UNFIT Royal (Short Story)

18(13)

Unedited*

Day Three 

On the third day, Daniel was feeling neglected and wanted me to spend time with him. I spent the night with him, but not in that way.

After dinner was served, we took a long and drawn out stroll along the castle grounds.

We ended up right back in my garden, it seemed right.

"So, how is your new role as queen been treating you?"

"It has been a whirlwind. I now know why my father was the way he was with me knowing that I would be Queen one day."

"What does that mean?"

"My father ruled for so many years, and he had to keep the peace while being an authoritarian. Whenever my sisters got into a fight within themselves, he would make me decide how to handle it. If I got into a fight with them, he would always make me apologize and made me stare at a wall to reflect for thirty minutes. I hated it for some time, until I realized why. He made me decide because he knew I loved my sisters equally, so I got used to dealing out punishments that were fair. He made me apologize, because I am the eldest so I should avoid arguing with the younger ones, and I tend to have a temper. When I stared at the wall, it gave me time to reflect on what I did and how it could have been avoided." I sighed, looking back on those times.

"My dad was never one for words, but his actions normally spoke for him. My dad was never overly harsh with me because I was next in line for the throne. He was always really patient with me. With everyone. Especially my mother." At the Daniel chuckled.

"Yes, you're mother is quite the character. She actually reminds me of your sister."

"Athena." We said collectively, and we both laughed.

"Yeah, they are too much alike. That's why they argue so much, but I get it. My mother was just like Athena when she was younger. My mother was not always like this. My mother loved her freedom, and exploring." I looked at the starry sky and smiled fondly as I recalled my grandmother's stories of my mother.

"But she had a kingdom to run. Fairmarsh is originally my mother's territory. When my mother and father wed Fairmarsh became three times bigger as they were neighboring rulers so they merged territories. My father's country's name was Gaia. Which is how Gaia got her name, and she loves it because it reminds her of her importance."

I looked at my hands sadly, "Sometimes Gaia can forget her importance." My eyes began to water, Daniel took my hands into his and I looked at him.

"You do not have to tell me if your uncomfortable."

I shook my head, "No, if you want me- you have to know about my family. I trust you won't tell anyone."

"Of course I will not, I would never." His eyes looked determined so I continued.

"Years ago, I found Gaia one night after dinner she had been acting weird for some time. Gaia hates being in her room, so it was the last place anyone would expect her to unless it was her time for bed. I checked all her normal spots where she likes to paint but I couldn't find her. I was worried, I couldn't alert anyone until I knew fully for myself she wasn't on castle grounds. So, I finally checked her room." I took a big gulp and continued.

"She was crying, sitting on the balcony ledge. I called for her to come down, but no response.

She looked like she wanted to jump, but she was still deciding. I slowly walked closer to her, and it was scary for me to her like that. She couldn't have known how close I was to her, because when she let go, I caught her.