The Day that Ended

It was relieving to have Jubal with me. Not only did he answer my questions, but he ran everything for me. I didn't have to lift a finger. It was so much fun watching plays in the Castle Theatre. I watched Hamlet with actual ghosts. I was in a right bright mood when I came across Jubal outside the Library's second floor entrance.
"Jubal! It's good to see you. I wanted to thank you for the past few days. It's been so much fun."
"Fun is fun, but do you know what is better?" He asked.
"Tell me, oh advisor."
"Work accomplished. Of course, I save all of that for myself. We should step outside. I want to show you all the good work I've been doing."
"Oh your work in the city? Yes, I've heard tell of it. The ghosts are so much more sociable since you've come. I understand you've added some statues. I look forward to seeing them."
"Let's see them now."
I glanced out the large paned glass window. The sun is starting to set. I sucked in my lips and looked back at Jubal.
"I'm afraid it is dusk, and against the rules to go out at night. I wouldn't want to break security protocol."
"It's against the rules to open the great door at night, but there is another way outside. If we take that exit we won't be breaking the rules."
"I'm fairly certain we must remain on castle grounds." I argued.
"This way is still part of the castle. It's on a balcony."
I couldn't really argue with him. I couldn't argue with anyone for long. Jubal guided me across an invisible walkway above the great door. It was amazing to cross. Upon close  inspection I could see that it wasn't invisible at all. It was instead perfectly camouflaged. In the middle of the walk Jubal undid a clasp in the window, from there we stepped out onto the balcony. The city was lovely in the light of the setting sun. I shifted on my feet. It didn't seem right to be out this close to night. Jubal outstretched his arm out toward a new statue. (He stretched it longer than any mortal man.)
"There, beyond that house in that little square that is the nearest statue to the castle."
"Who's it a statue of? I don't recognize the person."
"Why it is you my Princess."
"Eek, I didn't know I looked like that."
"It is your best likeness."
I shake my head. "I hope not. What's the point of them? I don't want statues of me ugly or pretty."
"I can have them removed as you like, but not until they have served their purpose this night."
"Night. Yes, it is nearly night. I must go inside. I don't want to risk my people. Thanks for showing me the balcony and everything."
I felt Jubal's mighty grasp on my shoulder. His hands were like pinchers. A sharp pain reverberated through my body. Tears began to drop from my eyes, but it hurt too much to scream.
"I want you to see Princess. I want you to look to the statues. Observe the houses around them. What do they all have in common?"
The shadows grew longer and longer as the sun dipped lower and lower. My eyes strained to see the squares that held the statues. The houses... they all had balconies, and on the balconies were little children. Jubal explained.
"You see children always find loopholes. They are not smart enough to live by wisdom, but oh do they follow by example."
The last bit of sunshine slipped over the horizon, and the children remained on their balconies. The nearest one's waved at me. I couldn't call out to them. I was numb. If I could I would have told them to run. I would have told them to lock themselves inside, but I couldn't do anything. I just watched, but I before that I heard. I heard the howls of the darkling army. In my mind, I tried to tell myself that no one ever dies, and that there was nothing to fear, but I was afraid, and I knew what was coming. Ghoulish creatures fast and foul landed upon each statue in the city. One by one, I saw the children perish. The screams were terrible, but they were not from the children. They disintegrated before they could let out their cry. No, it was the creatures wretched screams of delight, and anguish.
 "Listen to that little Princess. They hope so much for blood,for young fresh blood. They never succeed. The children's defense mechanisms save them, but I warned them of that when I made this deal with them." He laughs. "I can tell by that wide eyed look you're surprised. Don't be. I had to pacify the darkling nation for you. It was my duty. Now watch as they have their fun."

