I miss my mom.

It’s hard for me to say that out loud. When you are a member of a very important royal family like I am, it is necessary to not show your vulnerable side. After all, the people only want a royal family that is poised and perfect. That is what Father always says. A princess should never reveal weakness—it makes you an easy target.

But since this written record is private (and no one would dare disobey my orders to MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS!), I feel comfortable expressing myself. Even though Mother has been missing for such a long time, she is not forgotten. There is a lot I remember about her, so she is always with me in memory.

Years ago, when we were still living in ancient Egypt, Mother and I used to love curling up together on a chaise longue to watch boo-vies while Father and Nefera would play games. Mother and I were big fans of romantic comedies. Today that is still my favorite kind of boo-vie!

My love of fashion also comes from Mother. When she would get ready for a night out, Mother would always allow me to try on her gowns. There was one gown that was so beautiful, I can still picture it. It was made of the finest 24-karat gold threads. My mom looked totally creeperific in it. She promised that when I was grown enough to fit into it, I could have it if I still wanted it. Of course, I’ve owned hundreds of gorgeous gowns since then, but I never forgot that one, or how amazing my mom looked wearing it. The gown was carefully packed away and preserved, and we still have it. Like me, it’s waiting for her to come home.

But one of my most cherished memories of my mother is from a time when I was a very small girl. My parents had been invited to a gold-and-white ball, and I was upset that I wasn’t allowed to come along. Even though she had much to do to get ready, Mother pulled me into her closet, dressed me in her most glamorous gold wrappings, and danced around her closet with me. Then, just for fun, she taught me how to put on makeup—Mother could do a smoky-eye look better than anyone—and gave me a special pot of my very own lip stain to keep. She told me it was “my color.” All these years later, that is still my favorite shade in my whole lipstick collection. Mother always knew best.

I often wonder where my mom has been all these years. Though I would never admit it aloud, it is sometimes hard to go through life not knowing where your mom is or how things might be different if she were around.

So many things have changed since I last spoke with her. I go to Monster High and am the captain of the fearleading squad. My ghoulfriends are very different now from who they were in Egypt. I’m sure she would be shocked to hear I fang out with vampires and werewolves! And then there’s Deuce.… Would Mother approve of my having a nonroyal boyfriend? Father certainly doesn’t approve of him, but I like to think that my mom would. The only thing that hasn’t changed during our years apart is my lipstick color—wearing the special shade she selected for me makes me feel as if my mom is still looking out for me from afar.

Even though life is a whole lot different, and I have grown up a lot in the years since we all lived together in Egypt, I’m sure if we were to see each other again now, Mother and I would still be very much alike. Some things never change, right? But sometimes I worry I will never know.… Because after all these years of my mother’s being gone, I’m beginning to give up hope she will ever return.

Cleo