The Secret Princess

“She’s adorable, isn’t she?” said the evil witch, looking at Amora lying on her tattered bedspread.

“Poor little girl… born a princess, made to live a slave. And now, after many years, she will finally be mine. She will be a princess again, a princess who serves me!!”

“But, what if the Queen finds out that she’s gone, Mistress??” said her pet cat, Lady Evan.

“Well. She can’t cry over what has been long dead, can she? If she does, it would seem like the horror of her daughter’s death finally overcame her, and she would be locked up just like her daughter”.

The High Queen was the symbol of Royalty. But her magic was gradually deteriorating. Because of the curse, the Queen was not able to perform any magic, until…. her eyes fell on her daughter. The Queen declared her daughter dead and used her magic reserve. Every time the Queen cast a spell, she would refill her magical reserve by draining her daughters’.

Amora, now 118 years old, never saw the outer world. Her only pet was Fairy, a dragon Fly. The Evil witch was her maid, who Amora trusted far more than necessary. She was 2 years old when the dungeon became her new world. Occasionally, her mother would visit her, to ask her for a little ‘help’. Amora’s heart ached for her mother. Being the High Queen, she was expected to do impossible things, even if she were sick. Amora, wanted to be a part of the world, to help her mother, to use her powers, instead of her mother’s. But her mother had talked against it.

Amora had a visitor. She introduced herself as Lady Evan and that she was rescuing her. Amora, who had forgotten what leaving meant, stood there… transfixed.

“We have to leave before the Evil witch arrives”. When Amora didn’t show any signs of moving, Lady Evan pounced on her.

“If you don’t leave now, you will never be able to leave this wretched place again. This is your only chance. I’m your only chance. Please come…” pleaded Lady Evan.

“You might not remember me, but before you were captured, we would meet every day at the meadow and play. Later, when my mistress, the Evil witch came to know about your fate, only then did I know you were still alive. I swore that at the first opportunity I get to relieve you from this cursed hole, I would help you“

As Lady Evan talked, brief fading pictures made their way into Amora’s memory. She faintly remembered being in the meadow, the trees, the sunlight, the mist slowly lifting through. Lady Evan begged again. Slowly, with every step, Amora felt her freedom seeping in. But the Evil witch had appeared. With one look at things she knew what was happening. She lunged at Amora. About the same time, Fairy, inserted a poisoned needle into the witch’s neck. The witch collapsed. The three flew the dungeon.

Lady Evan carried little Amora on her back. She took her through the outside walls of the palace, through the meadow... all the while thinking, planning. Fairy’s little stunt would not keep the witch down forever, but it gave them time and…. hope. She knew she wouldn’t be able to protect Amora for a longer time. It was a risk Lady Evan was ready to endure. A risk that would end her life. A risk that would endanger Amora. But it was worth it. A little freedom to Amora was worth it. Amora was worth it.