Tale Of A Princess

Sarah Francesca School For Girls, Boston MA

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The door was opened by the chauffeur and Lydia stepped out of the long and luxurious vehicle and unto school premises for the first time in months. This was her happy place and she was glad to finally be back after the long school holiday. She had intended to make the most of the new school year and finally begin to leave her mark because she knew she had more to offer. She was more than just the only child of a wealthy and powerful woman; Miss Eunice Delibottom.

“Why couldn’t Mother bring me today, Jeffrey?” Lydia asked the chauffeur, clearly disappointed by her mother’s absence.

“You know how busy your mother is, little dove. She has a lot that she needs to take care of.” Jeffrey replied.

“But she promised she would come and get me today and bring me to school. And you know how important today is, don’t you?” Lydia asked.

“Of course, I know, little dove.” Jeffrey felt a bit sorry for her because she was always neglected by her busy mother.

“I didn’t even get to see her throughout the holidays. It’s almost like she doesn’t care about me.” Lydia said with her shoulders drooped and her mood downcast.

Jeffrey bent down and took off his hat. He put a hand on her shoulder and drew her closer. “Don’t think like that, Lydia.

“Your mother loves and cares about you more than anything in this world. You have no idea how much but you need to always remember that she loves you. Never think otherwise, you hear me?” He said in a soft, fatherly tone.

Lydia nodded and hugged him. He was the only friend she had at home and she loved him like he was her father.

Lydia’s school friends were dropped off by their chauffeurs as well and they spotted her. Frankie and Jewel became Lydia’s squad the very first day she was enrolled at the school, three years ago. They immediately befriended her and have been BFF’s ever since and Lydia was smart, she could tell that Frankie’s and Jewel’s affection for her originated from the fact that her mother was Eunice Delibottom, making them feel the urge to be associated with her for the public eye but over time, their love for her began to feel real until it was entirely and now, Lydia couldn’t imagine her life without her girls in it.

“Lydia!” They both screamed at the same time with the same level of joy and excitement and ran to her.

All three girls embraced in a long hug and they even started to cry because of how much they missed each other.

“I missed you girls so much.” Lydia said.

“And I missed you girls as well.” Jewel said also.

“Me too. The next holiday, we’re asking our parents to allow us travel together. I couldn’t even enjoy Paris because you both weren’t there with me.” Frankie said with a frown.

“Well, I’ll pick you up at four. Goodbye, Miss Lydia.” Jeffrey said with a more professional tone unlike before and drove off.

Lydia waved him goodbye and walked into the fancy school with her friends.

“You have to tell us all about Paris, Frankie.” Lydia asked excitedly.

“I will but first, I have something for you.” Frankie said and took off her beautiful purse. She took out an expensive hairpin and gave it to Lydia.

“Happy birthday, Lyly.”

Lydia was so touched by the gesture but what really melted her heart was the fact that her friends remembered her birthday unlike her own mother.

“It’s beautiful, Frankie, thank you. I can’t believe you remembered.” Lydia said in tears.

“Your birthday? How could we forget? And don’t worry, you’ll get my present after school.” Jewel said.

Frankie put the pin in Lydia’s hair and it matched completely with her big green eyes.

“How do I look?” she asked.

“You look perfect.” Frankie replied.

The girls all went in and the school bells went off.

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A few hours later, Lydia was being dropped off at home by Jeffrey. She excitedly jumped out of the limo and ran into the humongous house looking for her mother who she hadn’t seen in months. She ran into the grand living room but Mother wasn't there so she tried the bedrooms but she was nowhere to be found.

Lydia decided to check her mother’s study for her. She ran into the room and saw her mom seating at the table and going through some papers. She was so happy to see her that she didn’t even notice the two other people in the room having a meeting with her mother.

“Mother!” Lydia screamed happily and ran over to hug her.

“Little dove,” Her mother said with a smile and spread her arms, inviting the hug and it was a happy reunion.

“I missed you so much, Mother.”

“And I missed you too, my dove,” Miss Eunice said, “Could you two give me and my daughter a moment alone?” She asked the suits.

The man and woman got up and excused themselves from the room.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t know you were in a meeting.” Lydia apologized for disturbing her.

“It’s okay, my dear. Here, take a seat.” Her mother said to her.

