TW: mentions of death and alcohol
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6NhPrqLPv
The kingdom was ablaze.
Burning with the embers of a new era. False hope that will benefit no one.
I stood at the doors, ready to make my first appearance as queen. My traditional midnight blue gown hung too heavily on my shoulders, all too similar to the weight of responsibility that had been cast upon me.
The doors were heaved open, and I stepped closer to my future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the public viewing, I went to change into my day gown and attended to planning the first ball to be held in my name as queen.
The color scheme was dark blue and silver, the kingdoms signatures.
“Your majesty, the Duchess of Kent sent you a gift, accompanied by a letter confirming her attendance to tomorrow nights ball.” My handmaiden Mary bustled around me, spouting random bits of information and little words of encouragement.
Mary had raised me. We may not be blood relatives but she is my mother in my eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had a few hours of free time. Time I’d have to spend wisely, as solitude was rare nowadays.
I combed through the library and ended up in the hall of portraits, an eerie record of my dead relatives.
The eyes of my late parents bore down on me, but it was the two empty spots that drew my attention.
One, for me. It was currently in progress.
The other, was the spot that my uncle had held. He was taken down after he killed my father. He had almost gotten away with it, if I hadn’t have found evidence of the murder almost a year later and had him arrested.
My mothers death was much less tragic. She had just passed in her sleep not a week after my father.
Some say it was because of grief. I say it was because she had given up, always a week spirit she was.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq2UfbW8Md
I wondered how I would die. Would I die like my father? Murdered in cold blood. Or like my mother, quite a pathetic death if you ask me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
”Your Majesty, there is someone here to see you, a boy, quite a fine fellow. Would you like me to send him in?” Mary peered around the door of the library where I’d came back to spend my last few quiet hours.
”I would. Thank you Mary.” Closing my book and mentally remembering the page number, I stood to greet who I knew it was.
“Rose!” Muscular arms wrapped around my waist and spun me around once. “My Rose, how are you. Mentally.”
I couldn’t help but feel so incredibly safe in his arms, Fenrick’s arms, that my chin started quivering and tears pricked my eyes.
”We both know I can’t do this Fen. The people are happy now but wait until I actually start ruling. They’ll see that making me take the thrown was a mistake and things can only go downhill from there…” I would have continued if he didn’t take my hand and press it to his chest.
”Do you feel this Ro? As long as my heart beats it’ll beat for you. I know that you are right for this kingdom, but it will take adjustment.”
I laughed through my tears, “Aw Fen, always so poetic.”
“That’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s do something to cheer you up. Lift your spirits.”
”Painting?”
”Precisely.” He said with a smile and a nod.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The night of the ball came all too quickly, a celebration of myself that I never wanted.
I walked down the grand staircase into the crowd of noblemen and women, murmuring and whispering about the way I looked or other petty thoughts.
The music began and the tension eased. A waltz had started to rise, leading the partygoers to pair up and dance across the intricate flooring.
I lifted my drink to my lips as I watched, analyzing everything just to keep me amused.
I danced a fair few times with dukes from nearby kingdoms, princes looking for my hand in marriage, and other desperate men.
When it ended, I was exhausted. However, it was easier than expected.
Despite the ball being over, my head started pounding with a headache.
Must be the stress.
As I got changed for bed my hands shook.
Must be nerves.
As I climbed into bed my vision blurred.
Must be… poison.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl9QrqtAJF
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Z5hfaVzl
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzexG1HlvQz
