A Princess Without A Crown

      All I can see is pain. That's all I ever see. Sitting on my window ledge, looking out at the town below me is all I ever do. I know when each attack happens, or when people fight, and as of right now, there is another raid. Some people didn't like the price for bread maybe. Taking a sigh, I stand up and walk over to my bed.

The gray stone walls are mocking me as the sun shines on them. I've never been out of the walls of my home. I've never met anyone other than the guards and servants. Maybe they're all I'm ever supposed to meet. No one knows I even exist. I'm a child of a servant and the King. A child that was never supposed to exist.

A princess without a crown is what the head guard calls me. But I am nothing like a princess. Though royal blood flows through my body, I am just a girl. A girl trapped within a curse. A curse to forever be alone. But I am used to it by now.

When I was little, I didn't understand. I always asked questions like "why do people fight", or "why can't I leave my room". But the most famous question to leave my mouth was "where's my mama? Why can't I ever see her?" I didn't get the answer till I was 10. And that answer was all I needed to know.

A knock on the door to my room suddenly brought me out of my thought's. I slowly got up and walked over to the door. I said a quiet "come in". The door slid open with a creak. Soon the head guard, Michael, walked in. A tray of food in his hand.

"Your food princess," Michael bowed as he set the food down. "How many times do I have to tell you Michael, just call me Faith. There is no need to be formal.", I tell him as I sit down. Michael nodded his head as he stood in front of me. "Of course my princess. If you wish me to call you by your real name then I must, your highness.", Michael said, as he walked towards the door.

Before he walked out of my room, he said, "The King wishes to talk to you Princess Faith." With that said he walked out. I grabbed my food and sat back on the ledge looking out at the town that laid below my windowsill.

Later That Same Day

Making sure my dress and hair were neat enough, I opened my door. Michael and my closest friend, Phoebe, stood outside of my door. "Are you ready to go Faith?", Phoebe asked as she curtsied. I nodded my head. They started to walk down the corridor and towards the throne room, me trailing close behind.

As we entered the throne room, my father stood up. I looked around to see that he wasn't alone in the throne room. There was another royal family there. My half brother, Alexander, was standing by my father's side. Oh, did I forget to mention I have a half brother. He's the son of my dad, aka the king and his lover. I was just a mistake.

But the weird thing is that I was called down to the throne room when guests were here. Usually I'm kept up in my dark, gloomy, gray room, and can only come out when no one is here except the servants, guards, and my brother. Oh and of course my dad. "Phoebe, Michael, you may leave. Thank you for escorting her here.", my father says in a emotionless voice, as usual. Michael and Phoebe bowed and left.

As soon as the door shut, all eyes were on me. "Did you need something your highnesses?" I ask as I shifted uncomfortably. "Faith, I would like for you to meet one of my closest allies. Christian, this is Faith. The youngest servant here." My father said gesturing towards me. I curtsied as he bowed.

"Andrew, why is such a young beauty working as a servant?" Christian asked. 'Young beauty? As far as I know, I'm way to young for him to be saying that. But he is a king and kings can do whatever.' I sigh mentally and put on a fake smile. "Faith is the daughter of a servant so she grew up here and decided to be like her mother." My father says as he walks over to Christian.

'More like I didn't have a choice to be called a servant in front of some people.' I say mentally to myself. "You will be seeing him a lot around the castle. But that is all. You may go." My father said. I nod and walk out.