“What is meant by two kindnesses?” I asked
“I don’t know, but I do know of an act of kindness.” Replied mum
“What is it?” I asked curiously
“Well, have you ever wondered who your father is?” Asked mum
“Yes, but it’s never really bothered me.” I said
“His name is King Leo of Ralinyan. He was an extremely kind and brave unicorn. He sacrificed his life for us. When you were just a young foal, Queen Raven was attacking me, and just as the fire was about to hit me, he stood in the line of the fire so it hit him instead. You and I escaped, but your father didn’t. This all happened in the palace gardens, and ever since, beautiful golden flowers have grown there, so if we pick one of those flowers, it should be one of the answers.” Explained mum. Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away. I suddenly got a flashback. A ball of fire and a scream. It was very vague, but it seemed so familiar, now that mum had told me. Tears filled my eyes now, and I tried to blink them away, but they just rolled down my cheek.
“Are you ok Diamond?” Asked mum
“Yes mum, I’m fine.” I lied. The flashback replayed in my head, but it eventually faded away.
“So all we have to do is pick a flower from the palace gardens, and mission complete?” I asked, shocked, but relieved
“Well yes, but I don’t know how to get the second kindness.” Said mum, but I tried not to worry about the second kindness just yet.
We went to the palace gardens, and there were thousands of shimmering, gold flowers. I picked one. I got another flashback, and an image of my father swam through my head. He was pure white, with a few gold streaks in his mane. He looked so noble, but the image only lasted a second. I missed him all of a sudden. It was as if I had known him my whole life, yet I didn’t even know his name until now. I didn’t care until now. I suddenly felt strong feelings of love, compassion, and desperation, but how can I love someone I barely know or remember? I so badly wanted him to be here with me. I wanted him to be on this mission with me. I trotted away before I started crying again.
“Where on Ralinyan are we going to find the second kindness?” I asked
“Well, I don’t think it’s going to be on Ralinyan at all.” Said mum
“Where then?” I asked
“You’re going to have to travel to earth.” Said mum
“Yay! I’ve always wanted to go to earth!” I said in excitement
“Wait, but where exactly am I going to go?” I asked
“To the fields of Northern France, where soldiers sacrificed their lives in World War 1. There’s a story that thousands of soldiers died there, and these red flowers called poppies grew there after the war, so if you pick one of these flowers, it should be the second kindness. I don’t know how true this story is, but it’s worth a try.” Explained mum
“But how can I go to earth if I’m a unicorn?” I asked
“You’re not going to be a unicorn.” Said mum, but before I could say anything more, she turned me into a beautiful human princess using the magic of her horn. I had long blonde hair, with distinctive gold streaks, matching my shimmering gold dress. I had emerald green eyes and rosy pink lips. I couldn’t believe that I’m actually a human! I had diamond earrings, a diamond necklace and a diamond tiara to match my name. I twirled around and hugged mum. I still had the powers of a unicorn, but they had to be kept hidden as soon as I landed on earth.
“The spell only lasts 24 hours, so you must be back within this time.” Said mum
“Wait, how am I even going to get to earth if I don’t have wings anymore?” I asked
“You can teleport yourself.” Said mum
“How?” I said
“Close your eyes and think of where you want to teleport to. Good luck.” Said mum. It was the 11th day of the 11th month, the same day WW1 ended. I did as mum said, and closed my eyes. I imagined a field full of ruby red poppies. I opened my eyes and there I was. The scent was so strong, and the colours were so much more vibrant than I imagined. I picked one, but there’s so much more time, and I need to make the most of it. I suddenly remembered a story of a princess named Lydia. She was known as the princess of kindness. I needed to visit her while I was still on earth. I close my eyes, and think deeply of Princess Lydia but something doesn’t feel right. I open my eyes and I’m in these large hallways, but nobody else is there. I see a statue of Princess Lydia, and realise it’s a memorial. Princess Lydia is dead. My heart sank. Underneath her statue, there was a book which told of her legacy. I found that her greatest passion was to help others, so she set up a charity. Since I had no money, I donated my diamond necklace. I wandered the eerie hallways, in hope to find someone. All of a sudden, a handsome young man appeared behind me.
“Excuse me madam.” He said
“Yes?” I replied
“Have you mislaid your necklace?” He asked, holding up my diamond necklace
“No, I wanted to donate it to Princess Lydia’s charity.” I said
“That’s most generous of you! As it happens, I am hosting a ball tonight to fundraise for my mother’s charity, and it would honour me if you should attend.” He said
“Yes, I would love to!” I said excitedly
“So where are you staying?” Asked the prince
“I’ve only just arrived.” I said
“Well would you care to have lunch with me?” Asked the prince
“I would love to!” I said
The prince and I had the most amazing feast, and he then took me on a tour of the palace. I thought my palace was huge, but it’s nothing in comparison to the prince’s palace. We ended the tour in the palace gardens. It was an endless field with thousands of colourful flowers. We both shared the love of flowers, and of each other. As we sat in the rose gardens, the prince leant forward and kissed me. It was then I knew I had fallen for him, and it was obvious he felt the same. We spent the rest of the day together, talking about our lives, childhoods, and passions, and although it had only been a day we had spent together, it felt as if we’d spent a year together. Before we knew it, it was evening, and time for the ball. The prince had insisted the first dance to be with me. Everybody surrounded us, and watched as we danced. It felt amazing as I glided across the floor. After the dance, we sat down and had a drink.
“It’s as if we’ve met before.” Said the prince
“We couldn’t have.” I said, although I also felt a strong sense of deja vu
“How can you be so certain?” Asked the prince
“Because it’s impossible.” I said, awkwardly
“I must leave, but I promise I will return and explain.” I said
“Why? Where will you go?” Said the prince
“I can’t tell you right now.” I said
“For this relationship to work, you need to tell me.” Said the prince, beginning to lose his patience
I ignored him, and ran off to the palace gardens, disappearing into the darkness. The prince tried to follow me, but he got caught up in the crowd. I closed my eyes and teleported back to Ralinyan. Not long after, I changed back into a unicorn, and gave the poppy to mum. I strongly missed the prince, but I pushed him to the back of my mind, because although I promised to see him again, I was unsure how true that promise was, yet it was quite strange, because we seemed to meet in our dreams that night.