The Next Sovereign

Chapter 2: Supper

After their strenuous day of training, the sun began to set. 

All the royals gradually gathered at the dining room, entering one by one in order from lowest rank to highest - counts and countesses, dukes and duchesses, the two princesses and finally, the Queen. Caieta sat down, her back straight and her shoulders back. Mizuki did the same and Valeriya was a bit more relaxed and casual, sitting at the edge of her seat and fiddling with her feet. When the maids arrived at the table with the delectable food, they placed it down prudently and left the dining area for the family to eat. 

The lower-ranked below the princesses prattered with each other, although the princesses themselves were silent. Mizuki had been recalling memories of her with her father, who believed in his daughter and how she should be queen. She smiled softly, remembering the sweet tone of his voice and the brave monarch he was. Valeriya, meanwhile, had been imagining what would happen if her arrogant sister Mizuki got her hands on the crown. She is strong and intelligent, yes, but her ego is too much. She grimaced thinking about this and instead imagined herself with the crown.. and this was an uncertain situation to think about. What kind of ruler was Valeriya? She didn't know yet.

Suddenly, Caieta's head perked up and said, "You know Mizuki, your birthday is coming up soon. A year closer to the competition I mentioned when you were younger." Everyone became silent from the Queen speaking, and the two princesses' heads turned to their mother in front. "Why do I have to join in the first place, Mother?" Mizuki complained. "Father told me I'm the older one between me and Val, so the throne should be automatically mine." she added. Valeriya looked down sorrowfully and continued to eat, listening keenly to the two converse. 

"Because I want to be fair to both of you. I want to give you a chance." Caieta explained calmly. Mizuki slammed her hands on the table, "What do you mean by 'fair'? You were picked to be queen since you were the eldest, why can't I?" Her mouth was still open for her to speak, but Caieta had interrupted her.  "Because," the queen uttered as she carefully sliced a piece of steak. "That system is unfair. Not all individuals who are the eldest sibling of a family are benevolent. I came up with this new system to give younger siblings chances." she explained.

Mizuki shook her head. "So you created a 'new system' because you think I'm unfit to be queen, Mother? How disappointing." Valeriya finally shared her opinion on this matter. "Mizuki, I believe Mother just wants to eliminate all unjust laws of our dear kingdom Zemira. I agree with her - that 'eldest sibling' system is unfair." Mizuki turns her head to Valeriya, scoffing. "You're only saying that because you want to be queen!" she protested, her eyebrows furrowed. "Of course not, I am your sister not your rival." Valeriya crossed her arms. Mizuki pushed her chair backwards  using her feet and rose up. "But we're supposed to be 'rivals'! Don't you see? We're having a competition." Caieta tapped the table thrice with her left hand and scolded them. "Enough, both of you! This is not a subject to debate on in front of the table. The system can be discussed elsewhere. Now, carry on, and eat." Mizuki slowly sat down and the royals continued to eat quietly. Mizuki finished consuming the salubrious meal and she excused herself, then walked to her sleeping quarters. Valeriya did the same afterwards.