The Castle On A Hill

The sun shown majestically over the hill where Luminor Castle stood. The defenders of the Castorling Kingdom. The lineage has been around for over one hundred years keeping the peace in their mighty towers of a distant castle. It was the perfect dwelling with riches unheard if only one was royal. The more the sun shone the brighter the royals must have it. The hills barely stood in comparison to the largest castle in the region. Sophie could only glance at the distance at the world of wealth and privilege. Her family, being descent from a fallen royal never gave her hope to rise above the common serfdom. There was struggle at the bottom of the workers, but it was barely attacked. The town was in poverty, but it was part of being the commoner. The small houses seemed like just a room in a castle that stood upon the hill. No grandeur was in such a town as they served the king. Every girl would give anything to be a princess if the opportunity ever presented itself. Still the quiet life was all the townsfolk have known.

Sophie just walked upon the well-trodden path through the small-town square to see her father’s silversmith shop. His many beautiful creations have been used by the royals that reside in the castle. The buildings here was made out crude materials instead of the majestic stone and winding corridors. The muddy roads and shacks were all the people have known but it was at least peaceful away from invaders. Sophie continued down the path to the cobbler where her father was getting some shoes back. His gentle smile looked at her and walked back to his little shop for a new order from the king himself. The finest silver for candle sticks would be another much-needed order to keep the family afloat. Sophie helped her father as the molten silver was poured into the molds. Though her mind was off in the clouds of being a princess and enjoying grand feasts in an exquisite dining hall. Her father just worked away as he had done since he was apprenticed. His face never looked happy as he stared at the old fortress in the distance.

“You better get home to tell your mother our new fortune for the king’s order,” Her father instructed.

“I will and will help with the dinner today as mother is not feeling well,” Sophie replied.

Sophie ran through the muddy decrepit roads back to a small house outside the town. It was near the beautiful mountains that stood as the barrier from the rest of the world. The castle stood resilient to the test of time. The king chooses such a place to stand against the enemies. The perfect life of the royals is when they wear beautiful dresses and clothes. Sophie just walked the dirt roads wishing she was a princess dreaming that the road was stone with servants following behind her. Her muddy shoes were proper lady shoes with even some design. The prince would look longingly at her as she entered the room, and all would look at her beauty. Sophie could only imagine when she saw her mother’s face. The frown was not welcome as she entered to help finish the chores that she left to go help her father. Her brother was sickly and was barely trained to even help his father. The younger brother just looked at her for a snack and ran away seeing it was not coming.

The bread smell filled the air as Sophie prepared the soup. It was made of the remains of the last soup, but it would have to do. Both boys were trying to keep up with the chickens as the eggs were needed for sale and the extra money.

“Father has another order from the king and will bring extra this week,” Sophie told her mother after remembering.

Her mother simply just walked away as she did with all the messages since the funds never seemed enough. It was a poor life, but they managed to get through even barely affording the taxes. Sophie went back to work as usual, being the helper to all. Still the castle can be seen from the window and the cooks there must make the best food for the highest of them all. The work still needed to be done, including the laundry and more business with the eggs. The boys could be heard screaming at each other as their mother went out as they went back to the assigned jobs. It was a quiet life in the country and a time of all the shops struggling just to get by as the king lived in his luxury. She could finally hear her father come home with his tired look and worn hands. Dinner was about to be ready as all gathered in the house. Sophie was called out of the kitchen as her father had an announcement.

Her father stated, “It was announced that the king has chosen a princess to marry his eldest son from his own kingdom and will be announced tomorrow on the new royal.”

Sophie smiled as her father looked at her, but his eyes told a different story all together. He retired in the small room as Sophie brought out the meal. It was the best they could do, and the dreams of many girls only wished to be cast out of poverty. The straw mattress was the least of her worries as she would wear her best dress to hopefully be chosen as being royal descent. It was a long night, but her family would still need her as the dreary days continued. The castle would be her home with no more straw mattresses and cooking recycled soups.

At first dawn, Sophie was awake to bring the day and even finish her chores before heading into town for the announcement. Her mother was also up with her tired look but was wanting to talk.

"Now, do not get your hopes up and marriage is more difficult than imagined, even to a prince,” Elaine, Sophie’s mother told her.

