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

Leroy watched his baby sister from the window in the study overlooking the driveway. She smiled at the chauffeur and he saw that they exchanged some pleasantries. That was Lucia. She made sure to talk to everyone. She always wanted to help someone. That was one thing she had in common with their mother. Leroy wondered how she did not notice.

He watched her get in the car and the chauffeur closed the door behind her. He walked to the front door and got in. Leroy heard the engine of the vehicle start with a quiet hum. He watched as the car began to drive off the driveway and out of sight.

She was going on a date with the man. She had told Leroy when he had asked why she was not going to be home for lunch and dinner. She had told him that the crown prince of Vershia, who she was calling Michael, was taking her out for the day. He had wanted to ask her where they were going but he resisted. She was an adult capable of making her own decisions.

Oh. Em. Jee!