Witches of Regnum

XX

In the kingdom of Keithia, a young royal had just arrived at her palace. Waiting for her at the entrance were her parents, which she was a bit surprised to see.

"Avani, what's this we hear? Queen Derya has made the dark witches official relatives?? " Queen Ainsley asks puzzled. Lady sage following close behind is able to pick out what the queen was saying.

" Um mother.. " Avani begins taking her mother and father's hands in hers ".. may we discuss this inside?" She says in more of a whisper, nudging her head towards Sage standing behind her. King Briar catches the message and nods.

"Uh yes, let's go into my office shall we?" He proposed and they nod.

" Lady Sage, I want to have a word with my parents, please feel free to freshen up in your room" Avani says. Sage looks at her with a bit of suspicioun, obviously curious on the conversation at hand, but goes ahead anyways as the royal family head to the king's office.

"What happened? One night we're welcoming dark witches into the light realm and the next they're somehow our official relatives? " Ainsley asks puzzled as she shuts her husband's office door behind them.

" Mother the situation was complex, and honestly Queen Derya handled it the best she could. Last night at the ball lady Luna, princess Indra's now official cousin had caused a scene between her and the man she was dancing with, they both had this argument and Luna had ended up charging false accusations against us, Indra had instructed her be sent to the dungeon, but just as she was taken away the grand chandelier suddenly comes crashing down on Indra, and they had happened to be the reason her life was saved" Avani explain

" My my the things that happen in Regnum, if I wasn't a wizard myself I wouldn't believe it" King Briar says rubbing his temples.

Queen Ainsley paces from one end of the office to the other, arms crossed trying to digest what her daughter has just told her. She plays with her brown curly locs, similar to her daughter's, as her blue green eyes stare down at her arms crossed on her emerald gown.

"Vani do you know what this means for us? Your throne is in danger! " Ainsley exclaims. Avani gives her mother a puzzled look.

"How so?" She asks confused. Ainsley exchanges concerned glances with her husband before looking back at her daughter.

"Listen, since you are our only child and a female, the throne is automatically yours. But Vani, we all know you have a bit of social anxiety dear, an anxious queen is not fit for the throne, and although you've managed to control it well, if a more legible close relative seems to be more legible.. well... " The Queen looks around searching for the right words.

"If lady sage appears to the general public more confident and fit than you, since she is an official relative and older than you.. " briar completes his wife's sentence.

" Sage could end up Queen" Avani says more to herself in one breath. The realization hitting her. No wonder her parents had always tried to cure her anxiety my any means. Yes she was much more confident, she was only so around her friends, usually at Keithian events she'd stay silent and detached, she had heard a few complaints but since she was the only heir, they just went with it.

No wonder her parents seemed so worried.

"Vani dear speak to us" Ainsley begs, making avani only realize she has been silenty staring into space for a while.

"I-i understand where you two are coming from.. " she began ".. but I promise, m-my anxiety has gotten better, I can rule Keithia just like everyone expects me too, and sage being my official cousin doesn't change anything, alright? "

" We know that, but we wanted you to, promise us you'll do all you can to be more active in social duties" Briar says. Avani gives her father a nod and a smile.

" And maybe... Finding a potential king would make the task easier?" Ainsley suggests teasingly nudging her daughter. Avani's mind quickly goes to Adrian, and the fact it did by the Mention of a future husband made her blush.

"Yes about that topic, do you perhaps have somebody in mind dear? " Her father asks, making her blush a bit more.

" Ah so you do, tell me now, who is it?" Ainsley asks with a mischievous smile. The conversation reminded Avani of her parents trying to convince her to talk about the boys she had interest in as a teenager.

Suddenly a memory flashes through her mind. Adrian had invited her to go horse riding today!

"I- uh excuse me, I have somewhere I have to be right now" Avani says heading for the door.

" Alright then, we shall continue this conversation afterwards" Queen Ainsley says. Avani didn't bother answering, because she knew the next conversation would be just as dreadful.

As she arrives at the main hall she looked out to a window an notices it was almost the end of the morning, meaning Adrian would be at the palace anytime soon.

She rushed to a room, quickly had a bath and was dressed in her finest leisure wear. A light mocha overcoat embellished in silver beads with simple white pants and dark boots. Perfect for horse riding or walking through the forest.

As the princess stared back at her reflection in the mirror, she admired herself. Her curly locs were put into a high pony, with loose strands framing her face and a simple silver tiara. But as she stared at herself her thoughts began to consume her.

Had she overdressed?

Would Adrian think she was trying to impress him?

Didn't she want to impress him?

Had the events of last night made him forget the whole thing??

Her thoughts were quickly distracted by a soft knock on the door. The pale face of one of her personal guards appeared from the door.

"Your heighness, Prince Adrian waits for you downstairs" he says simply. A smile creeps unto the princesses face, as well as a nervous shiver down her spine.

"I'll be there in a moment, thank you" Avani says as he bows and leaves. Taking one more look at herself, she makes her way out of her sleeping chambers.