Oh, Savanna

I pulled up along the walkway and got out of my car, making sure it was locked and parked properly. I pressed the lock button on my key just for luck, I’m always so paranoid about the car never being locked, I guess I owe my paranoia to him.


I stepped into the coffee shop, the walls were painted a dark brown and the furniture had a very urban feel. I placed my order for a cup of water and sat at the long table by the large window, staring out at the busy streets of Washington DC. I remember the first time I had walked into a coffee shop with him. He had managed to sneak me past the palace guards so I could experience life away from my home, the home I had been hidden in for my entire childhood. The people on the sidewalk walked with urgency, their briefcases surely locked in their fists, there heads staring dead-ahead, focused on getting to their destinations, a feeling I knew oh so well. I smiled at the nostalgic feeling that formed in my chest, my gut tying in knots as my memories started to seep into my mind slowly.
My water was placed down in front of me, snapping me out of my thoughts for a brief moment before I was lost in my memories of the palace and all that happened there and especially, the reason behind my nostalgia, him.


“Sav!” a faint voice yelled from the wooded area. I was grateful that we had a wooded area around my home, I was even more grateful that my father had asked a close friend to build me a tree house. The tree house was a parting gift he used to soften me up before he left for almost an entire year. My thirteen year old self didn’t approve but my nineteen year old self found solace and comfort in it.
When ever I hit my lows or whenever I needed an escape from my responsibilities, I would run off and hide myself away in my little tree house. When my mother would threaten to take the tree house down, my father would always jump to my defence. He would tell my mother that the tree house was a gift and my escape and no one would be allowed to disturb me when I was up there.
The wooded area was out of bounds to anyone I didn’t want to be disturbed by. My mother wasn’t happy about it, she would purse her lips in displeasure before sighing out of frustration, she never argued the matter further, but rather voiced her disapproval towards it.
“Sav!” the voice grew louder. I groaned, I didn’t want to leave now. I didn’t want to attend the ball my mother had been planning for months on end. I didn’t like the idea of being forced to marry at such a young age, being forced to choose some egotistical prince or duke as my husband. I looked out at the view above my head, the dark blue sky peaked through the blanket of trees, several stars peaking through, my mind slowly falling back into ease, that is, until footsteps ascending my treehouse stairs came to a halt at the door.
“Sav, we’ve been looking for you. You’re late!” my cousin, Vic, exclaimed while pulling me to my feet.
“Sav isn’t here, go away.” I positioned myself, ready to sit down again, but Vic pulled me by my arm and down the stairs until we were trudging towards the palace. I didn’t want to attend tonights party, I was feeling apprehensive. I know how these things go, it’s one of the many pointless things they teach you.‘You have to dance with every single eligible man and by the end of the night you have to announce who you have chosen to marry.’ my mothers voice said in my mind.
I used to joke with my father about the oldness of the tradition and how I feel there should be a new one; between our snickering and our mocking of the tradition, my mother would shake her head disapprovingly.
“Cheer up, Sav!” Vic wrapped an arm around my neck, resting his weight on my shoulders, “you’re going to fall in love tonight!” Vic was always the optimist and it was one of the things I both loved and hated about my cousin.
“Yeah right. We both know that won’t happen.” I remarked sadly, buckling my shoulders under Vic’s weight.


I smiled to myself, remembering how that night I ate my words. I had finished my glass of water and had ordered a cup of green tea and a slice of the double layered bar one chocolate cake before I slipped back into the comfort of my memories.


“Good lord, Savanna, you aren’t ready yet!” my mother exclaimed from the corner of the room where she was delegating how a plant pot should be placed.
“I’lll see to it she’s ready, aunt!” My cousin smiled back at my mother. Vic pulled me up the staircase and before we parted ways to our separate wings he turned to me.
“I know you hate the idea, but just try to have fun, okay?” I grimaced, I couldn’t make promises. I didn’t even know how many men would be here.

I walked into my room to find my lady maid, May, laying a beautiful white gown with gold finishes on my bed. I hesitated at the door before finally walking in, earning a frustrated sigh from May and a hard tug in the direction of my bed.
“I’m not wearing that.” I state simply, her eyebrows knit together in confusion.
“Don’t be difficult tonight. Your mother told me what dress you’ll be wearing and I’ll see to it that you leave this room in it.” I raised an eyebrow a grin played on my features.
“A challenge, ey?” she raises a playful eyebrow, clearly up for the challenge.

