The Story of Udonia

Chapter Twenty Nine: Peace?

January 20th.
I couldn't sleep very well. Ashton was asleep next to me. I was feeling really nauseous suddenly. I had to get up and deal with this. I moved out of the covers and stood up. This must've awoken my stomach, because I felt so gross. I ran into the bathroom and gagged. I then proceeded to puke into the sink. Yeah...not pleasant.
Ashton heard the commotion and probably saw the bathroom light on.
He materialized at my side and pulled my blonde hair out of my face.
"Ugh!" I moaned.
I gagged once more and coughed. I spit out whatever was left in my mouth I to the sink. I pulled my head back and looked in the mirror. I groaned.
"Sorry, love." Ashton said as he let my hair go.
I cleaned my mouth with the towel on the countertop. I grabbed my glass and filled it with water. I swished it around in my mouth and spit it back out. I then sat my glass down and grumbled.
Ashton wrapped his arms around me. "Are the nausea pills not working?" He asked.
"No, they are." I sighed. "I didn't take one today. I wasn't nauseous for once, but I was later tonight. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten half of that pizza."
He smiled. "Yeah, well you couldn't have known. I guess the lesson is to take the pills even if you're not nauseous."
"Yeah." I moaned and turned around to face him. "Sorry I woke you." I said.
"It's fine. I want to be with you through all this even if that means holding your hair back." He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Let's hope I can sleep now." I walked back into the bedroom.
Ashton shut off the bathroom light and it was pitch black in our bedroom. "I hope so too. You have to sign the treaty tomorrow. You're first important public appearance since we announced we're pregnant."
"Yeah, so people should think it's okay if I'm acting strange." I got comfortable in bed.
"Or think that you're weak for being taken down by pregnancy symptoms." He got comfortable in bed next to me.
"Hey, no uterus, no opinion." I protested.
"Still, it is important to look strong, especially at an event like this."
Hannah had the brilliant idea to renew our peace treaty. Thirty years ago, her mother, Mr. Covington, and my father signed the treaty to declare peace in the future. Hannah wanted to resign it to show that the new generation plans to continue the same idea. I thought it was a good idea, except she can up with this idea two weeks before she planned to sign it, so it would be not he thirty year anniversary of the first signing. I was all for peace, but I was also pregnant. All I wanted was to lay in bed. But duty comes first.
__________________________

