In Love With The Ebony Queen

Friends

As Serena stepped into the grand ballroom with her father, they were greeted by hundreds of bows, curtsies and smiles. "Happy birthday, Princess Serena." everyone around them kept saying. 

The king took her around the room and hundreds of people introduced themselves. She always found it funny when people would bow to her, so she snickered. The king squinted his eyes and her, and she would stop laughing. 

After what seemed like an eternity, the king finally let Serena go off to find some children to play with. Her guard followed closely behind her. "Do you have to follow me wherever I go all the time?" she turned to ask the tall man. "Yes, your highness. By order of your father, King Alexander. I am here to keep you safe."

She raised an eyebrow before turning and walking away. She finally spotted a group of kids. Some where her age and some a little older. "Hello." Serena said. They all showed their respect by bowing or curtsying and the princess laughed. 

"You don't have to do that. I only thing it makes people look funny." she said. They looked at each other. "Well my mother and father taught me that it is the proper way to greet royalty." Serena shrugged. "Do any of you want to play with me? We could go outside and play tag in the playground. Or how about hide and seek? Or maybe-" 

"We are not allowed to run around in our party clothes. We would get covered in dirt." one young girl said. Serena looked at her, puzzled. "So what? You could just clean up after, couldn't you? It will be fun!" the young princess insisted. 

"Absolutely not. A lady does not run around in a dress." another girl said as she turned to walk away. The other children followed her and Serena was left standing there all alone. "I didn't wanna play with your big dummies anyway." the princess exclaimed quietly with tears filling her eyes.

She walked out of the ballroom with her guard on her heels. She sat down in the quiet hall near a window, listening to the party that she really didn't want to be at. She leaned against the window and started watching a man tend to the greenery outside.

She was going to walk away until she saw a small boy with him. He was not a noble. He was kind of dirty and helping the man in the garden. She wanted to know if maybe he would play with her. But the guard would never let her out of his sight, unless...

"I have to go to the bathroom." she stood up and began walking towards the bathroom down the hall. The guard followed behind the young princess and stopped in front of the door when she stepped inside and locked the door.

"Okay now I have to get out of here." she whispered to herself. She took off her favorite tiara, for fear of dropping it and breaking it. She placed it on the counter on some towels, then opened the window and climbed out. 

After making her escape outside, she began following the wall back towards the man and the small boy. hoping they were still outside. 

They did not notice the small princess as she approached them. "Hi, what's your name?" little Serena said to the the boy. He looked up at her and smiled. "My name is Dimitri. What's yours?"

She gave him a curtsey and introduced herself. "My name is Serena. It is nice to meet you Dimitri."

Dimitri's father came running towards the two children. "Dimitri! You must bow to the princess like this." The man bows to the young girl and she giggles.

"Why does he need to do that?" she asked. The man looks around confused. "Princess, please excuse us. We are very busy." The man bows again and nudges his son to do the same.

"Wait! I want to go play on the playground. Would you like to play with me?" Dimitri begins walking towards her before his father grabs his arm.

"I am sorry your highness but he cannot. He must work." Serena stares at the boy with a sadness in her eyes.

"What are you doing out here, Serena?" A powerful voice yells for the girl. She turns to see her father walking towards her. He sees the saddened look on her face and he becomes concerned.

"What's the matter my love?" her father asked as she wrapped her arms around his long legs. "I was hoping to make a new friend but he said that Dimitri can't play with me." She pointed her little finger at Dimitri's father.

The man fell to his knees and bowed, pulling his son down with him. "Please forgive the misunderstanding, your majesty. I think the young princess simply didn't understand that we are beneath her and we must tend to the gardens. I did not mean to hurt her feelings."

The man seemed visibly shaken and Serena did not understand why. "Arise. If the boy wishes to play with my daughter, I see no reason why the children can not play." the king said.

The man stands and looks over at his son. "Would you like to play with the princess?" he asked softly. "Yes sir!" Dimitri wastes no time and runs over to Serena and takes her hand as they race off to the playground a few yards away.

"What is your name?" King Alexander asks the man as they watch the children run off. "My- my name is David, sire. David Reigns."

The man bows again and the king waves him off. "Enough of that. It looks like the princess has a new friend." The king smiles as he watches his young daughter running, laughing and enjoying herself. "I have not seen her beautiful smile since her mother died."

The king's voice trails off and his face becomes somber. "I was so sorry to hear of our queen's death. She was truly an incredible woman, sire." The king said nothing as he wiped a single tear from his cheek.

I will send out a few warriors to look over the children as they play. You can get back to work." The man bows his head. "Yes, your highness. Thank you very much."

The king takes another look at his happy princess, then walks back inside.

The two kids run around, having the time of their life. They make their way to the swing and Serena gets on. Dimitri comes up behind her and starts pushing the princess gently. "How old are you, Dimitri?" Serena asked. 

"I am 11. How old are you?" He gave her another gentle push on the swing. "I am 8 years old today. Today is my birthday!" She said, proudly. "Oh, I didn't know!" The small boy looked around frantically for a moment, then stepped away from her. 

When he came back, he handed her a bright yellow daisy. "Happy birthday, Serena!" She looked back at him and smiled. "Thank you so much, Dimitri!"

********8 YEARS LATER*********

"Higher! Swing me higher!" Serena yelled at her best friend, Dimitri as she pushed her on the swing. "If you go any higher, you'll fly off!" he yelled back. 

"That's the idea. I want to fly!" She closed her eyes and pictured herself as a bird in flight. "Well that's all good and dandy except for one problem." He grips the chains, making her stop. "You don't have any wings. Whose suppose to catch you?"

He smiled at her, then walked away. Princess Serena frowned. "Where are you going?" He picked up his backpack and began walking away. "I'm headed to work. Your father was generous enough to let me lead the construction of the new school. I am heading to the site now."

Serena sighed. She always longed to be able to come and go off castle grounds as she pleased. "I want to come with you!" she exclaimed. Dimitri laughed. "A construction site is no place for a delicate princess such as yourself."

She darted her eyes at him. "I am not delicate. Just because you are older than me does not mean you are tougher than I am." He smirked. He kind of liked it when she was mad at him. "You know you're kind of cute when you're angry. In a yelping dog kind of way."

He started to run away from her because he knew she was ready to fight. "Serena! Serena!" The princess stopped her pursuit when she heard her grandmother's voice calling for her. "Yes, grandmother?"

"I will see you later, okay? Goodbye, your majesty." Dimitri bowed to her and she darted her eyes as he laughed. She turned around quickly and began to walk away. "Ugh! I hate that boy!" she mumbled under her breath. 

She stepped toward her grandmother as she gave her a questioning look. "Do you like that boy?" She pointed at Dimitri walking away. "What? No! He is my best friend. You know that, grandma." She walked into the castle with her grandmother next to her. 

"Good, because your father wishes to speak with you."