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

Adela was not sure whether Caroline's secrecy was good or bad. She kept deflecting her questions, refusing to give answers. The car had driven straight out of the city, and Adela had insisted on knowing where she was being taken—to no avail. When she realized she wouldn't get an answer, she gave in to her sister's request to play Bluetooth Ludo on their phones.

"Lucia, if you dare take my piece!" Caroline warned their youngest sister.

Lucia looked up from her screen, where a prompt was hanging, asking for her next move. She seemed to consider the threat, then a truly devious smile pulled at the corners of her lips as she made her choice.

Caroline squeaked as her piece was sent back to the home cell. Adela smiled.

"It wouldn't be fair if I let you win," Lucia said sweetly.

Caroline glared. "I won't play nice from this point on!"

"Were you playing nice when you sent my piece back to the start?" Adela asked as she made her move.

The Gift