One Door Leads to Another

One door always leads to another...

Journal Entry 2; October 2

PERSON 2

Twinkles flashed in the bleak, black midnight sky, illuminating the world above. I sat on my balcony, thinking wistfully- wishing I hadn't been stuck in this palace. A gown adorned my body, hugging my curves in all the right places; it was pearl white, with delicate flower embroidery lining the bottom of the flowy skirt, gliding gracefully whenever I walked. It was the most captivating, stunning garment I had ever laid my eyes on. If only I had been wearing it under different circumstances. 

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Suddenly, I went stiff and felt an overwhelming sensation, feeling the weight of the world being mercilessly thrown at me. My heart hurt and my face became wet with streams of tears flowing down my cheeks. No one in the world could help me, and it didn't feel like anyone cared either. I was kidnapped... thrown and imprisoned in a room of a palace I loathed. Starved for days because I refused a marriage proposal... yelled at for mistakes my father made... and hurt, because no one heard my cries. My father let his old friend drag me out of my home, just to strengthen his relationship and enforce his power. I had to get out of here. I got up and dried my tears, and reapplied the makeup that had taken hours to do by the five maids who had come in earlier. There was a grand ball tonight, and I was the trophy piece.

Then, I heard a bang on the door, interrupting my thoughts. It was time to make my "grand entrance." Keeping my head high, face straight, and eyes completely void of emotions, I strutted out of my room.  As I walked and made my way down a grand black staircase, the sound of eerie music filled my ears, and it urged me to walk faster. Finally, I reached the entrance of the main hall, where guards stood stoically, with metal spears crossed against the mahogany wood doors. A glimpse at me though, and with a clang, they uncrossed their spears. Without hesitation, I walked past the two men and pushed open the doors. 

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A light breeze shuffled through the room as the doors banged open, and an awe-struck crowd filled with nobles and the elite stared at me. The king held a malicious smile as he turned towards me from the center of the room. Oh how I hated him. Nevertheless, I couldn't back down anymore, so I took steps forward into the room, making my presence aware to anyone who hadn’t been staring before. The flabbergasted musicians fumbled around with their instruments but began to play a grand tune. I finally reached the esteemed royal family: the king, the queen, and the prince, my betrothed and the one I loathed. As dashing and heroic as he was, his aura radiated negative energy that could be felt from miles away and a thirst for power. He mockingly bowed to me, and entangled his hand in mine, knowing that he was gripping my hand hard enough to make it numb. 

I stayed with him for hours because the public had to know everything was fine. I silently followed his footsteps as he welcomed guests, and caught up with old friends. Finally, the orchestral music faded away, and I was unwillingly whisked to the center of the ballroom. As soon as the next song was queued, my eyes lit up. "Perfect," by Ed Sheeran rang through the room, and the prince took my hand. The final dance of the night. 

As the first verse began, my eyes instinctively closed to enjoy the soft melody. But suddenly, everything went black and I was struggling to open my eyes. Once I was able to, I found myself dancing with the prince, but in a very different setting. We were in a dark torn-up room, and as majestic as it was, the room had scratches and slashes covering its blood-red velvet curtains and decorated walls; the tables had been turned upside down with glass fragments shattered and spread all across the floor. A broken, beautiful room.

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As the song reached the chorus, he pulled me close, and as Ed Sheeran’s voice echoed eerily through the room, as he sang "You look perfect tonight..." The prince dipped me backwards and with the feel of a strong grip on my hand, I allowed myself to fall and listen to the soft melodic sound that drifted through the air. I closed my eyes again, to find some peace in my surroundings, just as I had when the song began. This time though, I felt as if I were falling back. My weight shifted and I couldn’t open my eyes; my head was painfully pounding and I became aware of the soft clamoring of dozens of people around me.  

I felt a tingling sensation rip through my arms and legs, like a thousand pins and needles had poked me at once, and I lost control of my body, collapsing in someone's arms. Everything went still and my visioned blurred, until I could see no more. 

** note- the prince is not Ed Sheeran.