The princess stormed down the colossal corridor ladened with cloth hanging and paintings. Her fists tightened the closer she got to the king's solar. As she reached the door, she was met with two footmen. The one on her left stepped in front of her and stuck out his hand to her.

"Your Highness, His Majesty is busy and he has asked not to be disturbed," the footman stated. In return, the princess glared at the man as she spoke to him.

"I will not wait for him to be ready. Let me in." Her voice came out harsh. The footman suddenly moved away from her. A royal had given him orders, and in the end he would rather let her in than lose his job. The princess sighed as she shoved the large doors with gold inlay and pushed her way into the room. The king had been sitting at his desk, speaking to his advisor Lord Capricorn.

"Your Majesty, I must speak with you." The princess barked as she got closer to the desk. The king only glanced towards his daughter. At first he ignored her, keeping the conversation he had between him and Capricorn. The princess and king met eyes only for a moment before he rolled his own and sent Capricorn away.

The princess and king watched as he left the room, leaving the two to speak alone. The king motioned for his daughter to come forward. The princess moved swiftly into the seat in front of her father's desk. He paid no attention to his daughter as he did not once lift his eyes from the papers in front of him. His pen scratched away at the paper he had been writing on.

Biting her lip, the princess fixed her dress and patted her hands on her lap. However, her efforts to be noticed, or even acknowledged by her father, didn't work. She began to grow angier than she already was.

"Your Majesty," the blonde princess said sternly. His hand stopped writing and he glanced up at his daughter. The princess took this opportunity to speak her mind before he could disregard her again. She took a deep breath and spoke loudly,  "What is this I'm hearing about having an appointed knight?"

The king's eyes slowly panned back down to the stack of papers in front of him, and his pen began to scribble once more. The princess could only feel resentment for the king as he continued to ignore her. He only did this when he didn't want to explain himself, but she wasn't taking his silence as an answer.

"Father, answer me! What is the meaning of this?!" The princess screamed as she stood up from her seat. The king quickly looked up and was taken aback by the princess's outburst. However, it only annoyed him that she pestered him about such a useless topic.

"Princess Lucy, I will not have you interpret me during my meeting and speak out against me. You will have an appointed knight because I am allowing it. You have no say in the matter. It is for your best interest to heed my words." The king scolded Lucy for her insolence.

"You always say 'it is in my best interest', but never once have you asked me what I wanted. Much like my arranged marriage in four days. Why must I never get a choice?" Lucy asked, almost begging for her father to give her the answer she craved. Just one say was all she
wanted in her life.

"You are an ill-mannered and ungrateful child. I will not take your demands, or requests, if you come barging in here acting like a five-year-old." The king replied, giving his daughter the cold-shoulder. "You are to have an appointed knight, and my say is final. Have I made myself clear?"

Lucy took a step back. She wanted to say anything that could help her get one request,  but she knew it was too late to change the king's mind once it had been set. Her head lowered to the ground, and she took a deep breath. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Next time, request an audience. Just because you're a princess, doesn't mean you get special privileges with me." Jude's words came out ice cold and they pierced Lucy's heart.

"I understand, Your Majesty." Lucy's voice came out soft, as it had almost been a whisper. She kept her eyes to the floorboards as she gave the king a small curtsy.  "Excuse me."

Lucy had begun to walk to the door. She kept her stride as she got to the door and exited the king's drawing room. With each deep breath, Lucy couldn't shake the feeling of anger. Ever since her mother's death, the king had become heartless. He paid no attention to his daughter. Only the kingdom of Fiore mattered to him now. The princess felt that her father had only kept her for the reason of giving him, and kingdom, an heir. Maybe a spare if she had been lucky.

The princess wrapped her arms around her torso. Lucy knew her duties as a princess had to come first. Her kingdom came before anything in her life, so why did she feel the need to change any of that now in her eighteen years of life?

Lucy wanted to cry, but she knew that if the servants saw her emotion that the king would hear about it. The maids loved to gossip, so Lucy constantly needed to watch what she did. The princess stopped in her tracks and took a deep breath. She continued her walk as if nothing happened. Emotionless.

Was it supposed to feel this lonely at the top? Was she only meant to live her life of service, then die just for her kingdom? Was that all she was worth? Her mind was rattled as she moved down the corridor glancing at the tapestries on the walls. The embroidery on them showed past wars or battles. Some showed past generations of the royal line. Lucy could only stop in her tracks as she wondered to herself how they would have reacted in her situation.

