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 and Prince Michael came out of Princess Danielle's apartment and closed the door behind them. Lucia looked up at Prince Michael. His face was set, closed off. He cared for his cousin. She knew that. Although people misunderstood, he had always treated her like a dear sister.

"Are you okay?" She wanted to ask but instead, she went for, "Is she going to be okay?"

"She will be fine," Prince Michael said his voice firm as if trying to convince her, "Dani's greatest strength is her unyielding resilience. I'm sorry you were pulled into this."

Lucia looked at him in surprise. What kind of person did he see her as? Why did he apologise? What was that supposed to mean? Did he think she would have refused the princess's call for help in her time of need? Although seemingly neutral, Princess Dani had helped her and her sisters when they were being bullied because of their status and lack of, it would have been unfair and unjust to abandon her now.

Play It Cool