Clean Day

Out of the depths of the castle came Jubal. His black coat gleamed in the brightly lit castle. He strutted the halls, and where ever he went ghosts revealed themselves. There was no hiding from him. He showed me around the castle. Any question I had, he freely gave me answers. I found he wasn't so scary. Where ever we went he carried a silver chalice filled with purple wine. He drank and drank it, but he never got drunk and he never ran out.
"Trust me little Princess. I can handle the diplomatic situation. War in this world is just a bunch of yelling. No one ever dies here. War is just plain silly."
"That's right. No one does die here. In war how do they discern a winner?"
"War is never about death. It's about will. Who has the will to win? How much are they willing to sacrifice to achieve that end? Do you have the will to win, little Princess?"
"I don't know. I've never done anything like this before."
"So you haven't. You were always a coward. So frightened of me that you couldn't sleep. Couldn't run. You couldn't even cry out to your parents to save you." Jubal leered over me. He smiled. "Then again I never did hurt you did I? What I did do was teach you a lesson about how capable I am at breaking other's wills. Trust me, when I am in command of the army no will shall be stronger than mine."
"Your place is to advise me. You're not to be the head of the army." I argued.
"Grayson told you that. Must you always do what your servant tells you to do?"
"He knows this place better than I do."
"Ah, yes, but I know it better than him. I can tell you the name of every creature in this world. I can show you every secret passage. I know every weakness, strength, and quirk of this world. I can tell you personal details about other's lives. Grayson can show you how to polish silver." He raised up his wine. "But all this is just words. I can show you." He said pouring out his wine upon the ground.
Below us ghosts appeared soaking up the wine in sponges. They trembled at Jubal's feet, but they were determined to do their duty and keep the castle clean.

Delivery Day

The candles on the candelabra smoldered. Their once ivory wax was now a venomous purple. Grayson placed them back to where they were. He cooed over them. Telling them that they would heal. (Apparently, candles heal here.) He had released his grip on me, but never the less he urged me onward, up out of the cellars. I kept close to him, because without him, I had no idea how I'd find my way out of the twists and turns.
"Is there something else your majesty requires of me?" Asked Grayson.
"I'm following you out of here. I'm lost without you."
"Did you learn nothing from Jubal?"
"You didn't give me a chance to learn anything!"
Grayson stopped. I could discern great bags of worry beneath his eyes. It seemed that something much greater than butler duties weighed on his heart.
"Ma'am, if you do not remember your authority soon then Jubal will be released. If that happens... God help us all."
His severe earnestness hit me hard. It must be truly important, but how can I know stuff I don't know? I never went to school for this. I don't recall having supernatural royal parents. I ended up asking Minkyoung if their was such a thing as the best ghost therapist to help me recall suppressed memories. She found that very amusing. Doctors and the like do serve, but they seldom become ghosts here. In this world no one is ever sick. There is no need for there services.
"I suppose if they do come to this realm they come in some other form." I muttered.
Minkyoung shimmered at these words, and Grayson was much perkier for the rest of the week. Sadly, this did not last. Mid way through that following week Grayson delivered me urgent news.
"I have received word from the Darkling Kingdom. Their King 'regretfully' demands that, due to your impaired mental capacity, your adviser must be set in place. You are to comply with his wishes or it is to be war."
"And my adviser is to be Jubal."
Grayson wiped ghostly sweat from his brow. He placed his frilly handkerchief in his breast pocket and looked into my eyes.
"If only you could have realized that sooner."