Would they stand their ground and fight for what they believe in? Or would they admit their duties came first before how they felt? Lucy felt lost in the vast world she lived in, but somehow also caged inside the castle like a rabbit. She wasn't sure what path she should take as a princess.

Before she realized, she was staring at a painting of her mother. The artist had captured the queen's face perfectly. Her elegance, beauty, and soft features all in a single canvas. Lucy could only wonder how her mother would react to the princess's situation. But she didn't have to think long. The king and queen got married because they met and fell in love. They didn't have an arranged marriage, nor did the king ever make his wife do anything she wasn't comfortable with.

Of course, Layla was his wife and Lucy is his daughter, but why was Lucy the only one that couldn't have a say in her life? The longer Lucy stared at her mother's portrait the more she wanted to cry and rebel. Was it really so unfair to want something other than her duties? Did that truly make her ungrateful?

Lucy pulled her eyes away from the painting. It was too hard for her to think of her mother, even after all the years that had passed after her death. She could still remember it like it happened yesterday. The queen had an illness that slowly ate away at her health. One day out of her last few, it took a toll on her and she was bedridden until she took her last breath.

Shaking her head of the past, Lucy came to her bed chamber doors. The princess exhaled deeply as she pushed her way into the room. Inside the room, she had found it the same way she had left it. Lucy half expected her ladies-in-waiting to be sitting on the sofas for when she would arrive back. But surprisingly, neither of them were around.

Fully stepping in the room, Lucy closed and locked the door behind her. Making her way over to her dresser, she opened a drawer that held a small book along with a quill and an ink jar. Pulling out the three items, Lucy opened up her balcony door.

A cool breeze rushed in, blowing the curtains behind the princess. A smile formed on Lucy's face as she walked out onto the patio. She went up to the railing and carefully placed the ink jar on it. Opening her journal to an empty page, Lucy laid it on the stone fence and dripped her quill in the ink. She began to write down her thoughts and events that had happened in the morning. It was her way of coping within the caged walls she was confined to. And it was the only thing that no one knew about, so she was careful to only write when she was alone.

Sudden sounds of yelling caught Lucy's attention. The scratching of her quill came to a halt as she looked up from her book and glanced toward the noise. Off in the distance was the training yard for the knights. From what Lucy could see, a large group of them had been surrounding two guards in the middle.

Lucy could only wonder what they had been fighting about. Was it just training? Or was it something they did in their free time when they weren't needed? But her few questions only left her to think about getting one of the many knights they had to be appointed to her.

Why did it have to happen? The king didn't make it easier for her to guess why he had wanted her to have one. Nonetheless, she wasn't going to change the outcome of her situation. Would having an appointed knight be so bad? Maybe she would befriend them. And if the king wanted her to have one then she might have more freedom. Or if she was lucky, her father would change his mind.

"Lucy, what are you doing out here?" a sudden voice came from behind the princess. In a hurry, Lucy let go of the dairy and she quickly turned around. She was met with the face of one of her ladies-in-waiting. Levy was a petite blue haired woman. She had a fierce temper when things went south, but was also very diligent on what went on in Lucy's day to day schedule.

"Levy," Lucy said in a panic, "I am just getting some fresh air."

"Let me guess, the meaning with His Majesty went poorly?" Levy asked as she came to Lucy's side. She watched as the princess only nodded regretfully. Levy decided to not ask further to upset Lucy. However, she couldn't help but notice that the princess had gotten ink on her hand. "Were you writing something?"

Lucy glanced behind her and saw that her journal had disappeared, along with her ink bottle and plume. She figured they must have fallen off the railing when Levy had come outside. Part of her was grateful she didn't see the book, but now she'd have to go outside and escape to find it when no one was around.

"No, I was not. Must have been from earlier when I got a little out of hand with His Majesty." Lucy lied through her teeth, hoping her maid would believe her words. She wanted to change the topic, and she knew she'd have to quickly. "Where were you? I expected you and Juvia to be here waiting for me when I came back."

"His Majesty had summoned us after you had your audience with him. He informed us that your knight will be chosen tomorrow morning." Levy explained, a bit of sadness in her voice. She knew how much Lucy disliked the idea of an appointed knight, but she knew there wasn't anything she could do to aid her in the king changing his mind.

Lucy and her ladies-in-waiting were close friends. Of course, only the trio knew and kept it secret from Lucy's father. King Jude certainly wouldn't approve of his only daughter being friends with two lowly commoners. However, Levy knew that if it came to it, Lucy would stand at their side if the king decided against it.

