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 did not know how she ended up seated next to Queen Miriam and opposite Adela. The only reassuring thing was probably that Prince Michael was sitting next to her and was a silent wall of support if she needed it. He knew his mother, and she wondered if he knew what idea had gotten into her head three years ago after that one dance.

"It has been a long time since we last saw you, Lucy," the Queen said over their meal, "Your mother has kept me updated on what you were doing. It is impressive what you did while you were away. I am proud of you."

"Thank you," she said demurely, not sure what else she should say.

She saw Caroline give her a knowing glance and she felt herself flush. Here was the Queen proving Caroline right, showing that she favored Lucia. She could not help but wonder for a brief second how Queen Miriam knew what she had been up to.

You know the woman speaks to your mother, a voice inside of her offered.

Auntie Mirie