She was a diamond. So beautiful. Glorious. Shiny. Lovable. But, she was also strong.

——-

I stepped in front of the crowd, the suns above soaked up the heavy makup powdered upon my face. The sparkly green and gold dress spread the light to even the darkest of the corners. Every inch around me appeared happy, except for me.

I couldn’t help but think that I was made for more. That I was destined to save this kingdom from a great threat. But, I couldn’t do that as long as I was the princess. I had to be the queen.

I continued to walk past the cheering crowd and approached the marble temple. The clouds above slowly morphed into darkness. A wave of worried drowned me. I felt the guards run up and drag me out of the village square.

When the two large men shoved me into the castle I heard alarming sound. Screaming. So much screaming.

The guards pushed me down the staircase into the safe room. It was used by the ancients to save the royal family. Today it would be used for the same.

I fell into the pit and heard the doors clash together. No one else was here with me. I was alone.

After the screaming passed a silence fell. I suffered in the darkness and with one large sigh I blew out the last candle.

One last time I said to myself. One last time and it would never happen again. I took in one heavy breath. I screamed. One last time. I screamed.