“Then I would not have to worry about anything with good clothes and a man that would love me,” Sophie replied.

“You are still young and time to decide but do not be too eager to enter a world you do not understand,” Elaine continued.

Sophie could just stand there as her mother seemed to dash all her perfect dreams. They must have it better than them, but her mother must be jealous. Sophie ran out of the house to look at the sun rise over the castle in which she could be chosen to be the next crown princess to the entire kingdom. Their world would be powerful but with the best of everything. All the girls must be hoping for the position. Sophie sat in the yard as the rest of the world slept with a dream for a more perfect life that she would be a ruler alongside a handsome prince. Elaine watched from the window, only wishing that Sophie would understand the complicated world of marriage.

The morning drifted as the rest of the family rose to start another day of work. It was a rough life but that is what they were given. Sophie could only see her father’s worn face head to work as he was trying to do his best. The house needed tended as the boys awoke and even the older brother going to work with his father today. The day was already on its way as she tried to let go of the perfect world that she could have chosen. The fantasy continued as she swept the dirt floor. Here imagination soared of dancing in ballrooms and attending a great feast in the large halls with many servants.

Finally, the time has come to come into town in her best dress. Her hair was pulled up like a beautiful princess as any other young lady did throughout the village. The kings’ men stood in their fancy clothes and smearing at the people. All the young ladies just stood to present themselves as best they could. Sophie was among the many young ladies who were ready to be a princess. The chief of staff was looking at the girls and looked flustered in the muddy town square. His nose up in the air as he started his speech, “As the direction of the king to pick a proper princess for his son Rupert, it has been discovered several young ladies are of royal bloodlines in this town. As of the best choices, Sophie the daughter of Randolf is going to be the new princess of this great kingdom.”

Sophie was so shocked when she heard her message. Her parents gasp as they started to take her away from the village. Sophie could only look around at the amazement and her mother’s anguish. This moment was supposed to be the greatest, but many were not happy for her. Only at seventeen was she going to a princess and even meeting the prince that no one had seen in a long time. The seconds felt like minutes as she was placed on a horse and ridden off to the magical castle of her dreams. The world seemed numb but of both emotions. This could be a new exciting chapter and bring her family back into less breaking work. The journey seemed to take forever, and the dark woods were even less secure. There might have been a reason that no one has invaded in so long. She only wished to say goodbye to her parents and brothers. Yet the path to the castle was never an easy one. Her mind was not focusing but at least a handsome prince awaited her, hopefully.

She was ready to fall asleep on the bodyguard as she arrived at the castle on the hill. It was larger than perceived with a very large gate that seemed impenetrable. The stones were worn and still stood strong as the many guards stood at the towers. This world seemed so cold, but it was needed to protect the kingdom. The gate creaked like it had not been opened in some time and the corridors were decorated but felt so distant. Sophie was greeted by the king and queen as they stood in no emotion.

“Welcome the castle and becoming the crown princess of the realm,” the royals spoke.

They gently walked away as Sophie was led to the north tower to be prepared for her coronation and wedding. Sophie could only see the cold walls and fallen glory. The many staircases felt like they were much larger than town. The draperies were of old battles and candles were lit amongst the dark corridors. It was not as she thought but wished for this. Finally, a room door opened with a large bed and a warm fireplace. It was her preparation time before becoming a princess. Her servants were waiting with a freshly prepared bath, and she was scrubbed from all the dirt the town was found. Sophie was still excited to meet the prince but maybe at dinner. After so much cleaning she was placed in a beautiful dress that all would envy as she was led to the dining room. A frail figure stood in the corner in royal robes and signet ring on his hand. Sophie could make out a scowl on his face as he looked her over and simply walked away. Sophie was confused and he was not even charming but a sickly young man. If this was him and the king and queen seem so cold, then maybe this was a mistake to be chosen. Sophie could only think of her mother tending the house by herself and her father working away. This life seemed to perfect from her window at home but only the cold stone walls were as vacant as any spirit in this place. The dining hall was extravagant with many paintings of past battles but seemed to swallow Sophie alive. Each eating their meals in silence and prestige but no loving bonds. This world was not in the dreams of many but only to realize it was much more of a prison.