From the beginning, she always knew something was wrong. It went beyond the need to just play with the toys aimed at boys or tight dresses that never seemed to fit her comfortably. There was an uncomfortable nature to it all, where she felt as if she were in the wrong body, trapped to play a circus monkey to the expectations the world held for her gender. She couldn't say what it felt like to truly belong or feel beautiful in outfits that didn't reflect her inner desires. It was as if being trapped in a shell that she could not change for fear of retaliation again, or prejudice. Her mousey brown hair, her small China doll eyes, all the way down to the petite shoe size that only fit the most dainty of female feet- it was all just wrong in her eyes. She had wanted to be a rough and tough boy to be handsome enough to woo dainty women like the one that stared back at her. Or be a gay man, and have a wonderfully rich relationship that didn't leave her with envy that she didn't have all the tools she had wanted.
"Elise, come down to the dinner party!" Her mother's voice called from below the pearly white balcony. For a moment, Elise wondered how big of a heart attack she would cause her parents and the attending highbrow parties if she came down in nothing but sweatpants, tank top with a binder and packer. The urge was swallowed down a little more harshly than usual as she sighed to push away such a fleeting desire away. Checking her makeup, she rose now. Her beautiful expensive dress flowing with her every moment, jewelry that dangled from her shimmered with the light. Descending down into the first level, she could hear the light music of classic music. The soft murmuring of hushed elite all around as the dangling hair curls around her neck made her feel ticklish as it brushed against her skin. She felt completely out of place, even as she intermingled with the high class that kissed up to her in an effort to increase their influence within her parent's company. Who had not only taken over the creation of Nanotechnology, but improved it vastly in order to cure diseases that previously been fatal. Thus, everyone wanted a taste of the riches that her family had been thrust into in less than ten years.
"Those in attendance, thank you so much for being here, and supporting our cause with your generous donations." There was a soft applause and some chuckling as her mother seemed lovelier with the spot light on her.
Elise moved closer to the stage. There would be a toast at the end of the speech, and she could see the tray met for that toast, off to the side. A waiter's back to her as she could see two red wines, but one of them had to be sparkling cider, her father didn't drink red. Elise moved quickly as the crowd seemed to be charmed by one of the rehearsed jokes that her parents worked into their speech. Coming to the waiter, she tapped his shoulder as he tensed up. "Excuse me, one of these won't do," She reached over to take one of the wine glasses as the man frowned.
"Mistress...-" The sound of another round of applause made them both glance at her parents on stage.
"Hurry, take the cider glass." She whispered as the male nodded quietly as she poured a free glass to add to his tray. He glanced at her as she took the red wine and headed to the stage as he served the glasses to her parents.
Elise smiled, her heart swelling to see their beaming faces at this special event. "Everyone, let's raise our glass for this new Era." Her father said proudly.
The glasses around the room raised, her parents too the first drinks as everyone else followed suit. Looking down at the rich red, her hand moved to gently tilt it to her lips. It was just curiosity to how this one tasted, but the sharp bitter taste made her drop the glass. Her eyes blurring as the gasps of the room sounded muffled to her ears. The room spun until she fell onto the ground below. Every breath was tightly drawn, a metallic taste filling her mouth as her father clung to her. The cries of her name on her parents tongue is what filled her final moments, the edges of her vision blurring and spiralling into darkness.
---
It felt like a deep sleep. The sensation of just having had a warm shower, curling up to plush freshly washed sheets, as a peaceful sense of relaxation pulled her in closer. Her body telling her to wake even as she felt the heaviness in her eyelids. She rolled over in Bliss, the scent everywhere as she wondered where she was. Had she survived? Was she in the hospital room, with her parents waiting nearby? Her eyes fluttered open, a second attempt to see through the blurriness as she breathed slowly. Bars... wooden bars. 'What?' She blinked in confusion as she rolled over again onto her back as she looked up at the ceiling. There was a veil there, thin and covering what was her cradle as she watched the moon and stars projected up to the ceiling as if she truly were outside.
'What is this!' She cried out but all that came out were distressed babbling and cries, embarrassingly so. Her hands were tiny fists clenched in anger, as soon enough, the sound of soft, but hurried footsteps came over.
"Oh your majesty, what's wrong? Hm? Have a nightmare?" A soft voice asked as she felt herself being picked up, rocked gently as a hand soothingly ran over her back. The strange woman smelled like Roses her hair a pink to light green tint at the ends of her hair and as her tear eyes whimpered and sniffled through unwanted tears, she could see there was a purple color to them. She seemed more doll than human.
"Shh... shh.. do you need a changing?" The nanny asked as she began carrying her away from the crib over to a floating changing table, which soon lifted up all the needed items for changing her out of square slots on the side. Diapers, powders fragrance, wipes and other bottles and items that were strange looking as well. Elise squirmed, trying to leave the awkward situation but when was gently, but firmly held in place.
"Ahh, that's why." She cooed fondly as the diaper was removed and her flesh was exposed to cold air. She glanced down, wondering if she hadn't felt herself wet or something when a friendly but soft appendage was right between her- no...his legs. The image of a elephant nose popped up into his mind as he cried out now with new vigor in shock. Stunning the poor nanny into a fit as she quickly tried to hush and calm him down.
"Your majesty, please-" She whispered as the doors opened now. Her hands moved like lightening to cover up the lower half in a new diaper and half heartedly tossed on powder as an intimidating force entered the room.
A man that looked terrifying really, and it weren't for his handsome looks, Elise would have probably needed a second diaper change. "What is wrong with the Crowned Princess?" He demanded now as even Elise was scared to cry now.
The nanny faired better as she quickly bowed. Her gaze to the floor now as she said "This servant speaks, the Crowned Princess just needed a change is all." she said softly.
"...Then attend to her quicker next time. Even if you are a woman, you will not escape punishment if you are not capable how caring for the Crown Princess." The cold words cut through the air as the nanny only bowed lower.
"Of course your beloved majesty." She said respectfully as Elise's teary eyes looked at the man who didn't seem to hold an inkling of true warmth towards his direction. If anything Elise was sure he saw contempt in those eyes before the doors opened and shut automatically right behind him. There seemed to be a pause before the air was breathable in the room once more. The nanny raising once more as she sighed and held him close, as if someone might come in and rip him away from her arms at any moment before she relaxed once more.
"That was too close, your majesty." she whispered as she carried him back over to his crib. He could notice now... all the pink. The soft toys and baby items that were all geared towards females. There was even a dress on him that he hadn't thought out of place before.
Oh no, what had he gotten himself into?