Oh, Anna

chapter 1

I guess you could say I was a rebellious child. I mean, I'm the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Orira and here I am sitting at Tessa's tavern with my sisters Cass and Luna. As of right now, I was chatting with Tessa and Cass about previous theatrics me and my sisters have gotten into while Luna was sitting on the other side of the pub with her friend Potato.

"So Sky, how's the arranged marriage going?" asked Tessa, giving me a suggestive look, lifting up her eyebrow. I gave a loud sigh as I put my drink back onto the table. "Every single guy I have met so far has been a dick, how do you think it's going," I said glaring at the bartender as Cass laughed. "I wouldn't even let you marry one of those guys if you wanted to," said Cass, Tessa giving an agreeing nod as they looked at their watch. "Shit, you got to get Sky home before William notices she's gone," Tessa said as they took our glasses to clean them up, me and Cass getting out of our seats to get home. We say our goodbyes to the bartender as we walked out of the bar, me yanking Luna out of their seat on the way out. "Hey! What was that for?" Luna exclaimed as she looked up at me. "We have to get home now Luna, and we know you will take a century saying goodbye to Potato," Cass says as I continued to drag Luna by their bicep. I turned back to the pub to see a very confused Potato. "Bye Potato, sorry for the sudden escape but I have to get back!" I yelled as I waved goodbye. She seemed to understand as they gave a bright smile and smiled back.

As we got closer to the castle, we saw a very angry Will come into view. "Cass, what time is it," I asked in a panicked state. "I may have lost a track of time," She responded. "Dude, you had one job," Luna said as they pinched the bridge of her nose.

As we got to the gate, Will's dissapointment was clear on his face and caused all of us to feel guilt for our shenanigans. "Do I need to even ask where you guys were," he asked with dissapointment lacing his voice, "can't u just behave for one day."

"We didn't get into any trouble though, we just went to Tessa's that's all," I defended. "Still, you disobeyed me, and that is the final straw. All of you inside, now." Will said firmly as he waited for us to walk into the castle. Cass and Luna walked ahead as me and Will trailed behind them. "Is this because of the marriage thing," Will asked which made me look at him. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean," I responded in confusion. "I know you aren't looking forward to the whole arranged marriage thing, but that doesn't mean that you should go out and act like this," I sighed as I looked to the ground, "It would make my life a lot more bearable if every guy I met wasn't treating me like an object." Will put a fatherly hand on my shoulder as we continued to walk up to the palace doors. "If it makes you feel any better, Cass and Luna don't approve of any of the guys we have met so far," I chuckled, Will joining shortly after. "I'm glad because I wouldn't let you marry them over my dead body," Will responded, which threw me into a fit of giggles. "Still Sky, you're gonna have to marry someone eventually," He said, which caused me to sigh. "I know, I just want someone who will treat me like a human being and not like a fragile doll that is about to shatter. I can handle myself and I just want someone who will understand that."

Will nodded as we entered the palace, "I know Sky, but I can't excuse your misbehaviour. So I have assigned someone to watch you until you do find a suitor." I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at him in shock, Will noticed and turned to see my face, and soon my sisters noticed the lack of movement behind them. "You did WHAT," I exclaimed which caused everyone to flinch. "Sky, it is for your own safety," He tried to explain. "No, you're basically putting me on fucking lockdown until I am forced to marry someone I probably will be forced to spend the rest of my life with and be miserable," I glared at him, the tears that were stinging my eyes threatening to fall, "this was the last time I was going to have any freedom before I married and you are taking that from me."

I quickly walked down the corridor to my room and slammed the door behind me. I walked to my bed and sat down, trying to regain my composure. I heard my door open, which cause me to whip my head around to face Timi, who was my lady-in-waiting. "Do you mind if I come in," Timi asked as she gave me a concerned look. I slowly nodded and she entered the room, closing the door behind her. Timi has helped me with my troubles since i was 16 after my previous assistant passed from a heart attack. We were similar in age, and I guess that was why I chose her to become my new lady-in-waiting. I knew we would get along and she could be someone I could talk to about girl stuff since our mother passed away once Luna was born.

