PRINCESS HIDDEN

Many days have passed away. Many “friends” have come and gone, and yet I still remain here. Why? For what purpose am I the only one not permitted to leave this tower?

Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. My name is Sa’rah Luilay. At least that’s what everyone calls me. But I assume that name because I have known no other.

My current residence is a tower. I don’t know where this tower is. All I was ever taught by my army of governesses was ready, writing, basic arithmetic and five different instruments. Even though I got a new governess-and all other types of servant-every two months, there never seemed to be a change in anything but faces. Actually, as a child I just assumed that servants changed bodies like I changed my clothes. It made perfect sense as a child. Now nothing makes sense anymore. Everyone I have ever met has left after two months, with the sole exception of Sarge and a boy named James, who has been here for as long as I can remember. Now I’m just waiting for my turn.

Sa’rah Luilay jumps up out of her seat at the window. “Sarge! You starled me!” she exclaims, holding her hand to her breast.

“My apologies, Madam, but there is someone here to see you.” Sarge, looking flustered, stumbles on his words a bit. Sa’rah can’t help but notice that it isn’t the usual fluster Sarge would get at the sight of her present state of undress. “You’d better get properly dressed quickly,” Sarge continued quite quickly.

“Does it have anything to do with the unscheduled caravan that just pulled up?” Sa’rah questioned, as she started pulling on a dress.

“Of course t does! And not that dress, Madam, put on the pretty blue sea dress. Also do something with that HAIR!” Sarge barks as he pulls the door shut, himself leaving the room.

Sa’rah, shocked, drops the dress. Confused and muttering something about “idiotic, egotistical men,” Sa’rah Luilay walks on over to her closet. Like her servants, about once every two months her wardrobe changes completely, somehow always tailored to fit her.

For a moment, Sa’rah just looks at her wardrobe. She had to admit her blue sea dress was very pretty, but she really liked her sea green foam dress. Making a quick, impulsive decision, she grabbed the foam dress. Dressing her hair in a simple style, she thought about who could possibly be so important that she was required to look nice, on a weekday no less!

Finally, looking at her self in the mirror, she deemed herself presentable. Steeling herself against possible disappointment, she opens the door and walks down the stairs.