Dungeon Day

Deep below the depths of the soil, in the heart of the dungeon, we found Jubal. He was in a cage within a cage within a cage. His arms and legs were shackled to the solid stone floor. An ever burning torch hung on the bars was his only light. There was no sign of a toilet, or source of water or food.
"Is he starving to death down here?" I inquired disturbed.
"He cannot die. No one in this world does." Uttered Mr. Gray quietly.
At the sound of Mr. Gray, Jubal looked up at us. Although his hair hung in his face his eyes still burned bright and clear. A wry teethed smile crept across the corner of his mouth. He laughed a low guttural laugh.
"Oh Grayson, she must have put up quite a fight to get you down here." He paused. "Unless you have your own reasons." He laughs again this time stronger. "She doesn't know does she? HA! I did my work well, and you said my trips to Earth would be for nothing."
"You get ten minutes to speak to her majesty. No more." Barked Mr. Gray.
Jubal's eyes rolled about in his head as he leaned his head back. His arms stretched as he pulled at the shackles, like his body was made of rubber. Gray coaxed me to ask him my questions, but his image was too much. He was a living nightmare, but I had to speak to him. Jubal began gargling and bellowing gruesome humanoid sounds.
"Excuse me." I said.
"You're excused." Said Jubal with the sound of a water drop behind him.
"There is water in your cell then."
"Yes, polluted water. You've been offering me little droplets of it. Just enough to torture me."
"I don't understand."
"Obviously."
"Why are you a prisoner here?"
"Why should I answer you?"
Mr. Gray's icy hand grips my arm. I swallow a gasp. He tells me to speak firmly with him or else he won't answer a single question.
"As your Queen, I command you to answer me!"
He grinned and stretched out his neck. His head smacked onto the bars of his cage.
"That's better. Little Princess."
"Princess? I am Princess of souls. Does that mean you are a ghost?"
"Nice. You've learned a little bit, but ultimately you're an idiot. What does Grayson address you as?"
"Queen, but that's due to formality. I am Queen of this land. Therefore in this land I ought not to be called anything else."
"Did he tell you that?" He asked twisting his head toward Mr. Gray.
"No." I shook my head.
"Then how did you know? I am certain it is not in any of my lovely books."
"I... I...I just knew."
"Indeed you did." Smiled Jubal slowly easing his neck back in place. "Imagine all, I could illuminate in you."
"That's enough Jubal. We're leaving now." Said Mr. Gray.
"That wasn't ten minutes Grayson." Argued Jubal.
"Ten minutes was the maximum. Come along Ma'am." Ordered Mr. Gray.
Once again, I felt his icy hand. He hurried me along as though his feet had wings. It took me time to realize that we were both in flight. Up over the steps and through the iron door. It slammed behind us on its own accord.

One argument per day please

"Off limits? I don't even know why Jubal is in prison! No one tells me anything. You tell me I need to prepare for diplomatic relations. That I need to prove to them that I know what I'm doing, but guess what I don't! This place is insane. I'm suppose to be the Queen when in reality ghost soldiers and a dictator butler is running this place, and I don't even know why. The only place I've found a free flow of information is from these books, and the one thing they all have in common is Jubal. I know he's scary looking ,but he has never harmed me. However, you Mr. Gray have given me this tremendous responsibility and have offered me very little help."
My outcry made several ghosts pop into focus around me. They had been reading invisibly, but my rage had perked their curiosity enough to make them lose their grip on that ability. Mr. Gray too looked quite solid before me. His hard face seemed to have some cracks in it. He spoke.
"If her majesty wishes to rewrite the security protocol. She may of course do so, and visit the man in black. However, I did not become the best butler to have ever lived, by not giving sound advice. I advise you ma'am to not speak with Jubal. He does have much knowledge, but all of the knowledge he has also lives in you, the true Queen. I am uncertain as to why you have not discovered it."
"Maybe, I'm not the true Queen. You might have picked up the wrong person." I replied.
"No, you must be." Chirped Minkyoung. "Only the Queen has wings like a bird and yet is not a bird."
I sat down at a reading table. I rested my head on my hand. Slowly, the ghosts around me faded back into invisibility. I envied them. Mr. Gray left me there, but he shortly returned with pen and paper in hand. He explained to me how to rewrite the security protocol. He advised that I limit my visits and time spent on each visit with Jubal. I agreed to those terms. I then asked him where I could find the castle dungeons. He gestured for me to follow him. Out from the Library, and down several narrow corridors, and flights of stairs we went. It turned out there were several layers of cellars. Each cellar was a labyrinth in and of itself. Down and down went father and farther. Until finally we came upon a tarnished iron door at the end of an arched brick hallway. Barely visible beneath the tarnish were words in ancient languages. Dark words unspoken for millennia. I felt a chill go up my spine. It was that important to meet Jubal? No. I had to face him. He was just frightening. I couldn't die of fright. Mr. Gray picked up a near by candelabra. It was then I realized that everywhere in the castle had been well lit. Even the cellars. Now Mr. Gray needed to light our way. Behind the iron door was cold winding stone steps. The light from the candles barely lit each step as we moved. I searched for some sense of security, but I found none outwardly. I had a ghost as my companion through a creepy dungeon. Inside, I prayed. I prayed like I did as a child in the dark.