January 21st.
We left the castle to head for the border of all three kingdoms. It was about a three hour drive and a boring one too. Just farm fields and some forests. We arrived about fifteen minutes before noon. There was a crowd of people surrounding the plaque that claimed that it was the border of the three kingdoms.
Most of the people there were reporters with camera and microphones. When I stepped out of my car, I was mobbed.
"Claire, tell us about this peace treaty resigning?!"
"You're pregnant! Have you thought about your plans for the future?!"
"Claire!"
"Miss Hazenberg!"
My guards protected Ashton and I as we approached the plaque. I turned to my right and saw Ashley and Stephen. Mr. Covington wanted to come too to show his support, but his doctor had him under house arrest pretty much until he dies. I waved at her and she waved back with a huge smile.
Another car pulled up behind me. Out stepped John Locke. I smiled at him as he approached. We shook hands.
"Claire." He smiled. "Do you think there is more behind this signing then Hannah is letting on?" He asked quietly.
"I'm not sure, but it can't hurt." I responded.
Hannah's car pulled up next. It was a little depressing to see her come out alone. She didn't have anyone. No family, no friends, and no special someone.
She walked up to the plaque and meet Ashley and I.
I shook her hand. "Nice to see you again Hannah."
Ashley shook her hand. "Hi, Hannah."
"Would anyone like to volunteer to make their speech first?" Hannah asked with a still unreadable expression.
"Oh, I will." Ashley was excited.
Hannah and I stepped back and allowed Ashely to speak. Everyone listened to her speech.
"Hi everyone! I'm Ashley Covington, soon to be queen of Hikaru. I just wanted to say that we really appreciate all the support and love we've received over the past two years has really been amazing. Things changed quicker than we would have liked, but we are all ready to embrace our new lives as rulers. We have all learned from the best, our parents. And so we are here to honor them and to sign this treaty again." She smiled and everyone clapped.
Pictures were snapped and she signed the document.
I stepped up next. I found Ashton's eyes and smiled.
"I'm Claire Hazenberg, soon to be queen of Udonia. I want to start by thanking all the people in my life for staying by me through all this. And my people for not losing hope in me. I want to thank John Locke for stepping up and taking control for me. And I want to thank my C.E.O. of Udonia tech Venessa Andre for running our company smoothly. And I just need to thank the people of Udonia for being so kind, patient, and supportive of me over these long two years." I smiled and took a breath. "I firmly believe in peace and happiness for everyone. My father felt the same, so I sign this treaty in his honor and the honor of my whole family, and all the lessons they have taught me." I sighed the treaty and stepped back.
I suddenly felt anxious as Hannah approached the plaque with the treaty on top of it. She took a breath and smiled at everyone.
"Hello, I'm Hannah Hoss," She glared at me, "queen of Haruhi." She smiled and looked back at the crowd. "It was my choice to sign this treaty again to name peace between the new generation, but I must say something honestly about this new generation." She glared down at me again.
What is she thinking?!
"I would like to start with Ashley Covington. She is a sweet, kind, caring, and smart woman. I think she will do well for the future of Hikaru. I am proud to call her an ally." Hannah looked into my eyes.
For the first time I could read her expression. It was hateful.
"Claire Hazenberg on the other hand is rude, irresponsible, vain, and clueless about how to run a kingdom."
The reporters gasped and took pictures. I was confused.
Why does she hate me?!
Hannah continued after the murmur of the crowd decreased. "Claire was so irresponsible that after her family died, she got drunk. She had an alcohol addiction. She was the youngest. The one who didn't have to do anything, but have fun and buy expensive things. She now has gotten herself knocked up. This is not the person that should be ruling Udonia."
I put my head down in shame and clenched my fist.
Angry, but can't outburst! Can't prove her right!
More pictures were taken of my face.
"But don't worry everyone, I have a solution! I will rule Udonia in her place."
Oh my god!
I took step forward and shouted. "Bring it on!"
People gasped as took more pictures.
"I refuse to sign a treaty with your name on it!" She yelled and took a step back.
As we stepped back, she began to move slower. I glanced to the people around me as they all started to slow down and eventually stop.
I looked around in confusion. Did I do that?
Suddenly, a beautiful African American woman wearing all white appeared in front of me. She had large angelic wins on her back as she hovered in front of me.
I stood with my jaw dropped and eyes wide with wonderment.
"Claire." She said my name. "Please be careful! Something is about to happen that will change your future. You must take caution as you go forward. Don't let this shake you! You must do whatever possible to do what is right." She warned.
"What's going to happen?!" I asked in confusion.
She disappeared before I could get an answer.
The world around me resumed. My eyes snapped to Hannah. I watched as she began to reach for something behind her. All around us was screaming and shouting of reporters asking questions. Pictures were being taken. I focused on what Hannah was doing. That's when I saw it. She had pulled out a gun. She shot it off once in the air. The crowd reacted to the noise. They screamed and scrambled around. I jumped at the sound. I didn't know what to do. I slowly stepped back as Hannah's malicious eyes snapped to me. She smiled, the one time I ever saw pure joy come out of her. She pulled the trigger and fired a shot in my direction. It missed and I about fell over. My guards started to run up towards me. Others pulled out their weapons and aimed at Hannah and her guards. Ashley and Stephen were taken back to their car for safety. The guards kept Ashton back as well. Hannah pulled the trigger once more. The bullet flew towards more, slicing through the air. Suddenly, Lacey was in front of me. She was hit. The bullet pierced into her right thigh. She crumpled to the ground in front of me. I looked down and saw the fear in her eyes. I didn't know what to do. I heard Hannah's gun fire again. I looked up and suddenly felt a sharp pain in my stomach just below my belly button. I exhaled and took in a quick breath. I couldn't hear anything. Hannah looked like she was laughing. A helicopter appeared behind her. It had a symbol on it...a red snake holding a rat...just like the one that attacked us at my castle. I brought my hand up to my stomach as my hearing returned to hear screaming and the helicopter. Hannah got away. I looked down at my hand and saw blood. My breathing increased as I began to panic. I was suddenly seeing white splotches and I started to hurt more. It was a pain that is beyond words. I felt like my life was draining out of that bullet hole. Then my breathing shortened. I felt a hand on my shoulder. It scared me. I turned with shock in my face to see James he was concerned. He said something, but I couldn't make it out. I shut my eyes and blacked out.