“What do you mean, sister?” he asked with a playful glint in his eyes.“All these qualities that you speak of, that is required by a king, let us compete with each other and we will know who is more qualified to be the king or queen of this kingdom.”He nodded. “But who will be the judge?”I smirked. “Oh, come on brother, we both are old enough and matured to know when one has lost a game.”He gave me a look of approval. “Come on then. What is the first thing that we test?”I clapped my hands, which brought Sera near me in an instant. “Bring me the map of Valadora and get the royal tutor here as well.” Emerson called his maid and asked him to rearrange the tea party into a game of chess. “If it is beauty that we judge, brother I don’t think we need to question who the winner will be.”He grunted a yes before he took a seat at the table and gestured for me to take a seat as well. Pent up emotions might be a reason for wanting to challenge my brother but if this gave me a chance to prov
Emerson held me before I could touch the ground. “I am sorry sister.” I stood back up and looked at my sheet to see that there were no holes in it. I missed the sheet. “When someone attacks a kingdom, you can’t win by playing chess or by answering a few questions. You shall fight which you can’t, and I can. Being a warrior is important. I am sorry.”“You are right. Sera, prepare my bath.” I said looking at her before stepping aside from them and walking to my chamber. Each word that Emerson said ringed in my head as a servant stripped me out of the muddy clothes I was wearing.“My lady.” Sera called to make me look at her. She looked panicked and kept her eyes on my face but didn’t say anything. When she realized I didn’t understand what she was trying to say, she took a mirror and held it in front of me. A tear had slipped, and I saw a disappointed self, looking at me and mocking me for not knowing how to fight.Quickly I wiped the tear off and glanced at the ladies, who had paused
I tried to keep a straight face. “It was only once, General. I needed a particular flower for my garden.”He nodded. “I am sure you will find enough flowers in these gardens, better not to go outside for it.” His words held a warning. “I don’t want to be the one bringing you unhappiness.”“But I was...”He held his hand out in front of me. “Just make sure you don’t get caught.” Saying that he left the chamber, leaving me more depressed than I was before. I had to figure out a way to stop these incoming proposals at least until I can find a solution to my problem. -The sunlight boring into my eyes forced me to open my eyes. “Sera, close the curtains. I don’t feel like getting up.”“My lady, you have already missed breakfast. The king inquired about your absence.” Groaning, I opened my eyes fully and sat on the bed. Sera rang the bell near my bed and the doors opened allowing the servants inside.Once dressed I walked out of the chambers and decided to take a walk inside the palace t
“Your Majesty, thank you for the praise but there are women who are more beautiful than me.” I said while walking beside him. I looked at him from the corner of my eye and saw him smiling. “I am sire you shall find a better queen than me.”He stopped walking and kept his eyes on me. “I might.” Is this working? “But they won’t be you and I want only you. Your eyes, your words and my god, your body drives me crazy, princess.”I heard Sera gasp at his words as my own blood boiled. I raised my hand to hit him, but Sera gave me a look that held warning. It wasn’t ladylike to hit a man but what he did is not right either. “Your Majesty, it is time for the lady’s reading.” Sera spoke before I could say anything and nudged me forward towards my chamber.Once I reached my chamber, I glared at Sera. “You shouldn’t have interrupted me, Sera.” I went closer to her. “He disgraced me, Sera and you stopped me from telling him off.”“My lady…” She started but I cut her off.“No, you shall not speak.
“You don’t believe in love?” he asked, relaxing, back into the chair. You need to calm down, Erza. “No... uh I mean I don’t know.” He raised his brow. I looked around the empty room. Being alone with this man terrified me and the presence of the soldiers outside doesn’t soothe me. “I don’t like being touched before marriage, your Majesty.” He nodded. “I understand. I just wanted to help you.” he said, raising his hands in surrender. “Take a seat, princess.” I sat down and took my cup again, but the tea was over. Noticing the same he leaned over and poured some more for me. “I don’t know what love is.” I answered his question genuinely. “How can I believe in something I don’t know? I have seen my parents, and they used to say they love each other but being caged in a palace doesn’t really qualify as love, does it?” He gave me a smile, the corners of his eyes wrinkled, the king is handsome, but I wasn’t still sure about him. “I think it differs from person to person. Sometimes you m
The decaying air and the stifling atmosphere along with hammering of my heart against my chest made this forest unknown to me despite the familiar trees that once supplied me the comfort of a mother’s arms. Tonight, they were just dark tree trunks with their overhanging limbs blocking every turn I took.Yet the eerie silence amid the wind had me turning around, no, they were no longer behind us, we had lost them in the forest. A sigh of relief left my trembling lips as I slowed Trixie down, “Its okay… we outran them.” I whispered. A stir from behind had me tightening the cloth around me, “You will be fine, I shan’t let you die. Just hold one for a little longer.”A groan was the only thing I got in reply. Trixie threaded closer to an oak tree and stopped for me to get down from her back. I removed the cloth from around me and slid down the horse before helping the wounded General down. The cloth that had been wrapped around him was bloody, if I wanted him to survive then I will have t
“You are looking beautiful, Your Highness.”, Sera, the lady maid said as she tied the last lace of the corset and stepped back, I kept my book aside and glanced at the mirror that another servant placed before me.The blue eyes on my pale complexion sparkled as I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “You may be right today, Sera.” I said with a small chuckle and watched as the rest of the servant girls run around trying to finish getting me ready for breakfast. I opened the book of maps, again and sighed as my fingers traced the map of Valadora.Sera adjusted the crown on my head as she continued to complement me, her words went through me just like everybody else’s, it made no difference to what I felt. “Is something wrong, my lady?”I gave her a small smile. “Is my beauty the only thing that you see, Sera?” I asked her to stand up and sending everyone away expect for Sera who walked beside me to the dining room. I looked at her, waiting for her answer. “Please be honest, I don’t w
Sera walked in, with a tray full of fruits and placed it on the table. “I apologize for interrupting your rest, my Lady.” I waved her apology off from the bed as I pulled the comfort closer to me. “My lady, you will be having painting lessons right before noon.”“I don’t want to take the lessons today. You may let the master know.” I said closing my eyes, as a sign that the conversation was over and that I would like for her to leave now. After curtsying she left the chamber, and I got up from bed and straightened my dress before walking back to the wardrobe.Wearing my hood, I pulled at the back of the wardrobe causing it to slide back and showing a dimly lit path. One benefit of knowing and reading all the maps of Valadora and of the palace is that I know a secret way in and out of the palace whenever I need it. And I am lucky to have one right in my own chamber. I walked through the hallway until I reached the familiar stop.I opened the doors, which led into the darker parts of th