Over the Sea [Dual Trilogy Book 1]

Lily

I stood by the doors to the dining hall, my heart pounding against my ribs. My stomach twisted, and I wiped my sweaty hands against my dress. I swallowed my anxiety as Father turned the corner and beamed when he saw me waiting for him. I forced a smile in return.

My father never fed my fears. I knew how hard he worked to make himself appear worthy of sitting on the throne, and I knew there was a chance that what I wanted to say would challenge that notion. The possibility of disappointing him caused my anxieties.

One he stood in front of me, I spoke. "Dad, I need to talk to you." I took a deep breath. "I think Kano should be the one to rule Uskyae."

He considered me for a moment, and it frustrated me. He always kept a cool face, and never reacted right away; always left his audience guessing at his true emotions and thoughts. Just say something! I thought to myself.

"Why would you like to forgo your right?" he asked, his kind brown eyes meeting mine.

"I have lived my whole life accepting the fact that as long as Sairos is alive, I will never rule Broasau. I have spent the last ten years thinking of how I would like to spend the rest of my life when my place is no longer in the castle. I have built relationships with people who would help to carry out those plans." I swallowed, wishing I could tell him of Lennon, knowing now wasn't the time or place. "To suddenly be told, within a single day, that I will no longer have the life I've planned for myself, and that I will instead be cooped up in a castle, mind you in a different kingdom over the sea, is quite frankly very rude and I won't stand for it."

"Lily, I must admit, I'm greatly disappointed. You would have been an amazing queen in Uskyae, and I know you would have handled their transition to our jurisdiction with grace and kindness. I didn't choose you to be the overseer because you're the second-born. I chose you because, out of all my children available to rule there, you would have done it the best."

"But it's not what I want," I said. "I don't want to rule over anyone. I don't even want to court Prince Alexander."

His eyebrows raised, as if the reasons behind my request suddenly became clear. "Is this because of the stablehand? Lennon?"

The breath left my lungs. "How did you know about that?" I whispered.

"I think it's noble of you to want a life outside of being queen. I think it's commendable that you've built an idea of life outside the castle so that you have purpose. But you are still a royal. You are still a princess. You are still my second-born. Because of that, you still have a duty to this family, and more importantly to this kingdom, to do what's best for your citizens. Until Sairos has children of his own, you are still his heir."