AnotidaMandemwa

[WSA 2024 Entry]
Everyone is playing a regal game. Everyone except Lucia (who probably should).

After her father faced accusations of trying to seize the throne from his father and king, he was exiled along with his family. They were no longer royalty, but his wife would not have it. She was friends with the queen of Vershia and used that to her advantage. Her two older daughters were the right age to marry the two princes, and she would make that happen come what may.

That became a problem when the oldest daughter was ignored by the crown prince, who formed a friendship with the youngest of the girls. There was still hope; Lucia could become the future queen. But Lucia was not groomed for this role. She did not want to live for the type of marriage she could snag. She did not want to take the man who had been planned for her sister.

But that’s the thing with plans, isn’t it? She never planned to fall in love with the man, and there she was: an unwilling participant in the regal games. Would she capture the crown? How would everything affect her relationship with her sister? Was there ever pleasing her mother?

Regal Games

Lucia looked out the car window as it approached the hospital and she felt a little apprehensive. There was a crowd in front of the building. Part of that crowd was made up of paparazzi. She did not fancy being on the front page of some tabloid.

She resisted the urge to raise her phone to her face and check if she looked appropriate. Barely. Her fingers were itching to dig into her pocket, pull the device out, and raise it to her face. The only thing that was stopping her was the presence of Crown Prince Michael.

He won't let me make a fool of myself, she thought trustingly.

As their car drew closer to the front of the hospital building, her hands balled into fists on her lap. She wanted to be anywhere but here. If she made a fool of herself, her mother would never forgive her. She would never forgive herself or live it down. She would not have the courage to walk in public again.

"Don't be nervous," Prince Michael assured.

Blending In The Background