THE QUEEN'S SERVANT

1

Rocky looked out through the window of her carriage when she heard her griot singing about the blessings of the Chad kingdom. Her pretty eyes scanned their surroundings with amazement. It was her first time in the desert and it was nothing like she expected. Instead of a huge land of sand and dryness alone, she saw tall palm trees bordering a paved way, on which her carriage was moving. Bordering the road, at the far distance, she could see the city with its humble homes, markets and men. They also passed near a huge oasis where tiny children were playing with each other, under the watchful gaze of their mothers.

Chad.

"It's nothing like they said it would be." She said, looking at her mother.

The queen was simply laying against her seat, a young servant fanning her with a silky sheet. Rocky didn't care about disturbing her mother's rest, though. She kept speaking:

"They actually have a lake and a normal city ! I didn't see the palace yet but something tells me it will be quite pleasant. Father was exaggerating when he said this would be a barbaric country. He clearly hasn't been here yet....Mother can you hear me?"

"Mmmh..."

Rocky rolled her eyes. The queen wasn't very fond of this situation and she made it clear from the beginning. Giving her only daughter into marriage was already painful enough. Yet, she had to abandon her in this far away land, surrounded by desert and savages. She opened her eyes and sighed deeply, worry getting into her heart once again.

"I hate this. You're not supposed to be here, Rocky."

"This is my father's wish, mother. I am actually very happy to serve my country. It's my purpose as a princess, and soon-to-be queen."

"I feel like you don't understand how serious this is. You are going to be married to a known tyrant, all because your father is scared that he'll attack him someday. You don't deserve it. Can't you see how unfair this is?

"I can, mother. Yet, it's nothing that our ancestors hadn't done before.... You are supposed to encourage me."

"I wanted you to get married to your cousin and take over our kingdom. Not assimilate into this one...You will be a stranger to them. They won't know your worth."

Rocky simply looked out of the window once again, her smile long gone. As hard as she tried to appear pleased, she was actually dying inside. She was conscious of the huge responsibility bestowed upon her. In fact, her father sacrificed her for the better good of her society, risking her safety and happiness.

She sure heard all the stories told about the king Hassan of the Chad kingdom. No painting of him existed because people were too afraid to stare at him too long. He was a god of war, cruel and a known sadist. He'd already taken over so many lands already, not hesitating to kill thousands of innocent souls just for power and wealth.

Rocky's father knew his kingdom didn't have the best army, yet it held a strategic position which could attract king Hassan's interest. So, to avoid a potential attack, he offered his daughter as a peace treaty. the two kingdoms would now be related and have better exchanges without the use of violence. Yet, if there was one thing Rocky was sure of, people like king Hassan didn't know loyalty. He could always betray his father and attack their kingdom, despite this marriage. As a princess and queen, it was her job to avoid that. She had to watch her husband's every move and jeopardise anything that would go against the well-being of her home. And she was very determined to do just that.

They waited again for around an hour before they finally reached the city. They were alerted by the griots outside, singing more about the Chad's kingdom, but also by people joyously cheering and playing music. Rocky immediately looked out again and laughed in pure ecstasy when she noticed the crowd formed at the entry of the capital city. They were all beautifully dressed in their traditional clothes, throwing flowers and coins of gold on the way of their carriage. Rocky waved at those who screamed her name, trying to reach for her hand but being stopped by a bunch of guards. Alongside Rocky's personal protectors, the king Hassan had provided his own warriors to secure their carriage, which was quite...Generous and unexpected of him.