"Tomorrow then...I see..." Lucy hesitated, but wasn't surprised that Jude had moved up his plans. Lucy couldn't complain if he did that, so he did it often to her. It was the only reason Lucy tried to talk to him earlier, but of course her efforts were meaningless. "When will I meet him?"

"His Majesty didn't say." Levy replied, disappointment laced in her words.

Lucy followed Levy in silence as they moved into Lucy's bedroom. Levy disappeared out of the room, but hurriedly came back with a wet cloth. The pair stayed quiet as they sat on one of the love seats. Levy worked to wash Lucy's hand of the ink. Levy wasn't sure what else he was supposed to say to the princess. She knew that she was upset, but Lucy would never fully admit that. She was dedicated to her duties, and if it meant putting her feelings aside that's what happened.

"Supper should be ready soon..." Levy spoke, as she held the now dirty cloth in her hands. "Juvia helped the staff after our audience with His Majesty. You know how she gets after meeting with him."

"For someone who is afraid of the king, Juvia sure has a way of making sure he never has a reason to complain." Lucy grumbled as she stood to her feet. "Let's get me out of this fashionable garment, and into something more simple."

Levy was swift to put the filthy cloth in the basket by the door. She moved to the closet and pulled out a simple purple dress. The dress had long bell sleeves with small ruffles at the end. One of Lucy's favorite dresses. She didn't like the extravagant dresses with corsets and the multiple layers she had to wear. As Levy helped Lucy undress, there was a knock at the door.

"Your Highness," another woman's voice rang through the door. "Supper is ready." Lucy knew it was Juvia, but she knew they had to keep up the act of secrecy.

"One moment." Lucy replied to her as she finished throwing on the purple dress. A sudden tug with the lace in the back, and Lucy was set to have dinner with her unpleasant father.

As soon as Levy finished, Lucy took the lead on heading out of the bedchamber. Outside the door, Juvia has been waiting with a smile on her soft face. She was Lucy's newest lady-in-waiting. She was a young woman. Lucy swore she wore her sky blue hair tied up into a high bun, and she was much less demanding than Levy.

The two ladies-in-waiting complimented each other. While Levy was a bold and spirited woman, Juvia was timid and shy. The two would often squabble about small things in Lucy's schedule, or about some of the choices the princess should make. But in the end they could always agree on what was best for Lucy.

"Your Highness, did His Majesty say when we'd be departing for Lord Dan's?" Juvia asked quietly, making sure she wasn't too loud for the passing maids to hear.

"Four days. Will you still be able to attend? His Majesty would compensate you for the travels." Lucy explained, hoping at least one other person would be able to attend with her besides Levy and her future appointed knight.

"Yes, Your Highness. My fiancé should be healed by then. Having a cold is no laughing matter. Only if I could be at Gray-sama's side everyday," She paused and exhaled deeply. However, she realized that she had sounded ungrateful towards Lucy. "But of course my duty to you comes first, Your Highness."

"I know, Juvia. No need to fret." Lucy giggled as they reached the grand stairs that led to the first floor. The trio descended the stairs and came to a set of large doors. The two footmen in front of the doors bowed to Lucy as they opened the entranceway. Inside was an enormous table that could fit more than over two dozen people. The dining hall was Lucy's least favorite room. She had felt it was too massive, and that had been because only her and the king sat at the table everyday themselves.

Walking down the side she always sat on, Lucy took a seat in the chair that was three chairs away from the end where the king sat. The princess glanced at her father's spot. She tilted her head and raised her brow. She had put her hand up to summon Levy to her. The lady-in-waiting came to Lucy's side and bent down to the princess's level.

"It's not like His Majesty to be late. Can you go fetch him?" Lucy asked as her eyes didn't move from the king's empty seat.

It was odd how the king wasn't already sitting in his chair. The king was always the first one to arrive at anything he and the princess did together. Lucy could only think of a few things that would make Jude late, but none of them seemed like a real reason he wouldn't join his only daughter for dinner.

However as soon as Levy went to head towards the exit, the doors swung open and the king entered the room. He had a sour look on his face as he marched to his seat. As a maid pulled out his chair, he scowled at her and sat down.

At last, the rest of the maids quickly filed into the room. In their hands, they carried plate after plate to the table. The king kept his frown as they set the food down in front of them. After the maids had finished, they bowed to the king and princess and exited the room.

Off to the side of Lucy, Levy and Juvia stood by the wall. Lucy turned and glanced at them. They didn't look her way. The women had been fully aware of how their friendship with the princess had to be secret.