She apologized for not picking her up from their vacation home like she promised and for also not being the first person to wish her a happy birthday. Eunice was a busy woman but she did love her daughter and tried to make time for her but, it just wasn’t ever enough.

“I know I promised you a big party when you turned thirteen but unfortunately, I can’t. I have too much work to do.” Her mom said regrettably.

“That’s okay, Mother. I just want to spend today with you.” Lydia said.

“I’m glad that’s what you want and so, I’ll spend today with you. I even have a little surprise planned for later. I just need to finish this meeting and then, I’m all yours.”

“Ok, Mother. I’ll go take my afternoon nap while you finish your business.” Lydia said and hugged her mother before scurrying off to her room.

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A few hours later, Lydia woke up from her nap and took a shower in her private bathroom. She wore a nice dress and the pin that Frankie had given to her at school. She went downstairs to look for her mom but she couldn’t find her, even the maids in the house seemed less than usual.

She discerned that her mom was about to surprise her so she smiled in anticipation. She went to a room and quietly opened the door and could hear Jewel’s voice and Frankie’s as well. "They were here? This must be part of the surprise,” Lydia said inwardly and moved closer. She saw her friends and was about to reveal herself to them when she overheard their conversation.

“She’s just lucky to have been cute and catch the eye of Miss Eunice. It could have been anybody.” Jewel said.

“My mom said that Miss Eunice didn’t even want a child but her father’s dying wish was that she has a child otherwise she wouldn’t be able to claim her inheritance.” Frankie put in.

“And so she adopted Lydia? Bold move for a single woman, that’s what my mom says.” Jewel said again.

Lydia was speechless and her hands were trembling after hearing what her “friends” were saying about her. It couldn’t be true. She wasn’t adopted, Lydia said to herself and ran out of the huge room. She searched the house, looking for her mother so she could get the truth. She found her outside instructing the maids who were setting up some decorations for their little all-girls celebration.

Miss Eunice saw her daughter and immediately noticed the tears in her eyes. She went to her and tried to hold her but Lydia moved away from her touch.

“Is it true, Mother? Am I really not your child?” She asked with so much pain in her voice.

Miss Eunice’s expression changed and she sighed in frustration, “I planned to tell you when you turned eighteen. Lydia, you are my daughter. You may not have come out of me but I love you all the same.”

“You’ve been lying to me this whole time. Where’s my real family?” She demanded to know.

“I am your family, dove. I’m your mother, now and always. Please, don’t hate me for loving you.” Miss Eunice begged, now also crying.

“You don’t love me. And you are not my family. You’re just a woman who took pity on one child among hundreds.” Lydia cried out and ran away, heading for her room.

“Lydia, wait!” Her mom called out and chased after her.

Lydia ran upstairs and into her room. She slammed the door and wanted to lock it but it didn’t have a lock. She could hear her Mother calling out her name but she was too upset and didn’t want to see her.

Lydia was so heartbroken and emotionally fragile and it forced her power to finally manifest for the very first time ever. Her right palm began to glow brightly and would cause things to push away whenever she faced it in their direction. She was sad, scared and confused and had no idea what was happening to her.

Her mom was about to open the door and Lydia panicked. She raised her palm at the door’s direction and pushed it close so her Mother couldn’t come inside the room.

“Lydia, please open the door,” Her mother begged from outside and was wondering why she couldn’t open it because she knew it didn’t have a lock.

“Just leave me alone,” Lydia screamed and her palm glowed even brighter.

“I can explain everything, just let me in.” Her mother pleaded.

Lydia didn’t want her mom to see what was happening with her palm. She tried to turn the light off but it wouldn’t. She was scared that this strange part of herself would make her mother reject her. She was already insecure about being adopted. Add “freak” to the situation and there was no way her “mother” would still want her.

She decided to run away instead of having her mother face her like this. She opened her window and crawled out of it. She was so high up and was scared of falling but she scaled the ledge anyway. She suddenly slipped and fell. She screamed out in horror but just as she was about to hit the ground, she slowed down in the air and landed softly on the ground in one piece.

There was no time to wrap her head around what was happening. She took off her shoes and ran as fast as she could into the night, hearing the echoes of her mother’s screams calling out her name but she didn’t stop. She was too scared to.