May was strong-headed but her strong-headedness was no match for me, needless to say I had left the room in another dress, much to May’s dissatisfaction, it wasn’t one she would have liked or chosen for the occasion. I left in a black velvet ball gown with beautiful lace-like patterns in darker velvet. The dress was a tad too morbid for the event but I felt it suited my mood at this point; I wasn’t feeling compliant and there’s nothing my mother could actually do if I showed up in the dress.


Vic and I met at the head of the stairs once we were notified that all the guests had arrived, he looped his arm with mine and we descended the stairs painstakingly slow.
“You know your mother will not approve of your dress.” he whispered through a smile that was clearly put on.
“I hope not.” I snickered, earning a small chuckle from him. He was dressed in a simple tuxedo, his top button was undone and I knew very well that my mother wouldn't approve of his ‘missing tie’ for this ‘black tie’ event.
“You look beautiful nonetheless.” I elbowed his ribs that were in good range of my elbow. We finally reached the bottom of the stairs, our arms still looped.

My mother was the first to approach us, I groaned inwardly as her gleaming eyes settled onto my dress, instantly darkening.
“Savanna, you were meant to wear your white dress.” she scowled, her lips pursed into a hard line. I was no stranger to disappointing my mother, I wasn’t always the easiest child to bear with but because I was her ONLY child, she didn’t have much of a choice but to deal with me.
“Victor, where’s your tie?” her eyes averted to Vic momentarily, he stiffened.
“Aunt, ties give me rashes.” he lied, my mother contemplated this before deciding his offence was not to the same degree as mine and she let him off the hook. I, on the other hand, wasn’t.
“We’ll talk about this later.” she said sternly before we were both approached by a handsome man.
“Good evening your majesty, your highness.” he bowed slightly, his smile reached his eyes, his arm tucked behind his back. I stood there as a moment of silence washed over me, I took the time to admire the six-foot man, his hair was brown and highlighted with gold streaks, his hair sleeked back with hair gel. His eyes, the main feature that grabbed my attention, were a mesmerising green-blue. When he spoke next I found myself still stuck in a daze, his voice sounded so rich and so warm that I was convinced he’d broken a lot of hearts. My mother elbowed me in my ribs, bringing me out of my reverie.
“Sorry, what was that?” I asked calmly but my nerves were sky-rocketing. The man let out a chuckle.
“I’m Alexivier. Or Alex for short.” I smiled cooly.
“I’m Savanna.” I returned the same amount of friendliness and I had tried to match my tone with his, but my voice held no comparison and I almost felt ashamed for speaking in the first place.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked me, his lips pulling up at the sides to reveal his perfectly white and perfectly straight teeth. I fiddled with the velvet material and nodded shyly, my mothers glee was radiated as she stepped aside for Alex to join me at my right.


We danced slowly, our movements in sync with the music. His hand held my waist and I rested a loose hand on his shoulders, our other hands rested against each other gracefully. Our silhouettes almost moving into each other, I won’t deny that I wasn’t remotely attracted to Alex, but I didn’t feel any spark or any connection. Throughout the dance he spoke of his family and his great grand father King Charles (no connection to the English king); to sum up Alex, I would use four words: Conceited. Opinionated. Ignorant. Handsome. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes at almost every word he spoke, his opinions held no truth and only pure misdirection. His constant obsession with his wealth and his family made his looks count for null.

I found myself in deep gratification when I was pulled away from Alex but caught myself in instant confusion when the person I was pulled away by was an unfamiliar face.
“Good evening, I’m Prince Phil-Lin.” he bowed then pulled me in; Phil-Lin was from North Korea- as I had learned- he wasn’t merely as stuck-up as Alex but I wouldn’t put it past him. His dancing wasn’t as graceful and he wasn’t as talkative, I didn’t enjoy my dancing with any of the princes. Towards the end of the night, I had managed to make myself discreet, I had also managed to catch up with Vic and vent about the all the princes’ I had danced with, I had told him I was so fed up with this evening that I just needed a break, to which he replied by telling me he would keep my mother busy so I could sneak away for an hour or two.


