AnotidaMandemwa

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?

[WSA 2024 Entry]

Regal Games

He knocked on the door, and it immediately opened. His father's assistant smiled at him.

"You may go in, Your Highness," he said, indicating another door. "His Majesty will join you shortly."

"Thank you," Leroy replied easily.

Adjusting to his position had not been that difficult since he had been assigned some light duties. He walked to the indicated door and opened it. As he stepped through, he realised his siblings were there too. A smile lit up his face.

"You all have been summoned too?" he asked them. "Should we be afraid?"

Lucia and Adela looked nervous, but Caroline smiled back at him sweetly.

"I think Daddy has a gift for us," Caroline said in a tone so carefree Lucia did not trust it.

Adela glanced at her and asked, "One that needs us all here?"

"Maybe he's gotten cold feet, is abdicating, and Leroy has to wear the fancy crown," Caroline said with a devious glance at her brother.

Summoned