guy is interrupted because of the presence of some older man who is dressed even more formally than him who approaches us, rather to him. "Your Hig..." "YES... Do you need anything?" Asked the guy interrupting him. "They expect you in... "YES! I'll be back in a moment, thank you" The man who had approached previously leaves us alone. "Well, I hope to see you again" He says with a smile. "Same, you seem to be late." "Goodbye" He ends to continue walking where the man who approached had gone earlier. "Who is him?! Ask Lili deciding finally to get closer as soon as there is no trace of that guy. What surprises me about her is that she doesn't smile mischievously as she does with any guy who asks me for the time, she's just as confused as I am. "I do not know." The hours of this day are passing surprisingly fast. After two hours of classes, Lili and I decide to go to the cafeteria, this time I chose a bottle of water and a cupcake since I didn't have any more money and asking Lili to pay for my food again is not an option. With our food in hand, we took a table at the back of the cafeteria. "What happened with that guy? He was handsome" She asks in a mocking tone. I knew Lili would soon bother me with that topic. "Lili, not this time, besides I just bumped into him and he doesn't study here, most likely I won't see him again" I hope that with that argument she stops smiling that way but she doesn't, on the contrary, her smile expands. "Never say never, also ..." The sound of the speakers turning on saves me from the conversation that Lili would initiate about that guy, it is most likely an announcement from our director. "Students, this announcement is to request your presence in the auditorium when the brake is over, certain people of great importance will give you news, thank you very much" As I predicted, the director's voice sounding all over the speakers which were turned off as soon as the short announcement ended. "Yes! I won´t have math" She exclaims enthusiastically. "Lucky you" With only five minutes until the break ended, we both decided to go to the auditorium, the seats tend to fill up quickly and we don't want to run out of them. Announcements in the auditorium are usually given on special occasions and are very rare, so it really must be something important. "What do you think they want to tell us?" I ask as we walk down the hall that leads us directly to the auditorium. "I don't know, maybe it's some welcome announcement, we just got in just a week ago" Her lack of enthusiasm suggests how little interest she has. Possibly she is right, but I feel that there is something more to all this, as I said before the auditorium is only for special occasions. "I don't think so, the principal said someone else would give it to us, maybe it's a guest from another school or..."  Our conversation was again interrupted by another oversight of mine, luckily this time I didn't end up on the floor. I look up finding out this time with a woman with blond hair that does not seem to be dyed, white complexion, green eyes and tall, very pretty. Compared to the previous guy, it took me less time to react, only this time I was aware of who she was, and it was not for more since clearly she is the most important woman in the kingdom and her portrait remains hanging in the history room; Queen Isabella. Her gaze travels me from top to bottom causing only something to cross my mind at this moment «Why couldn't it be the janitor or another student?» "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't pay attention and ... Are you okay? I haven't asked you" Her presence causes me to not be able to utter a word, so I nod answer her question, her eyes lowered again, resting on my hand. "What a nice ring. Can I see it up close?" Leaving the fact that she is the one who rules this kingdom, her smile makes it impossible to deny her anything. "Yes..." I reply a little bit stunned by what is happening. "Yes!" I affirm this time with more confidence. I remove my ring and then give it to her, her gaze inspects every corner of the only object with some value that I have, it is the only thing that hides a secret of mine and that she is reading at the moment, but saying something would be disrespectful, at least for me. "Where did you get the ring?" Her smile fades for a few seconds but then reappears brighter than before; now her eyes see mine waiting for an answer. "It's... it's a long story and something personal, I can only say that it's the only thing I have from my parents" Maybe it's not the whole story, but despite being the most powerful woman in this country, she's still a stranger, so the relevant is more than enough. "Are you adopted?" Shame fills me when I hear exactly the question I didn't want to hear. I turn sideways to ask Lili for help but she is not there which forces me to respond. "No, I have been in foster care, a family takes care of me with a certain monthly fee, they are my guardians" She seems to understand perfectly what I mean. Her assent accompanied by her attempt at a smile refers to the discomfort that arises in her upon hearing my answer. "And do they treat you well?" She asks again. Her questions somehow overwhelm me, I have never asked myself too many questions on that topic all together before, and I never talk about it or answer them, I usually avoid them, unfortunately, this time I can't. "They do what they can" I answer unconsciously. Although it is the truth, my answer was not thought, and I never speak without thinking an answer towards an unknown person, especially on this subject. "Oh ... I had no idea, sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." Her look down tells me that she feels sorry, something I didn't want to happen, I don't mean to cause hurt either. