Forced

New Queen

Luke grasped my fingers, and pulled me towards the doors.

"Now, Macy. I want you to smile! This is important. Also, don't go too fast!" He said, leaning in close.

"Fine. I still hate you."

He pushed the doors wide open to a loud fanfare.

I gasped, "Holy crap." I muttered.

I had been to ceremonies before, and I had been to this hall before. But today, it was different. Sad, depressing. The curtains were black, and they were usually a vibrant red.

My mother, was sitting on a silver throne. She smiled weakly at me. She had ginger hair in tight ringlets. She had looked extremely tired.

Eye bags, frown lines. Wrinkles. She was sick, too obvious. She wore a simple black dress that was not too tight.

I walked slowly to a throne slightly smaller than my mothers. I looked around at the people. There were people smiling, frowning, laughing, crying.

'Is this darn thing happy or sad?' I thought angrily.

I reached the small silver throne and sat down. I gave the hall one last scan, I saw Valentine leaning against the wall.

Luke stood beside me, I was confused.

The duke, a tall gangly man, said clearly and loudly, "Hello. We are here to give you all terrible news." There were some mutterings in the room, "Although, we must stay positive. It is crucial that we go on in life like nothing happened."

I turned to my mother, and whispered "Mom? What's going on."

"You'll see."

I sat back, groaning. I wondered if they would notice if I left. Maybe I could just run away until this all blows over.

My mother stood up, she was wobbly, and took small steps towards the duke. Tears were forming in her eyes.

"I would like to inform you that, well that, well. That I am terribly sick. Madam Alago has tried to help, but no difference. Someone poisoned my tea. It will kill me over time, most likely. Or, I would stay terrible and weak my whole life."

I was crying, tears were flooding from my eyes. This was my mother! The queen! We have to help her!

"She can't die!" I shrieked. I didn't even realize it.

My mom put up a hand to me, telling me to calm down.

"Well, um. Any who, the force that poisoned me, they have been rebelling against this kingdom for ten years. It seems they have someone here in the castle. Who? I don't know. Soon, before I die, princess Macy will inherit the crown!" She gestured to me, to a loud burst of applause.

I gave them a very weak smile and said, "Thank you! But, I hope you will still respect my mother once I am queen."

Another weak smile.

Someone shouted from the crowd, "We need a king! Make her marry!"

I gasped and cried back, "A female is just as strong as a man. My mother has been ruling for a year without my father."

The duke cleared his throat and said flatly, "Alright. Well, you are dismissed."

Rumbling and rustling could be heard over all the citizens talking.

"Mom, no!" I cried as I ran towards my mother.

She hugged me, I still cried.

"Macy, I have a meeting. I must go now, child." And she drifted off towards the slightly smaller oak doors, about a dozen people were going through those ones.

A deep voice whispered in my ear,

"My queen. Time to go to the library."

Luke. Ugh.

I whirled around and the palm of my right hand slapped across his right cheek. I had slapped him!