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 found herself dressed in her sports gear and rushing downstairs to meet Michael in the foyer. She hoped her black tracksuit and black sports shoes would be warm enough in the early morning. She had toyed with the idea of keeping her hair loose but had ultimately secured it in a high ponytail. They had agreed to go running together the previous night.

"Are you ready?" Michael asked her.

He was wearing a grey tracksuit and white running shoes.

"Ready," Lucia replied as she reached him.

He opened the door and stood aside so that she went out first before following her and closing the door behind her. It was so early that the sun was just beginning to rise. An orange flame was beginning to light up the sky and illuminate the sea and land beyond. As Michael led Lucia down to the beach, they cast long shadows on the ground in front of them.

"Tell me if I get too fast for you," Michael told her as he began to jog in one place.

Worthy Of A Swoon