Sunny Days

The next few days, I was able to go out among the people. Security protocol dictated that the doors to the castle remained closed from before sunset to sunrise. However, when the sun shined I was able to see my people. They were all so very young. I understood fully why they are the child-like people. No one was older than their mid-teens. At least not in looks. Everyone plays all day long. I think the economy must have lived off of laughter. I confess, I felt like a little child again myself. There was no cares or sorrows, but I learned that there still was fear. An hour before the sun set, everyone is hurried out of the streets. Legions of ghost soldiers hurry all of the children into their homes. No one must be outside after dark. I had the audacity of arguing with one such solider as he shuffled me back to the castle.
"Does not the city have walls?" Are we not protected by you soldiers? Are you not the best soldiers that ever lived?"
"Your majesty, the neighboring nations are powerful, and they have yet to pledge themselves to you. Your safety keeps the people safe. Please understand that."
I spent many days trying to understand that. I studied with Minkyoung. She was a great help. I learned that the city walls could hold back the dwarves. They had crafted them years ago and would not dare to use explosives against it. They would dig beneath it, and that would take an astronomical amount of time. The houses are protected by night lights against darkling forces, and the ghost troops patrol the city at all times. Nearly, always invisible. The Castle itself was an impenetrable fortress with one weakness. I couldn't read what that weakness was, because that page had been blotted out. Minkyoung said it had always been like that. She explained that only Jubal knew how to clean them.
"How is it that a prisoner knows so much? Why was he the one that brought me here? Do we have any books about that?"
"Yes." Nods Minkyoung. "Except they are blotted out too."
I sigh.
"I'm not allowed to release Jubal...But maybe I can go visit him. Where is the prison? Is it out in the city?"
"The prison is within the dungeon in the bowels of the Castle, and that is off limits." Declares Mr. Gray.

Library Day

Minkyoung told me where I could find the previous Queen's journals. They were upon a high shelf built into the top most portion of the Library wall. There was no ladder to it. I'd have to fly. It then occurred to me that I had no idea how to open my wings. Yesterday, when I flew it was all on instinct. I took a breath and concentrated. I remembered what it felt like, and transitioned it to real movement. I began to feel feathers.
"Not  here!" Screamed Minkyoung.
Startled, I nearly fell over.
"Why not? How else am I suppose to get to the shelf?"
"If you spread your wings out between these shelves you'll knock them over, Ma'am."
I'd forgotten how big my wing span was. Minkyoung guides me out into the reading area. She gestures to the tables. I climb atop of one. I release my wings, and flutter them. This causes great gusts of air.
"Try not to fly too much. Just get to the top of the book shelves and hop from one to another until you are to the far wall and then fly up to the wall shelf." Minkyoung advised.
I gladly followed it. It was a fun experience to hop atop book shelves, and then finally inside the one in the wall. There I found several dozen bound journals. There were three different kinds. I took one of each back with me to the reading tables. That's when terrible disappointment set. Each diary was written in a language unknown to me. I only recognized two of them. One appeared to be Greek, and the other Egyptian hieroglyphics. The third I did not recognize at all.
"Why did they bother to keep journals if they can never be read!" I cried.
"Of course they were read. They were read by those that wrote them. That's the point of a journal." Comforted Minkyoung.
"I should just be happy that you speak English."
"English? Oh not enough to boast about. I barely know it at all." Laughed Minkyoung.
"I think you speak it fluently." I argued.
"Oh no. Don't forget you hear with royal ears. All your subjects speak your language to you. Even if they do not know it."
"Royal ears can understand, but royal eyes cannot? Why shouldn't I be able to read the Queen's journals?"
"They aren't your subjects."
I place the journals back on their shelves. What girl wants her journals read by a stranger anyway? However, helpful they may be. At least, I have Minkyoung. She truly is an able Librarian. She knows where every book is. Together we read about the research done on the people of souls. Commonly called ghosts. I found it interesting that all of the ghosts here are not from here. They are from Earth like me. All of the souls were service people, and they all loved their work. I read about the origins of other people groups too. The mermaids sprang up from deep underground waters. Likewise the Dwarves came out of rocks, and the children come up out of Gardens.
"How can any of these accounts be true? Is no one born in this world?" I asked.
"I can't say I've ever seen or heard of a baby born to this world. Not in an Earthly sense. Besides Jubal is an expert in these matters." Said Minkyoung tapping a book's cover.
I looked at the books authors. They all were different, but they had one thing in common. Each one was edited by Jubal.

