The linger tale of a finger- Birch's Short Story

Citizen A: "Did you hear about the Longingtons?"

Citizen B: " Of course! How could you not?! They finally are pregnant with a future duke!"

The bells of commemoration rang thought the Kingdom of Frostala, as news of Marcus and Gilina Longingtons announced their pregnancy. Everyone was awaiting in anxious at what the new duke would become.

However, when I finally arrived it was anything but a celebration.

Doctor: "Sir Longingtons, please take a look at this!"

As my father glanced at me for the first time, his eyes were filled with utter disgust.

Doctor: "Your son! He has an extra finger!"

My father had paid off the doctor to keep quiet about my extra finger, as should the royals find out, I would be eradicated down to the Kingdom of Robal.

While my mother always was contempt with me and treated me with the love a mother should, I quickly began to notice the hate my father had for me.

Marcus: "Birch you just always wear these gloves over your hands. No one can ever learn about your extra finger."

Birch: "But my hands hurt terribly in these gloves."

Marcus: "Your mother won't allow me to just cut it off, so you must live with it."

Everyday he reminded me off my guilt and shame I brought to the family through my hands. He had given me leather gloves to wear when I was 4 years old and told me never to take them off.

I was consistly reminded of the fact that I would never be able to hold a hand or to show anyone every part of myself. It's a burden I must always carry.

But then, we were found out.

While playing with the other noble children of Frostala, one of the older children grabbed onto my gloves and yanked it off of me.

Child: "Ew! Look he has an extra finger! He's not normal!"

As soon as he revealed my hand, the royal family immediately entered into the house of Longington and requested for my extraction.

King Harness: "I am hurt that you have allowed this thing to reside in your household for so long. As a contributing member of my kingdom, I will allow you to leave to Robal without penalty."

Marcus: "I told you Giliana we should have just chopped that damn finger off!"

Within that second my father had abandoned my mother and I. My mother refused to leave me and grabbed a handful of valuables and left off to the Kingdom of Robal.

It was harsh at first , after living such an extravagant life prior. My mother got a job as a maid inside the kingdoms palace, where she served king Bloodsworth and the prince, who was the same age as me. And when I turned 7 years old,I was assigned as a playmate for Princess Shinkyo to eventually be her butler at age 10.

My first expression of her was that she was really really strange. 

Walking into her room the first time, I found her looking off into the distance of the Kingdom looking similar to that of an old women remising forgotten memories.

Birch: "Princess Shinkyo?"

Glancing over at me, the first expression on her face was one I had never experienced. She was purely excited to see me.

Shinkyo: "Birch Longington!"

Yeah. She's really weird.

Throughout our time together, she would tell me all of the crazy out worldly experiences she has had in her past life. it seemed as though she had the keys to the universe in her hands.I'm unsure why, but the moment I met her I decided this was someone I would take good care of. Although my heart fluttered from time to time, it wasn't yet love.

Edgar: "Giliana! Have you heard the news?!"

Giliana: "Yes, poor Princess Shinkyo! I hope she recovers well soon."

Now at 10 years old, the first of many life-threatening events occurred.

Birch: "What's going on with the Princess?"

Giliana: "Oh Birch, I didn't want to tell you, you'd be so sad...but I suppose you must know. The princess collapsed in town today; her fatigue has gotten worst."

That's when I learned that Shinkyo was quiet sick. It puzzled me how someone so lively could hide such a sickness. I immediately went to her side and without knowing it began to spend all of my time awaiting for her recovering.

Shinkyo: "Birch, you don't have to wait by my side. I'll recover sooner or later."

Birch: "I will wait."

Shinkyo:" Hmm...then if you're going to wait, can you do me a favor?"

Nodding my head, I find myself preparing for whatever favor she may have.

Shinkyo: "May I hold your hand?"

My hand?

Fears rushes over me at the thought of her calling me disgusting or unbelievably crude.

Birch: "Princess, you wouldn't want to hold my hands."

My heart couldn't handle the rejection.

Shinkyo:" I think I would."

Extending her small hand out to me, I hesitantly find myself grabbing hers. My heart is racing faster at the second.

Birch: "H-how is it?"

Shinkyo: "What the hand holding?"

Birch: "Yeah."

Shinkyo: "It's a little strange since I haven't held a hand in a long time but..."

Turning her head slightly over to me, a big smile comes across her face.

Shinkyo: "It's a hand I'm happy to hold."

And this was the moment I knew, this women was someone I wanted to stand beside forever.

She was the first person to ever make me feel like a person.

And during this moment, I could help but bawl my eyes out.

Shinkyo: "Hey, birch-wait! Why are you crying? Don't cry!"

I'll be someone who makes you feel the same happiness you made me feel that day.