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

A chill breeze brushed against Adela as she stood at the entrance of the palace. She glanced at Gustav, who was staring into the distance. Following his gaze, she saw them—a caravan of flagged vehicles and police escorts. Onlookers watched curiously, and traffic yielded to let the convoy through. The cars crept closer and closer until they finally came to a stop in front of her. She smiled. They were here. Her sisters were here.

She had spent the past few days occupied with wedding preparations. The dresses had arrived, the chapel was ready. Everything was set. Everything, except her.

Nerves coiled in her stomach. How could she be a queen? Not just a queen, but a worthy one? Gustav, she had realised, was in her corner. But at times, she felt she had not done anything to deserve his kindness. Yet, she had it. And that gave her hope for the future.

Leaving The Nest