Red Queen

The Expectations

Princess Renee woke up to rustling. She looked out and the sun wasn't even out yet. She opened her door a bit to look at what was going on but she saw all the soldiers up, they were also changed into different clothing that looked lighter than the armor they wore yesterday. She didn't know what was going on so she stepped out and tapped a passing solider on the shoulder. At first, he didn't feel anything and continued walking but after a couple harder attempts he turned around to see her panting. "Are we going somewhere?" She asked trying to keep her breathing normal. "We're getting ready to train," he said and walked away leaving her alone.

In her closet, she found only two outfits. One was a white tunic with black pants while the other one looked like the outfit that the soldiers were wearing outside. Princess Renee put on the outfit and could barely move five steps out of her room before she was breathing hard and sweating. She looked around and there was nobody left. If I can't even do this simple task how am I supposed to prove my worth to father! She mentally pushed herself to move down the stairs. By the time she got to the last step she was drenched in sweat and felt like fainting. Then she heard the door open. "The commander was wondering why you were taking so long newbie," It was the same soldier who showed her to her room. He didn't sound angry but there was a bit of irritation laced in his tone. Princess Renee wanted to say something but she felt like the moment that she opened her mouth she was going to throw up. She didn't notice the solider coming closer to her and slung her over his shoulder. Now she definitely felt like puking as he was running with her upside down.

"Commander I've brought her," The solider set her down on her feet, she tried to stand but was a little unstable. She thought everybody was staring at her and giving her pity looks but when she got her balance and looked up there was nobody staring at her, they were all looking ahead. The only person who she felt looking at her was Mela, the commander, but she had a stone face with no emotion so Princess Renee only felt embarrassed at the fact that she was worried of the judgment from the others. Princess Renee mentally scolded herself. She got in the same position as everybody around her, with her hands folded behind her back and her legs slightly parted. "There are some things that need to be addressed since we got a new member," now I was feeling anxious about what she was going to say. I thought she was going to look down on me and tell everyone to protect me with their life, but I was wrong. "Joining this section means that you have to follow the rules and you must be like us. I will tell you in advance that this is not like the other troops. This is the only time that I will let you leave if you are not up for future challenges." I thought back to the cold face soldiers and how they weren't lusting over the opposite gender like the rest of the males. But I also thought of the possible challenges that I would have to face if I decided to stay. I didn't want to stand here pondering forever, "I want to stay and prove myself to everybody that I'm not just a princess," Mela smirked liked she was expected the answer. "If that's your answer than there are more things that need to be known." I was surprised that she didn't ask for assurance that this was what I really wanted. I guess she was the type to not dwell on something twice.

"First, in here you are not known as a princess. You are simply a person, like everybody else here, named Renee. Your princess title will not work here. If you make a mistake don't give up and feel embarrassed or ashamed. You will learn from it and better yourself. Do not care concern yourself with the judgment of others, you'll just be as vulnerable to their actions if you acknowledge them. If you do something better another way then you will use it. Everybody here has had past experiences so they are your seniors. Do not hesitate to ask for help. I want you to ask for help or ask questions when you need it. I don't want you to make a fool out of yourself. If you haven't noticed you are the only female within all the soldiers, so there are some mishaps that can happen with the other troops, that is why you are to be accompanied with at least one other person from here until you are able to defend yourself," I was listening to everything she said until she talked about the mishap of the other troops, then I looked beside me at the two soldiers who still had their focus on the commander. "There is no need to worry about being vulnerable in front of the males here. They know what happens when they go against my orders and I hope you don't have to experience it," the commander smirked and this time I saw them all shiver while I was curious as to what she'd done to them. "About proving yourself to your people, you'll have to prove yourself to me first. I am your commander and you are to address me as so nothing else. What I say goes, even if you would rather be dead," she smirked again and this time I felt some looks from my companions.

~~~

It seemed like we've been running up the mountain forever. I was on the verge of fainting with the heavy training outfit and keeping up with my companions. I pushed myself to reach the top and catch up with the others because the commander said that everybody was to reach the top together before the next challenge and so far I was the last one with no companions in site.

By the time I reached the top panting like a fish, I thought I would receive looks of annoyance or disgust but they were all lined up in four rolls seeming as if they didn't care that I was last. I saw some of them trying to control their breathing with their chest moving up and down. But when I saw the commander she looked as if she was up here the whole time. She had no sweat although she was the first one who left and we were a couple minutes behind. But she sure did look pissed. I got in the last roll trying to not bring attention to myself, even if I probably already had. "You were all supposed to help one when one is behind. What difference does it make when you all make it here but there is still one of you behind?" She barked making us flinch. "It won't happen again next time!" Someone yelled then suddenly everybody was bent bowing. The commander turned around ignoring us and stared at what I thought was the scenery. Man was I wrong.