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I'm used to it, it's not uncomfortable for me to talk about that subject" My answer returns the friendly smile that she wore at first. Is it bad to lie? The answer is yes unless you do it so that another person does not feel bad as this time. I notice how she is about to say something which never happens due to the students who are arriving; I say goodbye to her and enter the auditorium looking for Lili with my eyes, I take a seat next to her once I find her. Her gaze is on me asking me to explain what just happened, but clearly, it is not the time "At least we already know who will make the announcements" She says, leaving her question out of this. "True, the Queen is here and that is worthy of using the auditorium." I see how the stage is occupied by the Queen and by the guy with whom I bump up previously, obviously I wasn´t expecting this, much less that he is the one who takes the microphone. "Good morning students, I think everyone knows me or most; in case you don't, I'm Prince Erick from the neighbouring kingdom" I feel like his eyes over mine, waiting for a reaction which I don't have at the moment. It's amazing that I didn´t recognize the person who will rule the neighbouring kingdom in a few more years. "Sophie..." Pronounce Lili. I know what she will tell me, but just like I, she can't formulate anything, I don't know whether to feel lucky or ashamed to treat him like any other guy, which he clearly isn't. "The reason for my visit, rather ours" He says, pointing to the Queen who was a few steps behind him. "Is that there will be a..." His announcement is interrupted by the Queen who gives him a discreet signal. The Prince leaves the microphone and walks towards her who whispers something in his ear, I notice how his brow furrows when he heard what the Queen apparently said. "Could something have happened?" Lili asks without taking her eyes off the stage. "I do not know" The Prince walks a few steps forward to take the microphone again, turning to see the Queen who only nods slightly. "The reason for this visit is that a ball will be held for the students... for the reason of a new school year, and among the schools, this one has won the contest realized by the Palace" Again he turns to the Queen who nods again once she sees Erick's gaze. "A ball?" Ask Lili confused.  The mixed conversations of the students begin to be present throughout the auditorium, turning into pure noise. Tat's new, I didn't even know there was a contest. "That's what he said. Are you going to go?" I asked despite knowing the answer.  She goes if I go, but it is clear that I will not go so we both will not go. "You'll go?" She asks in a challenging tone. "You know that I won´t, the Rivers won´t let me." "Then neither do I" She reply. I feel bad knowing that she will not go just because Estella´s parents won´t let me, it is an opportunity that may never come again and she shouldn´t miss it. "The dance will be this Saturday, just for the moment I thank you for your time" He finishes the announcement and then he gets down from the stage with the Queen to talk to the director. Everyone starts clapping and others screaming. "Come on? Apparently this is over" I say as soon as the announcement ends. Some reason, I have the feeling of wanting to get out of there quickly, but I don´t know why. "Sure, just let me..." She gets interrupted. "Lili, right?"  A guy with curly brown hair and green eyes interrupts as she approaches us. Only clearly with the intention of speaking to only one person and that is not me. "Yes" She answers. The guy Lili has been talking about all week is now talking to her, it is more than clear that I should not stay if I do not want to be the famous bad third. "I'll wait for you in the living room" She nods and I go out. I start walking through the corridors but that feeling that you have someone following you it´s all over me. I turned around just to found out that the Prince is actually following me. I look from one side to another and I keep walking trying to ignore the fact that he is following in my footsteps. There are students in the corridor and if they see me talking to him they could create a rumour which by the way, are very frequent. "I'm sorry" His apology makes me stop and turn to him, who also stops walking. