"Evelynn! Time for your lessons!" My mom called up to me from downstairs at seven in the morning. So, I crawled out of bed, quickly brushed my teeth, brushed my long, wavy hair, then did my makeup. That's how it was every day of the week for a young, rich princess living in a huge, grand castle. Even at the young age of six. My little sister, Ellie, was only four.

And then Mom and Dad, Queen Nadia and King Noah of Ellyria, spend the next four hours teaching us how to be good wives and mothers, rulers of the kingdom, and academically smart. I didn't think much of it at the time because as a kid, I just blindly followed everything my parents taught me and Ellie. We, the royal family, of all people in the kingdom, were censored from social media and technology, of all forms. I've always wondered why that is, but maybe they're just trying to protect us from the regular people of the land.
          It's the age of media and tech devices, but Ellyria is still stuck in the old traditional life in a way, with their small village homes of stone and wood. I grew to hate seeing these people barely making a buck while they work for more than twelve hours a day, seven days a week-- at the market, hospital, crop fields, and business offices. I'd see it while outside on short walks... While my royal family and I are spoiled in all the riches anyone could ever imagine. Their house walls are nearly tearing apart, while ours are standing firm.
          But if I tried to pitch an idea to my parents about how to fix the poverty, they would immediately shut it down, claiming that I'm "too young and naïve" to know about politics and the economy. C'mon! I'm a princess, a member of a political family who's been exposed to politics, laws of the land, and the economic conditions her whole life!

Today is the day-- my eighteenth birthday-- I will declare my opposing thoughts on all they've taught me. I am legally allowed to, because I am an adult now. No more childlike games of just blindly following in their footsteps. No more hiding who I really am and what I think.
          It's a typical Saturday in the summer for the people of Ellyria. The children are playing tag, hide and seek, and sports in the grassy fields on the outskirts of the village, near the forest. Their parents have their day off from working, so they enjoy some time both inside cooking dinner for them and on the technology I'm not allowed to have, and outside watching their children play, happy and with no other care in the world.
          On my birthday every year, I usually get some kind of gift, a celebration with cupcakes and snacks, and one big, special wish. And usually, my gifts were new dresses or accessories. My wishes the past few years were for more time to read and write on my own, like more books. I've gotten them, and I made those wishes mainly to avoid the consequences of what they'd do to me if I wished for more freedom and a better economy for the people. On Ellie's sixteenth birthday a few months ago, she wished to go out one day to host some outdoor game days with the village kids. Mom and Dad teased her for it, saying that a princess should not even be playing so many "foolish and unfeminine" games, let alone hosting them. Instead of respecting her wish at all, they started an argument. A loud one that angered me to the point of forcing me to run to my room and hide so I could try not to hear it. In a few minutes, Ellie walked up to my room and let herself cry on my shoulder. Not only was it my job to be the big, protective sister, but I sided with her argument. 
          This year, I will wish for what I've always wanted to wish for, all I've ever truly wanted.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, our loyal and sweet Princess Evelynn!" Mom yelled out happily. Our family, the maids, and the butler were all sitting at the dining room table with some cake and other delicious food... which, I wish I could give some of it to the poor in the village who are struggling to put food on the table now.
          I fake-smiled and said, "Thank you." How can I be loyal towards her and Dad now?
          "You're the best big sister anyone could ever ask for," Ellie said.
          Now at that, I gave a real smile. "Thanks, Ellie!" I then scooched my chair closer to hers and gave her a quick hug. She then hugged me back, not letting go for another twenty seconds. We finally let go, then Dad lit the candles.
          Mom brought over a small wrapped present and placed it in front of me. "Your very special gift for your very special year," she said. I gave a small smile and opened it up. I expected there to be some kind of jewelry or feminine accessories inside, but it was a cell phone! Clearly new (with no scratches or cracks), protected with a galaxy aesthetic case, and the perfect size to fit in a pants or jacket pocket... if I didn't have to wear dresses all the time! I was finally allowed technology after all these years. "I hope you enjoy your gift. You have come of age, Evelynn, to have your own devices. But... you must be careful," Mom continued.
          "Are you kidding, Mom? I love it!" I yelled. I then hugged her quickly. I appreciated the gift, but I only pretended to love Mom. She won't love me after the wish I make.
          I put the phone down as Dad declared that it was time for me to make a wish and blow out the candles. I took a deep breath in and out slowly, then said it: "I wish for more personal freedom to be who I want to and for a better economy that helps the people!" I blew out the candles just before everyone started yelling at me.

Dad gave me a death stare into my eyes, just as Ellie ran up to her room and slammed the door. "That is not very princess-like behavior, young lady," he rebuked, pointing at me close to my face. "You are too young and foolish to know of those things... to know what you want. That is not ladylike."
          "Oh, so it's not ladylike to be intelligent?" I sassed.
          "Young women must always submit to their father's rules, Evelynn. That is why you will not get what you wish."
          "But it's princess-like to want better for the people of the land!"
          "The people here are fine! At least they have places to live."
          "I've seen what it's like, Dad! They struggle financially to put food on the table and make a living for themselves! Meanwhile, we're here in this castle, spoiled with all the money and riches anyone could ever imagine! We need to help the people... save the economy! This monarchy is flawed in too many ways."
          Mom and Dad both gasped and covered their mouths in surprise. "Evelynn, a lady must never raise her voice like that!" Mom chimed in. "You will always adhere to this code as long as you shall--"
          "Stop it!" I interrupted. "I will create a new code to allow more freedom to this family and to the people! I will not calm down, guys. I'm sick of learning to be silent. I'm sick of the things you guys have taught me and Ellie our whole lives!" That's when the tears began to fall.
          The butler only stared me up and down. "You are not to use your new phone until you decide to change your ways. Nothing you do will stop us from keeping to make you more ladylike. Go to your room and just sit there. Think about what you've done!"

And so, I did. Tears streaming down my red face now, I sat at my desk in thought of how to pour my heart out into my diary. I almost wanted to say that I hated my family. Except for Ellie, of course. I heard a knock on my door. "Come in," I replied.
          Ellie walked in slowly, with a sad, sympathetic look on her face. "I really liked your wish, Evelynn," she said. "You aren't the only one who wants it."
          I gave her a small smirk. "Thank you, sis. If I go any longer stuck here like this, I'm gonna go insane."
          "Me too," Ellie agreed, nodding. "I'm sure we'll find a way to fix it."
          I gave her a loving, tight hug after wiping away a few tears. "We sure will. Thanks so much, sis. I love you."
          She hugged me back as tightly and lovingly. "I love you too, big sis. Maybe they'll understand one day."
          "And if they don't... We don't care." We both then laughed, and finally let go.
          "I hate hearing you guys fight. And I hate doing it. People don't think much of what happens inside these walls. But we aren't some perfect little princesses in a perfect little family!"
          "Yeah," I agreed. "I might just go to bed now. Even though it's only seven pm. Good night, Ellie."
          "Good night, Evelynn. Sleep well."

It took me three hours to finally fall asleep... or at least try to fall asleep. Because just as I was falling asleep, someone woke me up and took me away somewhere.