Prologue The sun was setting behind Heart Castle casting shadows behind towers and turrets. “Hurry up Polly!” Crimson yelled back at me “we haven’t got all day!” Me and my best friend Crimson were racing across the rooftops towards our favourite place in the whole palace grounds. Our secret spot, right in the middle of the castle rooftops was a small tent made out of waterproof fabrics, and small wooden poles. The tent was filled with books, blankets, pillows, and of course snacks! Every evening that we could we would hurry down to the tent and watch the sun go down behind the trees. Today was special. Tomorrow Crimson would start her “Queenly Practices,” and we would have even less time together. “Wait up,” I called “I have a stitch!” Crimson stopped and slowly walked up to me “are you alright?” she murmured. “Just fine!” I answered sprinting in front of her. “Tricked you!” I crashed landed into a pile of pillows and opened a tin of dried brambleberries. Crimson came and sat down next to me on the pile of pillows and helped herself to a handful of brambleberries. “What are you going to do after you graduate?” Murmured Crimson. “I Dunno, probably something like sewing. I love the lessons.” I answered. “SEWING!” Exclaimed Crimson. “You are the only outskirts girl EVER to pass the test, and you choose sewing!” “Yup!” I answered in my sweetest tone making her even more outraged. “At least you get to choose, I’m stuck being Queen wherever I like it or not!” I stayed silent after this. It was confusing; I thought the idea of being queen was fabulous and glamorous, but Crimson would describe her princess lessons as if “Boredom and Blandness had a child.” “I have an idea!” Yelped Crimson “you should work as the queens’ head seamstress, that way we can be together. Forever!” “Hmm maybe” I answered, “We are only fifteen, and we don’t already have our entire lives mapped out for us.” I winced at the look on Crimsons face, her parents acted as if she had the freedom of a bird, but no matter how much they pretended it just wasn't the case. Crimsons life was controlled by rule after rule after rule. She tries her hardest to impress her parents but no matter how hard she works her family treats her like a piece of dirt. I clench my fists angry, at her parents angry, at the unfairness. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that.” I say replaying the times where Crimsons parents had called her useless to her face in front of me. “It’s totally fine!” Whimpered Crimson before bursting into tears. “Listen no matter what happens we MUST stick together.” Choked out Crimson, “Can you promise me that.” I paused Crimson had always felt easygoing and fun i to be around but after her lessons began she become distant and stiff something was wrong, I wanted to help and the first step was support. I hated myself for even hesitating. “I promise.” Next - On its way All by me
