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 not sleep. She was in bed but her brain kept playing the events of the night. She and Michael were making their relationship public, but they were not announcing their engagement just yet. Michael wanted her to get used to being in the limelight first, and she was grateful for that. Lucia had wanted to keep it from their families too, because she did not want to be bombarded with wedding planning before she had the chance to brace herself. She was giddy; there was so much excited energy going through her. So much joy. She did not think she would be able to sleep.

Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up from the side table and glanced at the lit screen. Her eyes widened, and a smile stretched across her face when she saw it was a message from Michael. She clicked on it and read it.

Are you Asleep?

Can't Sleep