The Princess of Aethelora

It’s cruel to keep my pet tigers indoors, plus my servants seem to think they stink.  

So every morning, as soon as I get up, I get up and run down the vast marble hallways of my gorgeous palace into the magnificent gardens with their high walls, calling out for my tigers. “Stripes! Amber!” 

I love them so much. They are so fucking gorgeous, and they keep me safe. A princess after all may seem to have a blessed life, but there are many dangers lurking.  

The sounds of Mommy and Daddy screaming seem particularly loud this morning, filtering over the high walls of my garden, and wafting down the marble halls. I think I could hear them through the night, piercing my sleep as I tossed and turned on my silken sheets.  

Once I lay my eyes on Amber and Stripes, it’s as if all unpleasant noises in the world melt. Amber is lolling by the rose bush, feigning indifference, but Stripes bounds up to me, as playful as a puppy. I hug him, delighting in his soft fur and he lays his majestic head tenderly on my shoulder. Amber strolls up. I know she wants cuddles as much as Stripes. She bats Stripes away, and rising on her hind legs, places her heavy front paws on my shoulder, dipping her head towards mine. 

We gaze into each other's eyes.  

Our joy is shattered by a shriek from Mommy ripping through the garden. I blink, and when I open my eyes I am not in my garden, but crouched in crumpled dirty sheets in my small bedroom. Mommy cries “you fucking asshole-” Her voice is cut short.  

“Don’t even feed your fucking children-” I hear Daddy and then my hearts beats faster as he calls my name “Melanie! Melanie! Get the hell here!” 

I shut my eyes tightly, and I am back in my beautiful garden, Amber’s breath warm on my face, her jade eyes glowing, keeping me in the moment.  

“Don’t you dare tell me how to feed my children-” Mummy screams. Stripes growls.  

I can hear loud footsteps coming down the corridor of our apartment. Amber draws back her teeth, showing very white, very sharp teeth.  

“I fucking mean it! Leave Melanie alone!” Mummy’s voice is closer now, and the pitter-patter of her steps follow Daddy. She yelps. Amber and Stripes are growling loudly but I’m not scared of them.  

Daddy flings the door of my bedroom open, Mummy right behind him.  

Amber and Stripe pounce together, right for their throats. They scream one last time, a horrible loud sound unlike any of the screaming I have heard all through my life, ever since I became Princess of Aethelora.  

Then there is silence.  

I am back in my beautiful garden, seated on the warm sun-soaked grass. Amber and Stripes, their muzzles bloody, as sweet as kittens, frolic at my feet. I take a deep breath. Everything will be ok now.