The fresh air was crisp and cold as it nipped at your exposed arms and legs.

It blew
softly, your (h/l), (h/c) hair flowing behind your back. You closed your eyes, a soft smile
gracing your lips. You felt free.
You opened your eyelids again, the smile never leaving your face. You played with the
water that surrounded you, splashing and whirling it around. It seemed to keep you at
peace. Unable to contain your excitement, you jumped down into the water, relishing in
the salty feeling that latched itself onto your skin.
You swam in the ocean, swimming in your own accord without anyone’s instructions or
without anyone telling you to do so. The fishes of varying sizes payed no attention to
you, seemingly minding their business as you minded your own. You felt relieved,
happy. It’s exactly like what you’ve yearned for.
You continued swimming without any restrictions. Surprisingly, you could breathe
normally in the water as long as you seemed to have fun. Again, and again, you swam
and you swam. You had no set location in your mind, but you just continued swimming
to your heart’s content.
Suddenly, a goldfish started swimming right next to you. At first, you nearly panicked,
causing you to almost lose your sense of tranquility under water, nearly choking on the
water. But you realized that the goldfish that was swimming right next to you didn’t
seem to mind your presence. In fact, it seemed like as if it’s enjoying being right next to
you.
You calmed down, a relieved smile forming on your face. It seems like you’ll be friends
with this goldfish. You swam right next to it, following it to where it is going. You swam
closer to the fish, only for you to hear faint words come out of its mouth.
“Up… Up… Wake up….”
You were confused. ‘Wake up?’ You thought. ‘Why would I—’

Your eyes fluttered open as the light from your bedroom window flooded your room.
You squinted your eyes before shutting them again, groaning and covering your head
with your covers. A familiar giggle echoed through your ears before you felt your blanket
get tugged away from your head.
“Princess, it is time to wake up.” You heard the voice of your maid, Trish, say softly.
Once again, you groaned, weakly tugging the covers back to your head. “No… I don’t
want to get up…” You tiredly mumbled, the sleepiness taking over you again.
Trish shook her head, successfully tugging the covers away from your head. She smiled
smugly, holding the covers away from you. You whined, making grabby hands at her.
You pouted, eyes shut tight, not wanting to open them up.
“Give me back my blankets, Trishhhhhh….!!!” You whined. Your (e/c) eyes peaked
slightly from your shut eyelids, glaring at the pink haired maid that was in your room.
Trish shook her head once again, settling the blankets on the far end of your large bed
so you would not reach it. “I apologize, my Princess, but it is time to wake up! You
wouldn’t want to make your father wait at the table, would you?” She reminded you of
your punctuality, walking over to the trolley that had your tea in it.
You sighed, letting your hands fall to your lap. You yawned, running your hands through
tangled mess of your (h/c) locks. “What tea is it today?” You asked, turning your
attention towards Trish, who was pouring you a cup.
“Golden Dawn Oolong tea, my Princess,” Trish answered, handing you your warm cup.
You sighed, not liking the fact Trish still calls you princess while you two are alone.
Nevertheless, you smiled and took the cup from her. “Thanks, Trish… And I’ve told you,
no need for formalities when we’re alone, alright?” You blew the tea before drinking it,
not wanting to scald your tongue. “I’ve had enough of being called ‘princess’ left and
right.” You chuckled a little.
Trish scoffed, amused by you. She sat on your bed, a couple inches away from you.
“Anything on your mind then, (Y/NN)?” She nudged your arm a little. “You can tell me
anything. You know I wouldn’t tell on you to your dad, right?”
You sighed, tracing your finger on the rim of the teacup. “I know… It’s just that—”
A knock from the other side of the room was heard. Both you and Trish shot up, alerted
by the sound.
“If the Princess is awake, please lead her downstairs already. The King does not like
waiting.” The strict reminder voiced by Diavolo, the head butler, said before he walked
away.
“She’s almost ready, Papa! The Princess will be down in a minute!” Trish shouted
before sighing and turning her attention back to you. She placed her hand on top of
yours and smiled. “Let’s talk again later, okay?”
You nodded. You placed the teacup and saucer back on the trolley. Trish stood up,
rummaging in your closet for your outfit of the day. She held up two choices for you.
The first one, a frilly purple dress with lacey tulle below the shoulders and exposing your
shoulders. The skirt part was layered and tiered with lace trimmings at each tier. It has
pearl linings on the front with embroidered roses stitched on the chest area. The second
choice, was a simple off shoulder black dress, a see-through tulle on the collarbone
area. Without letting Trish ask you which one you would pick, you chose the less
constrictive and less itchy one, aka the second.
Trish hummed, putting the purple dress back in the cabinet. “Sad, I even liked the
purple dress.” She chuckled, removing the black dress off of the hanger.