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you who it was but..." "Don't worry, you don't have to explain anything to me, your Highness, besides..." The sound of my phone announcing that it is an incoming call interrupts me. "Excuse me, I have to answer" I wait a few seconds for him to leave but that never happens, without more, I answer the phone hoping that it is not something bad for which I have to take responsibility. "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU ?! I need you to be here in twenty minutes!" Mrs Marlene's screams can be heard without having to be near to the phone, even if the speaker is not on. I'm wondering if she even know that I'm in class or at least at school. "But I'm about to go to class and..." "I don't care! I need you in twenty minutes, there are things you have to do" She sounds upset, and it's never good to deal with her that way, or in anyone. "Of course, I…" The call is ended by letting me know that Estella's mother has hung up. I focus my gaze on the Prince who I had completely forgotten about, it is clear that he is confused by that little conversation, Mrs Marlene may not be the most tolerant person with me and does not try to hide it. "Was your mom who...?" I didn't let him go on. If a moment ago I thought that running into the Queen was embarrassing, I was wrong, this situation is. "No, she's not my mom, she's my… guardian" His facial gesture indicates that he understands what I mean. "I'm very sorry for what you heard your Highness, but I really have to go, I hope to see you again.  Of course, I don't expect to see him again, and I don't know why I keep talking to him with such confidence, he is the next heir to the neighbouring kingdom and he is talking to me. "Me too" Unlike me, his tone sounded sincere and he didn't mean it to be polite like I did. "Goodbye." I start walking without wasting time, I need to get there in twenty minutes when Estella's house is half an hour from the institute on foot, but I know I can handle it. I walk the streets in a hurry as I think about the infinite possibilities for which Mrs Marlene requires my presence and why I have skipped classes ignoring everything around me. Once I arrive I can see that Estella's mother is dressed more formally than normal, her black dress marking her silhouette and her heels of the same colour makes her look more refined. "You're finally here! This is a disaster." Her tone of voice shows that she's upset and her gaze confirms it, she raised hands indicating that something is wrong with the room. I inspect every inch of the room without saying anything but everything seems to be incomplete order just as I left it yesterday. "You want me to do something special?" Her condition forbids me to just tell her that everything is clean, sometimes she only understands herself and unfortunately, I can't read minds. "Mrs Eva and Mrs Elena will come, we have a meeting so I need sandwiches, also make coffee and tea. You should already know this!" I nod without saying anything, she begins to walk from one side to the other as if this was the worst thing in the world. I know that Estella's mother meets every week with the mother of one of Estella's friends and with the mother of one of the members of the school's football team so I know exactly what to do so that she represents the image of a multifunctional woman, which she is not. " Yes, Americano espresso, rose tea with lavender for Mrs Eva and orange tea with ginger for Mrs Elena, also no sponge cakes or walnut desserts due to Mrs Elena's allergy, I have it" My wisdom bothers her instead of reassuring her, I don't understand why. "What are you waiting for then?!" Without more, I go into the kitchen, luckily I get help from the other employees. After finishing with Estella's mother's entire order, I began to clean up a bit to just arrive and do my homework. My alarm indicating that it was time to go to the cafeteria rang so I leave the house. I like to be there, I have very good friends and my boss is the second representation of a mother figure, besides she knows about my situation. I get to the cafeteria, put on my apron, and start serving customers. ≈ Queen Isabella ≈ I walk through the corridors of the palace quickly towards my husband's office. I thought I would never see her again but it is not like that, the interviews with the girls from the high schools will no longer be necessary, the name of that girl and her data coincide with everything. The enthusiasm I feel at this moment wins me over to think of formalities, so I open the door without even knocking. At the desk is Robert, my husband reading some documents. "I found her," I say, sitting across from him. Robert lowers the papers he was holding to look at me, his eyes reflect hope, he knows what I mean. "Really? Are you sure?" "Completely, I took the liberty of looking into her documents, I asked the director for her information and from what I could find out in the system, everything coincides; besides, her appearance hasn't changed at all, she still has that face that we haven't seen for a long time, and the most important thing ... she has the ring" That last one makes him stop doubting, I can't believe that we'll have her back again. "Does she... does he have a family?"He asked slowly. The confidence he projected is replaced by insecurity; I know this is difficult for both of us, finding our daughter is like a miracle after almost twelve years. "It's complicated, I bumped into her and I had the opportunity to ask her some questions... she's not adopted but a family takes care of her, as far as I know, Erick ran into her too and..." the door Geta knocked interrupting this conversation. "Come in" my husband calls.  