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 could faintly hear the music floating from the ballroom. She had her arm looped into Princess Danielle's and was being led to what she recognised as the Queen's private office. She had never been in this room before. She wanted to ask questions but did not think she would get any answers from Princess Danielle. The women stopped in front of the library doors. Danielle unlooped her arm from Lucia's and knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," a voice said from within.

Danielle opened the door and gently nudged Lucia into the room before following her. Lucia immediately saw the Queen sitting on a couch, one leg crossed over the other, and a book in her hand.

"Aunt Mirie," Danielle said, "I brought Lucia to you."

The Queen put down the book and stood up in one smooth motion. There was a gentle smile on her face.

"Thank you, Dani," she said to her niece, "You may leave us."

The Other Half Of The Coin