Timi came and sat on the bed next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. This act caused me to lose all composure I gained and just sob. I wrapped my arms around Timi's neck and placed my head on her shoulder, creating tear stains on her uniform. Timi moved her arms so that one was on my back rubbing in circles, and the other was stroking my hair both in an attempt to soothe me a both worked. As soon as I calmed down I let go if Timi and gave her a small 'thank you' as she wiped the final tears from my face. "Are you ready to talk about it?" She asked with a small smile. I nodded as repositioned myself to a more comfortable position. "I just want to be able to be free with what little time I have left. I may not have known my mother for long, but I can't remember a single time she went out and about the city just because she could. It was always for something, whethe it was work or to send a message, it was always because of something." I ranted. I looked up at Timi who nodded at me to continue. "My mother also got very lucky with Will, he treats people with respect and never like an object. He's one of the nicest people I know, and I want someone just like that, and I feel like I am never going to get that." Timi gave me a sympathetic smile, "I understand why you feel like this Sky, I really do. How about we get you cleaned up and meet back with everyone for dinner?" I nodded as she took my hand and led me to the bathroom to clean myself up.

Once I finished washing my face and changed into a more presentable outfit, Timi and I walked to the dining hall where I met with Cass, Luna, Will and a woman who was covered head to toe with glowing netherite armor, you couldn't even see the woman's face. Everyone perked their heads once the loud creak of the dining hall door sounded. "Sky, I am glad you decided to join us. I was worried that you wouldn't," Will said with a smile. I nodded and looked at the unfamiliar person, "Who is this?"

"This is the guard I have assigned to you. Sky, this is Anna, Anna, this is Sky," Will responded, introducing us to each other. I gave a simple, reluctant wave as Anna gave a slight bow. I placed a hand on Timi's shoulder, giving her the go-ahead to dismiss herself. I then walked to the table and sat in between my sisters. As we ate I looked at the younger one of the former two and asked if I missed anything. Once she swallowed her food she replied, "according to Cass, Dorka is coming over soon with her children to visit from the Lurris Kingdom, but besides that, no." I nodded and looked at Cass for confirmation since I can never tell when Luna is being serious or not. Luckily, Cass gave an excited nod of approval which made me excited too.

"I've always wanted to visit the Lurris Kingdom, you will have to take me sometime," I said, which caused my sister to smile and start rambling about the beautiful nation, catching Luna's attention who added their own comments to the stories. I just stared in awe picturing what this wonderful place Cass and Luna were talking about. Eventually, Will noticed us and gave a forced cough, getting all of our attention. "What are you planning now," Will asked. "Nothing Will," Luna started in which Will gave a questioning stare. "Really Will it's nothing. Cass and Luna were just telling me about the Kingdom of Lurris since I mentioned that I wanted to visit sometime." Will looked at Cass, who gave a reassuring nod. Will sighed, looking back at me and Luna. "You are not going anywhere until you find a suitor," Will started, pointing at me, "and you aren't going anywhere again until your swordsmanship improves." This caused both of us to groan and the older sibling to snicker.

"Now before any of you get any more ideas, you all need to go to bed," Will stated, causing Luna to groan in frustration and claim that she wasn't even tired. I got up from my seat and began to walk to the door before Will stopped me. I turned to see Will saying something to Anna before the guard walked over to me. "Right," I sighed in annoyance, "this is my life now. I will see you guys in the morning." Anna opened the door for me and I gave her a quiet 'thank you'. We walked down the corridor in awkward silence, the only sound being Anna's armor scraping one another as she walked. Once we got to my door, I opened it and looked up at her to see if i could get anything on what she looked like, all I could see were her blue eyes piercing through me like a hawk. While I was slightly intimidated, I stood my ground and stared back at her with an equally aggressive look. As I looked back in my room I said, "don't worry, it's too late for me to try anything, so go ahead and get some rest." And with that, I shut the door on her.

1870 words
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