Rise

Chapter 3

Two families, sitting across from each other at a dining room table that rarely gets used. I only believe it's used for today so we don't murder one another. I sit down across from Cal who is looking at me with a mix of disappointment and anger. I sit tall, trying not to be fazed by his death glare. The man walks to the seat next to a beautiful blonde woman and across from another, his sisters. He sits, a small smirk painted on only for me to see. He shifts his attention to his mother, greeting her with a nod. She reciprocates the action and turns back to my mother. They were speaking about politics when we arrived. I tried my best to let the queen's words float over my head and away, like clouds in a windblown sky. Instead, I start to doze off, thinking of the etiquette lessons I've have learned throughout my childhood, the thought alone was enough to make my eyes flutter shut and my head as heavy as stone. Feeling myself dropping, I quickly jerk my body up, my spine straightening, my posture perfect.

Due to the quick movement, the attention is focused on me. I smile softly and then grab my glass, drinking the contents quickly. Queen Athena was the first to veer the conversation back on course.

"As I was saying, I appreciate you considering our offer for Adara's hand in marriage,"

My mother smiles at the woman, sweet but sickly.

"Queen Athena I assure you it was no trouble at all. If it wasn't you who married, it would have been the dreaded Nari from the Wind Kingdom and why marry someone who won't choose to stand with us?" The comment made Athena squirm in her seat. The Water Kingdom has been highly respected for decades, but due to the assassination of their king. The Kingdom fell into despair and are now fighting a war with the Glacies, making us allies for the first time in centuries.

"May I speak to you in private? I believe there are some things we need to discuss that I think are not audible for-" My mother interrupts Athena, her voice toneless.

"Anything you say in front of me you can say in front of the future Queen don't you think? Or is it your own children you don't trust?" My mother I stare at the Athena, making her wince in distress.

"I-I uh yes perhaps you're right-"

"You think I don't know what's going on in your Kingdom? I understand we are both at war with those wretched shivers that reside in Glacies, but my Kingdom stands a lot stronger than yours. Do you think that I would risk my regions reputation if I were not getting anything in return? I give you food, and I give you my people, do I get nothing in return?"

"Of course, not Your Highness." The voice was angry, it was Athena's son.

"Fin, please be quiet." His sister interrupts, softer than the harsh words spoken since this meeting started. The woman had dirty blonde hair and her bright eyes stare into his, she looked about seventeen. Mother breaks the silence.

"I want at least a quarter of your lands. The more land you give, the more gold you will get." My mother's lips twitch into a crooked smile as she takes a long sip of her wine.

"Are you insane?!" A voice rose up from the silence. The other blonde woman. She stood up from her chair. She was short, 5'3, but she was different, her eyes were the color of sapphire, and angry.

"That land is sacred. Our ancestors died for that land. The Ice Kingdom is not helping by taking some, but now you mean to tell us that you want some for your own? That's-" She motioned toward her family

"Absurd, I know." My mother interrupts this time, speaking dryly.

"That is right. Your ancestors died for that land. That has nothing to concern me."

"Mother, you are being rude." I butt in. Cal nudges me. I ignore him, rising from my chair I turn to Athena.

"I'm sure a quarter of land will do just fine. I do apologize, but we do need something to compensate for all that we are and will be giving you, along with my hand in marriage" I try to explain but get interrupted yet again.