A Fresh New Day

I awoke after less than a handful of hours. I told my ladies I needed to be awake no later than eight. Today their hair was yellow-gold, and their dresses off white. They dressed me in a backless dress in case I wanted to take flight. I ate a breakfast of fruit, and I questioned my ladies once more.
"You're not ghost servants, like Mr. Gray. You're quite solid, and yet there is something magical about you three. You really have no idea of your names?"
"We are whoever you need us to be. We are here to look after you." Explains the oldest one again.
"Who is it that always takes care of me?" I wonder out loud.
I gaze into the newly placed full length mirror. Mr. Gray had it sent up for me. The ladies did an excellent job dressing me. It's like they know me better than I know myself.
I decided that I would do research in the library that day. Mr. Gray had informed me that the previous Queen's journals, and all the information that the world had to offer was kept there. Sadly, the Library had no cataloguing system. I spent hours combing through titles. Eventually, I had enough and cried, "Is there a librarian in the house?"
Immediately one appeared. She was a little silvery woman. Her hair hung down just below her chin and hugged her face. She held several small books close to her chest, hidden behind her arms. She hovered next to me. Waiting for me to speak.
"Can you help me find the previous Queen's journals? Oh and forgive me for barking out orders. All this weirdness and pressure gets the best of my manners. What's your name? Please have one."
"I am Minkyoung. I am the greatest Librarian that ever lived."
I perceived her clothes. They were 20th century at least. She must have died fairly recently.
"A contemporary woman has beat out all the elderly men that have ever existed."
She smiles. The silver glints around her lips.
"I did replace an elderly Polish man. He was brilliant, and bowed out gracefully. He still works here of course, but he no longer is summoned."
"So I only get the best that ever lived? Why, because I am the Queen?"
"In part. We serve the Queen to honor us. Not you. It is our reward. This is our after life. We served so well in life that we get to do it in death."
"You never wanted to be anything other than a Librarian?"
"I.... I don't know. When we die, we are stripped down. We lose certain qualities about ourselves. Like for instance, I believe I used to have black hair and olive skin. Now I am this. Merely, a shade of what I once was."
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. I am happy. I have the best books in the world, and now I have someone alive to read them."
Somehow, finding out about my predecessors seemed less urgent. Minnkyoung was more willing to talk about personal issues than Mr. Gray. How often does one get to talk to a person who is dead?
"What's it like to die? Does it hurt?"
She sways, like a buoy in the sea.
"I don't have any personal knowledge."
"But you said that at death you were stripped down. Can you tell me what that is like?"
"No. I can't remember. I learned about what happens to Ghosts in these books. It was like learning about being a baby in the womb. I believe it happened, but I have no memory. Your majesty will do well to study here. You'll learn what you need to know."