"Both of you are dismissed. I'd like to speak with His Majesty." The princess said as turned back to her meal. The two women did a small curtsy to Lucy and retreated to the door, quickly leaving the dining hall.

The king studied his daughter with his sorrowful eyes. Lucy had always thought he was a sad man, but after her mother had passed he had only gotten worse. However, Lucy's mind had drifted back to how late her father had truly been. The king wasn't one to go to anything late.

"You're not one to be late, Father." Lucy decided to say finally.

He cleared his throat, and placed some of the food in his mouth. He chewed for a moment, ignoring his daughter's comment. As he swallowed, he eyed her once more. Lucy had been patiently waiting for his answer, if he wanted to give her one. Rolling his eyes, he set his fork down and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Last minute arrangements for your engagement party tomorrow night." He simply answered.

"Engagement party?" Lucy muttered to herself. When did he plan such a thing? And suddenly the memory hit her like a smack to the face. She had been too busy being angry about her arranged marriage the morning she was told by Levy.

"Did you forget?" Jude asked, his brow raising slightly.

"No, no." Lucy was quick to answer, even though she had been slightly panicking on the inside. She had forgotten a major event for once in her short life. If the king saw any hindrance, she'd be in for a lecture. "I just didn't realize how close we were to the event now. I cannot wait for it."

She hated when she told lies. They always seemed to bite her in the end. Despite lying through her teeth, her answer had seemed to please the king as he picked up his fork and continued eating. She knew it was bad to lie, but could she ever tell her father how she truly felt about anything if he always put his duty to the kingdom first?

"About your appointed knight," Jude began, his voice coming out strong. "I've decided to let Dame Scarlet choose your knight. She will pick a mighty soldier worthy of protecting you, I shall know by tomorrow morning. However, if you decide that you dislike the chosen knight, you may get another."

Lucy felt disappointed. In the end, Levy had been right. Her father did not change his mind, and he was still going to continue to have a knight for her by tomorrow morning. Even if he had been clear about it before during their talk, part of her had prayed that he changed it within the time she had seen him.

"I would be honored, Father." Lucy whispered, losing all hope. "I think I'll be done for today. I'll turn in for the night." Lucy finished as she pushed her plate away. Jude only nodded in agreement, his eyes never lifting up from the table.

Raising from her chair, Lucy made her way to the exit of the room. She pressed her hands to the door and moved the door slowly. It opened with a small creak and she had made her way into the hallway. Juvia and Levy already had their eyes on Lucy. They kept quiet as she raised her hand, her silent way of telling them they were dismissed for the night.

Lucy began making her way up the staircase, all while being lost in thought. She had been aware that the women most likely heard the short conversation between Lucy and Jude. The castle walls were nowhere near soundproof. But as far as they knew, Lucy just wanted time alone. It was how most conversations went with the king. They left Lucy alone in her thoughts, and the only thing she could fully turn to was her journal.

My journal. Lucy stopped dead in her tracks as she realized that her diary had fallen over the railing when frightened her earlier. She had no idea how long it had been since the event happened, but someone most likely found it by now. But that was the last thing she wanted to think about. She had to find it.

Lucy glanced back, her ladies-in-waiting had disappeared from the bottom of the staircase. Of course, there had been other servants around, but none of them would bother her. Glancing around, she only saw a few servants. The only way to see if the book was still below her balcony was to head to the athenaeum and leave through there.

Taking a deep breath, Lucy headed back down the stairs. As she reached the bottom she moved as quickly as she could towards the library. While no servants would question her actions, she knew that her father would. It was better for her to keep out of his sight.

Before she knew it, the doors to the library were in front of her. She made it quickly inside the room. The castle was always stocked with a large book collection. The king made sure that Lucy was an educated princess. However, most of her time in the athenaeum had been because of the queen.

No, I can't think about that now. Lucy thought as she made her way to one of the many doors that led outside. As she rushed out the door, the night air brushed softly against her skin. Lucy quickened her pace as she rounded the corner. She took a deep breath and went underneath the only balcony on the right side of the library.

Slowing down her walk, Lucy had found her now empty ink jar that had spilled on the grass. Along with it was an ink soaked quill, but her journal was nowhere to be seen. Panic filled in her chest as she realized someone had most likely snagged her diary. Her thoughts and secrets had now been in the hands of some stranger.

"No.." Lucy breathed out. She sank to her knees. Her only source of trying to stay sane inside her cage had been lost.