American Royalty

Chapter 1

Evan sat in his room, preparing to be married to a woman he didn't know. He knew her name, Rose. He knew she was to be his queen, he knew she was ten years younger than he was, but he knew nothing else. Everything had reverted into Old English times. The outfits were straight out of the history books he had read in school. Evan stood and walked to the window of his room, admiring the sun and the flower gardens that had been planted in honor of those who were not as lucky as he was. He hadn't had many family members die, only his grandparents and his aunt's family. He glanced at the crown that was neatly placed on a pillow sitting on a dresser. He had decided his family crest would be a golden phoenix on a red background, taking inspiration from his favorite show.

Evan walked to his floor length mirror, fixing his Victorian era shirt, mentally complaining of how the fabric was itchy. Suddenly there was a knock on his door, which wasn't surprising for him. He hadn't been coronated yet, but he had grown accustom to his courtier coming with news- whether good or bad.

"Come in!" he announced as he turned to face Felix, preparing to hear what he had to say today.

"You're grace, Queen Rose is ready. I've come to escort you to the throne room," Felix stated, as he picked up the velvety pillow that held his crown. He sighed in nervousness, preparing to see his queen for the first time.

Felix lead Evan to the throne room, he knew Evan's worry of having an arranged marriage. Felix pitied Evan, he couldn't make the choice himself. His court had chosen Rose because they believed she was a pure soul. She was young, in fact she had just turned 18 when she moved into the castle built where the white house had once been. Evan stood waiting nervously, wondering if this would work. America had never been under a monarchy, however it is what the surviving world leaders had decided on. The court stood as Rose's lady in waiting entered. Evan's heart went into his stomach, anxiety creeping throughout his body.

"Announcing Queen Rose," Sabrina announced. The rest of her court came into the throne room, standing beside the steps to the thrones. Evan looked nervously towards the hallway. She was walking in, but the crowd blocked his view. Then in an instance, there she was. Rose walked down, wearing a beautiful ballgown wedding dress. Her auburn colored hair was pinned off of her face, falling into kinky curls that bounced with every step she took. Evan studied her face. Her fair toned skin was blemish free, blush dawning her cheekbones. He glanced into her eyes, admiring the beauty of the ocean blue color that drew him in closer.

Finally she had made it to the thrones. She stepped up and looked at him nervously before looking towards the priest that stood in front of them. She couldn't understand why she was chosen for this, she believed she was nothing special. She believed she was of little importance, and now she was thrown into a royal marriage.

The priest finished his service, allowing the courtiers to bring the crowns up to finish the coranation. Rose stood awkwardly as the priest began to announce them as the sovereign King and Queen of America.

"Citizens of America, I pronounce our new monarchs! King Evan and Queen Rose, long may they reign. Your grace, you may kiss your queen, sealing this matrimony in sight of God and man." the priest announced as he stepped off the platform holding the thrones. The crowns were heavier than Rose had anticipated, but it came with the role of queen. Evan looked at Rose, reaching his hands up slowly to cup her small porcelain face. He was waiting for her to pull away, but she didn't. Evan looked at her softly, then he placed a small peck on her soft lips. The room erupted in cheers and declarations of loyalty to the king and queen as they made their way down the steps and towards the banquet hall. The courtiers and ladies in waiting followed closely behind, making sure to open the doors of the banquet hall to allow Evan and Rose into the massive room.

"How do you like it?" Evan whispered as she saw the tables decorated with candles and roses. She studied every detail, then looked back at her husband nervously.

"It's beautiful," she whispered back. Evan smiled warmly at her as he lead her to the table they were to sit at. Sabrina pulled out the chair for Rose, allowing her to sit before taking her seat next to Rose. Felix did the same for Evan before finding his place next to him.

Rose sat quietly, taking note of all the decorations as well as the wine goblets placed in front of each chair neatly. She looked at Evan, studying his features as he had done on her way to the thrones. His brunette hair was styled neatly, his crown placed securely on top. She caught a glimpse of his seaweed foam green eyes, sparkling from the candle lights dancing around the room. He was rather muscular, but his small frame made his muscle appearance tasteful. He was handsome, there was no denying that fact.

In a slow pace, the attendees of the wedding began to pile into the banquet hall. Seats were soon taken, and all at once all eyes turned to the newly appointed royal couple. Rose felt her face flush as she stood next to Evan, placing her hands neatly folded in front of her.

"We greatly appreciate you all for coming to this most special occasion. We will have a feast to celebrate, then we will retire to our bed chamber. Please, enjoy yourself and have a good evening," Evan stated, authority anointing his voice. He sat back down, turning to Rose and smiling gently.

"Where are your family members, I want to meet them," Evan asked as he took a sip of the wine that had been filled mere seconds before. Rose looked at him, then away. Something had upset her, and Evan began to worry she wasn't going to say anything in response.

"None of them are here," she whispered as she looked at her hands. Evan raised her face gently to look at his. Her eyes met his as she took a shaky deep breath.

"Where are they?" Evan questioned, trying to be warm and friendly towards his queen.

"They're gone."

Evan stared confused at her. He made note of how no one at the feast had her features and began to realize what she had meant.

"They didn't make it out of the radiation blast. I am the only survivor of my family," she confirmed, looking down as she sniffled softly. She hadn't felt the loneliness of being the last of her family until this moment. When she looked back at Evan, she saw his face was saddened by the revelation. This was her new reality, and she was alone for the first time in her life.