The Lesson that lasted until Day

"Alright, I'm ready. What do have to teach me."
The Gray man smiled.
"First of all you need to start observing things closer. You act as though you don't know who your subjects are when I've already told you. At your coronation, I informed you of your realm. You are the Princess of Souls. That's my people and all of the other servants of the great castles."
"So like all four of you?"
The Gray man frowns.
"The Castle is full of thousands upon thousands of the finest servants that ever lived."
"Well, where are they?" I laughed as I asked.
"They are all over the castle. The finest servants are unseen."
"There is a difference between unseen and invisible." Commented the oldest lady in waiting.
My three ladies hair is now white and their dresses a light yellow gold.
"You can turn invisible. Can't you?" I asked in earnest.
"All ghosts can."
I involuntarily gasp.
"Quite. Now that's clear, let's continue. You're the Grand Duchess of the seas."
"Where the mermaids are."
"Mer-people. Don't forget the men folk, and the sea serpents."
I nod. Part of me really wants to believe all this is true. Who doesn't want to live in a magical world? However, the other part of me wants to remain skeptical in case this is all a big joke on me. That it's some kind of new reality TV show. Mr. Gray continues.
"As the Queen of the children, you are the sovereign ruler of this country. No where in the world is your power more absolute than it is here." He points to the south western corner of the continent.  "The children cannot protect themselves. They are totally reliant upon you. The other countries are under your dominion, but they require a firm hand to keep in check. The Fay folk will abandon you if they think you don't hold the light." He points to a large forest to the north. "On the other hand, the darkling people will not heed you if you glow so bright that you will not speak to them." He gestures to a nearly barren land even farther north. "Likewise the dwarves are stubborn and unwilling to even receive word from a ruler they do not respect." He taps the top of the miniature mountains. "The Daimyo's of the north east have the league of dragons at their disposal, and the hidden mirror land reflects the confines of your heart. That's scary business. Even our close ally in the south east is wedged between the plain of monsters and the city of thieves."
"What can I do all about this tonight?" I questioned
"Merely, touch the map, and set the mood for diplomacy."
Literally? How did touching the map help? I gaze down at it. The closer I look, the more details I see. The Enchanted forest where the Fay live is gorgeous. It shimmers with magic. A long river runs through it, and all the way down into my country. I place my left fist to my mouth. I breathe into it all my love for beauty, magic and whimsy. I open that hand and touch its place on the map. The Enchanted Forest on the map glows pink. Mr. Gray gives an approving nod. He stays with me all through the night. I even send good will to the thieves, and the isolated shape shifters of the north. Outside, the sky is brightening in the light of pre-dawn. I asked him if there was anything else that urgently needed to be done. He answered.
"Keep the prison locked. Don't let Jubal out. Not for anything."
"Who's Jubal?" I asked. (I asked him so many questions.)
"Jubal, is the man in black, and I am Grayson by the way."

The Night after the Day

The old gray man escorted me back to my suite.  There my three ladies greeted me. Their hair was now brown and their dresses black. They hugged me upon my entry. The gray man pushed them aside, and compelled me into the adjoining room. It was huge, like the bedroom, but unlike the bedroom it was decorated with paintings and tapestries. It had one large round table with a topographical map on it. The old man explained.
"This is a map of this world called Mist. It is no ordinary map as you can see. It is three dimensional. You can see all of the valley's and rivers. It is a road map, and it shows all the borders, and cities. It has everything you need to know."
"Is there a road back to my world? The planet Earth?" I asked.
"No. No Road. Your majesty you must start taking your work seriously. I must say your predecessor was much more prepared than you are." Commented Mr. Gray.
"Please, then enlighten me on what I must do to complete my task here." I implored.
"First, you must set up diplomatic relations with the neighboring countries. Remember you are only Empress over them. Their regional leaders must be kept appeased. You are not due to meet with them until the 12th month, but until then you can set up proclamations that will set the tone for your entire rule. The same goes for the prison rules. As far as security goes, I must press that you maintain it as it is until diplomatic relations have been settled. I don't want another undead Queen on my hands."
"Are you telling me the last Queen got turned into a Zombie?" I cried.
"What nonsense! There is no such things as Zombies."
How was suppose to know that? In that world, I had wings, that man was translucent in the light, and  the man in black, from my nightmares, lived there. I didn't know what the rules were. If I had it would have been much more fun. Obviously, every question I asked Mr. gray irked him, but he was my only source of information. I had to find out more.
"Sir, I don't know why I am here. I don't know how I got here. Please have mercy on me, and guide me through this." I pleaded.
To my surprise, Mr. Gray puffed up his chest, and nodded.
"I'll give you one lesson, and if you cannot be the Queen we need by the end of this lesson. I will personally escort you home."

