The Regnum: Maxime

  I was getting a history lesson on a Monday afternoon by my Aunt Willie.

 We were sitting on our porch, breathing in the smell of the ocean as the wind blew around us. The sun was setting over the water, so the sea reflected the orange and pink sky, washing the colors onto the shore.

The water was so lovely, like it always was. Every time we had a lesson outside, I would stop listening and just stare out to the ocean, wishing that I was there rather than sitting on the porch getting a lesson. I always wondered if the other Squares have as a nice of a view of the ocean, if they even have it at all.

 How could they live without such a beautiful sight?

 I looked back to my aunt, who obvious had given up on trying to teach me anything. Her mouth was in a straight line and her blue eyes gazed at me with a slight glimmer of disappointment. Her dark hair fell around her face, stubbornly falling back every time she pulled it behind her ear.

  “Child, you will never learn, will you? This is you history, not one of your silly books that you can ignore and not care about. Let me tell you what. Your sisters, Marylyn, Katelyn, and Bennie didn’t act like you are now. Sure, Katelyn and Bennie didn’t make it far in the Competition, but Marylyn did. Maybe if you started to act a bit more like her than you would win and not be a shame to the family for once in a while.”

I looked at her and frowned.  I opened my mouth and closed it a few times, trying to think of something to respond to that insult. I knew that if I said something, I would be smacked across the mouth. I decided to ignore that comment that I get all too often and ask what was really on my mind.

 “Aunt Willie, do the other Squares get to visit the ocean?”

  “What does that have to do with the lesson I’m trying to teach you?”

  “I’m just wondering. It’s such a lovely thing. I think everyone should be able to look at it like I get to every day.” I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with the salty air.

 “Some would agree, but I doubt the Blaze Square would enjoy the sight of a large mass of water only a few hundred yards away from them.” She gathered papers that were spread out on the wooden ground and stood up.

 “It’s getting dark out. We need to go inside before the sun sets fully.”

 I stood up and pulled the back of my skirt down. I went up to the top of the stairs. “I never understood that rule.” I muttered.

 “It doesn’t matter if you understand it or not, it’s the law and the law must be followed. The Regius made it very clear that anyone who disobeys will be severally punished. This family doesn’t need another death in it.”

 I looked at my bared feet. My toes were newly painted dark green, matching my nails on my hand. Dark green was my sister’s favorite color.

“Go inside Libby. You have a big day tomorrow and you need your rest.”

I looked up at my Aunt Willie. She was staring at me, daring me to argue. I turned around and went inside my beach house.