"Give it back, you thief!" I reached for my small leather bag that held my enchanted jewelry. He smirked and chuckled. "Well, little potato, if you want it back so much, why don't you get it?" The criminal said. I threw my hands up in frustration. "...
It was a struggle to balance at least 7 books on my head while walking across the room. "Posture is key. Make sure your head is held high, and walk with grace," My trainer smiled, then frowned when she noticed how horrible I was doing. "Stop moving from side to side. Stop shaking. If you don't stop, you'll have an extra hour of practice." No, not another hour, anything but that, please!
"Viviana, you're pushing her too hard again." My father said to my trainer, also known as my mother. "She's not even close to becoming queen, George! Not one bit!" She hugged Father.
I smiled. My mother and father were nice rulers. They were kind and genuine in their own way. They were strong and powerful in their own way. They were so in love that every time they see each other, it was like they disappeared into their own dreamland. I envied that.
Here I was, training to become a queen, not even close to becoming one. My parents had told me that they were setting a marriage up for me so that I didn't have to worry about finding a nice man who'll take care of me. To me, that is their nice way of saying, "we are using you to combine our kingdom with another powerful kingdom." They were marrying me off to Prince Caspian of Ruon, the new neighboring kingdom. The kingdoms Dezmon and Ruon.
"Veronica Penelope Ramone, you've gone from glam to glum the last time I've seen you, my dear beloved daughter." My father hugged me. He whispered into my ear so that only I can hear, "Eric has set up your ragged clothes in your room. Your satchel should be filled with enchanted jewelry so if you are caught by the guards, use them. Be back by midnight and stay safe, my princess. Don't let them know you were there. If anyone knows, we'll be bombarded with questions we cannot answer and they can use that information later on to use against us." I nodded my head in understandingly. He told me this speech almost every night, and if not him, Eric told me.
I walked away gracefully. I didn't want mother to scold me. Once I had closed the door, a smile was on my face as I dashed to my chambers. I came across my bedroom, it had an amethyst doorknob. I twisted it open and was greeted by Eric. "Princess Penelope, you've finally arrive. Now, I'm sure King George has already lectured you so I will not bother. Go ahead, Princess." He stepped aside and I saw this time, I had silk clothes. Last time, it was ragged clothes, what a peasant would wear. "Silk, some merchants' assistants are allowed to explore if the merchant agrees." I took the silk clothes.
"Eric, red silk will make my blonde hair stand out. Can you get me," I thought of a suitable color, "white. I noticed last night that most ladies wore white." He nodded. "Certainly, Your Highness." He took the silk and left. I chuckled. I told him already that I was fine with him calling me Penelope." The door opened and my smile left my face. I had a strong feeling it wasn't Eric or Father. I turned and stood straight. "Mother. What is it that you want to speak to me about?" I asked. The only times she would actually come to my room and not summon me was when she needed to talk to me without anyone knowing.
"Penny, I haven't been a caring mother and I finally realized that. I have been stressed and I went through what you are going through right now. My own mother was trying to prepare me for the crown. When I became queen, no one took me seriously. I understood why. I pleaded with my Mother to once again show me how to act proper. This is what she told me, 'Begging is for the fools. Do not be a fool. Demand.' It was hard for me to train. I was a bit disobedient as a teenager. The point is, no one would take you seriously without proper training. Penny, we will be a happy family. We will be connected, but before that happens, I need you to be prepared to become Queen. After your training, we can go on a picnic in the park."
"Oh? You've been teaching me since I learned to walk, Mother. You tell me to do this, you tell me to do that. I do not do it, but I DO listen. I will use those lessons you've told me when I need them. Mother, all I needed from you was your care. You showed care to everyone else besides your own daughter." She cut me off. "I took care of you myself when you had fevers. I carried you every time you fell and bruised yourself. I got my gown dirty to save you from falling down a tree. I saved you from a unicorn. I saved you from a selkie. I saved you from the ogre who was about to make you his supper. I saved you from being attacked by a lone elf. I saved you from a gorgon. I saved you from a naiad. I saved you from a tainted pegasus. I saved you from the forest of death. I saved you from a spell that almost sent you falling down a cliff. I took care of you every single time you almost died." She whispered.
That was impossible to believe. Those were the times when Mother was out of the Kingdom on business. I was rescued by a mysterious woman with a normal horse. Probably the last of its kind. All normal living things, besides humans, have become extinct. "I was the woman with the horse. The white beautiful horse named Ilnora."
"Ilnora, its time to go. Don't want the royals to think we were kidnapping the youngster."
"It . . . was you?" I whispered softly. She nodded, looking down. I flung myself at her. "You were my hero. I wanted to find myself a loyal and trustworthy animal like Ilnora. I wanted to save people from death. I wanted to be just like you." I squeezed her tighter. She stroked my hair a few moments later after I stopped squeezing her so tight. "Penny, would you like to see Ilnora and the rest of them?" I looked up at her eyes. I smiled, "Of course!"
"Penny? You don't have to hide the fact that you go out every night looking like a peasant." I stiffened. "Y-You knew about that?" I stammered. I was shocked. Did I not hide it very well? I was certain she would never find out. I was dumbfounded. "I saw you coming home last night. I was out, checking on Ilnora and her friends. I even groomed her."
The door opened. "Your Majesty, Your Highness." I told him not to . . .
***
Yay. I finished the first chapter. I am so super happy that I did.
Please comment, vote, or share. It will be greatly appreciated.
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