The Blocked Way at the end of the Day

As I stood, before the door, I debated how I was to open it. I'd have to have a ladder to reach the locks. Then it struck me. I asked for water. I got water. I was tired I was given a bedroom. I want this door to open. I took a deep breath. I stood tall, and in my most commanding voice I said. "Open." No one appeared before me, but slowly the locks began to move out of place. With each opening snap, I felt relief sweep over me. I wasn't a prisoner. This was my Castle and it heeded my words. The wood in the doors groaned as it opened outwardly. The floor in front of me was now splashed with the orange light of sunset. Outside, I saw a wide stone terrace, and farther beyond, I saw the end of a wide street lined with regal houses. I swallowed. The street was as empty as the castle, but I had to try to find someone. I took a step toward the door. Then the gray man snapped into my view. I was terribly startled. Not only by his sudden appearance, but by the look of him. He was not just gray, but he was slightly translucent in the light of the setting sun. I didn't get to ask him questions. He instead started dictating to me my trespasses.
"Your majesty, you have neglected your duties. You have not overseen the diplomatic chart. Nor have you set rules for the prison. Now you have broken security protocol by ordering the opening of the doors! I must say for your first day, you aren't doing very well."
Frustration is a very honest f word. How was I suppose to know any of this? No one has told me anything! I don't even know if I'm on planet Earth anymore! This gray old man had no business yelling at me, and I told him so. If he wanted me to know these things then he should have said. Popping a crown on a person, does not mean they know what they are doing. To which he replied, "Obviously."
The man in gray requested me to close the doors, and if I complied he would inform me at least of my duties. I told him the first thing I wanted to know was who he was and why was he see through. The man blushed gray at this. I felt bad. I know better than to remark about others looks. The man moved away from the sunlight, and to the side of the doors. I commanded their closing, and like before, they listened, and readily guided shut.

Wandering Day

After the coronation everyone left. No gray old man. No children. No young people. I was left all alone. I had no idea what to do. So did what I wanted. I explored! I figured the place must have been a castle. I found armories, and galleries. I found columned halls, and sitting rooms. I discovered secret passage ways, and crooked staircases, grand ballrooms, towers, tunnels, and one great Library. However, I did not find one single person. This was very bizarre to me, because everywhere I went was perfectly clean. It had no sign of dust or disrepair. Somebody had to keep this place sparkling.  After hours of searching, I grew thirsty and tired. I said to the castle, "Do you have any drinking fountains?" Lo and behold, a beautiful blond woman appeared. She offered me a crystal chalice filled with water. Her lips were as red as her deep red dress. Instead of taking the water, I bombarded her with questions. Surely she knew something about the place, or why I was there. She shook her flat curls, and said, " I  came to give you a drink you majesty."
I continued to question her, but all I learned that she and her two sisters lived to serve me. I asked her to bring me to her sisters. I thought they might know more. The woman took my hand gently, but swiftly guided me back the way I came. She lead to a room not far behind the balcony. It was a bedroom suite. The room was large, and that's an understatement. The ceiling was 18 feet high up at least. The four poster canopy bed was much larger than a King size, and yet despite its size it did not crowd the room. There was plenty of space between it es on and the dining table that seated six, the wardrobe, and the bookcase that went half way up to the ceiling. The book case was a sad sight. It had no books. I found that more disturbing then the framthe walls that held no images. I asked the woman where her sisters were, and they appeared, standing in the archway to the adjoining suite room. They were beautiful and blond like their sister. Also like their sister they knew nothing about anything. Not even where they were born or their own names. They offered me food, and the use of the suite. They told me it was mine, and no they didn't know how they knew. I felt so sleepy, I had no trouble falling asleep in that enormous bed. When I awoke, hours later, the women were gone. I called out for them and again in an instant they appeared. This time their hair was honey colored and their dresses peach. I asked them if they could find me some walking clothes. They nodded and pulled clothes from the wardrobe. I took off the torn white gown and dressed into the green blouse and brown trousers they offered me. They gave me exactly the sort of clothes I wanted. They really were good at taking care of me, but they had no answers for me. I knew what I had to do. I had to leave the way I saw the people leave earlier that day. The sun was setting outside, but I didn't care. I went down the steps by the balcony, and across that colossal room to the enormous wood and iron doors. Not only were they too large for me to open alone, but I saw that they were locked a hundred times over. A Queen locked in her own castle I whispered to myself.

