"Are you okay, Cassalia?" Papa glanced back at Casey through the rearview mirror. "I know it can be a bit scary at first, but trust me. You're going to have fun." He gave her a shaggy smile beneath his thick black beard and his eyes glittered with a warm, familiar glow. Casey nodded brightly and hugged Starlight, her ever faithful unicorn, close to her chest. "I'm not scared!" she boasted. "Princesses don't get scared." Despite her words, hints of worry showed clear on her face. Her statement was answered with a deep laugh. "Of course not, [i]mi princesa[/i]. You're the bravest girl I know," Papa assured her. Casey's worries lessened at his words and she gave him a wide grin.

The little girl bounced excitedly in her seat. "Are we there yet?" she asked restlessly, peering out her window. The distance from the daycare to their house was, at most, ten minutes, but since they had to drop of Mama at the bookstore, it took at least fifteen. Normally not so bad for the average person, but an eternity for an energetic princess like Casey.

"Almost," Papa chuckled. The car pulled next to the daycare center and rolled to a halt. Papa exited the vehicle and opened up Casey's door, helping her out of the van.
"Thank you, good sir!" Casey said in her fanciest voice as she curtsied in front of her dad. It was a move she had picked from various shows, and it was apparently good manners. She stood straight up and hugged him. "I'm gonna miss you..." she said quietly. Papa smiled and bent down to kiss the top of her head. "I'll miss you too." He returned her hug and stood back up. "Your mama is going to pick you up later, okay? Now go and have fun! Love you!"

Casey grinned and hurried to join a group of kids. "Helloooooooo!"
 Already her fears were starting to disappear. This was going to be a new kingdom, and she was gonna rule it!