Kings and Queens

Curses and Crowns

It's the annual celebration. A new queen will be crowned and will marry into another royal family But I don't want to. I don't want to rule a kingdom. I just want to be free. But I can't.

"Surana, come downstairs!" Queen Amiya yelled at me.

I sigh, "Coming, Mother!" I throw on the white silk gown, and struggle to tie the sash. The black diamonds and pearls clinked together as I rushed to get dressed. I hurry downstairs to see Mother's disappointed face.

"You can't even tie your sash right!" She clicked her tongue disapprovingly and tied the sash tight, but not too tight since I was already skinny in the waist.

"Is this really necessary, Your Highness?" I whisper.

The queen sighs, "Yes darling. I'm sorry, but ever since your sister Lexi went missing you've been first in line for the throne."

At the mention of my older sister, I went silent. "But if she comes back, somehow, will she have the throne?"

"Yes, Surana, yes." Queen Amiya hung her head.

I lifted my chin high as Amiya finished the sash. "Then I will find her as my first priority."

Her Highness's eyes went dark and sad as she rose up. "I'm not even sure if she's alive."

I knew this was a risk, but I had to show her. "She's alive. We each have a metal blood strip that signifies our condition. She's healthy and alive, Your Highness."

Her face was unreadable. "It doesn't tell us where she is, though."

I look down, both frustrated and ashamed that I didn't program it to have tracking skills. "I'll find a way."

She gave me a sad smile. "Let me tell you a story."

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Once upon a time, a castle was filled with divine power. This light shone on us and gave us peace. Others were jealous of how we prospered even in the darkest of nights. Then came that faithfull day.

The neighboring kingdom attacked us with full charge. They killed our mother and father, took our gold, and brought their strongest warriors to kill ours. We were outnumbered.

"Helena, we have to hide!" I begged my sister.

"I won't go out a coward! I refuse to die so pathetically!" She snapped at me, and then took off. My sister decided to take things into her own hands. After she had left, I never saw her again.

Twenty years later, I went exploring a tower, and found my sister, chained up. She was unconscious and I barely felt her heartbeat. I tried to get her to the palace, but by the time I made it back, it was too late.

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"Mom?..." that was the first time I called her that. She looked depressed and pale gray-red tears spilt out of her eyes.

She looked at me and gave me a small smile. "You're not the only one with cursed tears. I got these when my sister died in my arms, because I couldn't save her."

"Then how do I have mine?" I asked cautiously.

She chuckled. "Guess you should know now." She sat me down "When you were born, a pure black prism of light surrounded you, your blond hair turned jet black, and when you opened your eyes? They were a gorgeous green. When you started to cry they turned a sad gray blue. That's how we knew that you were special. And," she reached into her pocket, "this was floating above you."