An Unordinary Day

There I was standing on a balcony, overlooking a massive sea of people in the room below. I turned to flee the scene, because obviously I had nothing to say to them. I didn't even know who they were. Goodness, I didn't even know why I was there! Then I saw the man in black block my path. He asked me, "Don't you want to greet your people?" My stomach turned. "You know this place. It's the place you used to dream about. It is the place you used to believe was real."
I looked at him, and tried to wish him away, but he was just as solid as he was at School. I faced the people again, and placed my hands on the banister. My eyes scanned over dozens of faces. They were such young faces. Their eyes were so full of hope. They waited for me to speak. It was at this moment I realized my clothes had been changed. Instead of my school-day clothes, I was wearing a white gown. Who was I to these people? I look back again to the man. He frowns and pushes me aside. He shouted out to the people.
"It seems the lady is having difficulty recognizing her place with us. Shall I help her remember?"
"Yes!" Cheered the crowd.
At that word, he snatched me up, and held me over his head, before hurtling me at the crowd below. I had no time to think. In seconds, I would have been smashed upon impact on the floor below, but that didn't happen. An instinct took over, and instead of crashing, I flew. The whole back of my gown had ripped out to make way for white feathery wings. The people oohed as I swooped around the room. I couldn't help, but laugh. I had never felt so happy. I felt like flying forever, but fatigue took hold, and I made my way back to the balcony. I landed atop the banister. I was fully confident that even if I fell off of it my wings would save me. I smiled and waved at the people. I was happy that I made them happy. My wings had folded up and evaporated into my back. I hopped back onto the balcony floor. The man was still there. He was now furious and bleeding from his right hand. Concerned, I asked him if I had done anything wrong? He replied, "You did what had to be done, but don't think I am grateful."
Six foggy figures appeared and wrapped themselves around the man in black. In moments, he vanished into the mist. The crowd erupted in cheers. It was overwhelming, before I knew it an old gray man was placing a diadem on my head. He declared, "All hail the Princess of souls, the grand duchess of the seas, the Queen of the children, and the Empress of the lands."
I swore no oath that day. I gave no promise. I didn't even claim to desire those heavy titles. However, some gifts cannot be refused.

Not an Average School Day

It was just another day at college. The student body had assembled together to learn about new student fees. It was an easy place to drift off into a daydream. Ever since I was a child, I've been afraid of a cloaked figure in black. I used to believe he wanted to snatch me out of my room at night. As I sat among my peers, I saw that man again. He wasn't in a cloak, but I knew it was him. He walked among the students to the front of the room. Obviously, I was day dreaming. None of the students acted like they saw this stranger all in black, but why did it feel so real? Mentally, I tried to erase him, but he did not leave my sight. He walked up on the platform where the academic dean stood commenting on the stragglers coming in. The man eyed the dean and then me. Fear swept over me. I gasped so loud I was afraid the whole student body heard, but they didn't. Everyone around me has gasped too. They could see him! He had appeared to them out of thin air! There was some confusion followed by thunderous applause, as the man in black theatrically bowed. I felt my face grow white hot. He was just a magician. I must have seen through his trick. He wasn't a dream at all. The Dean of Students attempted to shoo the man off the platform when the unthinkable happened. Leather clad, machete wielding, men marched in through all the doors to the aid of the man in black. No one was going to take him from that stage. He owned it. It was his. He took the microphone and started moving back and forth across the platform. He came to us for a purpose. We had something he wanted. Well not something...someone. His voice. I had heard it so many times before.
"Don't be coy." He uttered. "I know you know who you are. Come down here and face me."
I sunk down in my seat.
"Fine. I'll call to you. Annabelle."
That moment I severely regretted not going to a larger school. I couldn't hide from him. I never could hide from him, but before that day I always got away. I'd wake up or fall asleep. Depending on if it was a nightmare or a waking terror. This time he was real, and yet as I met him in the flesh I felt no fear. He noticed too.
"You're too much awake. Better change that."
Then something covered my whole frame. I couldn't breathe or see. I thought I was going to die, and maybe I did for a moment. When I came to gasping for breath, my classmates were no longer around me. Instead, I was in front of a much larger crowd, in a much more beautiful place. I went from an ugly ordinary room, in front of 3 hundred, to a gorgeous, enormous place in front of about 3 million. What was I to do?