Oh, Savanna

I had decided that today would be a good day to take a walk, I was eager to explore my new home and put my fairly new human-skills to good use. Being born and raised and trapped in the palace all my life has made me lack in one important factor of ever basic persons life: Human interaction.
I had turned the corner of my apartment building and started to follow the red-bricked pavement, trees littered the side of the road, casting their yellow-orange glow on the street; autumn was one of my favourite seasons purely because of the colours. I dug my hands deep into my pockets as I felt the autumn air bite at my exposed skin; my mind began to soak up the nostalgia my memories brought, I was, once again, lost in my thoughts.


“SAV!” a voice shouted above the crickets and the constant hoots from the owls. I knew that the voice belonged to Vic and I could tell he was growing more impatient with ever minute I failed to respond. I turned my head to find Austin smiling as my cousin continued to yell, his voice stopping at the stairs of my tree house.
“Sav, get your arse down here before I get up there and bring it down myself!” his voice was filled with annoyance but I also picked up on the bit of playfulness, I decided to match it.
“You could try.” I smirked into the dark, knowing very well that he couldn’t see it.
“Savanna, your mother is looking for you… She’s seething.” I groan, I know that I will get a large scolding from my mother, if not tonight, tomorrow. With some help from Austin, I got to my feet and with a supportive hand, I managed to get down the stairs. I met up with Vic and his annoyance-filled face, his lips pressed into a hard line, he probably contemplated how he could kill me.
“AH! Thank God I found you too!” he exclaimed ironically, causing Austin to shift his weight on the balls of his feet and causing me to smirk. “Come on you two.”
Vic led the way back to the palace and to the party, the whole time Austin and I passing each other sideways glances, in the hopes we’d catch the other staring, but losing at our little childish game.
“Sav, listen, you have to choose tonight. I know you’re scared and I know you hate it, but you have to.” Vic said giving my shoulders a encouraging squeeze before retiring through the french doors, leaving Austin and me alone.
I stared at the french doors for a while, trying to put off the ceremony as much as I could, but I knew I would have to face them eventually. I thought back to all the eligible men I had danced with, none of them seemed fitting and I definitely wasn't ready to marry someone I didn’t love.
“I had fun.” Austin said sadly, his eyes watching me carefully, I yearned to touch his face just so I would know if he was just a fabrication of my mind. I had never met anyone that I could talk to with such ease, someone I felt comfortable around. If I could, I’d probably tell everyone in that ballroom I was going to marry Austin, but I knew better than to marry outside the royal bloodline. It wasn't because of my pretentious upbringing, but rather because I knew my family would disown me because of my choice.
“I don’t want to do this.” I mumbled sadly, dropping my head. The weight of my dress finally dawned on me, making my body feel like a toothpick hold up a brick. I felt I might snap under the pressure and break into many fragmented splinters.
“It was nice meeting you, Austin.” I said sadly as I pressed my hand down on the spiral door handle, stepping into the biggest decision of my life.


Vic had pulled me towards the stairs, his arm looped around my waist and his hand resting on the middle of my back.
“I know.” he whispered into my ear, rendering me clueless until I saw his eyes dart to a figure behind us. I turned to see Austin leaning against the door we had entered, a ginger-haired man, much shorter than Austin, talking animatedly.
“You know?” I asked more confused.
“I can see it in your eyes, Sav. You know it can’t happen.” I sighed, nodding as my cousins words sunk in. He was right, besides the shunning I would get from my father and mother, I knew it wouldn’t be good to bring a musician into the royal family. Musicians are always carefree and ’out there’. It wouldn't be fair on Austin; I always considered musicians and people in any creative field as birds in cages. You could never hold one back, you could never force them to act and think in a certain way, you could never groom them and cage them away. It wouldn't be fair on them.


