Runaway Princess II

I RAN AWAY!

I actually did it!

FINALLY!!!!

Oh I can totally imagine the look of ghastly horror on mother's face. I'm just disappointed I wasn't there to witness it. Oh boy have I done it now.
Remember Blake? Remember how I was almost going to run away well, I'll start where I left off.

So Blake left me at the bakers shop and after that for a few days I walked by there to see if he ever came by again, but he was never there. And just when I was finally going to give up on finding the man who had so easily managed to charm me, there he was. At the palace. My palace.
So his accent my have been country but his mother was the eldest daughter of a Duke and his father was just about to be knighted for doing god knows what.
Of course this resume would never appease my mother.
As part of my training I am now to attend each and every thing held at the palace and in the town. Even things like court and small ceremonies. So there I am and there he is. I'm sure he hadn't seen me yet because he stared around at the million's of dollars worth of artefacts our family has collected so nonchalantly it seemed as if he couldn't care less. I smiled, I mean it's not just a bunch of pricey things, it's not just years of carefully acquired pieces, it's kind of my family's legacy and my inheritance so to speak.
We went on to knight his father, the Queen dubbed him whatever-she-did, I looked around like I had better things to do which is when he actually realized I was the girl he met the other day. And surprised he was!
When the soiree was over he came over and we had a little conversation, it went something like this;

"Your Highness," he bowed.
"I guess you do go to fancy parties and you don't clean up so bad either"
"Well, the Vanderford's do have a reputation to live up to, I do my best"
"Vanderford? Using your mother's name I see"
"That is something we have in common already"

See! He's a charmer alright.
And then we kept running into each other over and over, and I couldn't help but develop a certain fondness for him. He's kind and sweet and smart and nothing like the snobbish Princes and Dukes I've been paraded around. And since his grandfather doesn't have any sons, one day the old man's title's and lands will belong to his eldest daughters first born son, which lucky for me is Blake. That does make him a slightly better prospect to introduce to Her Majesty but only slightly so. I'm pretty sure all she wants is a Prince second in line to the throne so that there is no conflict and he is also from way up the hierarchy. A boy raised in the country, the son of a lowly knight despite the fact he will be a Duke someday will never be good enough for my mother even if he makes me smile.
A few days ago he just asked me why I won't introduce him to my mother when it was pretty damn clear there was a little more than old fashioned acquaintanceship going on here, so I had to tell him. And even though he didn't say anything I could tell he was ticked off. He tried to explain that I was my mothers only heir so she couldn't possibly disown me and anyway I would be Queen someday she shouldn't get to back-seat-drive me life.
And yes, his point was clear. It was right but still. Even if she is horrible sometimes, she is my mother and I wasn't going to go up and disappoint her like that. The Cortez house has a certain air of respect around it, of course if I ever told him this he would think I was putting him down which is why I can't tell him. And besides I love my mother (no matter what I may of may not claim.)
Though after a lot of coaxing I gave in. I took him to see my mother and boy was she mad! I was ready to see fumes coming out of her ears.
later she yelled at he saying how could I be so careless as to let some son of a common knight as to court me. When I tried to explain that he wasn't just some son of a common knight she just sighed. It was the first time I saw how old and tired she really was. I felt bad for pushing her so far she had to left her mask of strength down to really show me that she did love me and she did care about me.
"Don't be careless with your heart," she whispered.
She even sounded tired. I just wanted to hold her and tell her I would never go against her again but she had already given me and in and she had taught me never to let a golden opportunity go.
"Mother please"
"You don't want to end up like me"
"No, no I don't." I felt bad saying those words to her face but she asked for it.
"Would it surprise you if I said I married your father for love and not his title?"
OF COURSE IT SURPRISED ME!
I always thought she married father because he was a Prince.
"What I'm trying to say it love is- it's not enough. Not for people like us, Cassandra"
"But-"
"Why don't we put it to the test then?" she took a deep breath and cringed as if she was going to say and do something that she would come to regret. "Run away with your boy"
"WHAT!?"
"Just listen! If he does take you away you will know that although he may love you now someday it won't be enough because he asked you to give up your throne, your birthright and didn't just take something from you but thousands of people. You will know he cares more about his heart than anyone elses and he's not the man for you. But if he takes you and brings you back he understands that you have a bigger role in the grand design and he must let you play it and if that happens I will personally bless you two all the happiness in the world and throw the biggest wedding of the century. Despite what you may think I only want what's best for you, Cassie"
I was touched. She wasn't the Ice Queen after all, she was just old and lonely and had learn to protect herself which just meant she forgot how to let others in. But mostly MY MOTHER CALLED ME CASSIE NOT CASSANDRA!! Like wow! She must really want to prove something to me.
And so I did it. I don't quite believe it was my mother's idea but I did it. I ran away. Now I'm on a farm a few miles away from where Blake grew up and he is out fishing. It's not something I ever thought I'd be doing but I was the one who wanted out right? Well here's my out.