“You can have it if you want. It’s itchy.” You stood from the bed and stretched, walking
over to Trish to grab the black dress from her.
You stripped off your nightgown and changed into the black dress, straightening away
the creases that might be noticeable. You then walked over to your vanity, picking up
your brush and started combing your messy, bedhead look.
“So, like… White flats or… Black heels?” Trish held up two shoe choices for you to pick
from.
“The white ones. Thanks.” You chose, turning your head to smile at her. You placed two
clips on your hair and faced away from the mirror when you deemed yourself looking
rather decent for the day. Trish then placed the shoes in front of you, helping you put
them on.
“Hey, no, I can do that, Trish. You’ve done enough for me already.” You tried to stop
her.
The pink haired girl shook her head and smiled at you. “Nah, its fine. It’s duty as your
maid and personal assistant, anyway.” She reassured you, patting your head.
Once you’re fully done, Trish held up her hand towards you. “Ready?”
You nodded, giving Trish a ready to go smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Taking her hand,
you both went out of your room to go to the dining room for you to eat your breakfast.
~~
Caesar tapped his fingers on the table, waiting patiently for you, his daughter, to arrive.
He checked his pocket watch for the third time that hour, sighing and faced forward
again.
’15 minutes late…’ He thought.
Still, he waited patiently. He rested his head on the palm of his hand, eyes faced
forward. He tapped his fingers on the table once again. Caesar breathed deeply before
speaking, glancing at the head butler who was standing beside him.
“What did your daughter say about the Princess, Diavolo?” Caesar inquired him.
“That she is almost ready, Your Highness,” Diavolo replied.
Caesar simply nodded, sighing quietly to himself. Not long after this, you appeared in
the entrance of the dining room accompanied by Trish. An apologetic smile graced your
features, walking quickly to your seat on the right side near your father. Diavolo pushed
your seat in as you sat down while Trish made her position beside her father.
“You’re late.” Caesar pointed out the obvious.
You blushed, looking down at your lap as you fiddled with the hem of your dress. “I’m
sorry, Father. I um…” You glanced at Trish quickly. “I had trouble looking for what I
should wear to day.” You lifted your head up, grinning sheepishly at your father.
Caesar shook his head. He looked at you strictly, frowning quite evidently, showing how
he is pretty disappointed in you. “I’ve told you; a Princess is—”
“A Princess is always punctual and does not make the guest or guests wait, I know.”
You finished what your father was trying to remind of you again. You let out a sigh,
closing your eyes. Your head fell down your shoulders again, looking down at the empty
plate in front of you.
Your father shook his head, placing his hand on top of your head. He rubbed your head
affectionately, his features softening. “Just try not to be late again, alright? I expect that
this will be the last time you will be unpunctual.”
You can’t help but look up at your dad, smiling a little. “I’ll try my best, dad.”
Caesar rubbed your head again before signaling Diavolo to bring the breakfast in. The
head butler nodded, ordering the other servants to bring in the food. Your (e/c) eyes
watched as plates of pancakes, waffles, bacons and the likes started appearing on the
table. Your mouth watered, mentally coming up with what food choices and
combinations you’ll make this breakfast.
You ate quietly with Caesar, savoring the food that the cooks have made. While eating,
Trish then approached you, reading out your schedule for the day.
Clearing her throat, Trish held up the piece of parchment paper to her face and she
spoke, “Princess (Y/N) Aurelia (L/N) Zeppeli’s schedule for today:
10:00 am – 12nn – Piano lessons with Signora Monika Genjitsu
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Law and Politics with Signore Phoenix Wright…”
After stating them aloud, she set it on the table beside you. You groaned, picking up the
paper, eyes skimming over the entire list once again. You sighed, shaking your head,
placing the paper back on the table. You rested your head on your dominant hand, the
other hand held a fork, poking at the waffle on your plate.
“Can I not meet the Brandos this afternoon?” You requested, not daring to look up at
your father, or to anyone at all.
“Why, you have to, darling. You do realize that you have to make a choice somehow,
right?” Caesar replied back.
You looked up; a frown etched on your face. “Well I’m not yet ready to make a choice to
who will be my suitor yet, Dad! Come on, I’m still a teenager, not yet nearing my
adulthood. Can’t I relish in these moments for a little bit longer?” You argued. “For 15
years, all my life, I’ve been taught how to be a proper lady. A proper… Princess. But I
never felt how it would be like a normal teenager like all the others my age!”
Caesar contained the swelling anger that was forming inside of him. He breathed
deeply, clenched his fists. His piercing green eyes bore into your (e/c) ones.
