AnotidaMandemwa

[This book is complete]
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

Her finger glided over the stones embedded in the cloth as her hand traced the silver patterns in the lace of the dress hanging in her closet. The day had come, and she could hardly believe it. She had hardly slept the previous night, and now the sun was rising on this day. She had taken her shower very early in the morning and was walking around in a bath towel and slippers.

A soft knock sounded on her door, and she went to it. She opened a crack and was pleasantly surprised to see her sister, Adela, on the other side with a bowl of fruit and a glass of milk in her hands.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Adela whispered.

Lucia smiled and opened the door wider to let her sister through. Adela walked past Lucia, who closed the door behind her.

"I thought you would want to eat something before the madness takes over," Adela said with a smile.

Lucia smiled as she accepted the food offering with a polite, "Thank you."

Anticipation, Lace & Jewels