The sun had just begun to rise over the golden towers of March Land, casting warm rays across the sprawling gardens and sparkling fountains. Princess Seraphina stood in the grand hall, her eyes fixed on her father, the King of March Land.
"Dad, please! I promise I won't mess with anything. I'll just go take a cooking class and come back home," she said, her voice trembling slightly with hope.
The King's expression darkened. He rose from his ornate throne, the jewels on his crown catching the morning light, and spoke in a cold, sharp tone:
"Seraphina, you are not some random citizen or chef. You are the Princess! A real princess doesn't need to know how to cook. She only needs to know how to rule over everything and how to look pretty! Now go to your room."
A wave of sadness washed over Seraphina, but at the same time, a fire sparked in her eyes the same fire of determination she often saw mirrored in her father. She turned away, walking toward her room, yet a plan had already formed in her mind.
"Don't worry, Dad," she whispered to herself, "one day I'll show you how a real princess should be."
The next morning, when the maids entered the princess's room to wake her, the bed was empty.
The Minister, hesitant and fearful, rushed to the King, his footsteps echoing through the grand corridors.
"My King… Princess Seraphina… she… she has escaped!"
The King's face flushed red with shock and anger. He bellowed at the Minister,
"Go! Send soldiers to find the Princess! She must be at her cooking class!"
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the city, Princess Seraphina, fully covered in a black mask, attended her cooking class. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden beams on the wooden tables and gleaming utensils. She moved with confidence and grace, her hands dancing skillfully over the ingredients. The teachers watched in awe; they had never seen such talent from someone attending for the first time. Nobody knew the masked girl was Princess Seraphina.
Suddenly, the heavy thud of boots echoed through the room soldiers had burst in. Students gasped, some stumbling backward in shock, and a tense silence filled the air. Seraphina's eyes widened at the sight of the soldiers, yet she had anticipated this moment.
The King entered, his royal cloak flowing behind him, and the room fell completely silent. Everyone bowed in respect, but the King's gaze went straight to the masked princess.
"Princess Seraphina, you disobeyed my orders! And now you will be punished. Your punishment is that you will never leave your room for a week!"
Gasps and whispers spread among the students and teachers some impressed, some shocked. One whispered,
"What? Princess Seraphina came to take cooking classes?"
Seraphina slowly removed her mask, letting her long, golden hair tumble down her shoulders. Her radiant face shone with determination as she said,
"Yes, I did. And yes, I will do it again and again. Because I am human too, and a princess is not only for ruling. She has her own life, and people need to understand that."
She looked directly at her father as she spoke the last words, unflinching, her courage blazing like the morning sun over March Land.