Runaway Princess I

It has been nearly an entire month now.
So much has happened. I almost eradicated the Cassandra in me, the Princess.
His name was Blake; he wasn't a Duke or a Prince or a Barron, he wan't standing in line for a a throne or a title or some sort of vast wealth or lands. I guess that is one of the pitfalls of standing this high, the only way to look is down or beside you. And you rarely see anything interesting or out of the ordinary there beside. The place down below however, is an entirely different tale. You can either be squeamish about it and not just look down but really look down on them when you see any commoner.Or you could chose to actually step out of the cluster of awe and wonder being regal surrounds you with.
I met him on my rounds of the city. As my usual routine went I escaped my guards leaving them scared for their lives and livelihood (from the Queen) and as they went about their usual routine of scrambling around the usual places I would normally let them find me I scoffed at the whole idea of having guards trailing me when I was perfectly capable of killing anyone who came within ten feet of me in seventeen different ways, as for long range attacks skirts are a pretty handy place to stash throwing daggers.
I sat at this little street side bakers shop that had opened up on the end of Bakers Street, (the irony or not) somewhere where they would never think of looking or me until dusk. That was when this random guy runs up to me and says "Quick pretend we're having a conversation!"
Startled I stared at him. But really people, doesn't everyone in the Kingdom, soon to be my Kingdom, know who I am. I mean how do you not know the person who could throw you into a dungeon just because she was bored, or didn't like your face, or just wanted to mess with the first random stranger. I mean people! I'm in a fancy dress, in heels that probably do some nasty permanent damage in the long run and yes, I was wearing one of my light tiaras but I don't see anyone else in the street with a silver, sparkly  diamond and emerald studded tiara.
Moving on. This guy. As much as I was annoyed at not having been recognized (Irony again? I'm the one always running from my title!) I smiled at the prospect of having met someone who didn't bow before the first of many courtesy split out of their mouth, so when he turned around to look for whatever was chasing him I slipped off my tiara and gloves and stuffed them down my purse.
When he turned back I smiled. His blue eyes were cool and calm even as sweat trickled down his forehead. I could almost feel his heart racing with adrenaline, his high-arched eyebrows came together as his squinted at my dress.
"Some ball I wasn't invited to?" His thick country accent sent a chill down my spine. A nice chill might I add, wait- can chills be nice?
And for some reason I laughed and my hand brushed by his and for a moment I forgot who I was and where I was supposed to be.
The lines on his forehead creased as he frowned. I sat there taking in every little detail about him etching it into my memory, he was something all right, I was mesmerized, the feeling as fancy as the word.
"Somethin the matter? Not good 'nuff for your little party?" he smiled.
"You don't seem the type to be tied down to something as gracefully graceless as a ball"
"Gracefully graceless?" he raised his eyebrows.
"Well, what's the point of a couple of people with a lot of money coming together to do a fancy chicken dance? Graceful yes, but extravagant to the point of loosing it charm and with it the much needed grace."
"Well said, princess" he got up and kissed my hand.
I flinched. I was sure he didn't mean it the way it was supposed to be but the word was cast and the moment ended.
We went our separate ways that evening but for people like me things have a funny way falling apart and then being glued together forcibly only to finally stick, even with its jagged edges and messy frame the picture tends to come together.
Au revoir!

Death Stares and Soirées

It seems being a princess at sixteen isn't just the normal array of horrid lessons and preparations. Being officially crowned and thus marked as the sole heir has its cool set of perks.
People actually listen to me. The power is almost intoxicating. They seem to fear me more then they do her majesty the queen and that's saying something. It's probably because their future in the kingdom depends upon my approval, I could make their lives very miserable. But hey, no pressure.
The other day I threw a little bash for my would be friends/hopeful ladies in waiting. They all came dressed in fancy ball gowns and shiny tiaras only to find, to their utmost horror, my idea of a bash was a tiny bit different to theirs. Well actually a lot different!
They came expecting a ball whereas I'd thrown a bit of a slumber party (which I've learned involves just as much planning and appropriateness if not more). So most of them looked around awkwardly trying to mask their disapproval, and surprisingly enough some of them made themselves comfy and lay sprawled on the sofas when I made my not-so-grand entrance.
Everyone smiled. The night went smoothly, with stolen glances and awkward chitchat. I was glad my bestie Cora was there, I would have honestly died of sheer boredom and formality without her oh-so-welcome presence which mother dearest oh-so-strongly detests.
So coming to the part where I get to exercise my high and mighty powers. One of the maids couldn't show up and my butler (yes my own personal butler- we're filthy rich as can be expected) was giving her an earful when I caught them in the hall outside. I swiftly put on my best smiling yet completely concerned look and asked him what the fuss was about. He politely explained (although I was clearly getting on his nerves, who was I to butt into his business. Oh wait only the princess!) She was supposed to wait on my little soirée but her son was sick so she never showed up.
I turned to the butler smiled and gave him a long stern death stare and said "it was her child, we can make a few exceptions can't we?"
He did a little bow, quickly turned to the poor whimpering maid and told her she could go. She thanked me a million times and staggered away.
I am going to be such a cool Queen. Speaking of queens here she comes. I'd better make myself presentable or better yet scarce.
Adiós!

