This Kingdom of Ours

Chapter 1

    "And so, with the battle of Draxon in 3419 ending in the favor of the five Miranox warriors, our planet went back to its peaceful self. That peace has lasted us until this very moment in 4036."

    I suppose if you considered the assault of boring knowledge peaceful, she would be correct. However, Layna's long, drawn out lectures of history were for good reason, even though I had learned most of our countries history when I was about twelve years old. Tomorrow I would be taking my Queen's test.

    "I think that covers everything, madam. We went over wars, diseases, alliances, land purchases, former capitals." She put a finger to her chin and tapped it with her long, black nail. She gave her long blonde hair a swish as she tilted her head and bit her dark bottom lip. "I suppose I've taught you everything I can. Your table manners are precise, your mannerisms are exquisite. You could probably write a book about Miranox's entire history and it would be the most accurate book ever written." She took a deep breath and wiped away an imaginary tear. "I think you're ready, Princess Asheera!"

    I gave her the softest smile as I stood up from my little desk. It was extremely out of place for a room as large as this. "If it wasn't for all of your lessons, I wouldn't know a thing. Thank you for everything."

    "I couldn't imagine being anybody else's royal educator." She swept out her long black dress in a curtsy. "As long as you pass this assessment, the years we've spent together would be absolutely worth it."

    Unlike the tests that commoners take in Youth and Adolescent schools, this test could make or break my ability to become Queen. Before I was born, a Queen's test was given to every qualified woman between the ages of 18 and 20. It was given in three separate segments; knowledge and mannerisms. If they passed, they would move on to the courtship task. However, the Queen's test I will be taking is more like the King's test. The King's test is what heirs take in order to be eligible for the kingdom, and have the same two segments as the Queen's task. They can only become the King after they pass the test. If the current King dies before they've taken the test, an advisor will take the King's place until the heir is ready.

    I excused Layna and turned my head to the ceiling. I closed my eyes and remembered my mother's words.

    "Remember, darling. When you leave a room and you're not quite sure of yourself, look at the ceiling and find something to count. This castle has many things you can count, even at the highest peak."

    "I miss you, mom," I said as I opened my eyes. I looked at the skylight and counted each square that made up the glass window. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. Nine squares.

    I relaxed my head back into a normal position, looking ahead of me and knitting my hands together in front of me. "Brave face, Asheera." I tried to reassure myself.

    I clicked my way out of the room through the open door, feeling my poofy evening gown drag the floor as I walked along. These long dresses always made me pray that the janitors were truly scrubbing the floor twice a day. The hallway was mostly empty, except for the occasional guard that passed by. They always stopped and bowed politely, and they smiled happily as I curtsied back to them. My father never responded or even stopped when the staff would bow or curtsy, he would only walk on. Ignoring your subjects would only make them hate you, or at least that's what my mother would say to him. I always remembered that and decided to follow in her footsteps, rather than my father's.

    A maid clicked her way down the hallway, stopping as she saw me and giving me a polite curtsy. "Princess Asheera, your father- I mean, King Dekel is requesting your presence. He is in his office."

    I hid my disappointment and gave her a curtsy in response. "Thank you very much. Please send down a maid with some tea."

    "Of course, your highness. Right away." She dipped away and scurried towards the kitchen.