Innocent Love

Way far out at the edge of the earth, there is a land not many have heard of.

A land called Uquix. In that land many creatures live in harmony with each other by staying out of the other's way. It's lovely.

At the far west corner of Uquix was the Kingdom of the Wanix Enchanters called Gynem. There is a grand castle in the center of Gynem where the rulers of the Wanix Enchanters reside. 

In the throne room, at the back of the castle a girl was sobbing on her knees in front of the Empress.

"Off with her head!"

"Please no!" The girl cried. 

"Empress Zelda are you sure?" Posy, the Royal Vizier asked. 

"Yes...wait...um what was her offense again?"

"Stealing food, Empress."

"Why did you steal food?" I asked the sobbing girl.

"I was hungry." She answered shakily. 

"Oh. Well, why don't we just feed her instead of punishing her? I order that she gets to eat some food! Next case!"

"Zelda." Mother scolded. "Can you please take this seriously?"

"I am! Why would we punish someone for being hungry? Also couldn't she summon food herself?"

"She was playing a troll." Father pointed out. 

"Well then she definitely needs food, you've seen how that lot eats! This Empressing stuff is so easy!" I laughed. 

I had been Empress of Gynem for all of sixteen days. So far it was going great. Apparently I was just bad about the whole discipline thing. 

"I think Empress Zelda did splendidly." My brother Zeke grinned. 

"Ah, see the Duke agrees!"

"I think that's enough for today." Mother stated. "Thank you everyone, you may go about your day."

I rose from my throne and hurried out of the room, my long dress swishing around my ankles. I went to the garden to practice magic. 

Most Wanix enchanters had control of at least one element. Some had two, only a handful three, but as Empress I was supposed to have control of all four. 

Unfortunately I had only mastered Air and Earth. Fire and Water escaped me completely. Maybe it was because they were opposites. 

With Air and Earth, they kind of worked together. That's probably why it was easier for me. 

I waved my hand, causing the roses to grow and wrap themselves around me. The thorns didn't hurt me at all.

"Zelda!"

I looked up and saw Posy hurrying towards me. Her little wings were fluttering erratically like they always did when she was worried. 

"Yes, Posy?"

"Are you okay? You seem troubled."

"I feel like I'm failing as an Empress. I can't even control fire!" I exclaimed.

Posy, my family, and my trainer Ekron are the only people aware of my issue with the elements.

I tell Posy everything. She's my Royal Vizier and my most trusted friend. Although my heart hurts thinking of her people, the Inrith being slaughtered by the minotaurs, I am more than thrilled that she's been in my life since I was young. 

She was meant to be my handmaiden, but I was never good with that whole servant thing, so at the age of eight, I decided she was my sister.

I think we kind of looked like sisters. We both had warm golden brown skin that glistened like topaz and upturned noses. But while my eyes were black like obsidian, hers were purple. She also had pointy ears and seemed to always have golden dust floating around her. Her long brown hair had never been cut and mine was done in long braids, topped with a crown. 

Posy rubbed my back sweetly in a circular motion. I knew she was using her powers to make me feel better.

"You'll get there! Every Empress does." She assured me. "I hate seeing you sad. Would a romp with that cute servant boy named Shane make you feel better?"

"Not right now. Also I think they prefer the term waiter. They do get paid, you know."

"I suppose you're right."

I looked at her. Something was wrong. "What are you not telling me?"

"Well...I'm sure it's nothing, but yesterday one of the villagers saw something in the forest."

"Posy, will you please get to the point, I don't have all day!"

"They saw a wolf! A werewolf, they're pretty sure."

I laughed. "No, they didn't. There's no way. Werewolves don't reside in our forests. They simply don't. They must have seen a dog or something."

Posy forced a smile. "Yes, I'm sure that's what it was, Empress. However...the villagers are a little on edge and I think a speech from you would do them good."

"I do believe it's time I addressed my loyal subjects."

"Loyal? That's the word you want to use to describe them?"

"Well if they're not loyal, it's off with their heads."

***

I thought about the werewolves for most of the day. My family hadn't had any contact with a pack in decades. It had to have been a mistake that someone saw them. Unless it wasn't. Then that was something that I as Empress would have to deal with and I wasn't exactly ready for such a thing, if we're being honest.

They don't tell you how hard being a ruler is. They tell you you'll be in charge and everyone will listen to you and you can have anyone you want in your bed, but they don't tell you you have to do the hard things too.

I was feeling pretty duped right now!

I stayed up all night preparing my speech. I had to make sure that by the end of it my people not only believed in me, but that there was no imminent danger.

I did end up sending for Shane, the handsome waiter. He always knew how to ease my mind. Though he wasn't smart, he was quite good at bedroom activities.

By the next day I was ready to make my speech.

"Introducing Empress Zelda!" Zeke announced. 

I was greeted with applause.

"Let me have just an hour with you, Empress!" Someone shouted. 

I squinted and recognized Kurt whom I had gone to school with. "Kurt, one more outburst and I will have your head." I stated. The crowd grew silent. 

"Now there has been talk of werewolves being seen in our forests and I would like to officially shut that rumor down. We all know werewolves do not reside in our lands. I'm sure a regular wolf was seen or maybe one of those cute dogs. But I assure you there is nothing to worry about. I have control of everything. Questions?"

"When will you choose an Emperor?"

"Anywhere between a month and never." I smiled. 

"Have you mastered all the elements?"

"Have you mastered chewing with your mouth closed?"

My parents looked horrified as Zeke and Posy tried their best not to laugh.

"I love you Empress Zelda!"

"Yes, and I'm sure someone will love you one day. Okay, great talk everyone. You are all dismissed!" I announced.  I turned to my parents. "So...how do you think that went?"

***

Later that night I was in the forest with Posy. I always had to have someone in the forest with me in case anything happened. 

She was a few feet off the ground, letting her pixie wings carry her. 

"Empress Zelda, are you sure we should be out here?" She asked. 

"Yes, there's something I need to show you." I said. 

"And it cannot be shown to me in the castle?"

"Definitely not."

We heard a twig snap and Posy looked around furiously. "What is that?"

"You'll see." I grinned. 

I took her to the clearing. We heard growling. "Empress Zelda, there's something out here!" Posy cried. 

"Don't be afraid." I whispered. 

Her eyes widened. "E-Empress Zelda...w-werewolf."

I turned around and sure enough there was a black werewolf behind me. 

I smiled. "Hey Zeke."