I managed to step past a few ogling dukes and princes’ and make my way out of the ballroom and through the side door leading to our outdoor patio. I had closed the french doors with a sigh of relief, I was finally out of there.
I surveyed the forest in front of me, my urge to retreat to my tree house was stronger more so now than ever. I moved deeper into the open tiled area of my patio; we had potted plants lined up against the two-foot walls, my dress rustled with my movements, the cool breeze blew my hair slightly, my strawberry-scented shampoo mixing with the natural smell of the forest and flowers blooming from their little pots.
There were two sets of stairs leading onto the large open area of grass from both sides of the patio, my eyes only focused on the one destination my heart yearned for, the only place I felt safe and truly at peace.
“You also needed to get out?” a voice asked from behind me, I turned to find a tall figure leaning against one of the pillars that held up a small section of roofing, he was completely submerged in the shadows. I cleared my throat just to have it tense again.
“Y-Yes. I don’t do well in crowds.” I added before turning my gaze back to the forest.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he commented, his referencing to the forest made me smile. His voice was husky and it spoke with such sincerity and awe that I found my attention being drawn closer to the figure than the forest.
“It is.” I whispered more to myself. I stepped towards the small wall that blocked my path to the forest, but my eyes never left my hiding place. My eyes had adjusted under the moonlight and I could just make out the trail I would take to get there.
“I’m Austin.” the stranger said from beside me, he was taller than me, easily six-foot. He looked like a giant compared to my five-foot-five figure. Our bodies weren’t close but rather a comfortable distance for two strangers meeting for the first time, something I hadn't experienced this night prior our meeting.
“It’s nice to meet you, Austin.” I smiled sweetly, offering him a short glance before directing my gaze back to the area in front of me.
“And you are…” he urged me as I failed to introduce myself. I had thought that all the men at this party knew who I was and introducing myself was rather pointless, but here I was, having to introduce myself to someone who doesn’t know who I am. I smiled inwardly.
“I’m Savanna.” I said more shocked as I heard him sigh before he faced me square-on.
“Forgive my ignorance, your highness.” he offered me a small bow, I groaned inwardly before I tore my gaze from the forest to set it on Austin who looked full of embarrassment.
“Austin, I appreciate the fact that you didn’t know who I was. It’s a change of scenery if you will, a breath of fresh air.” I saw his posture relax and his shoulder slumped slightly, he smiled gratefully before he turned to look at the area we had been so preoccupied with.
“So, Austin, are you a prince or a duke or…” I left the sentence hanging, urging him to fill in the blank for me.
"I’m neither, just a musician hired to entertain for the evening.” I smiled, he was humbled not the stuck-up sort I had the displeasure of dancing with this evening.
“And why aren’t you inside?” I asked curiously, my tone not accusing or stern but rather agog.
“I have half an hour before I’m required to play, so I’m spending my time outside.” I smiled.
“What are you doing outside?” I asked again, my eagerness to know as much as I can about him.
"Talking to you." he smiled, his eyes not leaving the forest. I let out a small giggle.
"I meant, what were you doing before I showed up?" I corrected, feeling myself blush slightly.
“Thinking. I think a lot.” his voice and his words held a lot of thought in itself and all I could do was nod as I too thought a lot.
“You know, hidden in those trees is a place where I go when I need a moment to think.” his eyes held an eager glint as they travelled from me to the forest. “Would you like to see it?” I offered, I could feel the excitement radiate from Austin. I never showed people my hiding place but I felt Austin would appreciate the serenity.
“But shouldn’t you be in there?” I scoffed, feeling I'd find more joy in picking apart my nose hairs than actually have to entertain one more arrogant man.
“I could do with a break.” I added before leading the way down the small set of stairs. I slipped my shoes off and left them lying on the last step before we ventured towards my hiding place, my excitement to be there growing more and more with every step I took. I turned my head to see Austin smiling at the wooded area, he walked with such cool grace and eagerness, his hands in his pockets.
“Mind your step, there are a few pesky roots that stick out.” I instructed, avoiding a few myself.
“It’s quite a walk.” Austin laughed lightly.
“The walk is the best part.” I commented, laughing an exasperated laugh.

Notes

Basically how I pictured the tree house ^^^^



Sav's dress ^^^^^


I hope you guys are enjoying the story thus far and I would deeply appreciate any feedback!!!!