“Sorry to disappoint you, (Y/N), but you are not like the other teenagers. You are the
Princess of Napoli, the heir to my throne. You will have to make a choice as to who your
suitor will be soon. If you are unable to, I, your father, will choose for you.” He seethed.
“Understood?”
You bit your lip, glaring at your father. You slammed you fists on the table and stood up,
stomping your way out of the dining room. Before you left, you faced Caesar, brows
furrowed and a very, very evident large frown was placed on your lips.
“All I ask of you… Father… Is to let me live my life normally… Without the burdens or
the pressure of being your heir… or being the princess weighing on my back. Just at
least for one time. Just let me be a normal teenager for only one time. Be it for a month
or a year. It’s the only thing I want.” With that, you continued your way back to your
room, small bits of tears rolling down your face.
Caesar slumped in his seat, sighing deeply. Diavolo and Trish stood by the sides
quietly, not daring to utter a word. The cook, Doppio, peaked from the kitchen.
“M-May I serve the dessert now or—”
Diavolo looked at him, a finger raised to his lips. “Silence, Doppio. You may leave those
for your sister and I or discard it, if you wish. Your Highness is quite upset right now.”
Doppio nodded and scrambled to the kitchen, leaving the scene. Once again, a sigh
only escaped Caesar’s lip.
~~
Nighttime rolled around. Diavolo cancelled all your duties for the day. As you were
prepping yourself for bed, you heard a knock through the door. Hesitantly, you told
whoever it was to enter. A relieved smile appeared when you saw that it was only Trish.
“Hey,” you muttered softly.
Trish closed the heavy wooden door behind her, and approached you. She sat on the
edge of your bed, humming softly.
You raised your eyebrows, crossing your arms in front of you. “Shouldn’t you be asleep,
Trish? You have to wake up early tomorrow or Diavolo or your brother will drag you out
of bed again.” You chuckled.
Trish looked at you with the same mischievous glint in her eyes. “Shouldn’t you also be
sleeping, Princess?” She exaggerated the last part, laughing after.
You laughed along with Trish, a short, sad sigh escaping your lips. You played with your
blanket, tracing circles on it. You stopped though when Trish reached over and held
your hand with hers. You looked up, tackling the pink haired girl into a hug. Trish let out
a gasp before hugging you back, rubbing your back soothingly.
“You wanna talk? I did say earlier we’ll have some “girl talk” once they day has ended,”
Trish said softly.
You simply nodded, pulling away from the hug. “Venting would be nice, yeah… Thanks
so much, Trish.” You looked at her gratefully, feeling relieved that someone was there to
willingly listen to you.
Trish adjusted her place, sitting cross-legged in your bed, facing you. “What’s up?
What’s with the whole outburst earlier at breakfast?”
You remained quiet for a couple of minutes, processing in your head how you’d say it
out loud. “It’s just that… um… I feel tired of being a princess, you know? Others might
think it’s a cool thing to be living the royal life because you’ll drown in luxury and wealth,
but they don’t really know what it is like.” You started.
Trish nodded, staying silent, allowing you to continue.
“I just recently turned 15, not once stepping out of this mansion. The only time I was
ever out was when I go out to the garden but I’ve not went out publicly. I’ve been
homeschooled, tutored for that 15 years. The only contact I’ve had with the outside
world is through dinner parties with other wealthy families who are offering their
alliances or not… Or through social media that I don’t even bother to look at as much…
“I want to be like a normal teenager, Trishy. Y’know, being able to go to school, possibly
meeting new friends. N-Not saying you’re not enough, Trish,” You stammered. “Just
making it clear, you’re my best friend in the whole world.”
Trish giggled, shaking her head. “I know, I get what you mean. Go on.” She ushered
you to continued.
You nodded, continuing where you left off. “I wanna know what it possibly feels like to
be a part of some clique at school. I don’t know, maybe get picked on by some bullies
too, like in the movies? And then I’ll put my foot down and defend myself against them?”
You laughed.
“Maybe even meet someone at school so I could call them my “crush”, you get me?”
You giggled. “I just really want to know what those feels like.”
Trish hummed, shrugging her shoulders. “Maybe your dad might consider, maybe he
might not, but if ever your wishes do get answered, tell me every single detail, alright?”
She winked, grinning from ear to ear.
You nodded quite violently. “Definitely, of course! I’ll update you on every single thing
I’m going to experience!” You squealed excitedly.
Trish laughed, ruffing your hair. “Well, I guess that’s all of it. Let’s talk again tomorrow,
okay? Good night, (Y/NN). Sleep well, sis.”
You tucked yourself in your blankets, switching off your bedside lamp. “You too. Good
night, Trish.”
Trish left your room and headed back to her quarters. Little did you know, tomorrow, a
big news awaits you.