Sofia the First: The Rise of Rulers

Chapter Thirty: Amber

Chapter Thirty

Amber

I'm struggling. It's a hard thing for me to admit to myself, but it's the truth. I'm struggling to accept the death of my parents and the grief of my friends. Most of all, I'm struggling to be a good queen.

I've known I was the heir to Enchancia for quite some time. My parents raised me to take over their roles, they warned me this could happen. That they could be hurt, captured, or killed and I would have to take my place as Queen. I knew this. I know how to be Queen, yet I'm struggling.

I don't know what's best for my people. I question every decision I make and I'm growing insane. What would Dad do? What should I do? What do the people need?

I have a meeting later today with my siblings and their spouses to discuss those very questions. I want to talk with everyone, and lay out our ideas and plans. I want to be on the same page and know I can trust my friends, but we are only supposed to gather in small groups. To protect us like we weren't able to protect our parents. Even having the rulers of the three most powerful kingdoms in the ever realm is risky.

I know I should be grateful for the guards constantly following me around, for their lives they willingly put on the line for me, but I'm angry. Every time I remember they are outside my office door ready to protect me, I want to punch a wall because where were they when it mattered? Where were they when people were actually in danger.

It's one of the many things my brain has been struggling to comprehend. How did anyone get access to the palace? How were they able to get in and out without being seen, especially carrying a weapon? It's impossible. It's impossible unless-

The sudden knocking of the door startles me out of my thoughts.

"Queen Amber, you have a visitor who wishes to speak with you," a guard, whom I haven't bothered to learns name, says. I assume he is referring to either my brother or sister who has arrived for the meeting.

"One moment," I say, taking my time to run my hands over my wrinkled dress and through my untamed hair. I despise being seen looking less than perfection. I may be a mess on the inside, but no one should ever be able to tell by looking at me.

My heart skips a beat as the heavy wooden door to my office is opened.

"Amber."

Desmond.

"How are you doing? I'm sorry I haven't visited sooner."

Desmond is here. Desmond is standing in my hallway, his tall frame towering over me as I look up at him. He has a shadow of stubble on his face as if he hasn't shaved in a few days. My heart thumps harshly as my brain involuntarily imagines what the stubble would feel like against my skin.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, genuinely confused. It has been nearly two weeks since my parents died, and I haven't heard a thing from him. It hurt.

"I wanted to talk with you, check on you. I was also hoping to talk with some of the other rulers, and I thought maybe you could help me with that."

A wave of disappointment washes over me, which is ridiculous because our relationship is over, long over, and I know this. I shouldn't expect him to come to Enchancia for any other reason. There's absolutely no reason why I should be upset.

"Oh, well, yes. I could help with that. What is it you wished to speak with me about?" I desperately hope he doesn't notice the color that is burning holes through my cheeks.

"I know that my kingdom is in shambles," he says, his eyes on his shoes, "but I would still like to help. I could be an asset to you and your allies if you'd be willing to trust me." There's no doubt in my mind that my friends won't trust him. Desmond is the least harmless man on the planet and we've all been friends with him for as long as I can remember.