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 sitting on a beach towel, gazing at the sinking sun in awe. Michael was sitting next to her, watching the childlike wonder on her face. He loved the way the orange light reflected in her eyes and made her skin glow. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and then looked at him.

"You are beautiful," he said gently, and she smiled at him.

"You are handsome," she told him as she leaned towards him playfully.

Michael took the chance and pecked her on the lips. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then she smiled sweetly before looking back at the horizon where the sun was sinking into the sea.

"It will get dark soon," Lucia said as she leaned into Michael.

He put his arms around her and held her.

"Yes, it will," he told her, and then asked, "Do you want to go back now?"

Lucia shook her head. "No. I have my phone, and we can use that as a flashlight when we go back."

"Okay," Michael said and snuggled closer to her.

For Better Or For Worse