The Royal Highness

"Hurry, Elliott. We're late!" Ellison shouted at her brother who's tying his shoelace. "I don't wanna miss this field trip like the last time," she added, thinking about when they were left behind the last time their school had a field trip.

"Alright, alright. Calm down a bit, will you? I almost... done!" Elliott said as he stood up from tying his shoelace and grabbed his sister's hand, running to their house's gate.

"Mom, dad, we're leaving!" Ellison enthusiastically shouted and waved her other hand, the one Elliott is not holding, to their mother and father who are inside of their house, not even seen.

Just a seconds after, their school bus arrived. Ellison felt the relief. They are just on time, so this field trip will be different from the last for the very reason that they will not miss it. "Lucky us," Ellison whispered to herself before stepping in the bus.

It didn't took long for the bus to arrive at their school, but when they arrived, they were welcomed with noise of the other students who are participating. Everyone is busy being excited and telling how they have not slept well thinking of the blissful day. After all, it was a year and 7 or 8 months since the last time their school held a field trip. Fun were robbed from them for almost 2 years.

"Don't you think the students are too excited for this trip, Ms. Gizmo?" Asked the adviser of Class B-1, placing himself at the right side of the lady.

"It's Guizem, Mr. Clarkson," the assistant principal corrected before she continued eyeing the enthusiactic students. Although the students quite do not have a liking on her, she still sees the students as one of her own family.

"Huh, so you aren't answering my question?" Clarkson asked, a few minutes after Guizem did not talk. But still, Guizem did not say a thing.

"Get everything ready in less than 5 minutes, students. We're about to go," announced the teacher in charge of checking every bus.

Almost everyone shouted in glory when they heard what the teacher said. Students started rushing inside of their respected school buses and sat on their seats, all anticipating. The teachers then started counting their students and looked for those who are not yet in the bus. When everyone finally settled, the trip took off.

The trip was not a long ride, but somehow, the students felt like they were sitting on their seats for almost 3 hours, the fact is they only sat on their seat for about 50 minutes. When they arrived at their destination, everyone turned silent, even the teachers have nothing to say. They all are facing what they've always wanted to visit, dumbstruck.

"Oh my! It's Castle Mentis!" One of the students freaked out, with eyes wide open and pure admiration towards the castle. Because of the student's yell, everyone else came into their realizations and shouted in joy.

"It's even more beautiful than I imagined!"

"Is this real? I am not dreaming, right?!"

"How can something be this beautifully made?

"If mom wakes me up now, I really will be mad at her!"

Vivian, the person who takes good care of the castle, heard what the students said and couldn't help but let out a giggle. It's been long since the last time she heard people admire the castle. For her, it's refreshing to hear the innocent voices of children admiring the castle that's been written on history.

When the door opened and Vivian came out, the students and the teachers all greeted enthusiastically. Vivian did not hold them long, she joyfully welcome the visitors and invited them in.

"Careful to not break things, okay?" the teachers reminded their student, but it was too late. In front of the teachers, there was no one. Everyone rushed to every corner of the castle they could find.

"Oh... we're doomed..." One teacher said, realizing that his students are everywhere in the castle. They surely will get scolded by Guizem.

Guizem, on the other hand, is still at the entrance of the castle. She stood there, examining the castle's front. For someone like her, it is to be expected. However, the smile on her face is out of her character. The reason why students does not have a liking towards her is because she does not smile. Every move she makes, the students misunderstood her because of her unfriendly facial expressions.

"Ms. Guizem?" A teacher called.

"Ah, yes?" Guizem answered, not even moved by the sudden call.

"The students are everywhere in the castle. I'm afraid the history telling will be moved to later, after lunch," the teacher said, expecting Guizem's forehead will crease and her eyes will shoot daggers at her. But Guizem remained calm.

"It's okay. Let the students enjoy. We have the whole day and night for a history lesson," Guizem said before entering the castle.

The castle really is beautiful, anyone could tell with a single look. From the placement of the things down to the tiniest detail, it amazes the naked eye. Stepping inside of the castle is such a big achievement in the land, even though everyone is allowed to visit.

"Guys? Where are you?" Guizem heard a child's panicking voice, it seems he got lost. Guizem was about to go and accompany the child when another child appeared and called the lost boy.

Guizem then continued walking the path that leads her to the room she most wanted to visit, Princess Devon's room.

The fact here is that Castle Mentis is not ranked on top as the place everyone wants to visit because of its beautiful structure, rather, it ranked first because it once sheltered all the beloved princesses of the nation.

Princess Devon's room is well maintained by the keepers. Anyone could tell because all the things inside of the room is shinny, clean, and the place smells great. The room is a luxury. However, Guizem is not fascinated by the luxury. Instead, what fascinates her is the big painting placed at the wall that faces the room's bed.

"Royal highness," Guizem read the name of the painting. "They're right, you are a beautiful painting," she said, as if the painting will answer her.

The painting shows 7 princesses, each wearing their crown. And as expected, the princesses all are a beauty, wearing clothes of luxury. One cannot tell a single negative comment about the painting and the princesses because as expected, the painting and the princesses does not disappoint. Everything about the painting exceeds perfection. However, the eyes of the princesses shows fright, fear, and doom in the perfection. The dead princesses' eyes... are the focus of the perfectly painted painting done by she who is forgotten, intentionally.