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 picture came out beautifully. The palace's PR team had chosen three pictures to go with the engagement announcement. The first one was of Lucia sitting with Michael beside and slightly behind her. He had one hand on her left shoulder, and she had her left hand over that hand. She was looking up at him, and he was looking down at her. They both had soft smiles on their faces.

The second image was a side shot of Lucia sitting again with Michael in front of her on his haunches. She had her hand on his cheek, and he was kissing her forehead. There was a smile on her face, and his eyes were closed.

The last picture had both of them standing with Lucia folded in Michael's arms. His arms were a loose band low but just over her bottom, and her left hand was on his forearm. She was kissing his chin, and he was caught in the middle of a laugh.

The Engagement Announcement