The village people were getting everything done, cleaned out, keeping children safe for tomorrow. The royal family had nothing to worry about, since they were the ones who are always safe because they are 'more superior than the peasants'. They did have some middle class working for them, but they treated them very poorly and harshly. Larla was one of them, who worked there as a knight for many of years. The queen, Elizabeth, called her.
"Yes, your highness? Is there anything?" Larla asked.
"Yes. You know how tomorrow is the time to feed those horrendous dragons?" Elizabeth said, walking around the room, remaining calm.
"Of course, everyone does. Why do you ask, your highness?" Larla replied. She thought she knew where this conversation was going. She knew her death was at its high, but not like this.
"I have decided to–"
"Sacrifice me to the dragons? If it has to be this way, I understand. Do you want me to tell the knights to tie me up to the wood outside the palace?"
"What? No, you're my best working knight. Why would I sacrifice you? No, I'm actually telling you that I have decided to advance you to be a personal bodyguard to protect my son, Evan." Elizabeth said, smiling while looking at her daughter, Evalyn.Larla couldn't believe her ears. Getting advanced to a bodyguard was the last thing she was expecting.
"Mother, how many times do I have to tell you? It's 'Evalyn', not 'Evan'! And I'm your daughter." Evalyn told Elizabeth, upset.
"Evan, you're my son. If you are born a boy, you will stay as a boy. You know I don't understand this new idea of yours, and it worries me! Did a witch cast this spell upon you?" Elizabeth said worriedly. She placed her hand on Evalyn's cheek.
"No, no one put a spell on me. I did this, I made this choice. To be like this, this is my body!" Evalyn told her mother. Elizabeth sighed.
"Yes, just, go to your room. Now." She said, annoyed. She was pinching the bridge of her nose. Evalyn did what she was told, and left. Elizabeth went back to Larla.
"So, will you accept the job?" Elizabeth asked.
"Um, of course! I thought you'd never– Uh, sorry for my behavior. Yes, your majesty," Larla said with joy "Do you want me to start today or tomorrow?" She asked. Even though she didn't know how to react, she tried to act calm, despite all the excitement she was feeling.
"You will start tomorrow at dawn. But you will get your training today. So get ready, because you have a long night ahead of you, my knight." Elizabeth said while walking away. As soon as she arrived at the door, she stopped and said one last thing.
"I'm placing my trust in your hands, Larla. On my son, on this village, on everyone, even me, even though us royalty don't have to worry about tomorrow. I hope you will do what's right." She told Larla, praying to God she'll keep her daughter safe. She then left the room.
"I promise, your majesty. I will keep this place safe. Until the day I die."