“Thank you all for joining us!” my fathers voice boomed from the head of the stairs, my mother stood at his side proudly, her face radiating pure joy as he spoke to the guests.
“As you know, today is my daughters nineteenth birthday, which also means she has to choose a husband.” I let my eyes wander around the room, all the men and women and their families were watching my mother as she spoke with the same poise and confidence I had seen so many times.
“Savanna, would you come here?” my mother extended her hand for me which I hesitantly took, breathing in, I studied the crowd. All the men I had danced with smiled at me, some with a mix of arrogance. I pursed my lips, who could I marry? I didn’t love any of them, I didn’t connect with any of them. How could I choose? I thought about playing sick and putting this decision off as long as I could.

My eyes darted across the crowd, all those expectant eyes on me awaiting my final decision, one I struggled to make.
“Sav.” my mother whispered to me, hoping to release an answer from my lips sooner.
“I-I… I uh…” my feet and fingers began to tingle, the pressure setting in. I felt my heart palpitate and my breathing beginning to shallow, my arms and legs started growing numb until I couldn’t feel them. The voices from around me grew faint and I could barely understand the words they were saying. I felt my body break out into a hot-cold flush, as much as I tried to deepen my breathing and getting oxygen to my brain, it all seemed to be impossible. The last person my eyes landed on was Austin, his face contorted into worry as my panic attack seemed to be more noticeable. His eyes grew as I felt my head fall to the side and connect with the stairs. I heard gasps and felt two pairs of hands on my my limp frame before I blacked out completely.


When I awoke I was in the familiar surroundings of my bedroom. The dark brown wall in front of me made my eyes hurt and I returned to closing my eyes. A dull pain coarser through my body as I began to sit up.
“Oh thank God.” a voice said from beside me. I turned to find Vic hovering in my doorway, his face etched with worry.
“W-What happened?” I rubbed my palm against my head as I tried to remember the events of the evening. Austin. I remember Austin but nothing more.
“You blacked out.” was all my cousin answered, his figure moving towards my bed and perching on the end, my mattress giving way under his weight.
“Oh… But…” But what about my decision? Did I have to still make one or did my parents make one for me?
“Your mother and father were worried, they didn’t know what to do.” Vic began to explain, answering my unspoken question, “You took one hell of nasty spill. I mean, you went pale and all of a sudden you collapsed, falling down a couple of stairs.”
“But what about the princes’ and my decision?” I asked finally, not finding his answer useful enough.
“Your parents decided it would be best to get you checked out and then have you decide so they can write a letter to the ‘ chosen one’” I laughed at the over-emphasis my cousin put on the last couple of words, he smiled sadly. “So, have you chosen?” I sighed, I did. I have chosen, but the man I choose wouldn’t even be an option in my parents eyes.
“He wouldn’t be an option…” I replied, earning a knowing nod from Vic.
“Talk to your parents, they only want whats best for you. Talk to them about the musician.” my breathing faltered. “Oh, I know, Sav, I’m not blind.” he chuckled, “Let them have him stay at the palace for a a week or two and just see how things go.” I pulled my mouth to the side, his plan had failure written all over it and I could tell it would blow up in my face somehow.
“I know what you’re thinking. Just try it.” I nodded finally, fatigue washed over me and I could feel my body ready to collapse.
“Sleep now, we’ll talk in the morning.” Vic got up and kissed my forehead before B-lining to the door, offering me a supportive smile before leaving me to think.
His plan could work, I mean, there was no harm in trying. Although, I knew my parents very well, convincing them would be hard.


