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

The music, laughter, and chatter drifted through the open balcony doors. Lucia paid no mind to it all and looked down at the courtyard. She loved it here in the shadows. It gave her a few minutes to relax her tense shoulders and not focus on being perfect every breathing second. In this setting, in this little place, she had the illusion of being free. A cold breeze hit her skin, but she did not mind. She liked it like this. What was a little chill if it meant being alone?

"I hope you are having a good evening," a voice said, and she smiled before she turned.

Crown Prince Michael of Vershia had joined her in the shadows.

"It's too early to judge," Lucia said as she looked past him and onto the ballroom.

"Anything significant happened yet?" he asked.

"I just got here," Lucia retorted.

"Yet you're hiding already," the prince pointed out.

"So are you," she had a smile on her face.

A Maiden In The Shadows