I had heard rumors about some new girl coming into the castle. Apparently there was some connection to the king’s mother or wife but this girl was not welcome in my castle. Yes my castle, with my subjects. Lux kept her shining trinkets and I kept my subjects. They were mine and I would guard them and no one, not with any connections was going to take them from me. My sister talked about some bauble or other that she wished she possessed as she counted the damaged jewelry in her wooden music box. Is it still a music box if it no longer sings sweetly? The wood creaked and the rusted hinges groaned at each opening, but that is a sort of song. I would really love to have a sweet singer and their fine melody in my collection.

Lux shifted her attention and discussion to the decorations on the carriage that brought the girl in the fading lamp light. The fur on my tail fluffed in frustration that even she was more interested in this usurper than in myself and a growl may have been heard. But it was late, and the newcomer would meet no one of importance tonight. I would just have to monitor her until the end of this visit.

Though I lay under the comforter, I could not sleep all night, and so I left the chamber early in the morning to watch my prized possession. Once that prize had been Nimue and then Lillith for a time. They were not parents for me, really, but they did hold that position in a fashion. It was someone far greater now. The whole world called him prince and he was mine. All mine. Even if he wasn’t aware of that. No self-awareness was not necessary in subjects. I watched as the servants of the castle woke him, and watched the mess of hair on his head was tamed from its wild position after tangling with the pillow all night. He dressed and I watched and I followed in my shadows when he walked to the grand hall with the king. There was truly a blessing in having shadows who did my biding. They were self-aware, but they were not subjects. They were slaves who loved me with all the emptiness in them.

And so I hid before and while the girl was introduced. About our age, but not so pretty as I am. Why would my prince want to be around her? There was no worry. My breath caught in my throat at the suggestion that he show her around my castle, and it was released in a snort and huff of what some have called indignation. I don’t listen to the some. They are liars who hate me. The some all me crazy. I am many things, but crazy I am not. I would make sure this tour would be only information and nothing more. So I followed.

I could not hear the words well, which was unpleasant. After a time, my prince pulled the pendant from his shirt that my sister lusted after but would never have. Well, maybe one day if I gave it as a present once my prince had offered it to me, but not before. That ugly hag of a worthless whore touched it. Touched him! A redness boiled in me and stirred the slaves as the two targets headed back to the chambers. I must admit, I was not so stealthy in my … I hesitate to call it anger as that is very unbecoming. “M-maybe you c-c-c-c-c-c-c-could ca-ca-c-c-c-c-stop being so m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-angry?” The little sand fox that twittered at me much of the time should not lecture me. I am in charge. I glare at her and she flinches away. Shadow slaves pull at her whiskers and tail until she runs and hides near to a flickering candle.

“Hi, Highness! Nyx was wondering where’d you gone. Nyx brought you a sweet bun from the kitchen if you like and you and Nyx could go do something together, perhaps with the hounds or the hawks if you felt well enough.”