Pandora's Locket

My corset clung close to my breasts as I leaned close against the stone walls which cooed and teased at me like some deranged dogs. I suppose you could say I was quite mad. I was a Lady-In-Waiting to one of the Queen's who I shared a strong bond with. She had taken me in as a young girl, since she could not have any children of her own. I was princess you could say, but with limitations. "Pandora, Darling!" I heard my beloved Queen and mother speak. "Yes, Mum'?" my lips moved and she waltzed over to me. "I have a birthday surprise.. come come" her hand reached onto my shoulder and she pulled me out to her room.

"Ma'am I do not have a birthday" I spoke sweetly "Yes, but today would be ten years from when I brought you under my wing" she began to look through her jewelry box and I was slightly confused by her actions. "Here it is..." her fingers were wrapped in a chain of gold and dangling from the stem was a beautiful locket. Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphire's. It was huge! Almost as if it was a amulet. "This is a heirloom.. one of many which I have. I would like you to have it" My dear Queen put it around my neck and it felt pretty light for looking so heavy.

My eyes were in awe and I stared down at it. "Oh... thank you so much!" My fingers trailed over it and I was in shock. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry that I have ever set eyes on. It looked like opal, and colors of green, red, and blue peeked through under the light. It was a locket of some sort."Why is it sealed?" I asked noticing where it would open was sealed tight. "My mother didn't know.. So neither do I. Perhaps it is what keeps it together" my eyes trailed back down to it and to be truthful I didn't care. This was the most beautiful thing ever. "Or.. Maybe something is valuable inside. I never tried to open it though... I was too afraid I would break it" She gave a smile and I gave a nod.

"Oh well.. I would never want to break it either. It's so... beautiful" my curiosity was growing though. "Good.. I am glad you like it. Now leave me. I wish to read" I knew better than to hug her so I gave a curtsy and walked out of her room. I quickly walked to my room to admire this pretty thing. This must have taken alot of gold to make. I began to hum a lullaby that I remembered the Queen used to sing to me, when I cried for my mother.

I was so young and didn't understand why I was taken from her. Never mind that. My blue orbs looked down and I hummed louder, that's when I heard a very small "crack". "Oh no! Is it broken?" I spoke in horror. The seal had fallen off and I clammed it down afraid it would fall apart. I ran to my vanity and searched around for anything to hold it back together. A small piece of clay partly dry laid by my brush and I spread it around where the seal once was.

My heart pounded and I let a sigh of relief escape my lips. That was a bit to close.

Later that evening after dinner the Queen had addressed me. "Pandora.... You are of age now. Take those silly ribbons out of your hair at once! You'll never find a prince or even a duke at this rate.." I was slightly stunned by her words. All of a sudden my Queen became bitter. She eyed me and her look was certainly serious. My fingers pulled at the ribbons and I clutched them into my palms.

"Yes, Queen" I said. She must of sensed my feelings. "Oh dear.. please know I am only doing this for your sake. I'll fetch a outfitter, you'll get new clothes and hair pieces. They will surely attract the eye of all princes" for once I heard her laugh and it made me feel safe and calm.

"Now.. off to bed. You need beauty sleep" I listened to my Queen and the servants helped me get ready for bed. As I dozed off the locket laid by my bedside and for a moment I thought it had moved. But my eyes were playing tricks on me.