The next morning I woke up feeling refreshed and besides my aching joints, I felt fine. I got up and after I had showered I had decided to where my high-waisted jeans with a feminine white silk top, opting for casualness.
I left my room and walked to dining room, being on time for breakfast- much to my parents surprise. My father sat at the head of the table, a newspaper spread out in front of him, my mother sat to his left, reading the comic strips that my father had hated. It was always a tradition of theirs; my father would remove the comic section and hand it to my mother while he read about the daily events.
“Hello, buttercup. How are you feeling?” my father said in a sing-song voice, earning a small smile from me.
“Better, thanks… Uhm, can I talk to you guys?” my mom looked up from her comic strip and smiled at me.
“Sure, honey.” they set their newspapers aside and motioned for me to join them, which I did.
“So ab-“
“Good morning!” Vic walked into the dining room, smiling ear-to-ear, a usual thing we always expected from him. Vic plopped himself down next to me, dishing up his breakfast of eggs, bacon and french toast. I poured juice from the crystal jug, hoping that the refreshment would help me clear my throat.
“So what is it?” my father asked, a content smile plastered on his face.
“About the ball… I was- I know who I want to marry.” I had recited my speech to myself the night before, trying to fix any loose ends.
“That’s wonderful!” my mother praised, “who is it? Prince Phil-Lin? Oh! Is it Prince Alexifier?” I scoffed, my taste was better.
“Uhm, that’s what I need to talk to you about.” my voice small, I found myself wanting to back out of this conversation but Vic patted my thigh encouragingly, letting me know that he would help me if he could.
“H-He isn’t a prince.” my mothers smile faded, my father let out a small chuckle, knowing what was going to happen.
“Now, Savanna. You know the tradition.” my mothers voice was stern and held a lot of authority.
“Mother, tradition is ridiculous.” my mothers eyes grew as my father choked on his breakfast. He wasn’t surprised by my views because he shared them too, but rather choking because he laughed at my abruptness.
“Savanna Maria Williams. Do you not know the importance of marrying a prince? And why you have to marry one?”
“Mother, please. I’m just asking that he comes to the palace for a week or two. He can prove him-“
“No, Savanna.” my mother interrupted, I grinder my teeth. This whole situation was infuriating, I hated that my mother never listened to me. It was either her way or the highway.
“But, mom!”
“NO Savanna! That is my final word.” she returned to her breakfast and her comic strips, my eyes landing on Vic, I was defeated

I had pushed my chair out, making a point for it to rub hard against the floor. I walked off and headed towards the only place I knew would give me peace of mind, a place where I was allowed to think the way I wanted without being held down. I ran to the place I had only ever shared with a handful of people, the place I had shared with him.
I found myself running instead of walking and instead of excitement to be alone, I felt panic rise up in my chest. My throat tightened as I fought back a sob. Soon tears were streaming down my face; I’m not a spoiled child, and I’m not always used to getting my way. But there was something about Austin that made me want to be with him, I didn’t know what it was.


“Sav?” Vic’s voice called from the stairs of my hiding place. It held no anger or frustration but rather sympathy and knowing. He walked into the large wooden bunk area and sat on the wooden floor next to me. I didn’t bother hiding my face or wiping my tears away, he had seen me in this state so many times before. All he did was wrap an arm around my waist and pull me into a sideways hug, I rested my head on his shoulder in the crook of his neck, we remained silent.
“Your mother agreed.” he said finally, I sighed.
“I wish.”
“No. She actually agreed.” I raised my head and looked at him questioningly. “You don’t have me to thank… Not really at least. Your father put his foot down and stated that it was more important for you to be happy with an ‘average fellow’ than an unhappy marriage with a prince.” I smiled slightly, “he then proceeded to joke about their marriage.” I smiled again, that sounded more like my father. he was always a jokester, poking fun at their marriage even though it was one of the strongest marriages I had seen. My father had always made light of a serious situation to ease the tension.
“So, when will he be coming over?” I asked finally, my voice hoarse.
“Well, they’re writing the letter as we speak, so a couple of days if he agrees to it.” Vic reassured, putting my frantic mind at ease.
“Thank you.” I said after some time, grateful that my cousin was always there for me. He always supported my decisions, even if they weren’t that well thought out. He dealt with my shenanigans and always did his best to fix any situation I was in. I respected Vic a lot and I loved him a lot, I found myself thinking how lucky I was to have him, to have him live with me. I loved the fact that he was more like a brotherly-figure than a cousin, I also loved that he was so close to me so when I had my moments he’d be the first to console my overbearing emotions.

Notes