The door opens and the right person enters through it at this moment, Erick. "I got these documents but I don't think it's what you requested" He says, standing in the middle of the office with his eyes focused to those pages, rereading them for what it seems. "Erick, I need to ask you a question" Says Robert. He lifts his gaze and approaches us. "The girl you met... What is she like?" "I only spoke with her for a few seconds, but I can safely say that she is kind and clueless, and from what I hear her mother has no patience with her" He answers confused. "His mother?! Robert asks uncertainly. "She is not her mother as such, she told me that she was her guardian, I managed to hear a call she had with the lady who takes care of her and from what I heard that lady is not very tolerant" he replied with a grimace on his face. "Why? "Robert and I exchanged glances. "I have a question. Why did you tell me to announce a dance when the original was an interview with the girls?" "Because I found the girl and the ball if for introducing her as what she really is" "It's her, isn't it?" His eyes widen showing his surprise at this moment, after so many interviews in so many schools, destiny puts her in front of me at the last institute in the area. "Yes, and I have the address where she lives, from what you say Erick, I don't think there will be a problem with the family; Robert must go now" I am willing to insist as much as necessary to go for her today, fortunately, that insistence I do not think is present. "You're right" my husband says. ≈ Sophie ≈ My departure time arrives. I walk home through the streets that are illuminated by the lights of the city, it is not dark yet but the afternoon is already falling; I'm tired and I still have to do my school homework, sometimes I wonder how I can handle this. Upon arrival, I take the keys out of my bag to open the door and walk towards the kitchen to get something to eat. "Sophie!" How are you? You are surely tired” Mr Julian's voice makes me stop in the living room. He and Mrs Marlene are sitting on one of the sofas, they look happy and the tone in which Estella's father addressed me was very warm and friendly. "Honey, how was school? I'm sorry I didn't ask before, I was stressed out" Says Estella´s mother in the same way as her husband. So much kindness gives me chills. They have never used a tone like this with me and the one they are doing now is not normal, maybe the scolding is coming. "I swear I haven't done anything, and I'm really sorry about Estella's dress, I didn't know and... " "Calm down" She interrupts me. "Don't be upset by that, Estella overreacted to something you are not guilty of. Are you ok?" Her smile appears as she speaks. "I ... I'll go to my room"  Without waiting for her answer I start to walk, the strange thing is that Mr Julian and her wife follow me I don't go too far to stop seeing three people whom the whole kingdom knows perfectly, the Kings. The Queen smiles at me warmly, happiness and enthusiasm are reflected in her eyes; I turn to see each one of those three presents hoping to find an answer in their eyes but I couldn´t, I do not understand what is happening. "Sweetie, we're going" The three words spoken from her mouth leave me confused. The Queen is waiting for a response from me and I wait for someone else to say something to clarify this whole situation. "Leave? Where?" I answer by asking two questions. "Even years ago I lost a daughter who was separated from me, separated from her true family and we have not stopped looking for her; she is you Sophie" She explains to me. I am waiting for them to say something else that contradicts what the Queen just said, but they don't. I turn to Estella's parents who are serious now, I can't decipher any emotion on their part; I turn to the King who looks at me with a certain tenderness like the Queen, finally, my gaze goes to Erick who smiles slightly but like the Kings is enthusiastic. "Me? that's ... that's impossible" I finish sentencing. "No, I'm sure it's you, your ring confirms it, it was ordered to be made with one of the most important jewellers in North England, which makes it unique and non-existent; Go pack your bags, we're leaving” Her smile still doesn't disappear, for some reason she gives me complete confidence. I cannot affirm that they are my parents and they that I am that girl, this ring may be a replica or they may mistake it for another but their confidence gives me an opportunity to know who I really am. Once again he turned to the Rivers who still did not emit any emotion. "Ok" I finally respond giving a look to Estella´s parents. "I'll help her" Says Erick, turning to my parents and then walking me to my room. "Are you ok?" He asks once we go upstairs. "I think so" I answer unsure. After we finished putting all my clothes away we went downstairs. Everyone was in the room without saying anything, the Rivers continued with an expression that would be just that unlike a while ago the annoyance on her face could be witnessed, Estella has not arrived yet, which is good for me. "I'm ready" My voice seems to attract everyone's attention, cutting off the silence, a smile forms on the face of the Kings so I smile back.  It is time for a new beginning no matter what happens.