Just 19 years old, Aryanna Kollie was faced with the challenge of a lifetime: rule the continent of Africa.
Born in Washington D.C., USA, Aryanna (better known as Arya), lived a simple, quiet life. Her mother died while she was young and her father...
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Believe me when I say that I wanted my trip to Ethiopia, the traveling part that is, to be as discreet as possible. Aside from the fact that a tiny part of me was nervous for my safety, I also did not want anybody thinking they needed to take things into their own hands and do something to any of the Ethiopian politicians. But still, I am a new Queen of a continent, something that has never been done. I am walking, living history and so, especially while new, all eyes are on me.
I wore a white solid off-the-shoulder zip-back pencil dress, with its color changing to black at my high hip area. It looked almost as if I were wearing a skirt with a dress top. My hair was curled, but not in my normal pattern. It was curled with an iron, which I have now decided I hate. Aminata nearly burned me while doing my hair, like five times. Considering the intense heat, I was certain that I would not be in this outfit when meeting Edward Taye, the leader of Ethiopia. I'll most likely comb out these curls and tie my hair back and a bun.
I've been told that wearing white on hot days prevents heat strokes, so I've packed a second white outfit. As I boarded the UFDoe1 at 8 in the morning, the infamous jet in which my father passed away a month ago, I looked back to wave at Tyler, my ladies-in-waiting, my cousins who I barely speak to, given they're minor members, and the crowd of royal fans who were held back by bard-wired fences.
"Make us proud" Johnson, one of the military guards, called out as he saluted me. I smiled.
Throughout the entirety of the jet ride to Ethiopia, my stomach was doing circles. My thoughts were everywhere but I did not want anybody to realize that. So instead, I downed some water, kept my jaw stiff and looked forward for the entire ride. I must have looked so in the zone that even Madam didn't bother me.
Upon landing in Ethiopia, nearly seven hours later, I was over my beautiful outfit. I had slept and sweat in it, and my hair grew flat from my head being pressed against the seat. "I want a makeover," I announced while everybody else stood up and stretched upon landing.
We were to head to a private resort before I had to meet with Edward Taye, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Edward and I would be meeting in a private room, at a different hotel so that he did not know my residential whereabouts. We would both be patted down by a 'neutral', a security guard for the Prime Minister of Cameroon. Then, once that is set and done, both Edward and I would walk into the room, no security following. If either party needs security at some point, they were yell either "security" or "guard."
***
"May I ask what brought you to the idea of meeting me and my team, Your Majesty?" Mr. Taye questioned me as he folded his hands, sitting at a coffee table, across from me. He was a bald, buff middle-aged man who was slightly lighter than me in color, maybe something like a caramel. He wore a black suit and tie and his front teeth were showing signs of decay.
