• THE RETURN

    ”Princess Lorien, please try to be reasonable today. The poor boy has traveled so far just to see you. At least be kind enough not to humiliate him. It’s not every day that someone comes from the other side of the Earth just to meet a wonderful princess such as yourself,” Mrs. Coldwell raved on as she searched Lorien’s wardrobe for something suitable to wear. Lorien continued to ignore the poor old woman as she had been and stared out the window at nothing in particular.

    Mrs. Coldwell pulled out a light blue gown with sequins near the neckline out from the wardrobe. That was the moment that she had realized that the princess was ignoring her. She laid the gown on the bed and walked over to the troubled princess. Mrs. Coldwell put her hand on Lorien’s shoulder and smiled. Lorien turned around to face her servant and smiled apologetically.

    “You’ve grown so quickly my dear,” Mrs. Coldwell smiled but didn’t look at Lorien. Instead, she looked out the window, staring at the kingdom of Bright Splendia, marveling at how peaceful and lively the whole place was. She turned back to look at the princess who was still smiling.

    Mrs. Coldwell laughed. “This kingdom has grown too and one day this will all be yours. I know you don’t like this whole marriage thing but it has to be that way. It’s for the good of the kingdom, and you,” Mrs. Coldwell said reassuringly.

    Lorien turned back to look out the window. “It’s not really the marriage thing that bothers me. It’s more the fact that I have limited options as to who I can marry,” Lorien sighed. “I just want to marry someone who isn’t a prince. I want to marry…”

    “That soldier,” Mrs. Coldwell cut her off, then sighed. “I know.”

    Mrs. Coldwell opened her mouth to say something but the sound of the city bell cut their conversation short. Lorien sat straighter in her chair and stared out the window more intently, hopeful. In the distance she could see the sight of the city gates opening and a large mass of people marching through with pride. The city was suddenly alive and somehow, brighter than the sun that was shining in the sky. Right at the front of the large crowd, Lorien could see a blue flag with a large sun shining in the centre, the flag of Bright Splendia waving proudly. The soldiers had returned, victorious.

    Lorien hopped out of her chair excited. “Quick Mrs. Coldwell, what should I wear!?” Lorien asked excitedly.
    Mrs. Coldwell pointed to the blue gown on the bed. “I think it would suit your pale skin,” Mrs. Coldwell said. Lorien pulled a face at the gown.

    “Yes, it would but it wouldn’t suit my deep brown curls. How about purple?” Lorien asked pulling out her violet gown from her wardrobe and examining it. Mrs. Coldwell disagreed.

    “Let’s go with red. What do you think?” Mrs. Coldwell pulled out the red gown from the wardrobe and held it up. Lorien thought for a second and examined the dress. She smiled.

    “Perfect!” Lorien smiled.

    She quickly got changed and quite literally ran down the stairs into the throne room where her mother was waiting, but she was not alone.

    The prince that had come to see her was standing next to Queen Lucia (pronounced Loo-si-ya). He was dressed in an emerald green suit and he was very handsome. He had deep brown hair, just the same colour as Lorien’s, and he had grey eyes. Though, as handsome as he was, Lorien felt no interest towards him. His name was Samuel, Prince of Translutia (pronounced Trans- loo- shee- ya).

    “Isn’t he wonderful Lorien? He will be here to witness the welcoming ceremony for our brave soldiers,” Lucia said happily for she was a joyous queen. Samuel stepped forward and kissed Lorien’s hand gently.

    “It’s an honour to meet you your royal highness of Bright Splendia,” Samuel said with a soft smooth voice.

    “Likewise,” Lorien said and smiled politely at him before taking her seat next to the queen. Samuel smiled to himself and took his seat on the other side of her royal Majesty.

    Queen Lucia turned to look at her and smiled before she looked forward again and ordered the guards to open the doors. As the large wooden doors of the castle opened slowly, the smile on Lorien’s face became more genuine.

    As the army marched in, Lorien could only keep her eyes on the young man who was leading them, the young man with light brown hair and emerald green eyes, the only one that she loved and would ever love, Lucas.

    Lucas stared back at her as he marched toward her mother on the throne, his eyes showing the same love that hers did.

    But someone caught his eye, the man sitting on the other side of the throne. When Lucas realized who this was, his eyes turned cold. He tried to look back at Lorien but no longer could, for he felt that the one that he loved was no longer his anymore.