Dukes and Princes

Well this has been a long and not-so-fun winter.

I have been paraded from Kingdom to Kingdom, Ball to Ball, Palace to Palace, Royal family to- well you get the idea. Mother dearest insists on procuring my suitor through a rigorous system she claims to have set up especially for me, but I'm sure grand-mère was the maestro who really came up with the hell tradition. Every time I got comfortable with a could-be-consort Her Highness hauled me off to the next one. I suppose she wants me to see each one in their own element, which I must say so is mainly one of intimidated awkwardness, before I actually like and choose one. It's like tasting all the candy in a bowl before buying an entire pack of it (bad example). And she can actually pull this off. See, my mother has managed to build up a certain reputation for herself one that strikes fear into the heart of the very land she walks on, so to speak. People, even beyond our confines of our Kingdom shiver in their boots when they hear Her Majesty Queen Grace II is coming for a little visit.

I did like this to-be Duke I met at the thirteenth ball I was dragged to. He seemed to understand the misery and horror of my situation, being the one and only heir to the throne and him being the one and only heir to his father's lands and title. My mother however promptly pulled me away from the party when she noticed how "cozy" we were.

"We are here to find a proper suitor not dilly-dally with every man looking to find a place by our throne!" she exclaimed horrified.

When I tried to explain he was a Duke she frowned. It seems Duke's are far below us Cortez's in line to the throne. We only and only marry Royal Princes who could some day be in line for their own throne. But I am free to choose my own suitor. Or as free as could be expected. 

So here's a list of rules I seem to have gotten the hang of in the past month:

1. Fear Mother above all.

2. Quickly find a Prince before mother rejects them all on little things they have no control over. 

3. The power is actually nice - people listen.
4. Fear is an added bonus.

Checked In & Checked Out

The ball went smoothly, too smoothly. It seems Royals and Princes have officially been given permission to check me out, and so of course each one of them did with utmost pleasure and delight. I was the new meat bone sent into the market.
"Here here! New rare meat! Check it out and mark your share. On the market in two short years!"
As tradition dictates here in Zenlodia, the Princess is to wed an eligible bachelor between her eighteenth and nineteenth birthday. The coming out ball is just to remind these dreary bachelors that there is a damsel or should I say hot new item coming in on the market soon.

But all that in due time.

From today all my pre-Princess lessons end and a new era of doom and horror begins (queen lessons... even saying it out loud makes me shiver.) I can't imagine what new act of regal retribution mother dearest shall concoct for the (not) prodigal daughter.

Though for now I shall defy every rule set up for me and horrify the counsel and the court beyond their wildest imagination.

Later.

Before the coming out

Hi. I'm Cassandra Cortez, but for all intents and purposes of this (unfortunately public) diary I go by Cassie (and if I catch you referring to me by the other C-word it shall be your head and my pike - I do own one jbtw, we're very old fashioned that way)
So, I turn sixteen in a couple of minutes. I'm sitting on the ledge in my balcony taking in my final few moments of fresh air and serenity. If any of you are remotely related to us Cortez's you'll understand exactly why, as for the rest of you; be thankful because the moment the clock says you're sixteen the circus act begins.
Tomorrow I'll have my coming out ball. Why do we even have a coming out ball? It's not like every single person in the kingdom doesn't already know who Cassandra Cortez is, I mean I haven't exactly been hidden in some dungeon all my life.
At this exact moment I'm wearing flannel pyjamas (which my mother swears to burn if she catches me in them again.) But she's too stand up for that sort of abominable act. I have been learning the way I am expected to linguistically perform in the presence of humans since I was four (so I'm crossing everything hoping for the aliens to invade soon.)
I am act gracious, courteous, merciful, kind, benevolent, altruistic and princely. Or should I say princess-ly.
Did I mention I'm a princess?
Toodles