Prologue

“Mommy, can you tell me a bedtime story?”

Mom looks down at me, her eyes crinkling with a smile that reaches them even in the dim light. “Of course, sweetheart. How about the one with the prince and princess?”

I nod eagerly, settling deeper into her embrace. She starts, her voice soft and melodic, carrying me to another world.

“Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a beautiful princess who lived in a grand castle. But her life wasn't as perfect as it seemed. You see, there was an evil man who wanted to keep her locked away, never letting her see the world outside.”

“Why didn’t the princess just run away?”

Mom strokes my hair gently. “She tried, many times. But the evil man was powerful and always found a way to bring her back. But she wasn’t alone. There was a brave prince named Will. He loved her more than anything and would visit her whenever he could, bringing her little gifts and stories of the outside world.”

“Did he love her a lot, Mommy?” I ask, my eyes wide with wonder.

“Yes, he did,” she replies. “He made her smile even when things seemed hopeless. He promised her that one day, they would find a way to escape and be together forever.”

I cling to every word, imagining the princess and her prince. “Did they ever get away?”

Mom’s smile falters for a moment, but she quickly regains it. “One day, they almost did. They made it to the edge of the kingdom, ready to run far, far away. But the evil man found them. He took the princess back to the castle and locked her up even tighter than before.”

I feel a lump in my throat, sad for the princess. “Why didn’t anyone help them, Mommy?”

Mom sighs softly, running a hand through my hair. “Sometimes, people are too scared to stand up to the villains. But the princess had something very special: hope. And as long as she had hope, the evil man could never truly break her spirit.”

“What happened to the prince?”

Mom takes a deep breath, her eyes distant as if she’s seeing something far away. “The princess never knew for sure. She hoped that he found another princess and they lived happily ever after. It’s what kept her going, believing that he was out there, happy and free.”

I bite my lip, picturing it. “So, she was all alone in the castle?”

“Not exactly alone. She had hope.”

I glance up at the stars. “Do you think she ever got out?”

“I like to believe she did. Maybe one day, someone brave enough came along and helped her escape. Or maybe she found a way out on her own.”

I snuggle closer to her, pressing my face into the softness of her shoulder as I shift to make myself more comfortable. “I like that story, Mom.”

She kisses my forehead. “I’m glad you do, baby. Now, it’s time for you to close your eyes and dream of wonderful things.”

I giggle as she tucks me in. “Do you think I’ll ever meet a prince?”

“You never know, my little star. Maybe one day, a prince will come along. But until then, you have me.”

I close my eyes with a smile on my face. “Goodnight, Mommy.”

“Goodnight, Izel,” she whispers. “Sweet dreams.”